Hockey's Historic Stronghold

The Dee Stadium

In a place where winter reigns superior, the call to play and sport on the ice is a natural force woven into the fabric of the Keweenaw. At The Dee Stadium in Houghton, Michigan, this love of setting skate to ice is not just a winter's pastime, but a part of the very history of the Copper Country and the sport of hockey! The sport of hockey swept the Copper Country in the late 1800s, and clever entrepreneurs realized the voracious appetite residents had for the exciting sport, and thus professional hockey was born where the Dee Stadium now stands. Manager "Jet" Lucchesi shares how the Dee provides valuable ice time and historical community connection to hockey teams and skaters alike!

Experience The Dee

Ice Time Like No Other

Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula's long and snowy winters create a winter recreation paradise, but the careful preservation and thriving life of historical assets like The Dee Stadium set the experience apart for those who visit. For those who have hockey in their veins, visiting the home of professional hockey (or better yet, playing on its ice) is an homage to a beloved passion. The Dee Stadium provides many ways for locals and visitors to both learn the area's deep connection to hockey and how to enjoy a little ice time themselves!

This spacious arena hearkens to The Amphidrome of old, hockey rivals still flying over the ice today!

The History of Hockey Exhibit

Located inside The Dee Stadium in The Kenner Ruohonen Memorial History Room, visitors can discover firsthand how the Copper Country came to be the birthplace of organized professional ice hockey and home to the world's first all-pro ice hockey team. Historic photos line the wall of teams from the 1900s to modern times and the Amphidrome. Museum-quality displays of early skates, equipment, and trophies are arranged in display cases for all to peruse, and a highly entertaining and informative documentary plays describing in detail how the mining-era hockey culture made waves in the hockey world! 

This Exhibit is free to visit, and is open during the summer months Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with extended hours during hockey season. For more information on Keweenaw hockey history, check out the Copper Country Hockey History website.

The History of Hockey Museum is a portal into hockey history!

Skating at the Dee Stadium

From October to April, the Dee's ice surface is open for skating! Whether you're a first time skater, training a little one, or a seasoned skater looking to skate historic ice - there's a time for you! Rink schedules may change based on hockey games or other events, so be sure to check the schedule!

• Public Skating: Sunday 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
• Adult and Senior Open Skating: Monday & Thursday 12 pm – 1:30 pm
• Kid's Learn to Skate: Wednesday 12 pm – 1:30 pm

Note: While The Dee does not rent skates, sit-in skate sleds are provided in-house by Equipment Loans of the Keweenaw (E.L.K) for those with mobility challenges. To use a sled, inquire with rink attendant.

Keweenaw Accessibility Coalition Sled Hockey

Coordinated by the Keweenaw Accessibility Coalition (a.k.a E.L.K.), visitors and communities members are welcome to join for sled hockey practice or watch team match-ups! Sled hockey typically takes place on Saturdays during the hockey season, but is subject to change. Please check The Dee schedule (linked above) or visit E.L.K.'s Facebook or website!

Sled hockey players battle over the puck at The Dee.

Catch a Hockey Game at the Dee

The Dee Stadium is home to the Portage Lake Pioneers Senior "A" Hockey team and the Houghton High School Hockey team. The Pioneers make for quite the historic hockey team, as their formation falls in step with the creation of organized hockey in the Keweenaw. The Pioneers play within the Great Lakes Hockey League, one of the oldest semi-professional hockey leagues in the United States. Catch a home game October through March - check the annual schedule here!

The Calumet Connection

Copper Country Hockey at the Calumet Colosseum

The spirit and sport of hockey certainly didn't stay contained to The Dee. Head north on US41 to Calumet, Michigan to get another taste of hockey history! The Calumet Colosseum was built in 1913, a few years after The Dee, and is considered the oldest continuously operating ice rink in North America. This historic Calumet ice rink is home of the Calumet Wolverines, a Senior "A" Hockey Club and the Calumet Kings High School hockey team. Catch a Calumet Wolverines game December through March - check their annual schedule here!

In 2019, Calumet was the winner of Kraft Hockeyville USA. This hockey-loving community turned out to watch a preseason Detroit Red Wings game at the Colosseum!

An Epic Rivalry

Want to watch two Copper Country greats go head to head? Each year, the Pioneers match up against the Wolverines for an epic battle of historic proportions during the Gibson Cup. Named after "Doc" Gibson, first captain of the Portage Lake Pioneers, the Gibson Cup is the 3rd oldest hockey cup in the United States. Watch these two legendary Midwest hockey teams duke it out annually in April. For Gibson Cup dates, visit the Pioneers or Wolverines listed schedules. 

What a Beauty

Recreating Responsibly: Hockey

Love the Keweenaw, in all the different ways you embrace the world of Copper Country hockey! To Love the Keweenaw means to respect and preserve the history of these facilities and communities. By making concerted efforts to respect these historical assets, your fellow visitors in the stands, and the ice you skate, we can ensure continued access to the ice and fun for all!  For insights on how you can be a good steward, visit LoveTheKeweenaw.org