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Good day, Wayzata. This is Wayzata Scoop, the local newsletter that's cozier than your February Netflix binge sessions.

In today’s Scoop:

• Plymouth Hosts USA Hockey Nationals: 60+ Teams Compete March 18-22 🏒

• Wayzata Narrows City Manager Search to Three Finalists 📢

• Plymouth's Plant Sale: 22 Species Selected for Local Conditions and Wildlife 🌳

Let’s crush it.

— Dustin Hart

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📢 TALK OF THE TOWN

Plymouth Ice Center Hosts National Hockey Championships: 60+ Teams, Five Days, Significant Economic Impact

When your city ice center draws 600,000 visitors annually and hosts national championships for the third time in eight years, that's not just a hockey tournament. It's economic development with skates.

Plymouth Ice Center hosts the 2026 Chipotle-USA Hockey High School National Championships March 18-22, in partnership with Wayzata Youth Hockey Association. Over 60 top boys and girls high school teams from USA Hockey's 12 districts converge on the Plymouth Ice Center (3650 Plymouth Blvd) for five days of elite competition that puts Plymouth on the national stage while boosting the local economy through restaurants, hotels, and retailers.

"We're excited to welcome the best high school hockey teams in the country and thousands of visitors," said Plymouth Ice Center Manager Erik Halverson. "High-profile tournaments like this put the Plymouth Ice Center on the national stage and boost the local economy, benefitting area restaurants, hotels, and retailers."

National tournaments bring tournament-goers who spend significant money on lodging, food, transportation, supplies, gear, and entertainment. Plymouth Ice Center and Wayzata Youth Hockey Association previously hosted this championship in 2023 and 2018, so they know the playbook for managing large-scale events.

The facility serves as home to Wayzata Youth Hockey Association (the second largest in Minnesota), Wayzata High School boys and girls hockey, Providence Academy hockey, plus an elite training program. One of Minnesota's busiest ice arenas, drawing 600,000 visitors yearly. March 18-22 adds national championship prestige to that resume.

March 18-22 at Plymouth Ice Center (3650 Plymouth Blvd). More info: plymouthmn.gov/pic

Wayzata Names Three City Manager Finalists: County Administrator, Mayor/Police Veteran, Interim Manager

When you're replacing a city manager who left after nine years, the finalist pool matters. Wayzata's narrowed it to three candidates with distinctly different backgrounds.

The City Council selected finalists from five semi-finalists through an executive search by MGT Impact Solutions. Andrew Letson serves as Meeker County administrator (pop. 23,400, 215 employees, $46M budget) with 15+ years local government experience including Public Works Director in Lincolnwood, IL. Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University, Wisconsin Army National Guard service.

Charlie Miner is Long Lake's current mayor (pop. 1,900) and Professional Services Specialist for Lexipol. Over 30 years public sector experience, starting as police officer then progressive University of Minnesota leadership roles, culminating as Deputy Chief of Police (Administration) managing ~300 staff and $9M budget oversight. Master of Public Affairs from University of Minnesota.

Aurora Yager serves as Wayzata's interim city manager and has been Deputy City Manager since 2019, overseeing Department of Administration for a city with 175 employees and $23M budget. Ten years local government experience including assistant city administrator in Howard Lake and administrative intern in Eden Prairie. Master of Public Administration from University of Kansas.

Finalist interviews happen Tuesday, Feb. 24 starting 8:30 a.m. at City Hall and Wayzata Library. Three interview panels: City Council, staff leadership team, and community members representing commissions, boards, business community, and residents. Interviews open to public observation. Detailed schedule in Feb. 24 council agenda packet.

Jeff Dahl left Wayzata in July 2025 after nine years to become Woodbury city administrator. Now Wayzata chooses between county experience, police/mayoral leadership, or internal promotion.

Public interviews Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m. at City Hall and Library. Schedule at wayzata.org.

Plymouth's Tree Sale: Where City Staff Do the Research and You Get Bare-Root Bargains

When municipal staff spend time selecting plants that are pest-resistant, locally adapted, and beneficial to pollinators, then sell them to residents at bare-root prices, that's public service meeting practical horticulture.

Plymouth's annual tree and shrub sale opens Monday, March 2 for Plymouth residents (non-residents can order starting March 9), running through Thursday, April 30 or until supplies run out. The selection: eight shade trees, three evergreens, seven shrubs, four fruit plants – all chosen by city staff for local growing conditions, disease resistance, and value as ash tree replacements or invasive species restoration (looking at you, buckthorn). Plus they provide food and shelter for pollinators, butterflies, and wildlife.

Most trees arrive 5-8 feet tall as bare root, meaning no soil on roots. This matters because bare-root trees cost less, transport easier, have up to 200% more roots than balled and burlapped plants, and plant simpler. Evergreens come in pots at 1-3 feet, shrubs are bare root at 2-3 feet. No warranty, limited quantities – this is bulk city purchasing passed to residents, not a garden center guarantee.

Pickup happens Friday, May 8 or Saturday, May 9 at Plymouth Maintenance Facility (14900 23rd Ave. N). You'll receive an email with designated pickup time to expedite the process. Bonus: free bag of compost with purchase – the finished product of Plymouth's organics recycling process.

Order at plymouthmn.gov/treesale, which includes preview videos explaining this year's selections. Two months to order, one weekend to pick up, years of growth ahead.

Orders March 2 (residents) or March 9 (non-residents) through April 30. Pickup May 8-9. Order at plymouthmn.gov/treesale.

📖 QOTW (QUOTE OF THE WEEK)

"Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life." - J.K. Rowling

🌪️ WEATHER WATCH

We're dropping 30 degrees overnight Friday into Saturday like winter just remembered it's still February.

Fri 27 50°/19° Cloudy ☁️ | 💧1%

Sat 28 20°/5° Snow Showers 🌨️ | 💧50%

Sun 01 23°/17° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧4%

Mon 02 37°/28° Mostly Cloudy 🌥️ | 11%

Tue 03 40°/28° AM Clouds 🌥️ | 💧17%

Wed 04 42°/32° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧18%

Thu 05 43°/29° AM Showers 🌦️ | 💧51%

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