Iron Rangers rally to keep Hockey Hall of Fame

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‘We are speaking out so that everyone knows how important our hockey heritage is.’

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The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame is right where it belongs—in Eveleth, Minnesota.

By Jeffrey McClure, Northern News Now – April 30, 2025

EVELETH, Minn.–At the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Iron Rangers banded together Saturday in support of keeping the museum in its original home of Eveleth.

“When we were going down to state constantly, that’s what brought it all here,” said a resident who spoke at the event. “Our kids are playing hockey, wanting to play hockey, and striving to play hockey.”

Iron Rangers gather to protest potential moving of U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame | Screenshot YouTube

Hundreds of residents showed up, including city and political leaders, to speak against those wanting to move it.

“This building was put here in 1973 because a plethora of legislators, city people, and community members came together saying ‘This is where this needs to be and this is the right location for it,” said Eveleth’s Mayor Adam Roen. “We’re just coming back together 50-plus years later to say we agree with everything they said and we’re going to stand behind it and support it as well.”

Members of the Hall of Fame board of directors have stated that relocating the museum would get more eyes on Minnesota hockey legends.

They said other sporting hall of fames see nearly 400,000 visitors a year, while the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame sees about 9,000.

Following the Senate’s 32-30 vote against an amendment authored by Minnesota District 3 DFL Senator Grant Hauschild on Friday, Democrats claim that this is not a problem of partisanship but geography.

Peter Mattras, of Colchester, Connecticut, visits the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. “I watch hockey all the time,” he said. “I just love it. I like the ’80 Olympics because that was the greatest team, I love that one.” The retired Mattras, 68, travels around North America in a touring van. Steve Kuchera | Duluth News Tribune

District 7 Senator Rob Farnsworth a Republican voted for the bill—but it could have passed if the Democrat leadership had allowed more time to go over its language and work with his caucus.

“That vote, there were of course Republicans voting against it, but the Saint Paul Democrat senators voted against it because they want the hall in St. Paul,” said Farnsworth.

According to St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich, this is one of many scenarios where the Twin Cities restrict the Iron Range.

“This is an overreach by the metro trying to take something that’s ours, and I for one am sick of that. Is anybody else?” asked Jugovich.

“Our history can never truly leave this town because so much of it was made right here,” said Republican Representative Cal Warwas, and Clinton Township resident Cal Warwas. “We are speaking out so that everyone knows how important our hockey heritage is to the Range.”

According to Hauschild, the plan to move the hall was not made public to “keep it in the shadows” because of the reaction it would garner.

But as he’s continued to state, the hall would need investment not only for the infrastructure but also from the community.

“It’s something we should tell the story about. Not just to other Minnesotans, because they get it right? Minnesotans are proud of hockey, but we need to show the nation that they can be proud of where hockey began, right here in Eveleth,” said Hauschild.

The world’s largest free-standing hockey stick, 110 feet long and weighing five tons, stands in Eveleth’s Hockey Plaza downtown. | Steve Kuchera

Residents were invited to speak, and those who did shared a similar message.

“What do they expect us to do when they take everything away from us and then say ‘you’re not doing enough?’ Well, maybe they should be doing more for us.”

In what seems to be only the beginning of this fight for the museum, locals will continue to voice their opinions.

“I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg for the number of people that are going to fight to keep this place here,” said Farnsworth.

No changes will be made to the U.S. Hall of Fame Museum unless there’s a majority vote from the board, which is made up of people from across Minnesota, including the Iron Range.

TOP PHOTO: Since 1973, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame has served as a mecca for all things hockey in the Iron Range town of Eveleth. | City of Eveleth