Women’s hockey is growing at all levels across the state, giving young girls a chance to dream.

Early next year, the Gophers will take the ice against the Bemidji State Beavers at Hockey Day Minnesota in Shakopee followed by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Face-Off Classic in Lakeville. 

The events will allow the Gophers to showcase their talents to young girls in the greater Minnesota community.

Gophers Head Coach Brad Frost said he hopes these events bring a sense of normality to women’s hockey. 

“With the Hall of Fame Game, one of the reasons we love participating in it is because we know that it’s gonna be packed with a bunch of youth girls teams,” Frost said.

In the last six years, the women’s hockey team played in the Hall of Fame Museum Classic four times with their most recent appearance in 2022 when they lost to St. Cloud State University 4-1.

Gophers Goaltender Skylar Vetter came to the University from Lakeville. For some players on the Gophers team, it may be their first time playing at Hasse Arena, but not for Vetter.

“My last high school game I ever played was actually at Hasse,” Vetter said. “It means so much that I’m going to be able to go down there and play a game in front of my hometown.”

Vetter said she is prepared for a big crowd and is excited to be able to have so many family members and friends at the event.

The Hall of Fame Museum Classic will not be the only time this season the Gophers compete against their Beaver foes from up north. The two teams will also take the ice in Shakopee for Hockey Day Minnesota.

The event, run by the Minnesota Wild, features talent from high school to pros. Minnesota Wild Senior Director of Community Relations and Hockey Partnerships Wayne Petersen said he always feels compelled to invite the Gophers to play.

“They’re always so good,” Petersen said. “The University is easy to work with and we have a great relationship.” 

The game will be played outside at Valleyfair. Vetter said she is excited for the chance to play in the conditions offered by a Minnesota winter.

The Gophers played in Hockey Day Minnesota in 2014 and 2020 and won both matchups. Petersen said their record at the event contributed to this year’s selection. 

The Gophers matchup in Shakopee against the Beavers will be a traditional Western Collegiate Hockey Association game. Although Frost is excited about the opportunity to play in front of a different crowd, he said he understands his team has a job to do.

“It’s another game,” Frost said. “As far as our preparation and things like that, we’ll keep it very much like we would any other game.”

Petersen said the rinks at Hockey Day Minnesota stay open through the weekend to allow youth teams to come and play.He added with that access, girls playing hockey is becoming far less of a rarity in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Professional Women’s Hockey League is giving players like Vetter a chance to continue their passion beyond college.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to play women’s professional hockey,” Vetter said. “It was never there for me to dream of.”

Like Vetter, the girls who will watch her and the Gophers play this season now have a chance to dream.