“This project is long overdue, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting announcement,” said hockey legend Lou Nanne. “In my decades-long career in the game of hockey, I think I will know nearly every single individual who will be honored here. It’s an incredible way to recognize the people and stories that make Minnesota hockey so unique and deserving of this kind of permanent home.”

The MNHHOF plans to break ground in June 2026 with a grand opening in May 2028, positioning it as a premier tourism and cultural destination in the Twin Cities and beyond.

David Backes

“I’m thrilled to see the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame become a reality. Hockey is such a big part of our state’s identity, and this will be a place where fans young and old can celebrate the game’s history and the people who helped shape it. I have no doubt it’ll be one of the most popular stops for anyone who loves hockey.”

Keith Ballard

“Growing up in Baudette, hockey was everything. I was fortunate to play at every level here in Minnesota, always with friends and family supporting me. Now, as I get to coach and watch my own kids play, I’m reminded of how special this game is. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame will honor so many deserving people while telling the story of hockey for my kids and generations to come.”

Kelly Brooks-Paradise

“I’m honored to serve as the Advisory Board Chair for the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame and to be part of bringing this project to life. This Hall will celebrate the incredible history of hockey in Minnesota, including my dad’s legacy. I know if he were here today, he’d be so excited to see it all coming together.”

Alex Goligoski

“As someone who grew up in the Minnesota hockey community, this project is so exciting. I’ve seen it at every level, from youth hockey to high school, college, and professionally. This sport is engrained in us as Minnesotans. The support and passion we have for this great sport is why we truly are the best state for hockey. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame will be an amazing place to celebrate what this great sport has meant for so many of us and to continue to build our bond with the greatest game on earth.”

Taylor Heise

“As someone who has played hockey in just about every state in the US, it would mean so much to have a Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota. I grew up playing Hockey here and couldn’t think of a better way to have done it. Minnesota is and always will be known for hockey and continues to house some of the best men’s and women’s hockey players in the world.”

Darby Hendrickson

“I grew up in a hockey family and was fortunate to live out my dream playing the game at every level in Minnesota. As my family and I work to honor my father’s legacy, I’m thrilled to see the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame launch—a true home for the greats who have come from this state.” Page 2 of 2

Rob McClanahan

“Growing up playing high school and college hockey in Minnesota and then being a part of the 1980 Olympic team with so many fellow Minnesotans, I’ve always taken great pride in coming from a place recognized worldwide for its hockey culture. To now help shape the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame as an Advisory Board member is an honor, and it’s exciting to be part of a true legacy project.”

Ryan McDonagh

“Being from Minnesota, hockey is ingrained in your life. The opportunities to participate and be a part of the sport are endless. The game and the entire community around it have shaped who I am. It’s exciting to see the sport honored in such a meaningful way with the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame.”

Pat Micheletti

“To honor the great players and people for accomplishing not only the great things they have done on the ice but also off the ice in shaping our great state I think is long overdue. There are so many that we grew up wanting to be like and emulate. It’s a great time to honor those people as they paved the way for other aspiring hockey players.”

Mark Parrish

“Growing up in Minnesota and idolizing the Broten brothers, I always thought, if they can make it, maybe I can too. That’s how every kid in Minnesota feels. Our State’s rich hockey history deserves to be celebrated and told for generations to come. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame is long overdue, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Krissy Wendell-Pohl

“Growing up in Minnesota playing on boys’ teams, to now watching two of my daughters win a state title, I’ve seen firsthand how far the women’s game has come. From being part of a state championship myself to winning a National Championship with the U of M, hockey has shaped so much of my life. That’s why I’m so excited to be part of the launch of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame. This project will not only celebrate our state’s incredible hockey history but also continue to grow the women’s game for generations to come.”

Grace Zumwinkle

“Growing up and playing hockey in Minnesota throughout youth, high school, college and now professional has always been a lifelong dream. Minnesota has produced so much national and international talent, and the talent deserves to be recognized with the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame. I can’t think of something more memorable than to be recognized with something like this that will continue to promote the amazing individuals we have within our state.”

PLAINS TWP. — At Thursday’s meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, Superintendent Dr. Brian J. Costello opened with a call out to Gov. Josh Shapiro and all state legislators to pass the 2025-2026 state budget.

“We are now nearly two months past the June 30 deadline, and the failure to act in Harrisburg has left schools like ours in a state of uncertainty,” Costello said. “I want to begin by addressing an issue that reaches far beyond this room and directly into every classroom in our district — Pennsylvania still does not have a state budget.”

Costello noted that last year, because of the historic fair funding trial, the district finally began to receive adequacy funding.

“That support allowed us to hire teachers, reduce class sizes, create innovative intervention programs, and provide needed mental health and special education services,” Costello said. “These investments changed lives. They gave our students opportunities that weren’t possible prior to that ruling.”

Costello said Thursday that adequacy funding was only a first step.

“Our district still faces a funding gap of more than $70 million,” he said. “And beyond adequacy, we rely on the full education budget to sustain our schools — to maintain our staff, to run our programs, to keep buses on the road, and to provide every child with the resources they deserve. Without a passed budget, every one of those commitments is at risk.”

Costello ended his statement by speaking on behalf of the school board, the staff and most importantly — the students.

”I call on the governor and legislature to act without delay,” Costello said. “Pass a full and fair state budget — one that provides adequacy funding and sustains every part of public education. Anything less fails our children, our families and the future of Pennsylvania.”

Shapiro: ‘We’re working aggressively’

At a news conference on Thursday in Harrisburg, Shapiro addressed the budget impasse.

“Well, I mentioned before, I’m one of the only governors in the country with a divided legislature, again — House led by Democrats, Senate led by Republicans,” Shapiro said. “Finding common ground is really hard in this business. I will tell you that we are at the table. We’re working aggressively. My job is to bridge the differences between the House and Senate. They’ve got different views of the world, different priorities, and so my job is to find those areas where we can find some agreement.”

Shapiro said at the outset of the process that the one thing he was absolutely certain of with his budget proposal, was that it wouldn’t look the same at the end as it did at the beginning.

“Because we all had to compromise,” he said. “Compromise is not a bad thing.”

Shapiro added, “We are now at a point, though, where each of the leaders — Senate Republican leaders, House Democratic leaders — they got to make some tough choices to close this out. I was on the phone with the Republican leader yesterday, Democratic leader this morning. We are working to bridge those differences. I’m working to bring them closer together and to come up with a product that can pass in both the House and Senate and make its way to my desk.”

Shapiro said he thinks it is important that in that process, Pennsylvania continues to invest in education, and in economic development.

“My budget proposal was to cut taxes,” he said. I think we can still do that, because I want to put more money back in people’s pockets. I think we’re getting there. We’re narrowing the differences. And again, my job is going to continue to be to pull both sides together, and both leaders are now at a point where they got to make some tough decisions and close this out. You know, I’m feeling more and more confident each day we’re going to get there, soon.”

Shapiro expressed optimism when in NEPA

When Shapiro visited the IBEW Local 163 training center in Nanticoke last week, he addressed the budget impasse, but he was optimistic that an agreement could be reached soon.

The Legislature is split on the budget — the House, where Democrats hold the majority, approved the governor’s $50 billion-plus budget, while the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget bill for $47.6 billion.

On Friday in Nanticoke, he reiterated his belief that the two sides can work together and pass the budget.

“I will continue talking to leaders of both parties in the House and the Senate and I feel confident that we can get it done,” Shapiro said. “They all understand the issues and I feel strongly that we can come to an agreement.”

Earlier this week, the governor said he felt the two sides were not far apart.

“We’re making progress,” he said. “We have a clear direction where we all need to go, and we’re working hard to get it done.”

Asked what it will take to “get it done,” he said, “We’re going to continue to work hard, work honestly, work respectfully to get it done. We’ve had some really good, honest dialog over the last 24 hours. I’m confident we’re going to get there.”