The United States Hockey Hall of Fame
Location: Eveleth, MN (801 Hat Trick Ave.)
When to visit: Hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-3 (hours are limited the rest of the year – see here)
Cost: Adults $8, kids $6
Time needed: 30-60 minutes
Website: www.ushockeyhall.com
The Pro Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto is rightly regarded as the mecca of hockey. That’s where you can touch the Stanley Cup in person and see videos and exhibits from all the great players in NHL history, regardless of nationality.
There’s a lesser-known hockey attraction that fans of the sport might want to consider checking out, and that’s the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota.
Its off-the-beaten-path location roughly halfway between Duluth and Voyageurs National Park means that far fewer visitors make it up here, but those who do are treated to some informative exhibits and fascinating artifacts.
Exhibits at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Like 70-year-old goalie masks, ice skates from the early 1900s, and the Calder Trophy presented to Boston’s Frank Brimsek for being Rookie of the Year in 1939.
This Hall of Fame only focuses on American players and teams, so it’s not as massive as the one in Toronto.
But it does provide more detail about the beginnings of the sport in the northern American states, and how the game has grown exponentially over the decades.
As you might expect, the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team gets lots of coverage here. There’s a sizable section devoted to the success of women’s hockey.
And memorabilia from famous American players like Pat LaFontaine, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, and Chris Chelios.
Best of all, there’s an interactive section where you can play bubble hockey, table hockey, or practice shooting pucks into a net.
I was visiting alone so there wasn’t an opportunity to challenge anyone at bubble hockey. But I did spend a few minutes whipping wristshots into the upper corner of the net like I’m Phil Kessel.
The net has a radar gun which tells you the speed of your shot. I topped out at 26 miles per hour. That’s pretty weak, but I was afraid to try a slapshot and risk breaking the stick.
Visiting the USA Hockey Hall of Fame: Hours, Ticket Prices
Be sure to check the hours before coming. Outside of the summer months, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame museum is only open three days a week.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Hall is open 10 am to 5 pm six days a week, and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
Outside of summer, the Hall is only open Friday through Sunday. Eveleth is a small town, after all, so it doesn’t have the tourist traffic necessary to sustain a place like this during the winter.
The site has a sizable parking lot with free parking. Kids under 6 are always admitted for free.
For diehard puckheads, the U.S. Hockey Hall is worth your eight bucks. When you’re done exploring the museum, relax on their tasteful lobby furniture made out of hockey sticks.
Who’s inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame? Pretty much all the greats of American hockey history, including Mike Modano, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Joe Mullen, and Miracle on Ice coach Herb Brooks.
Recent inductees include goaltender Ryan Miller and head coach Paul Holmgren. The Hall has made more of an effort to induct women recently as well, honoring U.S. Women’s National Team contributors Jenny Porter, Monique Lamoureux-Morando, and Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson.
If you’re expecting to see the Stanley Cup here, no, that’s at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. This facility is smaller and is specifically dedicated to U.S. hockey players and achievements.
I visited the Hall on a summer road trip from Chicago to Banff National Park in Canada.
Would you be interested in visiting the USA Hockey Hall of Fame?
