ST PAUL, Minn. — It's a tradition like no other in the country. The Minnesota boys state hockey tournament is simply the best. And one big reason why, is Lou Nanne.
“I'm the longest living broadcaster in Minnesota," Nanne said. "No one else has been broadcasting for 60 years."
From 1964, beginning on Channel 11, until this March, Nanne has described the action on the ice like no other.
“I was 23 years old when I started — 82 going to be 83 — gone by so quick, so fast," said Nanne. "I've had the good fortune of seeing so many good things, see it grow, see the difference how it's all progressed."
Nanne began calling games in 1964 shortly after his time playing for the University of Minnesota. He even continued throughout his playing/coaching/general manager days with the Minnesota North Stars.
And his decision to have this be his last tournament is somewhat surprising after saying last February he had intentions of calling games his great, great grandsons were playing in.
“Yeah, in 11 years,” Nanne said back in February of 2023. “That's what I'm thinking about. Well, that's what I know. And if he's good enough, maybe you make the team sooner and everything would make it. And right. You get by with nine years.”
Simply, Nanne says it's time. Whether we are ready or not.
“It seems like yesterday," Nanne said. "Gone so fast I can't believe it."
“I've had a wonderful, wonderful experience for 60 years since I started, and I'm happy able to go out on my terms,” he added.
BELOW: A story from Mar. 2, 2023 when Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne sat down with KARE 11 anchor Randy Shaver last year ahead of his 59th year calling the state boys hockey tournament.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.