Hockey Day Minnesota Teams Up with Sophie’s Squad

Every year since 2007, Hockey Day Minnesota has helped celebrate the hockey culture in Minnesota and its communities. This year, the event took place in Shakopee in one of the more unique venues in the event’s history. This year’s event emanated from Valleyfair Amusement Park, a theme park that provides family fun for the Shakopee community. While it’s usually closed in the Winter, this year, it hosted an outdoor rink and teams from across Minnesota to celebrate the State of Hockey.

Hockey Day Minnesota always features an exciting slate of matchups. PWHL, college and high school games have all occurred on the outdoor rinks of Hockey Day Minnesota. While much of Hockey Day Minnesota’s attention focuses on the on-ice action, it’s also an opportunity for hockey-based vendors and organizations to share in the day’s celebrations. Sophie’s Squad is honored to be one of the organizations set up in Shakopee. The event is a crucial opportunity to get our message of mental health awareness out to attendees. 

Sophie’s Squad set up shop in the warming tent Friday and Saturday, sold merch, played spin the wheel, and passed out crucial information on mental health resources. The event brings fans from across North America together to celebrate hockey. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new faces and reconvene with people we’ve met at events before. Events like the one in Shakopee are crucial opportunities to interface with the community and get our message out.

Mental Health Gets Spotlight at Hockey Day Minnesota

We’re thrilled to participate in this year’s event due to its focus on mental health awareness. Along with our involvement, Hockey Day Minnesota also featured a panel with the Shine a Ligh7 Foundation. Shine a Ligh7 is a children’s mental health awareness and education organization founded in 2017 by Paul Martin. Martin is a Golden Gopher alumnus and former NHL player who has been heavily involved in mental health initiatives since his retirement.

Shine a Ligh7, along with Hockey Day Minnesota, hosted a panel about mental health and addiction in sports at Shakopee High School. The panel featured Martin and other Minnesota hockey greats, including Natalie Darwitz and Mark Parrish. 

Sophie’s Squad supports Shine a Light7’s mission, and we’re proud to be part of an event that supports mental health organizations in the Minnesota community. Hockey Day Minnesota celebrates the state’s sporting culture, and we’re proud to be part of that community. HDM will emanate from Hastings next year and Brainerd the year after that. We hope to see all of our supporters at both events! You can check out some photos from some of the event’s games and the event below.