From the collection: Program from Edina's first state hockey tourney

The Hornets are to state hockey as the Yankees are to Major League Baseball: you expect them to get in the playoffs. Edina has the most Minnesota state championships, finishing first for the 10th time just last year. Eveleth-Gilbert, International Falls and Roseau are the next highest, with 7 championships each.

While many remember Edina's rise to prominence under legendary coach Willard Ikola in the 1970s, Edina made its first state hockey appearance in 1955 with coach Ted Greer.

The Hornets didn't even place back then.
Considering that Edina's high school program was in its infancy (the high school opened in 1949 without a senior class), just getting to the big show was an accomplishment.

We have the 1955 Minnesota State High School League tournament program in our files. I'd love to have the other programs from the Hornets' state hockey appearances. Believe me, it would be quite a large collection... here is a list of Edina's hockey tournament appearances, season records, and final finish:

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1955
1956    Sixth
1957   16-7 Fifth
1960   15-4-3 Sixth
1962   16-3-2 Fifth
1967   19-2-1  
1968   15-5-2  
1969   25-1 First
1970   24-1-2 Second
1971   22-2-3 First
1972   22-1-1 Fifth
1982   22-4 First
1983   21-3-2 Fifth
1984   21-4-1 First
1987   12-12  
1988   21-5-1 First
1989   22-4-1 Fifth
1995 AA 21-6-1 Third
1996 AA 18-8-2 Second
1997 AA 25-3 First
1998 AA 22-6 Sixth
2000 AA 19-9 Fourth
2007 AA 27-3-1 Fifth  
2008 AA 28-3 Second
2009 AA 26-5 Fifth
2010 AA 23-6-2 First

The 1955 team (photo at right from program) included: Bernard Nielsen, Austin Brisbois, Larry Johnson, Murray MacPerson, LeRoy Ryan, Coach Ted Greer, Jim Richards, Walt Sirene, Pete Kuhlman, Bob Steinweg, Jim Emerson, Bill Strout and student manager Arnold Coppe.

If you have memorabilia moldering away in your basement or garage, please consider donating your things to the Edina Historical Society. Please contact me at 612-928-4577 for more information.

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