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Derek Montgomery
Duluth

Photos: In Duluth, youth league hockey is an outdoor-only sport

Waiting out a break in the action
Wyatt Zappa, a mite two for the Portman Hockey Club, waits around during a break in action last Friday during the Glen Avon jamboree. Mites are 8-and-under players.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News

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Duluth is home to one of North America's last all-outdoor youth hockey leagues.

The city has seven independent youth hockey organizations that play at their own volunteer-run neighborhood rinks. One big advantage is that outdoor hockey — when parents maintain the rinks and the city pays for water and lights — is largely free.

The disadvantage is that when it gets too cold, too warm or too snowy, the rinks shut down.

Otherwise, it's hockey time.

Gallery
11 of 11
Outdoor rinks are cheap, but subject to weather.
When it gets too cold, too warm, or, in the case on Jan. 6, too snowy, the rinks shut down.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
1 of 11
Waiting out a break in the action
Wyatt Zappa, a mite two for the Portman Hockey Club, waits around during a break in action last Friday during the Glen Avon jamboree. Mites are 8-and-under players.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
2 of 11
Mike Johnson warms up his grandson's hands.
Mike Johnson warms up the hands of his grandson Dylan Maki during a cold and windy game Wednesday at Portman Square. Maki, a mite two player for the Portman Hockey Club, was in between shifts during his team's first league game of the year against a team from the Glen Avon Hockey Club.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News