History of WBL Hockey
Influential White Bear Lake Players
Frank "Moose" Goheen
Elwyn "Doc" Romnes
Brian Bonin
Interest in hockey in White Bear ran high in the 1960s with the high school team playing in the State Tournament in both 1966 and 1967. Prior to the development of the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association (WBLAHA), the youth in White Bear either played for the American Legion and/or the VFW. Jim Arend, one of the founders of the Association and it's first President, wanted to have a united organization that would enable White Bear to compete at high levels with other towns as well as form teams for all youth that wanted to play the game. In 1967 Jim traveled to Rochester to meet with the President of its association. He took a copy of their by-laws as well as copies of the MAHA and USA Hockey rules to help start up White Bear's Association.
In 1968 Jim, Bob Atkinson, Don Hisdahl, Jim Shearen, Milt Stellmacher, Bob Samuelson, and John Frederickson wrote our first by-laws and completed all necessary paperwork to incorporate the White Bear Lake Hockey and Skating Association(WBLHSA).
WBLAHA MitesTheir major goals were to further the development of the sport of hockey and to build an indoor arena in the community. At that time, the Squirts skated in the St. Paul Suburban League while the Peewees and A and 'B' Bantams skated in District II. Almost all practices and games at all levels were skated on outdoor ice.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the hockey program grew at an amazing rate. From 60 families, the Association has increased to over 850 families with over 1,200 boys and girls participating in the program from Clinic to Junior Midget. In 1992, the WBLAHA became the largest association in Minnesota and the United States. In 1991 the Association added Girls' Ringette and in 1994 the Girls' Hockey program began.
The WBLAHA is totally self-supporting with all of its operating funds coming from registration, sponsors' fees, and fundraising. The first Association fundraiser was a dance held at the old Rod and Gun Club. Check out the plaque containing the button sold for this event at the White Bear Sports Center - compliments of Don Hisdahl. Along with this button, they sold pink garbage bags that contained the slogan "think rink - buy pink." Since that time, there have been a variety of fund raising drives, including selling candles, candy, Christmas tree ornaments, pizza and pie sales, and a car raffle. The Association currently operates a charitable gambling operation at the White Bear Bar under the direction of its Gambling Manager.
In 1989, the City of White Bear Lake, with the help of many Association volunteers and funds, completed the renovations of the old White Bear Racquet Club into the White Bear Sports Center. This provided much needed ice for our expanding program. This arena was the culmination of twenty years of effort by Association members to provide this facility for our youth.
In November 1991, our beloved Hippodrome received a new ice making system. This was installed with the cooperation of the White Bear School District, funding from the Association, and the tireless efforts of many volunteers. The new ice sheet extends the season and ensures ice time for our youngest skaters. In the summer of 2000, the Hippodrome was again remodeled offering a more modern facility that proudly represents our White Bear home teams.
It is a tribute to the founders and the hundreds of volunteers who have followed them that thousands of White Bear Area boys and girls have not only learned the game of hockey but more importantly have a great time doing it. Dozens of White Bear Lake skaters can be found on college, semi-pro, and pro rosters around the country. They all started at the same place - learning to stand up on skates at the Hippodrome!