Deanna Hernandez of Elk River was nominated for the 2026 Hockey Mom All-Star Challenge

ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter

The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship is coming to Minnesota this December, and to celebrate, local organizers and Audacy hosted the Hockey Mom All-Star Challenge.

One of the five finalists was Deanna Hernandez of Elk River. Hernandez is the definition of a true hockey mom-part chauffeur, part cheerleader and always the heart of her team.

While she didn’ t win the contest, she said getting nominated came as a surprise.

“ I didn’ t expect to be

selected as one of the five finalists,” Hernandez said.“ I figured there were some fabulous stories out there. The other four women that I was nominated along with are amazing hockey moms. They’ ve got great backgrounds in hockey. Some of them have some sad stories that shaped how the hockey community rallied around them. It was certainly an honor. I was surprised.”

Hernandez got involved with the Elk River Youth Hockey Association when her now 13-year-old son Rylan started playing hockey six years ago and is currently a second year, pee wee player. Her other son, Rocco, is a first-year squirt player.

Hernandez said being a hockey parent is a never-ending roller coaster of emotions.

“ You’ re constantly on the

fly. You’ re constantly traveling, sitting in freezing cold arenas cheering on your kiddos during the good times and the bad times, trying to figure out what you’ re going to make for dinner when you have to fly out the door right away, planning how to divide and conquer when your kids are in two different spots, trying to make sure you get each one to their practice, their game or tournament on time. It’ s a whirlwind, but it’ s fun.”

Hernandez said having the 2026 IIHF World Juniors in St. Paul this year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first IIFH World Juniors in 1976, as well as the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, will both be positive forces to grow youth hockey in Minnesota.

“ Having the World Juniors here is going to be a fantastic way to showcase

what hockey can be for our youth,” she said.“ It’ s a great way to showcase a

high-level of hockey and get kids excited about their youth hockey career and

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The nominees for the Hockey Mom All-Star Challenge stand in the middle of the rotunda at Mall of America in Bloomington on Saturday, Nov. 13, during the Hockey Mom All-Star Challenge winner presentation. From left to right: Deanna Brewer of Sommerset, Wisconsin; Jamie Schnacky of Hudson, Wisconsin; Deanna Hernandez of Elk River; Emily Loycano of Maple Plain and Hockey Mom All-Star Challenge winner Jacqueline Nowakowski of Lino Lakes. This contest was sponsored by Audacy and organizers of the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Junior Men’ s Hockey Championship, which begins in December at Grand Casino Arena in celebration of 50 years of the tournament( 1976).

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