Bemidji is one of Minnesota’s iconic hockey towns.  From the youth program to the high school to the university, Bemidji has enjoyed hockey success at all levels.  For many Bemidji children, playing hockey is as much a part of childhood as school and braces.  So one might assume that marketing hockey is not needed in Bemidji.  Fortunately for the hockey community in Minnesota, those involved with the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association don’t agree with that thought.  Typically the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association would register 75 – 85 new skaters per year.  But after some creative marketing efforts this past summer, there are already 105 first year hockey players in Bemidji and more are still expected to hit the ice this winter.

“We know that some families are simply going to register their children because they are generational hockey families and they know what to do,” said Tracy Pogue, President of the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association.  “But we also know that families that didn’t grow up playing the game may be intimidated by the process.  They may not know how to register their child.  Or they may not know what equipment is needed.  Or they may think that the cost is higher than it really is.  We want all children in Bemidji to try hockey because we know once a kid puts skates on they are usually hooked.”

The Bemidji Youth Hockey Association received 24 sets of starter hockey equipment as part of the Gear Up Minnesota! equipment grant program.  The Gear Up Minnesota! program grants sets of starter hockey equipment to deserving community hockey associations through an application process each spring. The goal of the program is to continue to grow the game at the grassroots level by making entry into hockey as affordable as possible.  Along with Bemidji, 23 other associations received equipment grants for the 2011-12 season.  In total, close to $60,000 of new starter hockey equipment was granted to associations throughout Minnesota for the 2011-12 season.  The program is funded by generous grants from the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Subway, West Bend Insurance, and RBC Wealth Management.

“Receiving the Gear Up Minnesota! grant was critical to generating our growth,” said Pogue.  “Being able to offer the free equipment sealed the deal for many families.   And since we loan the equipment, we will be able to use if for the next several winters to ensure that our growth continues well into the future.”

Recently, Nordy from the Minnesota Wild and representatives of Minnesota Hockey attended an open house at the Bemidji Community Arena held to celebrate the tremendous growth in Bemidji.  “It is exciting to see what the community hockey associations throughout Minnesota, including Bemidji, are doing to ensure that boys and girls have the opportunity play hockey,” said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey. “Their efforts, combined with support from the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Subway, West Bend Insurance, and RBC Wealth Management is one of the many examples of why Minnesota truly is The State of Hockey.”  Nordy shared President Margenau’s excitement for Bemidji’s growth but was unable to put it into words.

Thank you to Tracy Pogue and all of the tireless volunteers in Bemidji for your efforts!