New Ulm/Sleepy Eye Hockey Association President Justin Remus said that the Bantam AA Tournament held at the New Ulm Civic Center this past weekend drew full crowds for all of the games and was a success for all involved.

“We had a great group of kids and communities coming together,” Remus said. “We really put together a good show for the town of New Ulm. There was a lot of good hockey played – the top Bantam talent in Minnesota came together. It was fast-paced hockey all weekend.”

Remus said that for almost all of the games played, the stands were packed.

“They were full from top to bottom for the majority of the games,” Remus said. “Those teams travel so well – they got everybody to come in. It was quite the experience. For the banquet on Friday night at Turner Hall we sold out all 400 tickets and we had record-numbers for a state tournament that we run.”

Remus said that the reaction from Minnesota Hockey was that the Civic Center is a facility that leads the way for southern Minnesota.

“And really what makes it are the people – having the space and the people that call it home and take care of it so well,” he said. “We have some pretty hockey-invested families that really drive the ship. The whole community just rises above southern Minnesota.”

Remus said that there were numerous compliments about how nice the facilities were and how well everything was designed.

“There was some chatter about how the (south arena) is an Olympic-sized sheet, yet so there are some needs for changes there but overall it was nothing but complimentary for that and for the business that they visited in town,” he said. “And we do need more hotel space in New Ulm – you have that opportunity to drive that revenue for the city – but we do not have enough space for people to stay.”

New Ulm has now hosted the Bantam AA, Bantam A, PeeWee AA PeeWee A and PeeWee B State Hockey Tournaments.

Remus said that New Ulm has put in bids to host future tournaments.

“We have put bids in to host two Regional Tournaments for next year and we may host two state tournaments in 2027 that we have bid on,” Remus said.

Remus said that a big Thank You goes out to the New Ulm community businesses and restaurants.

“Again there was nothing but positive comments from out-of-town visitors about the unique menus put out Black Frost Distilling did a Mighty Ducks theme and that went over great with all of the parents,” Remus said. “And the B&L was busy all weekend as was the downtown area. Really want to thank those businesses that supports youth hockey in our area.”