Schwan Super Rink facts for kids
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The Super Rink
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| Location | Blaine, Minnesota |
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| Owner | National Sports Center |
| Operator | National Sports Center |
| Capacity | 1,000 (hockey) |
| Surface | Rinks #1–4: 200 ft × 98 ft (61 m × 30 m) Rinks #5–8: 200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Expanded | 2006 |
| Construction cost | $21 million |
| Architect | Rozeboom Miller Architects |
| Tenants | |
| U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team Bethel University Irondale High School, Mounds View High School |
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The Super Rink at National Sports Center is a massive, 300,000 square foot ice rink complex. It has eight separate ice sheets, making it the largest ice arena in the world! You can find it on the National Sports Center campus in Blaine, Minnesota. Blaine is a northern suburb of Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
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About the Super Rink Facility
The Super Rink was built in two main stages. The total cost was $21 million. Most of the money came from different partner organizations. Only a small part came from state grants. The rink now pays for itself through renting out ice time.
The first part of the Super Rink opened in 1998. It was built by Shingobee Builders. This section included four large ice sheets. These rinks were designed for Olympic-style hockey games.
- Rink #1 - Coon Rapids Arena
- Rink #2 - Blaine Arena
- Rink #3 - Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission/Centennial Arena
- Rink #4 - Ramsey County Arena
Expansion and New Rinks
The Super Rink got bigger in 2006. This expansion added four more ice sheets. These new rinks are the size used in the NHL. The expansion also added 32 locker rooms and a snack area.
- Rink #5 - Bethel University Arena
- Rink #6 - Herb Brooks Foundation Arena
- Rink #7 - Blaine Youth Hockey Arena
- Rink #8 - Centennial Youth Hockey Arena
Herb Brooks Training Center
The Herb Brooks Training Center (HBTC) was part of the 2006 expansion. It's a modern training center for hockey players. The HBTC helps players get better with special off-ice and on-ice training. It has many tools, including a skating treadmill. The Flexx Hockey Institute of Training (FHIT) runs the HBTC. They offer training programs all year long.
Events and Programs at the Rink
The Super Rink hosts many ice sports events. You can find ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, and broomball here. People also come for recreational ice skating and off-ice training.
The Super Rink is home to many teams. Youth, high school, and adult hockey teams play here. It's also the home of the United States women's national ice hockey team. The Bethel University Royals men's and women's ice hockey teams also play here. They compete in NCAA Division III sports.
Major Events Hosted
The Super Rink hosts many exciting events each year. Some of them include:
- Schwan Cup Hockey Tournament
- Stick-It to Cancer Women and Girls Tournament
- The Rush 3v3 Festival
- Walleye Chop Adult Tournament
- All-American Girls and Women Hockey Tournament
- The Cup Adult Tournament
- USA International Hockey Tournament
- Ironman Adult Tournament
- Minnesota Wild Adult Hockey League
- Super Rink Spectacular
- 2001 Women's World Hockey Championship
- North American Hockey League Showcase Tournament
- ISI World Figure Skating Championships
Home of the U.S. Women's National Team
In 2008, USA Hockey chose the Super Rink as the home for the U.S. Women's National Team. USA Hockey is the main group for hockey in the United States. The team trained here for two years before the 2010 Winter Olympics. Mark Johnson coached that team. He was part of the famous 1980 "Miracle on Ice" gold medal team.
The U.S. team won the silver medal in Vancouver in 2010. They lost to their rival, Canada, in the final game. Since then, Team USA still comes back to the Super Rink. They train and hold team selection camps here a couple of times a year.
Hockey Programs
The Super Rink offers many ice hockey programs. They have a skilled and professional staff. They work all year on leagues, tournaments, and development programs. They offer programs for all ages and skill levels. Both male and female players can join.
Figure Skating Programs
The Super Rink is home to the Schwan Super Rink Skating School. It also hosts the Northern Blades National Sports Center Figure Skating Club. Figure skaters can use a large dance and fitness center. This special training area was built in 2006. It helps skaters practice off the ice.
Food and Drinks
The Hat Trick Café is on the upper level of the Super Rink. It looks over rinks 1-4. It's a great spot to watch ice events in a warm, comfortable space. The café has a big menu. You can get everything from ice cream to pizza and hamburgers.
There's also a second snack stand called The Hat Trick Express. It serves rinks 5-8. This stand offers a simpler menu. The Hat Trick Café can also provide food for parties and events.
