International hockey tourney delivers needed downtown St. Paul spark

From the GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field to the European Christmas Market and train rides at Union Depot to an international hockey tournament at Grand Casino Arena, the downtown St. Paul of December has been exactly what boosters have wished for the hobbled urban core.

Now to make it last all year.

“We don’t have a problem making people want to do big events like that in St. Paul. We have a problem with the stickiness — making sure they stay here and get a hotel here and have dinner here and have a beer here and those types of things," Mayor Melvin Carter said. “Which is where the renovation of the Grand Casino Arena could be really, really transformational for us.”

Carter and other city boosters have targeted the NHL arena and its surrounding area as the epicenter of downtown revitalization efforts. The hope in March was to secure $769 million to revamp the complex, though that was scaled back to $488 million in May.

Neither came to pass, though the project might come up again at the upcoming legislative session. And until then, the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship gives a glimpse at what a hockey-boosted downtown St. Paul could be like.

The competition, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, is returning to the Twin Cities for the first time since 1982, bringing thousands of fans and the best under-20 players together for 29 games.

“I don’t know that everyone really understand how special this is,” said Wendy Blackshaw, president and CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. “This is like one under the Olympics in terms of excitement.”

The event could be a shot in the arm for a downtown that’s struggled to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of its once-largest property owner — especially during what’s normally a sluggish holiday stretch for local businesses.

It’s also a chance to introduce the Twin Cities to new people, said Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, president and CEO of Visit St. Paul. In addition to those visiting in person, fans from around the world will watch the spectacle on broadcasts across Canada and Europe.

Work to bring World Juniors to Minnesota began more than two and a half years ago, when USA Hockey asked cities to submit bids to host the traveling tournament. It came down to the Twin Cities and Seattle.

North Stars and Gopher hockey legend Lou Nanne helped lead the coalition that ultimately convinced officials to bring the games here.

“We have more players in the NHL, in college, international games,” he said. “To me, it was sort of a reward for all that Minnesota has done and how big the game has grown here.”

There are seven Minnesotans on Team USA’s 30-player roster, and its coach is Bob Motzko of the Gophers. The founder of the tournament, the late Murray Williamson, is a prominent figure in Minnesota hockey history.

“Hockey is so woven into who we are as a state,” Blackshaw said.

Canadians are the tournament’s largest fanbase, though tourism officials are bracing for tempered travel from Minnesota’s northern neighbors. When President Donald Trump took office earlier this year, his rhetoric and policies on issues like trade and immigration led to ongoing tensions between the two countries.

“Over the holidays in Canada, that’s what you do — gather around and follow the World Juniors tournament,“ said Hendrikson of Visit St. Paul.

This year will mark the seventh time the U.S. has played host to the tournament in its 50-year history.

Minnesota Sports and Events estimated the production cost $7 million to $8 million in public and private money. The regional commission is responsible for attracting and organizing large-scale sporting events like the U.S. Olympic gymnastic trials and Big Ten basketball tournaments.

USA Hockey estimated World Juniors delivers a $75 million economic boost to the host community. Blackshaw said it’s by far the most games for an event the commission has hosted.

“If there’s been anything that I wish around this is that people understand what an elite tournament this is,” she said. “This is a huge deal.”

In addition to open skate sessions and bumper cars, the free fan fest, dubbed the Bold North Breakaway, will feature indoor vendors, DJ sets and movie screenings for those needing a break from the cold.

On Dec. 31, organizers are planning an 8 p.m. “puck drop” and fireworks after the U.S. vs. Sweden game to kick off New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“I hope that the whole street — all of West Seventh and all the surrounding places — really get an influx of business," he said. “It would be really great for downtown to get that.”

The St. Paul Hotel was about 65% booked for the tournament as of last week, including some business from groups affiliated with the event. That’s far busier than its 32% occupancy during the same week last year. But Director of Sales and Marketing Leslie Ingiald said she’d hoped the hotel would be even fuller.

Reservations started to pick up in December after a slower start, she said, adding the hotel is optimistic there might be more last-minute bookings. National flags for each of the participating countries will be on display.