The State of Hockey
Minnesota sends a steady stream of players to college programs and the NHL, and hockey is part of daily life for many families. Kids learn to skate on backyard rinks and frozen ponds, the state high school tournament is a winter tradition, and adult leagues run in nearly every suburb. If you are dating in the Twin Cities, you will meet plenty of people who played growing up, and plenty who still do.
Grand Casino Arena
The Minnesota Wild play at Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul. The arena was known as the Xcel Energy Center until it was renamed in 2025. The Wild arrived in 2000, years after the North Stars left for Dallas, and the crowd has a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable in the league.
The arena is easy to reach by light rail. The Metro Green Line runs between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, with stops a short walk from the building. Many fans park in nearby ramps or walk from West Seventh Street, which is lined with bars and restaurants that fill up before games.
The Minnesota Frost
The PWHL's Minnesota Frost also play home games at Grand Casino Arena. They won the league's Walter Cup in its first two seasons, and their games are a great date option: affordable, family-friendly and full of fans who know the women's game well.
The high school tournament
Every March, the Minnesota State High School League boys' hockey tournament takes over St. Paul. Games are played at Grand Casino Arena in front of big crowds, and many Minnesotans have fond memories of attending as kids. The girls' tournament draws strong crowds too. Going to a tournament game is a uniquely Minnesotan date, especially if you or your match played in high school.
College hockey
The University of Minnesota Gophers play at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the Minneapolis campus, and the program has a deep history. St. Cloud State, Minnesota State in Mankato, Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State are within a few hours. College games are cheaper than the NHL and full of energy.
Pond hockey and frozen lakes
When the lakes freeze, the Twin Cities turn into a giant outdoor rink. Lake of the Isles, Lake Nokomis and city parks across both cities host skating and pickup hockey. Many neighborhoods flood rinks in their parks. A pond hockey game, followed by hot chocolate, is a classic winter date. Only skate where the city has cleared and posted the ice as open; lake ice can be unpredictable.
Getting home safely
The Green Line runs late, but check times on game nights. Winter weather can make walking slippery and driving hard, so leave extra time and wear proper boots. If you are taking rideshare from downtown St. Paul, walk a block or two away from the arena to find your car more easily. Winter driving and late skates come up on our safety page.
Profile tips from the State of Hockey
- Mention where you played. Minnesotans love to talk about their high school team.
- Name your lake. Lake people have strong opinions.
- Share your summer plans. Up north at the cabin is a big part of Minnesota life.
- Know a bit of history. The North Stars' move to Dallas still stings for some older fans.
Date ideas around the Twin Cities
- Dinner on West Seventh, then a Wild game.
- A Frost game at Grand Casino Arena.
- A high school tournament game in March.
- Pickup hockey or skating on a neighborhood rink.
- A Gophers game on campus.
- Visiting the US Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth on a summer road trip.
More ideas are on our hockey date ideas page.
Neighborhood rinks across the cities
One of the great features of Twin Cities winters is the network of neighborhood rinks. Minneapolis and St. Paul parks flood ice for skating and hockey, many with warming houses where you can lace up and thaw out. Some rinks have lights for evening skating. A loop around a neighborhood rink after dinner is about as Minnesotan as a date gets.
Cabin country and summer hockey
When the season ends, many Minnesotans head up north on weekends to cabins on lakes in Brainerd, Grand Rapids and beyond. Summer hockey camps and leagues keep players busy too. If you are dating a Minnesotan, expect conversations about cabin weekends and invitations to the lake once things get serious.
Minnesota hockey history in brief
The 1980 US Olympic team that won gold at Lake Placid was coached by Herb Brooks, a St. Paul native, and included many Minnesota players. The Miracle on Ice still matters deeply in the state. The North Stars played in Bloomington from 1967 until moving to Dallas in 1993, and the Wild arrived in 2000. Older fans remember the North Stars fondly, and some still wear the green and gold.
Winter in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities embrace winter rather than hide from it. The St. Paul Winter Carnival, held each January, includes ice sculptures, parades and events across the city. Lakes become playgrounds for skating, ice fishing and pond hockey. A date that combines a winter festival with a Wild game is a perfect Minnesota evening, as long as you dress warmly.
Questions for a Minnesotan
Where did you play growing up, and what was your high school's mascot? Which lake rink is your favorite? Were you in the stands for a big state tournament game? North Stars or Wild for your first jersey? Minnesotans love these questions, and the answers will tell you how deep their roots run. A match who lights up talking about outdoor rinks probably wants a partner who will come along to frozen lakes all winter.
They also lead naturally to plans: a skate, a game or a weekend up north.
A Twin Cities opener
Ask a Wild fan which neighborhood rink taught them to skate. Then ask if the warming house still has the same cranky attendant. Most Minnesotans have a story ready for both questions.
Dress code
Warm boots, a real hat and mittens beat style every time here, especially for an outdoor rink date in January.
Your turn, Minnesota
Mention the rink where you learned to skate, the high school team you played for or cheered for and whether you have a cabin, then Signup Here. Minnesotans already registered can sign in to update their profile. If you want to see where the North Stars went, read our Dallas guide; Chicago and the rest can be found from our cities page.