Mystery Menomonie 2010

Every year UW-Stout hockey alumni gather for what might be the most unique and prolific gathering in Div. III hockey. It’s called Mystery Menomonie and its become an ingrained tradition in the Menomonie community.  Mystery Menomonie brings together UW-Stout hockey alumni from as far back as the 1970’s for a day of food and fun, and of course hockey!

The tournament was started in 2000 by strength and conditioning coach Greg Slupe.  Greg’s father Tom Slupe was the head coach here at UW-Stout in the 1980’s when they were still just a club team. Tom played with now head coach Terry Watkins in the early 70’s.  Tom was named team MVP during the 1970-71 season as well as ‘Best Hustler’.  The Slupe family has put on the tournament now for 10 years and its extravagance is only matched by its popularity among UW-Stout alumni.

Fog machines, break-away wooden door frames, PA system complete with music and electronic score board are all put to use on the big day.  The game even has a ‘VIP’ seating area and is complete with a full game program for the fans.  The festivities even include an open skate session during an intermission on the custom built rink and some turkey bowling for fans following the championship game.

“Mystery Menomonie is a great experience and a great time for everyone involved” said Glenn Walker, 2008 UW-Stout hockey alumni.

“This was my second time playing in the event and both times I’ve had a blast!  This time around was more memorable you could say as I was able to get back on the ice again with the guys I played with at Stout and that I hadn’t seen in a while.” he said.

Coach Greg Slupe spends a lot of time with the help of his family and friends preparing their property for the event.  It’s not something you just do overnight.  All the players and spectators are  grateful to the Slupe family who host this event annually.  From preparing the ice to cooking pounds of brats and hot-dogs on the grill, there is a lot of work involved.

“I want to thank Coach Slupe and his family and close friends that devoted the time to help bring Mystery Menomonie together and go off smoothly.  Slupe puts in a lot of time into this and to be able to come out and play and show him the support is important.” said Walker.

Mystery Menomonie is what makes Division III hockey special.  A strong bond between the players, coaches and their families.  I can’t forget to mention the bond between players and the local fan base.  I have not heard of any other program doing something similar to Mystery Menomonie and that is what makes UW-Stout and the city of Menomonie special.  It’s a family affair with good stories you’ll never forget all entangled with a passion for hockey.

Menomonie,  a hockey town.

A photo gallery will be posted soon!  Here are a few more sneak peeks at some snapshots from this years tournament.

The Boys of Winter

Warm-ups underway

"The Sheet"

Plenty of food!

This Thursday is ‘whiteout’ night at the Dunn Co.  Devils’ Advocates are encouraged to wear white for the game against UW-Eau Claire.  The idea was from UW-Stout student and super-fan Brian Stutz.  Show your resolve and unity as a student section by wearing any piece of white clothing you own!   Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Dunn Co. Ice Palace on Thursday. Any questions can be directed to Brian by e-mailing him:  stutzb@uwstout.edu

SPREAD THE WORD TO WEAR WHITE!

Coach Greg Slupe

Here are some photos from today’s Mystery Menmonie Ol’ Time Hockey Classic.  2010 was the 10th year for the annual pond hockey game pitting alumni of all ages against one another.  The annual tournament is held by Coach Greg Slupe and his father Tom Slupe.  Tom was the former Stout Hockey Head Coach in the 70’s and 80’s. We will have a feature story with all the details in the coming days with more photos, so keep checking back for when it’s posted!   View sneak peek photos here.

'TheHeckler' doing his best

This Saturday night is ‘SIGN’ night in the Dunn Co.  We will face St. Scholastica who is just ahead of us in the NCHA rankings.  It is surely a must win and will have playoff implications down the road.  So grab some tag-board and make your biggest and baddest signs to support your Devils’.  St. Scholastica’s mascot is a Saint and they are a private school based in Duluth, MN.

Tailgating

Tailgating will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Dunn Co. parking lot on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Be there and make some new friends around the cozy fire trailer!  See all you Devils’ Advocates there!

There are still great seats available to Stout fans for tomorrow’s Minnesota Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center.  Tickets are steeply discounted in honor of UW-Stout playing in the Xcel prior to the Wild during the Hockey Day Minnesota celebration.  The price is $50 for a lower-level seat.  Standard pricing for these seats is often near $100 or more. To buy discounted tickets, go here.  The special offer code is STOUT.

Take advantage and make a day of it!  Watch UW-Stout and St. Olaf face-off at 1:30 p.m. with free admission, then stay in town to watch the Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets face-off at 8 p.m.!

If you can’t make it, we will be live video streaming the game from the Xcel tomorrow afternoon.  Check this page for a link to the live broadcast.

Stouthockey.com is pleased to announce tailgating information for UW-Stout’s game vs. St. Olaf on January 23rd at the Xcel Energy Center.  Devils’ Advocates, parents, students, alumni and other fans are to meet at Cosetta’s Italian Market at 11:30 a.m. for a tailgate lunch.

Cosetta’s is an incredibly popular place in the Twin Cities and is often regarded as the best pizzeria in the cities, true New York style pizza sold by gigantic the slice.  Online reviews show it has 4 1/2 out of a possible 5 stars.  Here is a recent review from one customer:

“I used to go here only for the pizza, which is probably the best pizza in the twin cities.   I want to make sure that everyone knows about the rest of Cosetta’s as well.    Go there for the pizza, keep going back to try their pasta’s, and then become a regular customer when you start to discover all of the amazing products they have in their deli, like fresh baked bread, pizza dough to take home and make your own pizza’s, italian meats, cheeses, olives, pasta’s, oh my frickin goodness.” — Courtesy of Nicolas P via Yelp.com

Don’t worry if your not a pizza fan, Cosetta’s has tons of great true Italian food.  No processed or frozen food here, this is the real deal and you can taste the difference!  Best of all?  It’s priced quite cheap!

After the meal at Cosetta’s those of legal age are encouraged to walk across the street to McGoverns Patrick Pub for some pre-game drinks. McGoverns & Cosetta’s are both very popular hangouts for Minnesota Wild fans before home games.

Here is a map to help you.  As you can see, these great gems are within 1 block of the Xcel Energy Center!

The Minnesota Wild play the Columbus Blue Jackets later that evening at 8 p.m. and are making a special lower level discounted ticket offer available.  Fans can stick around St. Paul after the UW-Stout game and watch an NHL match-up at a very good price!  Discounted tickets can be purchased on the Minnesota Wild website here. The special offer code is:  STOUT

The Stout/St. Olaf match-up is believed to be the first NCAA Division III hockey game to be played at the Xcel Center.