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GRAND FORKS – The North Dakota State High School Hockey Tournament is underway this weekend at Ralph Engelstad Arena, but with a twist.
For the first time since 2006, the men’s tournament was not paired with a women’s state tournament. The girls will play March 2-4 in Minot.
It’s still expected to have a big economic impact in Grand Forks this weekend. The three-day tournament, which ends Saturday night with the championship game, will bring in about $657,000, according to Julie Wrig, executive director of the Greater Grand Forks Visitor Center.
While several regulars return for the boys’ tournament, Grand Forks Central lost a losing game to end the season in the East Region Tournament. That may hurt a few, but the race goes on.
Those involved are excited to bring the tournament to Grand Forks. The Fargo Shells Arena alternates with the Ralph Engelstad Arena as the tournament host each year. The $100-plus-million REA seats more than 11,000 for hockey. The $25 million Scheels Arena seats 5,000 for the sport. Both provide a great experience to players.
“The state hockey tournament is an event that creates a lot of economic activity in our community,” said Ralph Engelstad Arena General Manager Jody Hodgson. “As the host of the event, it’s a good event for us, but it’s certainly not one of our most profitable events, and it shouldn’t be.
“We are excited to host the event and provide a great life experience for the players, families and community members who support the event and it is a youth hockey event and a community event at heart.”
Grand Forks businesses are getting a boost this weekend thanks to an eight-team tournament.
Scott Purpur, owner of the Italian Crescent, said hockey has been good for business.
“Obviously, when you have a state tournament in the (Eastern Region) city and in the city, it brings more people and more traffic. “It equals more business.
“I think everybody’s going to feel the impact.”
Jerrells Sports Center – The world of hockey is definitely going up.
“As a local business, we welcome the opportunity to have customers who haven’t seen what we have to offer in their own city,” said Jerrells and Hockey World owner Eric Knudsen. We need it. It’s not unusual for the team bus to pop up and let the players spend some time in the shop before their next event.
Eric Heilden / Grand Forks Herald
Gerrels-Hockey World is busy selling hockey-branded apparel, selling sticks and performing emergency skate repairs.
Grand Forks Public Schools Activities Director Mike Biermaier said he enjoys working with the event as tournament manager. It’s his first year in Grand Forks after a long career in Thief River Falls.
“Having tournaments of this magnitude is why I wanted to come to Grand Forks,” Biermeier said. “The help and guidance I received from REA, Visit Greater Grand Forks and local community members was excellent. Grand Forks is proud of this tournament and we have opened our doors to the rest of North Dakota so that everyone can experience high quality racing.
And it’s not just the state’s high school competition that’s boosting local businesses. Overall, the youth hockey tournaments have been good for Greater Grand Forks this year.
“This year has started well,” Rygg said. “We had several hockey tournaments in January and February and now we’re going to March. Youth activities are very important to the community. Not only the participants, they bring their families and everyone is in. Our community is shopping and staying in hotels and visiting our restaurants.
“Between youth hockey and hockey in East Grand Forks and hockey in North Dakota high school activities with the state tournament and the EDC here, we’ve definitely got a lot of hockey tournaments that are very beneficial to the community,” Rygg said. .
Grand Forks had just one other state high school tournament — girls tennis — this year. The city was slated to host state baseball and softball, but renovations to the facilities pushed it back another year.
Hockey is always the most anticipated state tournament in Grand Forks.
“We’re excited to be coming to Grand Forks and the Ralph Engelstad Arena. There is no better place for hockey,” said Raig.
Hodgson agrees.
“Giving the opportunity to the regional hockey community to benefit from Ralph is consistent with Mr. Engelstad’s desire to use his gift to benefit the city, region and state,” he said. “The state hockey tournament is an integral part of life in North Dakota and we are proud to open our doors and welcome the hockey community to Grand Forks and Ralph.”
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