Media Contact: Isaiah Neal, National Sports Center, 763-717-3243, ineal@nscsports.org

Herb Brooks Holiday Classic Honors Minnesota Hockey Legend

Schwan Cup becomes Herb Brooks Holiday Classic

BLAINE, Minn. (Dec. 11, 2019) – Since 2001, the National Sports Center has produced the largest and most elite high school hockey tournament in Minnesota for boys and girls. Schwan Cup, as it previously had been known, will now honor legendary hockey player and coach Herb Brooks. Starting this year, the tournament will be known as the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic. The name change aims to preserve the legacy of Herb Brooks in Minnesota hockey for future generations to come. From Dec. 26, 2019—Jan. 1, 2020, the NSC Super Rink will become the most popular destination for ambitious high school hockey players. The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic is the largest high school hockey tournament in the state. In partnership with the Herb Brooks Foundation and M Health Fairview, all games being played will hold a special place in Minnesota hockey history.

The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic will have scheduled appearances from Herb’s son Dan Brooks and 1980’s USA Olympic Gold Medalist Rob McClanahan who will be on site at the tournament on Dec. 26. John Harrington, who tallied an assist on the game-winning goal against the USSR in Lake Placid, will also be available for interviews, autographs and pictures on Dec. 30 at the NSC Super Rink.

The Minnesota Wild have chosen the Herb Brooks Foundation (HBF) to be the beneficiary of the Split-the-Pot Raffle at the Minnesota Wild on December 10th at 7:00 pm. Fans attending the game are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the Foundation and enter for a chance to win big!

Raffle tickets may be purchased starting when the doors open through the end of the second intermission. The lucky winner takes home half the gross proceeds from the game's raffle ticket sales, up to $10,000. The winning number is announced during the third period and posted online at www.wild.com/raffle after the game. To date, about $2 million has gone to local charities through the Split-the-Pot raffle program. 

The HBF is committed to helping youth learn valuable life lessons through sports while continuing the legacy of legendary coach Herb Brooks. Various programs are offered throughout the metro for youth to participate in hockey and sports-related activities at no cost and in a no pressure environment. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of teamwork, having a positive attitude, and having fun!

Herb Brooks Holiday Classic Save the Date

Minnesota’s Largest High School Hockey Tournament Returns for 18th Year

BLAINE, Minn. (Dec. 3, 2019) – With a red pen, circle the dates Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 on your calendar and prepare for the largest boys and girls high school hockey tournament in the state of Minnesota. The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic, formerly known as Schwan Cup, marks the official kick-off of the 40th anniversary of Miracle on Ice — the greatest sports moment of the 20th century.

More than 175 games will be played by 54 boys teams and 64 girls teams at NSC Super Rink over six days, making it the largest holiday hockey tournament in the North Star State.

The tournament provides players, coaches and fans an early season preview of some of the best high school hockey in Minnesota.

For 18 years, this tournament was called Schwan Cup, but this year, the name has been changed to reflect the partnership between the National Sports Center and the Herb Brooks Foundation. The tournament will honor Minnesota’s hockey icon, Coach Herb Brooks, who was instrumental in building the Super Rink on the National Sports Center campus. The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic continues to offer high school hockey players a unique tournament opportunity.