WEST FARGO — Players from youth hockey to high school will have to wait a little longer to lace up their skates and play a game outdoors as part of Hockey Day North Dakota, which was initially slated for Dec. 4-6 at the Lights on Sheyenne 32 plaza in West Fargo.
The three-day event was postponed following a Nov. 13 executive order from Gov. Doug Burgum which initially paused winter sports for four weeks. Burgum later walked back on the limits, allowing teams to start practices Nov. 30 and start playing games Dec. 14.
The Packers and Mustangs were each scheduled to play an outdoor game during the third annual Hockey Day North Dakota on Dec. 5. Fargo South-Shanley, Fargo Davies, Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Central rounded out the high school teams that were also slated to play Dec. 5.
Event organizers have been looking into alternate dates, but haven’t landed on a specific one yet. West Fargo Events, a nonprofit that manages public spaces in West Fargo, including The Lights, is working with the Fargo Angels hockey club and Hockey Day North Dakota to put on the event.
Teams and matchups are also in the works.
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While fan festivities for Hockey Day North Dakota may have to wait, there’ll be plenty of entertainment at the development near 32nd Avenue and Sheyenne Street South in West Fargo.
The outdoor ice rink slated to hold Hockey Day will open regardless of the event, and is expected to be skateable by the end of this week.
The ice rink will officially open to the public this December, and will be an annual fixture at The Lights. West Fargo Events executive director Mike Amundson said the group is trying to provide continuous entertainment for the future every winter.
Information on the official opening date is expected to come later this week, he said. When it does open, rental skates will be available, as well as other entertainment, like ice bikes.
The Lights on Sheyenne 32 is the first venue to host Hockey Day North Dakota outside of Jamestown. The event was originally moved up from its usual January date with the hopes of avoiding frigid temperatures.
Event updates can be found at westfargoevents.com , hockeydaynd.com or Hockey Day ND’s Facebook page .
