Minnesota Northern Lights
| Minnesota Northern Lights | |
|---|---|
| City | Thief River Falls, Minnesota |
| League | Federal Prospects Hockey League |
| Founded | 2026 |
| Home arena | Ralph Engelstad Arena |
| Mascot | Moose |
| General manager | Aaron Arlt |
| Website | https://mnprohockey.hockeyshift.com |
The Minnesota Northern Lights are a minor professional hockey team that will join the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) during the 2026–27 season with their home games to be played at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.[1][2][3]
History
On December 18, 2025, the team named Shawn Jones as General Manager.[4]
This decision was later reversed and the team named Aaron Arlt as Jones' replacement.[5]
Team name, colors, logo, and mascot
Hockey fans and locals were given the opportunity to vote through social media on several team name and logo options. "Minnesota Northern Lights" was chosen as the team name with the most votes. Team colors will be an electric green and vibrant purple with the logo designed as a moose in hockey uniform surrounded by the northern lights. The team's mascot is a purple moose named Twig.[6][7][8]
References
- ^ "FPHL Announces Thief River Falls Minnesota". Federal Prospects Hockey League. November 12, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
- ^ "Minor League Hockey returning to NW Minnesota". Ingstad Media. November 5, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
- ^ "Professional Minor League Hockey Returns to Minnesota". OurSports Central. November 12, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ "Shawn Jones Named Northern Lights General Manager". OurSports Central. December 18, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ "Minnesota Northern Lights Staff Page". Retrieved June 11, 2026.
- ^ Scheinoha, April (December 17, 2025). "Minnesota Northern Lights chosen as FPHL team name". Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ "Meet the Northern Lights". Minnesota Northern Lights. January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ "Minnesota Northern Lights Facebook page". February 20, 2026.