ST. PAUL, Minn. (Northern News Now) – In a close vote Friday, the majority of the Minnesota Senate voted to allow state funds to potentially help move the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame to the Twin Cities.
On Friday, Sen. Grant Hauschild’s (DFL-Hermantown) amendment to prohibit the use of any state funds to relocate, refurbish, or construct a facility outside of Eveleth failed in the Minnesota Senate.
RELATED: New discussions to move U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame from Eveleth to St. Paul
The amendment failed narrowly on a 32-30 vote.
Every Senate Republican voted against the measure except Sen. Rob Farnsworth (R-Hibbing).
Since 1973, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame has served as a mecca for all things hockey in the Iron Range city of Eveleth.
The hall’s board chair and Minnesota Senator, Karin Housley, said making the move could get more eyes on Minnesota hockey legends.
Housley’s husband, Phil Housley, is a former NHL player and current coach.
Lawmakers and the Iron Range community are holding a rally on Saturday opposing the proposal to relocate the facility.
The rally will be held Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame building.
Sen. Hauschild released the following statement after Friday’s vote:
“Today, we stood up for something bigger than a building—we stood up for history, pride, and the spirit of the Iron Range. Eveleth isn’t just a city. It’s the birthplace of American hockey greatness, where generations of kids grew up skating on frozen ponds with dreams bigger than the towns they came from. More than 80 players from Eveleth alone have gone on to play professional hockey. That’s not just remarkable—it’s foundational to the story of American hockey.
Across this country, some of our most important Halls of Fame—like Cooperstown for baseball or Canton for football—aren’t located in big cities. They’re placed where the history is real and where the story began. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame belongs in Eveleth because that’s where the soul of the game lives. We shouldn’t base these decisions on foot traffic or marketing—we should base them on true heritage.
This is just the beginning. Now legislators are on notice that utilizing state dollars to move the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame will be called out. I will not stop fighting to protect the Hall, to protect our history, and to ensure that future generations know where American hockey’s heart really beats—in Eveleth, Minnesota.”
“Today, we stood up for something bigger than a building—we stood up for history, pride, and the spirit of the Iron Range,” said Senator Hauschild. “Eveleth isn’t just a city. It’s the birthplace of American hockey greatness, where generations of kids grew up skating on frozen ponds with dreams bigger than the towns they came from. More than 80 players from Eveleth alone have gone on to play professional hockey. That’s not just remarkable—it’s foundational to the story of American hockey.”
Senator Hauschild emphasized that while behind-the-scenes efforts have been quietly underway to move the Hall of Fame away from Eveleth, it was critical to bring the fight into the public on the Senate Floor.
“Across this country, some of our most important Halls of Fame—like Cooperstown for baseball or Canton for football—aren’t located in big cities. They’re placed where the history is real and where the story began. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame belongs in Eveleth because that’s where the soul of the game lives,” Hauschild said. “We shouldn’t base these decisions on foot traffic or marketing—we should base them on true heritage.”
While disappointed by the final vote, Senator Hauschild vowed that the fight is far from over.
“This is just the beginning. Now legislators are on notice that utilizing state dollars to move the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame will be called out. I will not stop fighting to protect the Hall, to protect our history, and to ensure that future generations know where American hockey’s heart really beats—in Eveleth, Minnesota,” said Hauschild.
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