Edina Cake Eaters

The **Edina Cake Eaters** are a team of the West Metro Hockey League, where they have played as a charter member since the league's inaugural 1971-72 season. Based in Edina, Minnesota, the Cake Eaters play their home games at the 2,600-seat Braemar Arena.

## History

Before joining the West Metro League, the Cake Eaters played their first thirteen seasons (1959-1971) as a member of the Twin Cities Hockey League, and as a member of its West Division from 1962-1971.

The Cake Eaters have won 1 Kellogg Cup (1979), 9 West Metro League Titles (the most of any team in the league), appeared in an MAHL-best 17 Super Series and won 2 Twin Cities West Division Titles (1969 & 1971). In addition, the Eaters have not missed the Kellogg Cup Playoffs since 1961, their 28-year streak the second-longest active playoff streak in the MAHL.

### Why "Cake Eaters"?

The Cake Eaters' unusual nickname has a good bit of history behind it. As one of the wealthier cities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Edina's citizens have garnered a reputation as being stuck-up and out-of-touch rich people.

Because of this, Twin Cities area residents outside Edina have referred to its residents as "cake eaters" for several decades (referring to the quote "Let them eat cake" attributed to Queen Marie Antoinette in the days leading up to the French Revolution).

Though originally a derogatory term, Edina's team has embraced it for their own name, knowing that's what the visiting fans would call them anyway.

#### No One Likes Us

Much like they expected when picking their nickname, Edina has become arguably the most hated team in all of the MAHL.

Their decades of dominance and the towns reputation of being wealthy has led fans from all over to cheer against the Cake Eaters whenever they make their seemingly annual trip to the Super Series.

### Culture

#### Traditions

Since their move into Braemar Arena in 1965, the Cake Eaters have been tapping on their iconic "Be A Champion" sign on their way to the ice. The tradition is sacred to Edina, with every player making sure to touch the sign before stepping foot on the ice.

The Cake Eaters have been using "Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project for their entrances since 1982. The crowd claps along to the beat while the players hit the ice as the drums kick in.

Edina fans have been chanting *"Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"* from Steam classic "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" since 1970. The chant is saved for when the clock hits one minute left to play and Edina winning. Fans also like to sing it after their Eaters win to really drive the point home to their rivals.

#### Gold Domes

Edina is instantly recognizable by their bright gold helmet worn both at home and on the road. The Cake Eaters used to wear matching gold beanies back before helmets became mandatory and have worn gold helmets ever since.

The iconic helmets have even earned the team the nickname "Gold Domes".

### Rivalry Trophies

#### The Megaphone

The Cake Eaters compete with their archrivals the Richfield Roosters for The Megaphone, 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 Megaphone is painted in the Cake Eaters' black with a gold block "EDINA" on one side and the Roosters' red with a gold block "RICHFIELD" on the other, with the winning team displays their side of the Megaphone for as long as they are in possession of it. The idea was first proposed by a Roosters player and a Michigan State University alumnus, who was inspired by the Megaphone trophy his Spartans football team competes for against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Currently, the Cake Eaters hold the Megaphone, having won it back in 1986. The Eaters lead the all-time trophy series, 7-4.

### Retired Numbers

* **9** - LW Ben Hankinson (1967-1981): Three-time Tschida Trophy winner (1969, 1971, 1975), led the Eaters to 6 West Metro League Titles, 12 Super Series, and the 1979 Kellogg Cup.
* **13** - C Cole Nanne (1972-1988): Three-time Tschida Trophy winner (1974, 1977, 1979), led the Eaters to 9 West Metro League Titles, 13 Super Series, and the 1979 Kellogg Cup.