Mites Take Over Mora! 
Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey Mite Jamboree Recap

This past weekend, the quiet town of Mora, MN was anything but quiet as Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey’s C & D Mites rolled in for an all-weekend Mite Jamboree full of hockey, laughs, splashes, waffles, and a little bit of chaos (the fun kind).

Four Spring Lake Park teams made the trip and each played three games over the weekend:

• C-Mite Red – Head Coach Shawn Moen

• C-Mite White – Head Coach Brittney Leonhardt

• D-Mite Red – Head Coach Kyle Rhodes

• D-Mite White – Head Coach Brandon Halonen

For many of these players—mostly pre-school to early elementary ages—this was their first-ever out-of-town tournament, which is a pretty big deal when you’re still mastering tying your skates… or your shoes.

Hockey? Yes. Fun? ABSOLUTELY.

While there was plenty of on-ice action, the real magic of the weekend happened off the ice. Most families stayed at the same hotel, turning the jamboree into one giant team sleepover (for the kids… parents maybe didn’t sleep much).

Between games, the hotel became Mite Headquarters, featuring:

• The world’s greatest waffle maker (according to every kid)

• Endless trips to the pool and hot tub

• Kids running, laughing, and playing with teammates until someone said, “Okay, please walk!”

• New hockey parents bonding over coffee, snacks, and the shared experience of trying to keep track of socks, sticks, and children

The Kids Have Spoken

When coaches asked players what their favorite part of the weekend was, the answers were… not exactly about hockey.

Some fan favorites included:

• “The waffle machine!!!”

• “Swimming for like a hundred hours.”

• “Playing with my friends.”

• “Knee hockey at the restaurant!” (Yes, knee hockey happened. Yes, it was legendary.)

Not one kid said, “My breakout pass” or “My backcheck,” and honestly—that’s exactly how it should be.

A Reminder of What Matters

While it’s easy for adults to get caught up in scores, schedules, and competitiveness, these young Mites gave everyone an important reminder: youth sports are about fun, friendships, and making memories.

The Mora Jamboree wasn’t just a hockey weekend—it was a weekend of firsts, laughter, new friendships, and moments these kids (and parents) will remember long after the season ends.

As one very tired but very happy Mite reportedly said while leaving the hotel:
“Can we do this every weekend?”

Great job to all players, coaches, and families who made the trip. Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey is off to a fantastic start—one waffle, splash, and smile at a time.