There have only been a handful of times that this blog has been involved in international hockey events with our neighbors to the south, but the arrival of today’s news in my email may change that. I know I had the privilege of covering the 2009 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship and that a handful of US teams played in the Female World Sport School Challenge, but I have never been involved in a series of matches between a US team and a Canadian team. Looks like this is something I can cross off the old HBIC Bucket List as that will happen in March as I accomplish another first for both HBIC and UMFM! It’s an honor to have been asked to participate in this event, so I’m setting aside a weekend for the 2026, and possibly first annual, Cross Border Classic!UMFM has previously played men’s and women’s hockey, but this sled hockey series will be a first for the station as the Manitoba Provincial Parahockey team will take the ice on March 6 and 8 to take on the Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey team at the Hockey For All Center in a three-game series! UMFM will be on site calling all three games for anyone who wants to tune in from both sides of the border as the UMFM Second Stream will bring listeners all the action!
Team Manitoba head coach McKenna Wild sent me information and a poster for the event, but I made a few adjustments to her work!
Having had McKenna at the UMFM studios before the holidays, I know she is very excited for her team to hit the ice against the Minnesota Wild Sled Team, so I expect Team Manitoba to be locked down in March. After watching their training in early December, I can tell you that Manitoba’s athletes were flying across the ice, so I hope that boundless energy carries over to the first weekend of March!
The license plates in the province may say “Friendly Manitoba”, but I know there is a lot of pride on this side of Manitoba when it comes to competing with the Minnesota Wild team. Of course, we hope to see a lot of people at the games at the Hockey For All Center (HFAC), and this would be a great way for everyone to see some of the best para hockey players from both Manitoba and Minnesota show off their skills and abilities! If you’ve never seen a para hockey match, this is the place to book those days with the HFAC to come and watch the Cross Border Classic. Come cheer on the Manitoba Express as they look for wins against the Wild!You may have noticed that there are sponsorship opportunities available for this series, and Sledge Hockey Manitoba is looking for sponsors of all shapes and sizes! You don’t need a six or seven figure marketing budget to make this weekend unforgettable, so get in touch with me using the ‘Contact Us’ option at the top of the page and we’ll put you in touch with the right people. Honestly, even a donation of time or products would help Sledge Hockey Manitoba tremendously, so if you would like to help… please contact us!
We know that one team in this county already has a healthy rivalry with a Minnesota Wild team, and it’s time to create another fun and friendly rivalry between two good hockey teams. Circle March 6-8 on your calendar, hop in the car and watch the best para hockey players from Manitoba and Minnesota compete at the Hockey For All Center for bragging rights in the 2026 Cross Border Classic!
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
#Crossborder #sledding