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Da Beauty League is Back

07/11/2017, 10:00am CDT
By Trevor Squire

Puck Drops on 2017 Season Tomorrow at Braemar Arena

Minneapolis native and San Jose Sharks defenseman Paul Martin (right). Credit: Nick Wosika.

Minneapolis native and San Jose Sharks defenseman Paul Martin (right). Credit: Nick Wosika.

Minnesotans needing to beat the humidity and heat have good reason to cool down at Braemar Arena in Edina, starting this Wednesday.

Da Beauty League is back this summer, showcasing fast-paced, four-on-four hockey, featuring current NHL players, prospects and highly regarded amateurs, all with ties to the State of Hockey.

Da Beauty League was organized in 2015 by local businesses aiming to bring professional hockey to Minnesota year-round. The league serves as a training ground for players as they prepare for their upcoming seasons, bringing high-level hockey to fans in a casual environment.

Three games will be played every Wednesday starting at 5:10 p.m. and ending around 9 p.m. through July. In August, games will be played Mondays and Wednesdays with the championship round scheduled for Aug. 23, when two teams will collide for the highly-coveted John Scott Cup, a silver keg trophy named after the honorary league commissioner.

Why John Scott? "A beauty," according to the league’s website, is “the guy who plays for the love of the game, who is also talented and loved by the rest of the team.” Scott earned NHL All-Star honors in 2016 after winning the league’s fan vote, capping one of the most unlikely rises to superstardom the league had ever seen.

"Da Beauty League is so unique in every way," said Octagon Hockey's Ben Hankinson, one of the league's co-founders and a former Minnesota hockey star in his own right. "The pros have way more important things to do on a summer night than play hockey. It’s their off-season. But it’s in their blood to skate and compete. From a fans perspective, it doesn’t get any better to see 40-50 NHL players play for $10."

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (from Roseau) is back for another Da Beauty League season. Credit: Nick Wosika.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (from Roseau) is back for another Da Beauty League season. Credit: Nick Wosika.

The ode to Scott is further evidence of what Da Beauty League is all about. But fun and a good workout aren't the only things on the players' minds. 

"Honestly, it’s crazy to see how these guys hate to lose," said Hankinson. "Just drop a puck with a few fans cheering and (it's) amazing how hard they play."

This year, the league will provide a homecoming to Pittsburgh Penguin and Stanley Cup-winner Jake Guentzel, a rookie who played in Da Beauty League in its inaugural season last summer.

Guentzel is just one of the dozens of big-name players competing in this summer's Da Beauty League. Paul Martin, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan McDonagh, Alex Goligoski, Brock Nelson and last year’s Da Beauty League scoring champ, Drew Stafford, will captain this year’s teams.

Orono head coach Mark Parrish and other former NHL stars will coach the six respective teams.

Minnesota Wild skaters Kyle Rau, Alex Stalock, Mike Reilly and Chris Stewart will be playing in Da Beauty League this summer. A number of other notable players with Wild ties will also be lacing up their skates in Edina, including Thomas Vanek, Erik Haula, Nate Prosser, Jordan Schroeder and Justin Fontaine.

Entry to each night’s session is $10 for adults and free for kids under the age of 12. Season passes can be purchased for $50. A portion of the league’s proceeds will be donated to the United Heroes League and Paul Martin’s new foundation, Shine a Ligh7.

Fans unable to attend Wednesday’s opener can watch all three games at KFAN.com.

For more information, including a 2017 schedule, visit dabeautyleague.com.

Da Beauty League 2017 Team Rosters

Credit: Image courtesy Da Beauty League.

Credit: Image courtesy Da Beauty League.

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Tag(s): State Of Hockey  News  Overtime