Bloomington Kennedy Hockey

Kennedy Hockey's youth program is committed to success. Winning is our goal for every team at every level. We believe that preparation goes beyond on-ice development and that winning without integrity is not winning at all. Character, sportsmanship and a strong work ethic are life lessons that will allow our players to succeed—not just in sports, but in whatever they do. We strive to feed our high-school program with players prepared to compete with the best hockey teams in the state.

Every participant is critical to our success, and will have the opportunity to receive the coaching, development and support needed to reach their goals. We encourage our kids to dream big and then we give them the tools to achieve them.

Collect your aluminum cans and then simply deposit them in our handy aluminum can cage trailer conveniently located on the west side of the Bloomington Armory parking lot which is at 3300 West 98th Street, Bloomington, Minnesota. Just next door (east) to the Bloomington Ice Garden.

All of the proceeds from the aluminum can collections will do directly to benefit Kennedy Youth Hockey Programs.

Thank you for your support and Let’s Play Hockey!

Dear Minnesota Hockey:

I recently had the honor and privilege of being named the 2012 Hobey Baker Award
 Recipient as the top men's college hockey player.   Wow!  Just typing that sentence
and reading it over and over causes all kinds of wonderful emotions and thoughts
 in my head.  But more so than anything, it makes me realize how fortunate I am
to be from Minnesota, especially Duluth.

I put my skates on for the first time in the warming house at the Duluth Heights
 outdoor rink when I was four.  And some of the other four year old kids that were
putting their skates on for the first time next to me in the warming house that
winter are still some of my best friends today, 18 years later.  We grew up on the
outdoor ice rinks and then eventually the indoor ice rinks in the Duluth area.
My friends and I are extremely lucky to have been coached by so many wonderful people
who instilled into all of us a passion and respect for the game.  I was fortunate
enough to play in the state high school hockey tournament and eventually play for
my hometown Bulldogs, being part of a memorable team that won the school's first
 National Championship.  But it all started with the foundation that was built for
me by the community hockey system that Minnesota has.

In recent years, I've been able to play on teams with players from all over North
America.  After talking about our childhood hockey experiences, I quickly realized
that hockey elsewhere is not quite like hockey in Minnesota.  As a mite and squirt
playing for Duluth Heights, all I wanted to do was beat the other Duluth neighborhood
teams including Piedmont Heights, Glen Avon, Portman, Congdon Park, Woodland, etc.
Then at the PeeWee and Bantam level I played for Duluth East, which increased my
 list of rivals to places such as Cloquet, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing. Then came
high school hockey at Duluth Marshall and games against Hermantown.  The only thing
better than a high school game against Hermantown was a win against Hermantown!
 All of this was done with my friends. All of this was done while living in the
same house where I'd fall asleep as a four year old dreaming about hockey. All of
this was done while continuing to play soccer at a high level throughout high school.
 No, I didn't join an all-star team of 10-year old kids in the winter and go to
tournaments in Quebec City or Buffalo. I played with kids from across the alley
and down the street and a big road trip was a tournament in Coleraine.  I didn't
 move away at age 14 to pursue my hockey dreams.  Instead I stayed home to play
the game I love with my friends, and had a blast doing it!

I did develop.  I developed as a hockey player and as a person.  And for that I
want to thank everyone who is involved in hockey in Minnesota.  The coaches at Duluth
Heights that picked me up when I fell as a four year old.  The people connected
with Minnesota Hockey that oversee all of the community associations in the state.
 I truly appreciate all that you have done for me and for other young hockey players
in Minnesota.  I encourage you to keep doing it because hockey in Minnesota works
and is indeed special.  From the bottom of my brand new Hobey Baker award, thank
 you!!

With Thanks,

Jack Connolly

Big Thank You's go out to E-train for the practice jerseys!!!