Warroad Lakers
Much of our merchandise focuses on minor league or pro teams, but an exception really has to be made for the Warroad Lakers. They were a senior men’s team from Warroad, Minnesota that took the ice in “Hockeytown USA” from 1946-1997. Warroad was dubbed “Hockeytown USA” by Mayor Morris Taylor in 1958. Throughout the duration of their 50 years on the ice, the Lakers certainly helped the town live up to their name.
The Lakers are most notable for competing in - and winning - many championships in Canada, despite being an American team. They are one of only two American franchises to win the Allan Cup, which is the Senior hockey men’s title in Canada that dates back to 1909 (the other American franchise is the Spokane Jets/Flyers). The Lakers were three-peat winners in 1994, 1995, and 1996.
As far as famous alumni go, Gold Medal Olympian Bill Christian played for the Lakers for 23 years. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. Other Warroad natives who have competed in the Olympics and obtained many Hall of Fame accolades include Daniel Duncan McKinnon, David Christian (son of Bill Christian), Gigi Marvin, Gordon “Ginny” Christian, Henry Boucha, Roger Christian, Brock Nelson and TJ Oshie.