Grand Rapids Moose

The **Grand Rapids Moose** are a team of the Iron Range Hockey League, where they have played since joining the league for the 1946-47 season. Based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the Moose play their home games at the 2,400-seat IRA Civic Center.

## History

Before joining the Iron Range League, the Moose played their first ten seasons (1936-1946) as a member of the Lake Superior Hockey League.

The Moose have won 3 Kellogg Cups (1953, 1975 & 1987), appeared in 7 Super Series and won 11 Iron Range League Titles.

### Culture

#### Over the Rainbow

Since the release of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1939 (starring Grand Rapids born Judy Garland as Dorothy) Grand Rapids has done one of the most iconic traditions in all of the MAHL.

After every win, both at home & on the road, Moose players skate to their supporters before everyone locks arm in arm & begins to sway side to side while singing Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" together.

Lyrics:

> *"Somewhere over the rainbow, Way up high, There's a land that I heard of, Once in a lullaby.*
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> *Somewhere over the rainbow, Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true*
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> *Someday I'll wish upon a star, And wake up where the clouds are far behind me, Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops, That's where you'll find me*
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> *Somewhere over the rainbow, Bluebirds fly, Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then, oh, why can't I?*
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> *Somewhere over the rainbow, Bluebirds fly, Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then, oh, why can't I?*
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> *If happy little bluebirds fly, Beyond the rainbow, Why, oh why can't I?"*
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### Didi T. Moose

Beginning in 1979, the Moose have a costumed mascot named Didi T. Moose, a brown moose wearing orange breezers. Named after Moose legend Didi Miller, Didi is especially popular among the younger fans and can be seen not only at all Moose home games at the IRA Civic Center, but also at the Moose's away games at Hodgins-Berardo Arena against their archrivals the Coleraine Trout.

### Rivalry trophies

##### The Axe

The Moose compete with their archrivals the Coleraine Trout for The Axe, awarded to the team which wins their head-to-head series each year (or, if the teams are tied, the one with the higher goal differential).

The Axe's head is painted in Rapids' orange on one side and the Brookies' Itasca Blue on the other, with the trophy's holder displaying their side of the Axe for as long as it is in their possession.

Currently, the Moose hold the Axe, having won it back in 1987 and defending it the following two years to take the 7-6 lead in the all-time trophy series.

The battle for the Axe has proved intense from the beginning, as longtime Moose captain and two-time Tschida Trophy winner Didi Miller suffered a career-ending knee injury during a Trout-Moose game in Grand Rapids, when a race for the puck turned into a multi-player pile-up, with a Brookie landing on Miller's knee.

##### Red Hills Trophy

In addition, the Moose compete with the Hibbing Greyhounds for the Red Hills Trophy, awarded to the team which wins their head-to-head series each year (or, if the teams are tied, the one with the higher goal differential).

Currently, the Moose hold the Trophy, having won the inaugural trophy series in 1989.

### Retired Numbers

* **1** - G Sam Baker (?): 1953 Tschida Trophy winner, led the Moose to their first Kellogg Cup in 1953. Signed by the AHL's Cleveland Barons, where he played the remainder of his career.
* **7** - LW Didi Miller (?-1977): Two-time Tschida Trophy winner (1962 & 1973), led the Moose to six Iron Range League titles, six Super Series and the 1975 Kellogg Cup, earning the nickname "Mr. Moose" in the process. The team's mascot Didi T. Moose is named after him.