When the Minnesota Magicians, the NAHL hockey team based in Richfield, decided to move to Wisconsin last spring, many in the area were a little disappointed. After all, Magicians hockey had become a staple in Richfield for almost ten years.

However, that disappointment was short-lived once the Minnesota Whitecaps made their big announcement soon after that they would soon be calling Richfield Ice Arena home in 2022-23.

The Whitecaps, a professional women’s hockey team and member of the Premier Hockey Federation, will start their season on the road on Nov. 5 against the Toronto Six. The team will play their first home game at Richfield Ice Arena on Friday, Nov. 18 against the Boston Pride. The season will include 12 home games and if the Whitecaps make the playoffs, will run through the end of March.

“We think Richfield Ice Arena is going to get real loud this winter,” says Chi-Yin Tse, general manager of the Whitecaps. “The arena offers a more intimate, homey setting. Fans are very close to the action.”

And tickets are affordable too, ranging from $15 up to $30 for what the Whitecaps hope are popular “party deck” seats. So a Whitecaps game makes for a great night out in Richfield—especially when you pair it with dinner out at one of our great local restaurants. Make it one of our classic dive bars (think Frenchman’s Pub or Sandy’s Tavern)…or for a more upscale experience try Protagonist, Fireside Foundry, or El Tejeban Mexican Grill.

Come for the restaurants; stay for the team—and it promises to be a talented one. “We brought in some newer players. Three women who were invited to the U.S. Festival this past year, two Olympians, including one woman who helped her national team earn their first bronze medal in 2022. It’s going to be a real fast, up-tempo team,” says Tse.

But winning hockey games isn’t all that matters to Tse and the Whitecaps. They’re also hoping to play a big role in the Richfield community.

“We’re looking forward to getting involved in the local community. Showing people what professional women’s hockey can be like,” says Tse. “The majority of Richfield doesn’t know who we are yet. But we’re working with American Legion and VFW in Richfield and a number of other businesses. We’ll be doing a lot of hockey outreach focused on working to grow youth hockey programming in Richfield. Bottom line: We want to put Richfield back on the map for youth hockey.”

And we’re looking forward to 12 great nights at the Richfield Ice Arena this winter!