At the North Dakota state boys hockey tournament Thursday in Grand Forks, one fan section stood out. In the otherwise sparsely populated Ralph Engelstad Arena, rows of Central High School teens dressed in white stood and chanted. That afternoon, the Central Knights were playing the Bismarck Century Patriots, one of several girls and boys hockey games set at the Ralph Engelstad and Purpur arenas through this weekend. "Down by the river, we took a little walk. Met up with the Patriots, had a little talk," students chanted. "Pushed 'em in the river, hung 'em up to dry, we can beat the Patriots, any old time. 'Cuz we're from Grand Forks Central, and we got the power ... that means you are going to lose." During the afternoon game, a typically quiet time compared to the rest of the tournament, Central students represented one of the largest fan sections. Their presence might have helped - the team defeated Bismarck 6-3.
Some students and parents said it was important for them to attend the game, especially when Grand Forks may not be hosting the tournaments in the future. Next year, the tournament is scheduled to take place in Fargo and then Grand Forks in 2018, but 2019 and beyond is yet "to be determined," according to the North Dakota High School Activities Association schedule. Central Senior Ryan Erickson said he hopes the tournament can remain in Grand Forks. "It's such a beautiful building and such a nice place to have a tournament," he said of REA. One parent in the Central section, Heather Mitchell, said she's been going to the state tournament every year since she graduated from Central in 1993, she said. Her daughter, Lexie, is a sophomore cheerleader for the school. Her family is deeply invested in hockey, she said. "I want it to be here," she said. "I think we play better at home." More than school spirit Amid loud cheers and clapping, some Central students waved cardboard signs featuring the faces of players. Other signs stated, "One team, one dream," "#20 is my honey," or any assortment of private jokes, including "Wambi." All were dressed in white for Thursday's theme, "White for the Knight." Standing in the front row, seniors Erickson and Christian Wedin were as loud and excited as everyone else. They've stood in the student section for four years, but they've attended games for much of their life, they said. Thursday marked Wedin's 17th state tournament game. "I've had relatives play since I was born," he said. Erickson, who has attended the tournament since he was in elementary school, said he likes the big student crowd. With younger students attending for the first time, he said he gets a chance to make new friends. Thursday's turnout was impressive, Erickson said. "We have a lot of kids here for the first round, especially when it's at noon," he added. Showing school pride and support for the team is important, they said. That includes the school song, which Wedin successfully sang on the spot Thursday. "But usually our band plays it, and they have this cool drum intro they do, and it kind of gets everybody hyped up and going," Erickson said. Coming together as a group means more than attending a fun school event, they said. After Central student McCain Endres, 16, died from a car accident in 2013, the student body wore his favorite color, blue, at the state tournament "When everybody comes together, it doesn't matter what circle social you're in," Wedin said. "Everybody just kind of comes together for the games, and it's fun."At the North Dakota state boys hockey tournament Thursday in Grand Forks, one fan section stood out.In the otherwise sparsely populated Ralph Engelstad Arena, rows of Central High School teens dressed in white stood and chanted.That afternoon, the Central Knights were playing the Bismarck Century Patriots, one of several girls and boys hockey games set at the Ralph Engelstad and Purpur arenas through this weekend."Down by the river, we took a little walk. Met up with the Patriots, had a little talk," students chanted. "Pushed 'em in the river, hung 'em up to dry, we can beat the Patriots, any old time. 'Cuz we're from Grand Forks Central, and we got the power ... that means you are going to lose."During the afternoon game, a typically quiet time compared to the rest of the tournament, Central students represented one of the largest fan sections. Their presence might have helped - the team defeated Bismarck 6-3.
Some students and parents said it was important for them to attend the game, especially when Grand Forks may not be hosting the tournaments in the future. Next year, the tournament is scheduled to take place in Fargo and then Grand Forks in 2018, but 2019 and beyond is yet "to be determined," according to the North Dakota High School Activities Association schedule.Central Senior Ryan Erickson said he hopes the tournament can remain in Grand Forks."It's such a beautiful building and such a nice place to have a tournament," he said of REA.One parent in the Central section, Heather Mitchell, said she's been going to the state tournament every year since she graduated from Central in 1993, she said. Her daughter, Lexie, is a sophomore cheerleader for the school.Her family is deeply invested in hockey, she said."I want it to be here," she said. "I think we play better at home." More than school spiritAmid loud cheers and clapping, some Central students waved cardboard signs featuring the faces of players.Other signs stated, "One team, one dream," "#20 is my honey," or any assortment of private jokes, including "Wambi." All were dressed in white for Thursday's theme, "White for the Knight." Standing in the front row, seniors Erickson and Christian Wedin were as loud and excited as everyone else. They've stood in the student section for four years, but they've attended games for much of their life, they said.Thursday marked Wedin's 17th state tournament game."I've had relatives play since I was born," he said.Erickson, who has attended the tournament since he was in elementary school, said he likes the big student crowd. With younger students attending for the first time, he said he gets a chance to make new friends.Thursday's turnout was impressive, Erickson said."We have a lot of kids here for the first round, especially when it's at noon," he added.Showing school pride and support for the team is important, they said. That includes the school song, which Wedin successfully sang on the spot Thursday."But usually our band plays it, and they have this cool drum intro they do, and it kind of gets everybody hyped up and going," Erickson said.Coming together as a group means more than attending a fun school event, they said. After Central student McCain Endres, 16, died from a car accident in 2013, the student body wore his favorite color, blue, at the state tournament"When everybody comes together, it doesn't matter what circle social you're in," Wedin said. "Everybody just kind of comes together for the games, and it's fun."
