Hockeytown and Hockey Town are generic words used in common practice throughout the
United States and
Canada to identify any town, city or community that has a history and reputation of participating in the sport of
ice hockey. Most notably, "Hockeytown" when combined with their "
winged wheel" logo are a registered trademark of the
Detroit Red Wings, although many North American cities are and have been referred to by the label.
Warroad, Minnesota was the first city known to use the designation "Hockeytown".[1][2] The term has been used to describe the following cities:
Berlin, New Hampshire – Earned the title in 2002, after almost 90 years of a rich hockey history. Claims to be the breeding ground for some of the best players. [3]
Binghamton, New York has been referred to as Hockey Town since the mid-1970s. After a tepid first year of support, the
Broome Dusters grew greatly in popularity, and were able to draw many sellouts. The quick success led the Hockey News to declare Binghamton as Hockey Town USA.[4] Binghamton is home to a
Federal Prospects Hockey League franchise.
Denver, Colorado – Earned the title in 2022, after the
Colorado Avalanche won the
Stanley Cup, the
University of Denver Pioneers won the
NCAA National Championship, and the
Denver East Angels won the
USA Hockey High School National Championship.[5] In addition the Colorado Warriors (Disabled Veteran hockey) of the Warrior hockey discipline within
USA Hockey won 2 championships in 3 divisions (including the top tier) of the 2022 USA Hockey Warrior Classic (National Championship) in Detroit, MI, October 30, 2022.[6] The Avalanche and the Pioneers became the first professional and college teams from the same city to win the Stanley Cup and the NCAA Division I National Championship in the same year since the
Boston Bruins and the
Boston University Terriers in 1972.[7]
Traverse City, Michigan has been referred to as "Hockeytown North", due to the Red Wings' training camp being located at Traverse City's Centre Ice Arena.[10][11]
Montreal, Quebec[12] has been described as the "Best Hockey City in North America".[13] The first indoor ice hockey game was played in the city, on 3 March 1875. The formalized modern sport of ice hockey originated in Montreal in 1877.[14]
Warroad, Minnesota has been referred to as "Hockeytown" for over 50 years.[17] The Hockeytown Holiday Classic has been played in Warroad since 1994.[18]