Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota Wild, along with FOX Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, announced Saturday that Mankato will host Hockey Day Minnesota 2021 and that iconic Blakeslee Stadium will serve as the venue for the 15th annual statewide hockey celebration.

Additional details, including the date, match-ups and the official schedule for Hockey Day Minnesota 2021 will be announced at a later date.

"This is a truly momentous occasion, as Hockey Day in Minnesota makes its first ever visit to Southern Minnesota and its initial appearance in an on-campus sports venue," said Dr. Richard Davenport, Minnesota State's President. "We look forward to this opportunity to work with an outstanding group of civic leaders and regional partners in their efforts to showcase not only the University, but our community, as well.  Minnesota is the "State of Hockey" and we are thrilled to have the biggest stage the sport has to offer right here on our campus next January."

Hockey Day Minnesota 2021 will be part of a day-long television event broadcast on FOX Sports North, designed as a celebration of the game from peewees to pros. Proceeds of the event will benefit Mankato Area Hockey Association in an effort to grow the game through youth hockey.

The home for Minnesota State's football program, Blakeslee Stadium is a 7,000-seat, natural grass surface facility which opened in 1962.

"We are extremely excited about the chance we have to serve as the host site for Hockey Day in Minnesota next January," said Kevin Buisman, Minnesota State's Director of Athletics. "The leadership of the Local Organizing Committee is exceptional and they are to be commended for their extraordinary efforts to bring this event to the Greater Mankato area.  The University and Maverick Athletics have a strong history of hosting major events including Minnesota Vikings Training Camp and various conference and NCAA championships and we are confident we can build upon that foundation to create an exciting and memorable experience for everyone involved as we stage this prestigious event at historic Blakeslee Stadium twelve months from now.  Let's play hockey!"

About Hockey Day Minnesota
Hockey Day Minnesota originated in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the State of Hockey. It is produced in partnership with FOX Sports North, Minnesota Hockey and the respective local community that serves as host each year. Previous locations include Baudette Bay (2007, 2008), Phalen Park (2009), Hermantown (2010), Moorhead (2011), Minnetonka (2012), Grand Rapids (2013), Elk River (2014), Saint Paul (2015), Duluth (2016), Stillwater (2017), St. Cloud (2018), Bemidji (2019) and Minneapolis (2020). For more information, visit www.wild.com/hockeyday.