Donate Learn More Email Us Call Us

Hockey is hard enough.

Getting on the ice should be easy.

Inspired by the pay it forward movement, Skate It Forward is a philanthropic initiative of the Minnesota Wild Foundation dedicated to preserving, strengthening, and celebrating community hockey in Minnesota.

Community hockey is the combination of local non-profit community hockey associations, vibrant statewide high school hockey, and municipally operated ice arenas that make hockey much more accessible and affordable in Minnesota compared to anywhere else in the nation.Skate It Forward will reinvest proceeds back into community hockey in Minnesota with the primary objective of encouraging even more kids in Minnesota to play hockey.

Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant Application

The Minnesota Wild Foundation is proud to announce the opening of 2025–2026 Minnesota Wild Foundation Hockey Grant applications supporting programs that Skate It Forward by growing the game and expanding access and opportunities across the State of Hockey.

The Minnesota Wild Foundation believes that Hockey Is For Everyone - no matter what your background, zip code, or financial circumstances. In support of the Minnesota Wild's new Skate It Forward endeavor, these grants are designed to break down barriers and create opportunities to discover, play, and fall in love with hockey.

Application grants are closed for the 2025-26 season, please check back in the fall for information on 2026-27 grants.

One Winona: The Making of a Hockey Town

In the southeastern corner of the State of Hockey sits a small town with big hockey dreams. Winona, Minnesota, was one of eleven cities selected to receive pilot Skate It Forward grants from the Minnesota Wild Foundation this year to increase hockey participation in their communities. ONE WINONA: The Making of a Hockey Town is a one-time special, produced by the Minnesota Wild in association with TRIA Orthopedics, that provides an intimate portrait of what it takes to become a hockey town, and more importantly, why you’d want to be one in the first place.

ONE WINONA: The Making of a Hockey Town is both a hockey story and a people story, introducing viewers to the passionate group determined to make Winona a hockey town by doing things in a different way. In Winona, they’re not just trying to make hockey players, they’re trying to make an entire community fall in love with hockey.

ONE WINONA: The Making of a Hockey Town will premiere on FanDuel Sports Network following the 8 p.m. CT broadcast of the Minnesota Wild vs. Florida Panthers game on Hockey Day Minnesota this Saturday, January 24. The special will also be available at 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, January 25, on the State of Hockey YouTube channel.

Watch One Winona

Minnesota Community Hockey News

St. Paul Capitals Pic (2) (1)
10UBChampions (1) (1)
MVI Pic (1)
Waseca Group Photo (1) (1)
SLP Youth 2 (1)
St. Louis Park Youth (2)
mite jamb 104 (2)
hockey without limits 17 (1)
mn wild mite 24 13 (3)
warroad 124 (2)
MPLS spotlight 13 (1)

Community Hockey Builders of the Game

The Minnesota Wild's "Community Hockey Builders of the Game" program presented by Andersen Windows, recognizes dedicated advocates for growing community hockey at the grassroots level within a Skate It Forward Pilot Association. These individuals embody the spirit of the State of Hockey through tireless efforts to make the sport more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. Through leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment, they help build stronger communities and inspire the next generation of players and fans.

Selected candidates will receive four game tickets, Wild merchandise, in-arena recognition and be featured on the Wild Gives Back social channels.

March's Community Hockey Builder: Brandon Mehling

Association - Winona Area Youth Hockey Association

About Brandon - 

Brandon grew up in Rochester, MN, where a community support program, much like Skate It Forward, made it possible for him to play hockey—an experience that continues to inspire his commitment to making the game accessible to others. He has worked in education since 2005 and currently serves as a Tier 1 Instructional Coach with Winona Area Public Schools.

He coaches multiple levels within Winona Area Youth Hockey, supports regional off-season player development, and provides play-by-play for the Winona High School girls’ hockey team. Brandon and his wife are also raising four hockey players, making hockey a true family affair. He believes hockey builds teamwork, resilience, and lifelong friendships, and is passionate about ensuring every kid in the community has the opportunity to play.

January's Community Hockey Builder: Glen Skrivseth

Association - Minnesota Sled Hockey

About Megan - Glen is a lifelong hockey player from St. Louis Park and a retired veteran of the 34th Infantry Division, deployed to Iraq in 2004–2005. Introduced to sled hockey as a referee at the 2017 NHL Sled Classic, he now plays with the Minnesota Warriors and helps lead SledVets, combining hockey, military service, and adaptive sports to show that hockey truly changes lives.

December's Community Hockey Builder: Megan Vassallo

Association - Bloomington Jefferson Youth Hockey Association

About Megan - Megan grew up in New Jersey and moved to Minnesota in 2010. Megan has supported Bloomington Jefferson Youth Hockey Association in several volunteer roles, most recently as Recruiting and Retention Committee lead and Mite Director. Through the Minnesota Wild Foundation’s Skate It Forward initiative, the association strengthened community partnerships, participated in summer and fall events, expanded the girls 6U and 8U program by two teams, and launched a dedicated Mini Mite program.

November's Community Hockey Builder: J.P. West

Association - Anoka Youth Hockey Association

About J.P. - J.P. serves as Anoka’s Recruitment and Retention Director and as the District 10 Representative on the Minnesota Hockey Membership Development and Growth Committee, where he helps drive participation and inclusion at every level of the sport. A three-generation hockey family, the West legacy trace back to his uncle Dennis, who skated in Anoka’s inaugural 1953 season. His own journey began in 1980 in the city’s original “Ice Is Nice” Learn-to-Skate program—now known as the Mini Cyclones Learn-to-Skate, which he oversees today. Under J.P.’s leadership, the Mini Cyclones program is on pace to surpass last year’s record 177 participants, 1st-Year Mites have grown by over 50%, and more than $18,000 in grants have been secured to make Mini Cyclones and first-year Mites free for families.

October's Community Hockey Builder: Kendra Hansen

Association - Waseca Youth Hockey Association

About Kendra - Kendra wears many hats within the Waseca Youth Hockey Association — Squirts Team Coordinator, Recruitment Coordinator, and Grant Manager. Her dedication and hard work have been instrumental in growing the game of hockey in Waseca and making it more accessible for all families. As a hockey mom of four, Kendra’s passion for the sport runs deep. Her tireless efforts, both behind the scenes and in the rink, embody the spirit of Skate It Forward. Thank you, Kendra, for all you do to support our players and families in the State of Hockey!

Donate Learn More Email Us Call Us