Sports Illustrated recently confirmed what every native son of St. Paul has known for a lifetime, that the Capital city is indeed "Hockeytown U.S.A." While the Xcel Energy Center is the beating heart of Hockeytown, its' soul lays a couple of miles to the northeast at St. Paul Johnson High School. "The Pride of the East Side" has been in the hockey business since 1925 and while the Governors have not participated in the State Tournament since 1995, the rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated. "Johnson hockey is alive and well," coach Steve (Moose) Younghans said. "The times are changing, but hockey certainly is not dying." A 30-year veteran of the Johnson program, Younghans bristles at the notion that the only good hockey to be found in the saintly city is being played at the corner of 7th Ave and Kellogg Blvd. The statistics don't lie — Johnson has won 68 games since 2004. Younghans said that people ask what happened to Johnson. He replies, "There's nothing wrong with Johnson, we're still here." As many a Saint Paul native will tell you, Johnson remains the gold standard of hockey tradition in the metro area. The school has stocked more Gophers squads than any other institution in the state, including the likes of former Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson, University of Minnesota All-American Les Auge and of course, Herb Brooks — quite possibly the most famous Minnesotan in the nation. "People here continue to believe in what we are doing," Younghans said. "Our strong tradition has helped us survive." The outward expansion of the metro area has brought a socio-economic change to both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The growth of suburban programs in the affluent communities that ring the urban core has drawn away much of the skate-wielding talent that decades before would have donned a maroon sweater. "Our youth numbers have been strong, but retention falls off as people move," Younghans said. "Younger families tend to move to the suburbs." While most city-limits public school programs on either side of the river have waned or disappeared entirely, the Governors have sustained their program by holding on to their roots. "If a child stays through Pee Wees, then they tend to stay throughout," the coach noted. Gustafson-Phalen Arena continues to be a hub of activity and during a dozen dates from November until February, the Governors delight puckheads of all ages as they continue to play with respect for the game and for those that came before. "We've got third and fourth generation kids playing now," Younghans said. "I've got boys on the team who ask me about their dads' days on the team." Before coming to the varsity program, Younghans spent 15 years as a Bantam coach in the Johnson program. This season, he will coach both teams and continues to be enthusiastic about the future of Governors hockey. "Kids at the youth level are excited about being part of this program," Younghans said. "They can see the history of Johnson hockey, they know the great atmosphere we have always had at our games — it's something they want to be a part of." Whether it's a future that includes a return to the State Tournament remains to be seen. Younghans admits the thought of leading the Governors out onto Minnesota's grandest stage continues to inspire him to this day. "You always have that dream, it would be a great opportunity for the kids," he said. "Yet, even if we are not in the state tournament, we are giving something back as well as providing strong role models to the community. In the end, I think that is the most important thing."