NAHL lease agreement on tonight’s Watertown City Council agenda (Audio)

February 20, 2024

Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Watertown’s quest to bring a North American Hockey League team to town to play its games at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena (pictured) could take another step toward finalization tonight.

The city council meets to consider a lease agreement between prospective team owners and the city to play its games in the new $36.5 million arena.

KWAT News talked with Mayor Ried Holien about this topic months ago. The mayor said, at the time, he would prefer a local ownership group, but would look at outsiders too……

The North American Hockey League is made up of players in their late teens or early 20’s who no longer play high school hockey, but want to continue playing the sport as they pursue a college hockey scholarship.

Regionally, the NAHL already has teams in Aberdeen, Bismarck, St. Cloud, MInot, Austin and Mason City.