Fans gather at Braemar Arena to see hockey heroes show off their skills in summer.
by Daniel Graham
August 6, 2025
10:10 AM
Courtesy of Da Beauty League
Deep in the summer, long after the ice thaws, familiar hockey faces start to appear at Braemar Arena in Edina. Over the years, those faces have included NHL All-Stars like Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan McDonagh, and Jake Guentzel. Even some familiar non-hockey faces like NFL All-Pro George Kittle.
They gather for one gorgeous reason: Da Beauty League.
Over a decade ago, Ben Hankinson, an NHL agent from Edina, and Terry Moore, a local lawyer, pondered the small groups of hockey players that congregated in the Twin Cities every summer. They figured if they could cobble everyone together into one large group, they could create something special. So, along with a few other co-founders, Hankinson and Moore formed the Minnesota Summer Pro Hockey League in 2015. Just one problem.
“Way too boring,” Hankinson said.
So, they changed the name. A “beauty” is a great hockey player on and off the ice, so they devised the name “Beauty League.” Then, Chris McAlpine, another NHL agent and league co-founder, tacked on a “Da” to demonstrate just how unserious they were—and it stuck.
Courtesy of Da Beauty League
The fun extends beyond the name. Da Beauty League’s rulebook features its fair share of oddities, with four-on-four games marked by two 23-minute halves. Once a game, each team can turn on a red light to trigger “Da Dick’s House of Sport Double Puck,” a two-minute window during which each of their goals count twice. In overtime, teams have a three-puck shootout, where players take turns shooting on the other team’s goalie in real time until one team scores three goals. While it’s a fun game, Hankinson says players take it seriously.
“It’s not going to be like we’re playing for the Stanley Cup,” Hankinson said. “But they’re all competitive. [If] there’s a clock, if there’s a scoreboard, if there’s refs, if there’s fans, they’re all going to go hard. They don’t want to embarrass themselves. And it’s a great way to get in shape, get your timing down, and to get ready for the upcoming season.”
Though the Holy Grail may not be up for grabs, the players still have something to skate for. The league has raised over $600,000 for local charities. This year, those organizations include the United Heroes League, the Hendrickson Foundation, the Herb Brooks Foundation, and Shine a Ligh7.
There’s also a trophy that players compete for on locally sponsored teams. In the newly-founded women’s division, the season culminates with the Tradition Cup. On the men’s side, it’s the John Scott Cup, named for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game MVP and “quasi commissioner” of Da Beauty League whose silhouette graces the league’s logo.
The league has seen well over 100 players from the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA, some European leagues, and now, from the PWHL. The ages of players range from 17 to 40—and their personalities range even wider. Nick Bjugstad used to give out all three of his sticks after games, prompting the “Nick Bjugstad Rule,” preventing players from giving away their sticks to ensure their bank accounts remain intact. Dustin Byfuglien, on the other hand, would threaten to kill players
on the ice if they put the puck between his legs.
Courtesy of Da Beauty League
When George Kittle visited, he wanted to play, but Hankinson couldn’t come up with size 13 skates fast enough, so the 49ers tight end had to settle for dropping the puck at the start of the game.
“I was on the bench,” Hankinson said. “He went and dropped the puck, and I told him, ‘You drop the puck, but then it’s going to be live. They’re going to be playing as you drop the puck.’ It’s not like you can walk [back]… Just shows you how tough he is. He dropped the puck, and then it was like a Frogger game, darting in and out of players getting off the ice.”
Despite Da Beauty League’s growing notoriety, it remains a small operation. Hankinson says that on game day, he might contact 100 players to see if they’re available. The best teams have consistent players, but many drop in and out.
For fans, ticket prices remain low. One game is less than $17, a season pass (nine games) is just over $100, and kids under 48 inches tall get in for free. With five games left, there’s still an opportunity to visit Braemar this season as the league continues to grow.
“It’s changed because there’s more attention, but it’s kind of stayed the same,” Hankinson said. “[We’re] keeping it a mom-and-pop type league and not making it too fancy or not taking it too serious… We have to be careful [to] let the players enjoy their summer and not make it too crazy. So, the changes are just trying to keep it fun, keep it always an entertainment, but protect the players, because they’re giving their time.”
by Daniel Graham
August 6, 2025
10:10 AM
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