It’s a place where kids have flirted with frostbite and battled their best friends over the past 23 years, and the Slukynsky name is well-known in Warroad, known to some as Hockeytown USA.

As Hockey Day Minnesota took place this past weekend in Shakopee, it’s been a year since Warroad hosted the same event, as all eyes focused on the town of 1,900 and its rich hockey history.

However, a pair of Warroad kids are still receiving plenty of attention, as Grant and Hampton Slukynsky are enjoying a tremendous season at Western Michigan.

“Grant and Hammer have meant so much to our town and specifically our hockey program, and the example they set and the way they conduct themselves is second to none,” said Hardwick, who coached both brothers in high school. “Obviously, they’re both talented hockey players, but they’re awesome leaders and they both set a great example for their teammates and future players.

“They were raised right and in everything they did growing up – They did it the right way and they showed up with a purpose. They’ve really helped set the standard here the last few years, and you don’t find many kids like them. So, we were super fortunate to have both of them come through our program.”

Grant (right) and Hampton (middle) Slukynsky grew up skating on their family’s backyard rink, which their father, Tim (left), has maintained since 2002. “I still make it every year and clean it off, and even this year Grant came home over Christmas break and skated,” Tim said. “It’s a family tradition and our nieces and nephews come over to skate, and I just remember the boys always begging to skate growing up. There were so many good memories made out there as kids.” (Photo courtesy of the Slukynsky Family)

Grant, 22, played three seasons with the Warriors and the left-shot forward captained the team twice, putting up 101 points (39-62-101) in 2019-20.

Hampton, 19, followed soon after, tending the Warroad crease for three seasons before heading to the USHL. Hampton won the Frank Brimsek Award in 2023 as the state’s top goaltender and led the Warriors to back-to-back Class 1A championship games and runner-up finishes. The success has followed both out of Warroad, too.

Grant won a Clark Cup with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers in 2021-22 and spent last season at Northern Michigan before transferring to WMU in June. Hampton was named the USHL Goaltender of the Year and back-stopped the Fargo Force to an Anderson and Clark Cup last spring. He flipped his commitment to WMU at the same time.

Hampton, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2023 NHL Draft (fourth round, 118th overall), has continued to excel this winter, too, as one of the nation’s top freshmen goaltenders.

He’s currently 5-3-1 with a .946 save percentage and 1.55 GAA for the Broncos, and Grant has 15 points (4-11-15) through 22 games. WMU has won six straight, is ranked third in the country and sits atop the NCHC standings with 30 points.

“You grow up wanting to play for the high school team and make the state tournament, and then you want to play at this level and in a conference like the NCHC, and it’s been great so far,” Hampton said. “Going back to this summer, we honestly didn’t know a ton about Western. But we were looking for a spot that would be a good fit for both of us and a place we could win.

“We knew they had a successful program and the staff was highly-regarded, and everyone here has been great to us. I think we have a really good team and can hang with anybody in the country.”

Hampton Slukynsky is sharing the crease with Cameron Rowe this season, who has been “huge’” for Slukynsky’s development. WMU allows 1.8 goals per game, tied for third in the NCAA. Slukynsky earned his first NCAA shutout on Jan. 25 against Miami. (Photo courtesy of Western Michigan Athletics)

Reunited
This season has been an adjustment for both brothers, in a good way.

It’s their first year living in Kalamazoo and attending a new school, and the first at the college level in Hampton’s case. The two are sharing an apartment and living together and they even share a few classes, which has helped ease the adjustment.

However, it’s also their first time playing on the same team.

“It’s been unbelievable and definitely something we’ve been looking forward to,” Grant said. “From the moment we got here, we’ve loved every minute and it’s been a ton of fun going to the rink every single day and working to get better. We’re just taking it one day at a time, and I think that’s part of why we’ve had so much success. But I know for us personally, it’s been really special to finally play together and the off-ice part and living together has been fun too.”

Hampton added: “It’s been really cool. Obviously, he’s three years older, so we never got the chance to play together in youth hockey or high school, but I know both of us and our family have really enjoyed it so far. Playing at this level is special as it is, but to do it with your brother is something both of us will cherish forever.”

Make no mistake, the rest of the family is enjoying it too.

“I think when they were committed to Northern we just took it for granted and kinda expected it was gonna happen, but it’s been surreal seeing it come to fruition and Western has been an amazing fit for both of them,” said Tim Slukynsky, who doubles as their dad and the backyard rink’s maintenance manager. “I don’t know if you want to call it fate or hockey karma, but it’s been amazing how everything has worked out over the past few months. Obviously their team has been playing lights out on top of it too, and I know they’re really happy with where they’re at.”

Grant (left) and Hampton (right) Slukynsky have played in nine games together this season. “You would’ve thought given our numbers in our small town there would’ve been a little bit of overlap, but it’s just never happened,” said their father Tim. “It’s been amazing to watch them this year, and it’s really special for our family.” (Photo courtesy of the Slukynsky Family)

Family Affair
Tim and his wife, Jenny, have attended nearly every WMU game this season. They’ve missed three games total – two of which they were in Ottawa watching Hampton at the World Junior Championships.

Having both kids under one roof has “been a game-changer” Tim quipped, especially after they racked up thousands of miles in recent years. At times driving through the night after Northern Michigan’s games in the upper peninsula to watch Hampton in Des Moines, Omaha or Sioux City – among other locations.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without them, and I know they’re loving watching us on the same team, and it’s been awesome sharing it with them,” Grant said. “It’s hard enough to play college hockey at this level as it is, but to go through it with your best friend makes it that much more special, and I know we’re not taking it for granted.

“Just being there to support each other in practice, or working together on a project has been awesome, and obviously Hammer’s handled this season tremendously well. At the end of the day, we’re each other’s biggest supporters and we’re just hoping to keep it going.”

Grant Slukynsky has played in all 22 games this season, including two in Grand Forks earlier this month. WMU swept North Dakota and the Slukynskys had roughly 25 friends and family in attendance from Warroad. “We love Warroad and are super proud that we grew up there,” Grant said. “We know a lot of people back home are always pulling for us and that’s pretty special, and we love representing the community.” (Photo courtesy of Western Michigan Athletics)

It’s been quite the year for the Slukynsky brothers, and the Broncos look poised for a deep run in the spring. Hampton also helped the U.S. win a gold medal earlier this month at the above-mentioned WJC in Ottawa, where he won a pair of games.

They both have promising careers ahead of them and have found a good home in Kalamazoo, and they’re making everyone back home in Warroad proud in the process.

“When you know how much hockey means to their family and how professional and caring they are every single day, it’s not a surprise at all to see them having the success they are,” Hardwick said. “They’re both extremely driven and passionate kids, and that’s been evident from a young age, and they’re just winners.

“I’m sure they’ve spent thousands of hours skating in their backyard and during the summer together, but to see them playing together now and being big contributors on one of the country’s top teams – it’s incredible. I know it means so much to both of them and for them to be representing our community in the process, I know everyone here in Warroad is super proud of them and they deserve it.”

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Lund scored the game-winning goal quickly after a faceoff against Mahtomedi in overtime for a 7-6 victory on Dec. 2, at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center in Stillwater. It flipped the script of the teams’ last meeting on March 11 in the Class 1A state championship game when Mahtomedi won 6-5 in double overtime off of a faceoff with a play known as “lava cake.”

“I wanted it so bad. The rest of the team [did too] … there’s quite a few guys [here] who know how it feels to lose in the state championship,” Lund said. “We just did everything right off of the faceoff, ran play, and did everything right. Just amazing for the team and everybody.”

Senior forward Murray Marvin-Cordes set up Lund with the assist for the winning goal 3:38 into overtime. Warriors players crowded in celebration at the face-off circle as if they won much more than a regular season game.

Warroad (3-1), ranked No. 5 in Class 1A according to Let’s Play Hockey, and No. 3 Mahtomedi (1-3) came out flying as if it wasn’t a December game, too. The Zephyrs and Warriors traded goals in the first period amid three lead changes, but Mahtomedi came away with a 5-3 edge headed into the locker room.

Warroad senior Ryan Lund winds up for a shot. (MHM Photo / Jonathan Watkins)

“Especially that first period was just wide open. Not a lot of defense either way,” said Warroad coach Jay Hardwick. “I didn’t know if the whole game was going to be like that or if it was going to settle down because sometimes it does.

“But it was mostly wide open the whole game. Drives you nuts a little bit, but if you can play that way and come out on top, it’s alright.”

Lund led the rally with two goals in the second period on assists from Carson Pilgrim and Marvin-Cordes to tie things up at 5-5. Sophomore forward Dominic Anthony put the Warriors ahead 6-5, with the first assist to Lund. 

While Mahtomedi knotted it up 6-6 on senior forward Patrick Egan’s goal, the Zephyrs made a significant adjustment down the stretch. Junior goaltender Wes Strub subbed in for senior goalie Charlie Brandt, who saw 30 shots in less than two periods. Strub stopped 15 shots in 30 minutes, six seconds on the ice before Lund spoiled his outing.

“He gave up the goal at the end, but he made several key saves,” Mahtomedi coach Jeff Poeschl said about Strub. “It’s tough to come in, in the middle of a game. He made a lot of real good saves to keep us in it.”

Warroad and Mahtomedi piled on the shots with 91 combined, which didn’t quite match their output at the Xcel Energy Center last season. The skaters went wild at the “X” with 109 combined shots on goal in that game.

“We always have a good battle with Warroad whether it’s in the regular season or in a state tournament game,” Poeschl said.

Hardwick concurred about the seasoned Class 1A powerhouse rivalry.

“Every game we play Mahtomedi for the last three to four years, we’ve played very good hockey games, so they knew what they were getting into,” he said.

Warroad locked down the latest matchup with Mahtomedi with defense in the third period and a big penalty kill in overtime. Pilgrim’s late slashing minor in the third period didn’t stymie the Warriors going into the extra period on the road.

“It was an opportunity missed,” Poeschl said.

Mahtomedi goaltender Charlie Brandt faces a shot on goal. (MHM Photo / Jonathan Watkins)

Mahtomedi only got off two shots in the extra period while the Warriors took five shots on goal. That’s after the Zephyrs outshot the Warriors 12-5 in the third but to no avail.

“I told them before the third [period] that we need to go out and focus and … taking care of our end and eliminating their chances, and the offense will take care of itself,” Hardwick said. “And it’s kind of what happened.”

Warroad didn’t make a goalie change as senior Ben Norris stopped 39 shots with an .867 save percentage. He staved off 12 Mahtomedi shots in the third period alone.

“I didn’t think any of the goals he let in were bad goals,” Hardwick said about Norris. “It was more of the chances and opportunities for getting in. I hadn’t really thought about that because he made some really big saves for us, and I wasn’t about to pull him out. I thought he got better as the game went on and gave us a chance to win.”

Gallery: Warroad vs. Mahtomedi, Dec. 2, 2023.

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They even bore a striking difference in their appearance at Hockey Day Minnesota with Warroad in all black and Minneapolis donning white, virtually from head to toe. What bonds them together, however, is their love for the sport and appreciation for its outdoor heritage. 

“I think the kids really enjoyed themselves and the fans enjoyed themselves and I think it’s one of those things that it doesn’t really hit you until next year, maybe, when Hockey Day is on and the kids will look back and say, ‘Hey, that was us last year,'” Warroad coach Jay Hardwick said Saturday. “It’s just great to be a part of it.”

Warroad’s Owen Meeker scored twice and Jayson Shaugabay added a goal and an assist to help lead the Warriors to a 5-1 win over host Minneapolis in the opening game of Hockey Day Minnesota on Saturday morning at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis. 

Minneapolis sophomore forward Jack Hanson (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

“I think they maybe had a little more speed than we did and, you know, hats off to them, they were good and they won the battles,” Minneapolis coach Jo Dziedzic said. “We had a couple chances there and we just didn’t execute on our power plays. When we did have chances we found the goalie right in the chest but it was fun; our kids loved it and we had a great time.”

Meeker opened the game’s scoring for the Warriors 10:26 into the opening period and Warroad doubled its lead just 1:33 later on Anthony Foster’s shorthanded goal. 

Shaugabay scored a pivotal goal early in the second period with his 12th of the season, redirecting a Grant Slukynsky feed inside the right post for a 3-0 Warrior lead. Slukynsky chipped in another assist in the final period to pick up his team leading 37th assist and 61st point of the season.

Overcast skies greeted the teams on arrival Saturday morning and while Friday’s snow had departed, it was replaced by a stiff, bone-chilling breeze out of the West. As the game wore one, breaks in the clouds allowed the sun to peek through.

“We had a couple guys come off the ice and say that, you know, it was tough for him to see when we they were going that way,” Hardwick said. “I asked our goalie after the game about it too and he said it was really tough to see the first part of the third period but, luckily, it didn’t become a factor.”

Slukynsky was denied his bid to add to his goal scoring lead by Minneapolis goalie Alex Lamont whose glove hand came out of nowhere to swallow up a shot labeled for what appeared for a moment to be an open net with 7:25 to play. “That was a beauty and he’s going to remember that one for a while,” Dziedzic said. 

“That was a really nice save by him,” Slukynsky acknowledged. “Give the goalie credit, he read the play nice and slid cross and just made a nice save.”

The Warriors were well supported in the big city by a formidable traveling contingent who made themselves known throughout the contest. 

“It’s probably pretty quiet in Warroad today,” Hardwick said. “I know there was, I think, eight of our youth teams and numerous other people down here. I looked up in the stands and it was all black and gold and red, white and blue, so it was great to see all the Warroad people down here supporting us.”

Dziedzic says he hopes the long-term ramifications of Hockey Day coming to Minneapolis leads to growing the sport in his hometown and he’s already seeing good signs pointing toward that goal.

“I think we’ve got some young talent that are hockey players and in the past we’ve had some guys that played hockey but weren’t necessarily hockey players,” Dziedzic said. “They’re just getting experience and, as they get stronger, I think we’ll keep growing.”

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