The Schwan Cup

Various Twin Cities locations

Sports Illustrated recently named St. Paul "Hockey Town U.S.A." It's no wonder how they came to that conclusion—selling out every Wild home game and being the native land of legendary coach Herb Brooks, St. Paul, it's clear, considers hockey a big deal. In the days just after Christmas, the seventh annual Schwan Cup tournament will only enhance the sport's standing. Sixty-eight high school varsity hockey teams will do battle on rinks across the Twin Cities. Two-time gold division (for top boys' teams) defending champions Holy Angels will be looking to make a championship hat trick, but they'll have plenty of competition. Teams hoping to dethrone the Stars include last year's second-place team, Centennial, and Hill-Murray, last year's fourth-place team. Whichever two teams are left standing in the championship game will duke it out on the biggest stage they've ever played on—the Xcel Energy Center. In the silver division, the teams to watch are juggernaut Edina and last year's 1A State Champs, St. Thomas. There is no shortage of competition throughout the girls' brackets, either, with 1A top-ranked Blake firmly planted in the sights of the #3 Eagan Wildcats. In addition to the best varsity teams, the tournament brings together 48 junior varsity and 48 youth teams, making for a grand total of 164 teams in no fewer than four rinks, and hockey's legacy in St. Paul and the state as a whole will be established further. For a complete schedule of locations, tickets, and times visit www.nscsports.org/sports/hockey/tourneys/schwan_cup or call 763.717.3880. Through December 30
Dec. 26-30, 2007