As the Dakota people, we’ve always tried to give back. We’ve been a supporter of Hastings for many years and I’ve just found out we have many relations too. We will continue that support into the future.”

Michael Childs Jr., Treasurer of the Tribal Council for the Prairie Island Indian Community

Tickets are currently available at the Hockey Day Minnesota website at hockeydaymn.com

Teams from across the area, state and Midwest will be making their way to Hastings come January for Hockey Day Minnesota 2026.
The 20th anniversary of the event will host not only Hastings boys and girls varsity teams in feature matches, but the first professional hockey game for Hockey Day Minnesota between the Iowa Wild and the Milwaukee Admirals.
The lineup for the event was announced last Friday at Rivertown Days, with Hastings alumnae such as Erika McKenzie and Jeff Taffe taking the stage to thank the Hockey Day Minnesota Committee and sponsors for their help in bringing the event to their hometown.
“Every time I come to Hastings, I get a feeling of community,” said McKenzie.
The matchups are:
• Hastings Girls Varsity vs. Park Cottage Grove
• Hastings Boys Varsity vs. East Ridge
• Rock Ridge Boys Varsity vs. St. Thomas Academy
• Iowa Wild vs. Milwaukee Admirals
• Minnesota Wild vs. Florida Panthers @Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul
The event will take place Jan. 17-24, 2026, culminating in the Minnesota Wild playing the Florida Panthers Jan. 24 in St. Paul.
One of the main sponsors of the event is Treasure Island Resort and Casino. Michael Childs Jr., Treasurer of the Tribal Council for the Prairie Island Indian Community, spoke at the event thanking the committee for their cooperation.
“As the Dakota people, we’ve always tried to give back. We’ve been a supporter of Hastings for many years and I’ve just found out we have many relations too. We will continue that support into the future.”
Childs also announced Hockey Day Haze, the newest beer from Spiral Brewery in collaboration with Treasure Island.
Hockey Day Haze is a hazy IPA, described by Spiral Brewery co-owner Jen Fox as a “tropical fruit flavor of not-too-hoppy lovely.”
Ten percent of all sales of Hockey Day Haze will go towards supporting Hockey Day Minnesota.
While the event is still months away, construction continues for the venue and rink, which is expected to seat some 5,000 spectators. Much work remains for the committee from runup events to finalizing details from parking to flooding rinks to ticketing.
According to Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender, “We are going to make you proud.”
Tickets are currently available at the Hockey Day Minnesota website at hockeydaymn.com