I spend my Saturday nights throughout the hockey season at the Amsoil Arena, when the UMD Bulldogs are playing at home. Watching hockey live, even from the nosebleeds, is one of the greatest joys in life. I relish my time at the game, never wanting to leave my seat, even during intermissions. Especially if, during that intermission, the “Little Chippers” come out to play. These very small hockey players play largely chaotic and enormously cute hockey games on the ice.
When I was speaking to Nate Gens, President of the Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association, I couldn’t help but gush at how fun it is to watch the young players out on the ice. “They are super fun to watch and coach because they pick things up really quick,” Nate said of the youngest players in the program. “It’s always amazing to see the progression of those kids by the end of the season. They don’t look like the same players.”
Nate is from Mankato and moved up to the area in 2005 when he joined the Two Harbors Police Department. He grew up playing hockey and jumped in to help coach when his two boys began to play. His dedication to youth area hockey led him to become involved with the board and then the association. He enjoys the position and being involved in youth hockey.
“It’s been interesting, I like the challenge. Some of it’s challenging but overall, I enjoy it because we got a good group of people on the board,” Nate said. “We’re trying to do the very best we can for all the players and all the kids we have in hockey. Trying to keep it fun. Trying to make the right decisions so we can make it fun and competitive and a place where anyone is welcome to come play.”
This season, Two Harbors has 115 registered players. This number is slightly lower than the previous year, partially because some players age out. Some of the teams are combined with Silver Bay’s teams. The association is currently in its second year of a five-year partnership with Silver Bay’s Blue Line Club. A combined leadership board has been formed that helps support decision-making when combined teams are involved.
This collaboration extends to combined teams at various levels, enhancing ice time utilization and fostering competitiveness. Nate Gens emphasized the positive outcomes, stating, “We’ve had some teams go to state last year, which was awesome, and teams that were competitive in regions, as well. I don’t know that we’d be able to field teams otherwise if we didn’t do this partnership.”
Partnership with the players’ parents is also key to ensuring support for the players and all that is involved. Parents help run the concession, the penalty box, the scoreboard, etc. Most of the coaches are parents of kids in the program. Others do not have kids in the program and still dedicate their time to the young athletes.
Nate is grateful to all of the volunteers, parents, and coaches. “We’re so happy to have them,” he said. “And thankful, to say the least.” Nate also expressed a lot of gratitude for Jes “Lumpy” Lundgren, the arena’s manager. Jes’ profile on the association’s website reads “Crash Test Dummy/Scheduler/Aging Wannabe Hipster/Tournament Director/Executive Director.”
Recently, the ice at the Sonju Arena was out of commission. A pipe, that was part of a cooling system, sprung a leak, which required a 10×10 patch of ice to be removed. The concrete beneath was dug up and the pipe was patched before the whole sheet of ice was lost. Lumpy had been there saw that when a similar issue happened nearly twenty years ago and immediately started taking the steps to get the issue resolved.
“He’s been there a long time. He really knows what he’s doing. I would argue he’s the best in the business in my eyes,” Nate said. “We can’t thank Jes enough for what he’s done at the arena.”
As the association gears up for the winter season, Nate Gens extended an invitation to the community.
“Everyone’s welcome to come watch our kids play hockey,” he said. “Come skate; we have open rec skating almost every weekend.” When the weather cooperates, the outdoor arena will also be available for use.
I’m excited to spend some time at the Sonju Arena this season and echo what Nate said to me: Please come support the Storm and Agates Teams!
Feel free to reach out to sarahwritesnsj@yahoo.com with any news we should news about!
