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<\/a><\/p>\nThe grand opening is slated for May 2028, with the inaugural class coming sometime after that.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an ambitious undertaking, and Winkler, the CEO and president of development partner Consumer Science North, acknowledges there are key questions yet to be answered.<\/p>\n
Where will it be located? The plan is somewhere in the Twin Cities footprint, with a site potentially being announced in the next 60 to 90 days. Winkler said they\u2019ve looked into the feasibility of multiple sites and are in \u201cdeep discussions\u201d on one in particular. He did also note, however, that since their announcement, several cities have approached them for consideration.<\/p>\n
How will it be funded? The plan is for a mix of corporate sponsorship, private investment and third-party funding, though Winkler didn\u2019t disclose how far along they are \u2014 or who the main potential investors are. He said they\u2019ve had multiple discussions with the Minnesota Wild, but that they\u2019re not current partners. The MNHHOF is talking with a bank regarding some debt financing, as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in a good spot,\u201d Winkler said. \u201cThe hockey community is really embracing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darwitz said the MNHHOF has received support from the Herb Brooks Foundation, with Brooks\u2019 daughter, Kelly Brooks Paradise, leading the way. She also said the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto has been an important liaison, offering guidance and foundational support. More than 100 men and women are part of an \u201cambassador program\u201d for the project, from Neal Broten to Ryan McDonagh to Taylor Heise to Lou Nanne.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame is in Eveleth, Minnesota, but this will be a standalone, separate museum for the \u201cState of Hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery state has got some kind of proficiency that they\u2019ve excelled at \u2014 something they\u2019re known for,\u201d Nanne said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a number of things here, but one of the things \u2026 is a hell of a legacy in the development of hockey players. The growth of the game has been unbelievable throughout the state. If you look at the leagues in every category \u2014 with players playing in the NHL to college, minor programs, the state high school tournament, which is unique \u2014 there\u2019s so many things to highlight about the game itself in Minnesota and its successes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt only makes sense to have this.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are a few main employees of the nonprofit, including Darwitz, president Andrew Heydt (the Wild\u2019s former director of team operations) and vice president of partnerships Amy Hamilton. Three others members of \u00a0Consumer Science North\u2019s staff \u2014 chief real estate officer Mike Breese, \u00a0CFO Dan Winkler and Steve Baima \u2014 are also key figures. Baima is the project lead and first connected Darwitz and Chris Winkler last winter, getting the ball rolling.<\/p>\n
Chris Winkler has been considering the idea since 2022, when he trademarked the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame and scooped up domain names like mnhhof.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n