Group featuring Olympians, NHL stars unveils plans for a Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame

The project would establish a Hall of Fame to honor the state's athletes, coaches, officials, teams, and cities, as well as others who have contributed to the game around Minnesota. 

The group has noted on social media that it hopes to have a relationship with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, which was established in 1973.

The museum has not announced where it will be located, but during an announcement event, Heydt says the MNHHOF will be in the Twin Cities and cost around $70 million, KSTP reports. The organization hopes to break ground by June 2026 and open in May 2028.

"Minnesota has an unrivaled amount of success and passion when it comes to hockey," says Darwitz. "This project will finally give our game the permanent home it deserves. We're celebrating the full journey of hockey in our state, from kids just learning the game ot legends at the highest level. Every community in our state has a story worth telling."

The nonprofit organization has already established an Ambassador Program that features more than 100 men and women who have been involved in hockey in Minnesota. That includes current and former players like Nick Bjugstad, Neal Broten, J.T. Brown, Matt Cullen, Alex Goligoski, Taylor Heise, Gigi Marvin, Casey Mittelstadt, Lou Nanne, T.J. Oshie, Kelly Pannek, Alex Stalock, Krissy Wendell, and Grace Zumwinkle, among others.

The organization also has foundational support from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Though it has not yet detailed what that support entails.

“The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame is an important legacy project that will celebrate and preserve the state’s rich hockey history for generations to come,” Jamie Dinsmore, President and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, says in a statement. 

Organizers say the MNHHOF will be more than a museum. The plan is to build a 120,000-square-foot facility with a 30,000-square-foot museum, an ice rink, a 20,000-square-foot performance hall, a hockey-themed restaurant and bar, and other event spaces.

It will also aim to grow hockey through grassroots programs, traveling exhibits, and its Ambassador Program, which it projects will include at least 250 Minnesota-born or developed individuals within the next 12 months.