Monumental Moments Throughout the Years that Shaped Michigan Hockey
By Searrah Herendeen
Have an idea for a blog article? Email Searrah Herendeen.
This is a distinct sport that has been on the roster in sports lineups for years. This team contact sport requires athletes to use their mitts to hold onto the lumber and skate across the ice to gain control of the puck and score a goal. Hockey has been a part of American history for centuries. The sport has grown and migrated from countries to communities. The Michigan sports community continues to give opportunities to those stepping onto the ice for the first time or returning to the sport.
Stock Photo
hockey history
The first official indoor hockey game was in Canada. Due to popularity, the game quickly spread to the northeastern part of the United States. It has been played by amateurs and pros for a century. This year, the University of Michigan's hockey team is celebrating its 100th year of hockey. They first played in 1923 at the Weinberg Coliseum, as stated by Dejaney Booth with CBS News Detroit.
Michigan's rival, Michigan State, also has a long hockey history. Michigan State University's hockey team played its first game in 1922 in Ann Arbor, MI. Since 1948, the team has won three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships.
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team that regularly plays at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI. The Grand Rapids Griffins were late bloomers and played their first hockey game in 1996 as part of the International Hockey League. It wasn't until 2001 that they joined the American Hockey League. They recently celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2021-2022. In the 2022 Olympics, 15 Griffin alums competed and coached.
Stock Image
A long-time affiliate of the Grand Rapids Griffins is the Detroit Red Wings. Surprisingly, the team was originally from somewhere other than Michigan. They were from British Columbia before they came to Detroit and were the Detroit Cougars in 1926. After a name change in 1930-1931 to the Detroit Falcons, James Norris Sr and Jack Adams chose the Detroit Red Wings. An odd tradition started in the 1952 playoffs when an octopus was thrown into the rink for the eight games the Red Wings needed to win the Stanley Cup. They have won the Stanley Cup 11 times, giving Detroit the nickname "Hockeytown." In 2017, the Detroit Red Wings settled in their forever home stadium, the Little Ceasars Arena.
Hockey is an important sport in the state of Michigan. It has helped many athletes find a passion and learn lessons that only sport can teach you. Hockey is played by children just beginning to professionals who have played their whole life. The Meijer State Games of Michigan recognized how vital hockey was to the community across the state. It was decided to add hockey in 2010 to the summer sports lineup. The hockey event was first hosted at Kentwood and Southside Arena. The event started with a single high-school division. From 2010 to 2016 the number of participants doubled to over 1,000. Since 2010, more divisions have been added. The current divisions are 11U, 13U, 15U, High School, and Girls.
Stock Photo
Local hockey opportunities
If you have always considered playing hockey, but need to know where to start, take a look at your local hockey rink. Children and adults can participate in youth hockey or skating. Most rinks require a fee to participate.
Youth hockey players across Michigan have the opportunity to compete with athletes from across their district in the upcoming MSGOM hockey tournament. Registration is open now for hockey. The Meijer State Games of Michigan Summer Games will have tryouts during April across the bridge in Marquette. The lower peninsula participants will see tryouts throughout the month of May.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event(s) that welcome athletes regardless of age or ability level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living.