NA3HL approves new membership in Breezy Point, Minnesota

FRISCO, TEXAS — The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) has announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for a team in Breezy Point, Minnesota, to begin play for the 2012-13 season. The team, which is owned by Whitebirch, Inc., will be named the Breezy Point North Stars and play its home games out of the Breezy Point Hockey Center in Breezy Point, Minnesota.

“We are very pleased to be adding another team in our 3HL footprint to help solidify the upper Midwest and Minnesota area,” 3HL president Mark Frankenfeld. “The ownership has been extremely professional through the process and it represents another quality club to help share in the 3HL mission to develop, train and expose players in the Tier III category.  We believe all the pieces are in place to make their organization a success, on and off the ice.”

The CEO of Whitebirch Inc., Bob Spizzo, stated the following: "I am truly excited about this new venture the great addition to the hockey scene in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The Breezy Point North Stars of the 3HL will not only generate new jobs and entertainment in our area but, more importantly, will create an environment in which these young players can sharpen their hockey skills while preparing themselves for leadership roles in the future.”

The Breezy Point North Stars staff includes Joe Bergquist, general manager of the Ice Arena and head coach Bryan Henrichs. Recruiting for players for the Breezy Point North Stars will begin shortly. The program is available to players ages 20 and under who seek a greater or different challenge than that which might be available through their prep school team, high school varsity or club team or area 18 & under teams. The principal purpose of this development program is to prepare the athlete for career advancement either in a collegiate program or a professional opportunity.

The team will play all of its home games out of the Breezy Point Hockey Center, a facility that encompasses 13+ acres in Breezy Point. Opened in 2000, the Hockey Center features an indoor ice arena with a seating capacity of 750, an Acceleration Sports Training Center, Concession stands, Pro Shop, a 30-room dormitory and lodge, an outdoor sports field and recreation area and a paved outdoor hockey rink.

The season will begin in September with 48 regular season games scheduled through March, at which time the playoffs will begin.

The 3HL currently has three teams that call the State of Minnesota home: the Granite City Lumberjacks (Sauk Rapids, MN), Minnesota Flying Aces (Little Falls, MN) and the Twin City Steel (Vadnais Heights, MN). A fourth team, the North Iowa Bulls out of Mason City, Iowa, complete the 3HL’s West Division. 16 teams from seven states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania) currently compete in the 3HL.