FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2025
CONTACT
Jennifer “JLor” Lor
(651) 417-9454
FEBRUARY 1: Mayor Carter to Host First-Ever Mayor’s Cup Hockey Game
Ahead of 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
SAINT PAUL – On Saturday, February 1, Mayor Melvin Carter will host the first-ever Mayor’s Cup, bringing together peewee teams from the Saint Paul Edgcumbe Youth Hockey Association and the City of Lakes Youth Hockey Association for a historic matchup.
This free-admission event, co-hosted by Minnesota Sports and Events, is part of the lead up to the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Juniors Championship. The Mayor’s Cup adds to a full-day catalog of Saint Paul festivities taking place on February 1, including the Red Bull Heavy Metal street snowboard competition and Saint Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade.
Mayor Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will serve as honorary captains of their respective city’s team. Minnesota hockey legends Neal Broten and Jordan Leopold will act as celebrity coaches.
ComMUSICation Choir of Saint Paul will perform the National Anthem at the start of the game with live music from DJ Advance throughout the event.
WHO
Mayor Melvin Carter
Mayor Jacob Frey
Assistant Executive Director Tony Driscoll, USA Hockey
Neal Broten, World Junior Alumni
Jordan Leopold, World Junior Alumni
Lee Stecklein and Brooke Bryant, Minnesota Frost
Saint Paul Edgcumbe Youth Hockey Association
City of Lakes Youth Hockey Association
Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Families
Local sports team mascots (University of Minnesota, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota United, Minnesota Aurora)
ComMUSICation Choir of Saint Paul
DJ Advance
WHEN
Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 12 p.m.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Individual media availability at approximately 12:10 p.m.
WHERE
TRIA Rink St. Paul
Treasure Island Center
400 Wabasha St N
Saint Paul, MN 55101
All media should send an RSVP to Jennifer “JLor” Lor at JLor@ci.stpaul.mn.us before Thursday, January 30.
ABOUT THE IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis from December 26 – January 5, 2026. All-session ticket packages are on sale now at 2026.worldjunior.hockey. For more information, visit WorldJuniorsMN26.com.
The IIHF World Junior Championship is international hockey’s premiere tournament where the world’s best men’s ice hockey players under 20 years of age compete for the gold medal. Hosted by Minnesota for the second time since 1982, the tournament will feature hockey’s future stars representing their nations in front of thousands of passionate hockey fans.
ABOUT MINNESOTA SPORTS AND EVENTS
Minnesota Sports and Events is an independent 501c6 organization designed to bring significant economic, reputational, and social impact to the region through the attraction, promotion, and execution of world-class events. MNSE also advances community initiatives associated with each event with a focus on underserved communities and statewide engagement. For more information, visit www.mnsportsandevents.org.
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