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9th Annual Hockey Day Honors Minnesota Troops

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesota is living up to its name as the state of hockey.

Thousands of athletes are lacing up their skates around the state for the 9th annual Hockey Day Minnesota.

The premier games are happening at Holman Field in St. Paul where high school hockey teams are competing on an outdoor rink.

While Hockey Day Minnesota is a celebration of the game, this year, its purpose reaches past the rink.

"Our service members and their families really love hockey," Col. Kevin Olson, of the Minnesota National Guard, said.

It's no coincidence that the arena was built near a Minnesota National Guard base.

The Minnesota Wild and Fox Sports North teamed up with Serving our Troops, a local organization that provides steak dinners to Minnesota military members deployed overseas.  Organizers wanted to honor the troops in every way possible and that meant bringing Hockey Day Minnesota to them.

"It's a touch of home. When you're overseas, in harm's way, you're away from you families, it's the little things that matter," Pat Harris, of Serving Our Troops, said.

Not only were the games broadcast live to Kuwait where the 34th Combat Aviation unit cheered the high school players to victory, they also played their own game.

"In fact, they had an ice rink constructed and they played a floor hockey game in the desert of Kuwait," Col. Olson said.

But the real impact happened closer to home when hockey fans like Renee Harder and her family toured Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters.

"They were wondering what the whole basis was and I explained to have appreciation and gratitude for what everyone's done," Rynae Harder, of Thief River Falls, said.

We typically think of hockey as a game of competition, but here it's helping a community stay connected.

"It really makes them feel warm and lets everyone know that they're going to be welcome when they're home and they're missed," Col. Olson said.

To learn more about Hockey Day Minnesota, visit Hockey Day Minnesota online.

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