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The all-day celebration of Minnesota's official sport is underway across the State of Hockey on Saturday. Outdoor hockey is at its finest at picturesque Handke Pit in Elk River. Mayor John Dietz says it's a special venue with a lot of history. "You know, it's kind of a rebirth of how the sport was born. It's just a unique type of thing," Dietz said.
A siren wails on a frozen Lake Nokomis, signaling the half-way point in a fast-paced game. Blue skies and bright sun greet nearly 2,000 pond hockey faithful. Over the next few days, they will play like they did as kids. According to tournament's co-commissioner Justin Kaufenberg, the competition is fast and, at times, furious on the lake's 25 rinks.
The cold didn't stop thousands of hockey fans from filling TCF Bank Stadium for the Hockey City Classic. Friday afternoon's match-up marks the first time that hockey has been played outside at the University of Minnesota in more than 80 years. The Gopher women took on the Mavericks of Minnesota State University - Mankato in the early evening, while the Gopher men will face off against Ohio State University at 8 p.m.
TCF Bank Stadium will hold an outdoor doubleheader Friday afternoon at the Hockey City Classic, featuring the Minnesota Gophers men's and women's hockey teams. The men's team took to the ice late Thursday afternoon in preparation for Friday's game. It was also a chance to see the ice at nightfall, checking out the sight lines under the lights. Coach Dan Lucia says there will be one other element in play that's a bit more distracting than the waning sunlight.
The University of Minnesota is getting ready to host its first outdoor hockey game in modern history. The top-ranked Gopher men's team will host the 2014 Hockey City Classic on Friday at TCF Bank Stadium.
The act of embracing winter is what makes living in Minnesota bearable. And for many, it means standing alongside an outdoor hockey rink. Thousands of folks are doing just that in Elk River this week, site of the 2014 Hockey Day in Minnesota events. The city was chosen in large part due to the historic Handke Stadium, where organized hockey began in Elk River nearly 60 years ago.
Jamie Langenbrunner has retired after a 16-year NHL career in which he won two Stanley Cups. The 38-year-old right wing from Cloquet, Minn., played for Dallas, New Jersey and St. Louis. He won NHL titles with Dallas in 1999 and New Jersey in 2003. He was on the U.S. Olympic team in 1998 and 2010. Langenbrunner announced his retirement Wednesday in a statement by the NHL Players Association, thanking coaches and teammates for "helping a kid from Minnesota enjoy a long, fulfilling hockey career."
On Friday night, "The Bank" will turn into "The Rink." TCF Bank stadium, typically home to Gopher football, has been taken over by the state of hockey. It's called the Hockey City Classic, and WCCO wanted to know what it took to create the rink, plus who gets to skate on it.
Andrew Rohkohl says he's been working at being a goalie since he was a little kid. "It's been a dream, really," Rohkohl said. "And it takes a lot of effort to get to this place." He has become a part of the nucleus of a team that leans on veterans, according to Edina hockey coach and former NHL defensemen Curt Giles. "He's a smart kid," Giles said. "The thing with him is he fits in perfectly. I mean, we got a good class of seniors with good leadership."
Minnesota Wild players will wear camouflage jerseys during pre-game warm-ups Saturday when the team hosts the Colorado Avalanche. The player-autographed camouflage jerseys will then be auctioned off online to benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation and Defending The Blue Line.
The life of an Edina boy is being remembered through the sport he loved best. Eight-year-old Quinn Kirsch died from a heart condition one year ago this week. He was the youngest of four brothers. Quinn loved his Irish heritage and ice hockey. When Quinn was two, doctors detected a hole in his heart and a pacemaker was implanted.
As many as five Minnesota Wild players will play for their native countries in the Winter Olympics next month. Forwards Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu were named Tuesday to Finland's roster. Koivu's participation is in question because of a broken ankle he suffered Saturday and had surgery to fix Monday.
Ryan Suter scored three goals, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Saturday night. Suter completed the first hat trick by a Wild defenseman with 12:23 to play in the third and giving the Wild a two-goal lead. He jumped into the play straight out of the penalty box to create a 2-on-1 with Clayton Stoner, then beat Braden Holtby from the left faceoff circle off Stoner's feed. The Wild won despite being outshot 30-11. Their previous season low for shots in a game was 13 in a 3-1 win over San Jose on Dec. 8. Minnesota has won two straight after snapping a franchise-record six-game losing streak on Thursday.
The Minnesota Wild have recalled goalie Darcy Kuemper from their AHL affiliate. Coach Mike Yeo says Josh Harding was ill and didn't take part in the pre-game skate on Thursday morning. Niklas Backstrom was announced as the starter against Buffalo for the game Thursday night.
The U.S. men's hockey team for the Winter Olympics has been announced, and close to half of the players all share Minnesota connections. Among those headed to Sochi in Russia will be the Minnesota Wild's Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.
Five members or former members of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team will be heading to Sochi in Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Among those who were named to the team was forward Amanda Kessel, who was named NCAA player of the year.
Hilary Knight scored the lone shootout goal and the United States women's hockey team beat Canada 3-2 on Saturday in a pre-Olympic exhibition game. Jessie Vetter stopped all three Canadian shootout attempts. Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter scored for the United States in regulation, and Meghan Acosta-Marciano and Marie-Philip Poulin countered for Canada. Canada rallied to tie it in the third period.
The Minnesota Wild have placed left wing Zach Parise on injured reserve because of a bruised foot. The move was made Saturday. The Wild recalled goalie Johan Gustafsson from Iowa of the AHL to take Parise's spot on the active roster, but Parise can be taken off injured reserve at any time. Parise has 15 goals and 12 assists in 37 games. He was hurt Nov. 25 at St. Louis and held out of the next game before returning to the ice four days later.
It's the holiday season, and that means it's the holiday tournament season. We'll start with an annual boys hockey tournament -- the Schwan's Cup.
Wayne Simmonds had two goals and an assist to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, extending their home win streak to nine games. Luke Schenn and Claude Giroux also scored for the Flyers, whose record rose above .500 for just the second time this season (17-16-4). Mikael Grandlund tallied for the Wild, who fell to 2-7-0 all-time at the Wells Fargo Center. The Wild are 1-7-1 in their last nine road games. Both teams are off until Friday.
Since 1913, hockey players in St. Paul have been proudly putting on a jersey with the name "Johnson" stitched onto the front. Saturday, current and alumni players from Johnson High School laced up their skates to celebrate the program's longevity. Johnson has gone to 22 state tournaments, winning four of them. One of the school's most notable graduates is hockey legend Herb Brooks, who coached the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey team.
Mikko Koivu scored the winner in the shootout and Josh Harding made two glove saves, helping the Minnesota Wild rally for a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Koivu beat Semyon Varlamov with a shot just under the crossbar. Zach Parise also scored for the Wild in the shootout. Matt Duchene had a shootout goal for the Avs, but Harding then stopped P.A. Parenteau and Ryan O'Reilly to preserve the win.
For the Wild faithful, the Hockey Lodge is where fans like Eric Anderson find their team spirit. "We've had tickets since 2001, their first season, so you can't have enough wild stuff," Anderson said. As he browses the jerseys, sweatshirts and other Wild gear, he's preparing for a dream shopping spree. "Perfect time of the year," he said. "Christmas gifts, you know, you can't have too much stuff."
It may be a frozen Friday night outside, but arenas throughout the state were heated up by boys' high school hockey action. David McCoy was in Lakeville, and reported on our featured game: Lakeville North vs. Benilde.We also had cameras capturing the other hockey showdowns.One of the many standout performers at last week's Prep Bowl was a running back who became a quarterback, then became a big playmaker. The ASPIRE Athlete of the Week is St. Croix Lutheran's David Ponath.
Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger scored and Curtis McElhinney posted his first shutout since 2011 in leading the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. It was the Blue Jackets' second win in a row, the first time they've won back-to-back games since Oct. 25. They did it in their first game without last year's Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, who will miss the next month or so with a strained groin.
WCCO Radio, which has been a CBS affiliate for almost a century, aired its first programming as an ABC News affiliate on Thursday.
Dashcam video from a Twin Cities police department shows one of its officers arresting a southern Minnesota officer accused of crashing his vehicle while driving under the influence.
The Pentagon on Friday released a new batch of 64 files related to UFOs, unveiling a second tranche of records under an executive order by President Trump.
Law enforcement in southern Minnesota is asking for the public's help to identify a woman suspected of stealing more than $30,000 in fraudulent bank transactions earlier this month.
High pressure drifting farther east will allow the next weak system to move into Minnesota Friday.
WCCO Radio, which has been a CBS affiliate for almost a century, aired its first programming as an ABC News affiliate on Thursday.
Dashcam video from a Twin Cities police department shows one of its officers arresting a southern Minnesota officer accused of crashing his vehicle while driving under the influence.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing to change the statewide walleye bag limit from six fish to four.
Minneapolis police say they are investigating after a teenage boy was killed and a man was injured in a shooting Thursday evening.
The E-ZPass express lanes are a great way to zip through congested Twin Cities traffic, but to use those lanes during peak traffic times, you need a valid E-ZPass transponder or you need to carpool.
Dashcam video from a Twin Cities police department shows one of its officers arresting a southern Minnesota officer accused of crashing his vehicle while driving under the influence.
Law enforcement in southern Minnesota is asking for the public's help to identify a woman suspected of stealing more than $30,000 in fraudulent bank transactions earlier this month.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing to change the statewide walleye bag limit from six fish to four.
A Minnesota mother and father may face felony drug charges after police say their child brought THC candy to school earlier this week.
The crew says specialized equipment and training completed last fall enabled them to pull off the nighttime rescue.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
A 23-year-old man from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge after prosecutors say he hit and killed a person on a highway, then fled.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
The Pentagon on Friday released a new batch of 64 files related to UFOs, unveiling a second tranche of records under an executive order by President Trump.
The U.S. Department of Justice and other federal officials will announce a "major law enforcement action involving fraud" in the state on Thursday.
Several top federal officials will be in Minnesota Thursday for a "major law enforcement action involving fraud" — a visit coinciding with the sentencing of Feeding Our Future mastermind Aimee Bock, plus more of the day’s top stories.
The new fund to provide payouts to those who say the legal system was "weaponized" against them raised immediate questions about its legality, implementation and enforcement.
Waymo already operates in cities like Phoenix, Miami and San Francisco and started testing their cars with drivers behind the wheel in the Twin Cities late last year.
As Minnesotans get ready for Memorial Day weekend and travel, they're also keeping an eye on gas prices.
Target, which embarked on a turnaround plan under its new CEO earlier this year, reported an increase in first-quarter sales Wednesday.
The federal commodities regulator filed suit against Minnesota to stop a new state law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, that would criminalize operating or participating in prediction markets starting Aug. 1.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
Dashcam video from a Twin Cities police department shows one of its officers arresting a southern Minnesota officer accused of crashing his vehicle while driving under the influence.
Law enforcement in southern Minnesota is asking for the public's help to identify a woman suspected of stealing more than $30,000 in fraudulent bank transactions earlier this month.
Minneapolis police say they are investigating after a teenage boy was killed and a man was injured in a shooting Thursday evening.
A Ramsey County deputy is accused of sending explicit pictures and messages to people he believed to be children, according to charges filed Thursday.
A 23-year-old man from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge after prosecutors say he hit and killed a person on a highway, then fled.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz went to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis Wednesday to talk about how the state is going to help the hospital financially.
Minnesota has legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Stephen Colbert hosted "The Late Show" for the final time Thursday night as the franchise came to an end after 33 years.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions alleges the U.S. Department of the Interior illegally used the jazzy tunes in social media posts and a video game.
"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert is marking the end of an iconic late-night franchise on CBS.
Dave Ryan has been a pillar of Minnesota radio for over three decades who last week made the surprise announcement that he would retire from his morning show at KDWB.
If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan in Minnesota, today may be the greatest day you've ever known. Billy Corgan and his band are bringing their next tour to Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
Reserve Maya Caldwell led a balanced attack with 16 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Toronto Tempo 100-72.
Kyle Busch's family earlier Thursday announced he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness."
Joe Ryan matched his career high with 12 strikeouts over six innings, Ryan Kreidler hit a three-run home run against his former team and the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 4-1.
While Tim Connelly doesn't see this season as a total failure, he knows the team needs to evolve, whether by internal or external means, to compete for a championship.
The joint filing from attorneys on both sides also said Flores' team has made more than 1,000 document requests, which, along with the subpoenas, seek "wide-ranging information related to distinct hiring and employment practices."
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
If Minnesota lawmakers won't vote on a bill, why can't the people? That's what Carol from Stillwater wants to know after the gun reform bill never made it to the House floor. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explains how statewide ballot measures are created.
Dozens of recreational marijuana dispensaries can now be found across Minnesota. Many of them opened last year, but it's still relatively new. And if you've visited dispensaries in other states, the rules can be different.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A cloudy and gusty Friday is in the cards for the metro ahead of some overnight rainfall, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Katie Steiner.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Expect some rain early Friday in the metro ahead of a cooler and windier day, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Katie Steiner.
High pressure drifting farther east will allow the next weak system to move into Minnesota Friday.
Expect some rain early Friday in the metro ahead of a cooler and windier day, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Katie Steiner.
Stockholm Pie Shop & General Store in Minnesota has been nominated once again by USA Today as 2026 Best Pie Shop in America. Owner Alan Nugent visits the WCCO Kitchen to show off his award-winning desserts.
The Kickernick Gallery in downtown Minneapolis is featuring a new exhibit: LEGACY: The Women of WARM Gallery. It honors the Women's Art Resources of Minnesota, the pioneering feminist art movement. Artist Harriet Bart and the gallery's Emily Awaijane discusses the exciting collection.
Dr. Elizabeth Farhat, a dermatologist with Allina Health, discusses the differences in the sunscreens.
With the National Spelling Bee coming up next week, Unscramblerer.com has analyzed Google search data in 2026 to find the most misspelled words.
With the unofficial kickoff to summer getting underway, the backyard party will be in full swing. But, what are the unwritten rules when it comes to being a guest at that kind of gathering?