Mankato, Minnesota, a city of roughly 46,000 residents, is witnessing an unprecedented surge in hockey participation, with the Mankato Area Hockey Association (MAHA) now boasting over 500 members and fielding three youth squads at the Minnesota Hockey State Tournament for the first time.
State Tournament Triumph
The Bantam A team captured third place at the 2025‑26 Minnesota Hockey State Tournament, marking the highest finish ever recorded for a youth team in MAHA’s history.
Mankato West’s boys and Mankato East’s girls also advanced to the high school championship game in St. Paul, underscoring the city’s broad-based success across age groups.
College Success and Community Investment
Minnesota State University’s men’s hockey program clinched both the CCHA regular‑season and postseason titles, securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament and highlighting the region’s collegiate excellence.
Kelli Holm, president of MAHA and a Loyola High School graduate, has championed inclusivity and affordability, overseeing programs that range from Try Hockey for Free to travel teams for boys and girls.
The city’s ‘Grow the Game’ fund, created from Hockey Day Minnesota 2022, now finances a new dryland training room as part of the All Seasons Arena renovations, reinforcing the infrastructure that supports year‑round development.
With affordable options for players of all skill levels, Mankato’s hockey culture continues to expand, offering a pathway for beginners to elite competitors and fostering a vibrant, community‑driven sport ecosystem.