Let's Play Hockey: Now in its 40th Season

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

Let’s Play Hockey newspaper was started in 1972 in the basement of the former rink-side announcer of the Minnesota North Stars. Bob Utecht, the popular long-time voice of the team, created the publication to help spread the news about the rapidly growing sport of hockey. He named the newspaper after the famous words “LET’S PLAY HOCKEY” which he used prior to opening faceoffs at the old Met Center in Bloomington, Minn.

Since then, Let’s Play Hockey newspaper has been providing in-depth, comprehensive and entertaining coverage of all levels of hockey including youth, high school, college, juniors, Olympics and professional.

Let’s Play Hockey newspaper continues to grow in popularity and has become a must-read publication for players, parents, coaches and others in the hockey community. Readers look to LPH as the trusted source for breaking news, the latest youth rankings and consistently strong hockey-related editorial. Let’s Play Hockey’s reputation as a respected, influential publication stems largely from its strong editorial content and its outstanding array of knowledgeable columnists.

Based in Minneapolis, Minn., and in the heart of hockey country, Let’s Play Hockey now publishes 29 issues a year including the summer months. With more than 50,000 youth hockey players in Minnesota alone and countless hockey parents, coaches and fans, Let’s Play Hockey has carved out a distinctive and successful niche in the newspaper industry. Let’s Play Hockey has hundreds of readers throughout North America and of course in neighboring states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Let’s Play Hockey is also instrumental in developing and initiating programs to help the future progression of amateur hockey in the United States.

Examples include:

• The 14th Annual Let’s Play Hockey International Expo in Las Vegas, October 16-17, 2011 is the largest buying show for the hockey industry.
• The 23rd Annual Let’s Play Hockey Expo, which will be held in St. Paul March 9-10, 2012, during the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament
• Sponsor and presenter of the Ms. Hockey and Goalie of the Year Awards to the top senior girls high school players in Minnesota
• Sponsor and presenter of award to honor top Minnesota-born scorer in the National Hockey League
• Former Sponsor of the United States Hockey League (USHL) Player of the Week and Player of the Year Awards
• Official provider of high school hockey rankings for the Associated Press
• Let’s Play Hockey staff select the “Three Stars” at all Minnesota Wild home games
• Started the Let’s Play Hockey Cup for top eight bantam, peewee, 14U, and 12U B teams in Minnesota
• Established Foundation for the Development of College Hockey
• Former organizer of the American Hockey Coaches Association Annual Convention and Exhibits trade show
• Sponsor of several post-season awards banquets
• Host of the Commission for the Progression of Hockey Symposium
• Official program for the Division III College Hockey Showcase
• Produce the Minnesota Boys State High School Hockey Tournament Banquets

In addition to our newspaper, the Let’s Play Hockey TV magazine show ran for 12 years. It was a 15-week television show on Fox Sports Net, Midwest Sports Channel, and Victory Sports Network, reaching approximately 2.7 million homes in the upper Midwest.

As a result of its continued commitment to excellence and to the advancement of hockey, Let’s Play Hockey is often referred to as “The Hockey Bible” of the United States.

Let's Play Hockey Staff

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

Let's Play Hockey newspaper was started in 1972 in the basement of Bob Utecht, the popular long-time rink-side announcer for the Minnesota North Stars. He created the publication to help spread the news about the rapidly growing sport of hockey. Utecht named the newspaper after the famous words "Let's Play Hockey" which he used prior to the opening face-offs at the old Met Center, home of the North Stars.

Today, the Let's Play Hockey staff includes:

• Doug Johnson, President/Publisher

• Linda Johnson, Associate Publisher

• Kevin Kurtt, Managing Editor

• Mike Thill, Photographer

• Columnists: Jack Blatherwick, Rob LaPrade, John Russo

• Contributors: Our readers

Contact Let's Play Hockey

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

Contact Let's Play Hockey by email

Doug Johnson, Publisher  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kevin Kurtt, Editor   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mailing Address

Phone

612-729-0023
612-729-0259 fax