Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
The city of Houghton put out the call to Pack the Dee–and they did.
In a strong show of support for the city’s claim to the Hockeyville title, hundreds of hockey lovers participated in a group photo decked out in their hockey jerseys and gear.
And why do they believe Houghton should win the national contest sponsored by Kraft Foods?
Just ask any one of them…
“It’s the birthplace of professional hockey. Right here in this stadium is where it all started.”—Kelsey Laban, Houghton
“Well, Houghton is the birthplace of professional hockey.”—Mike Lowney, Houghton
“They’re the birthplace of professional hockey.”—Bennett Sturos, Hancock
“It’s the birthplace of professional hockey. It has a rich history in the area.”—Blake Hietala–Houghton
Houghton resident Mike Lowney says Houghton’s rich hockey history goes back along way.
Lowney said, “People here have always been playing hockey. When we were kids we played street hockey. In the neighborhood, we’d make a rink and play hockey. I grew up in Hancock and played at Laurn Grove.”
And 9-year old Bennett Sturos from Hancock says people here are pretty good at it.
Sturos said, “And they have a lot of good hockey players here. They can block shots and they can shoot the puck.”
Houghton High School student Kelsey Laban says you don’t have to play hockey to love it.
Laban said, “It means a great time! I love going out to watch the games whether they are local games or professional games.”
But if you want to see the passion for hockey in the area, look no further than local hockey stand-outs and Michigan Tech Huskies players Blake Hietala of Houghton and Tanner Kero of Hancock:
“If you walk through the streets, people are wearing their jerseys. People drop their kids off at the rink and let them hang out here all day. It’s just what everyone does,” said Hietala.
Kero said, “It’s kind of what we live for around here. Everyone wants to go to the games. They go to (Portage Lake) Pioneers’ games, whether it’s Michigan Tech, high school. It’s kind of a way of life and everyone just rallies around it.”
You can still nominate Houghton’s Dee Stadium…or the Calumet Colosseum by visiting www.krafthockeyville.com before March 18th.
