Highland Park Flying Aces

The **Highland Park Flying Aces** are a team of the Twin Cities Hockey League, where they have played since joining the league as an expansion team for the 1973-74 season. Based in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota, the Flying Aces play their home games at the 610-seat Highland Arena.

## History

The Flying Aces have won 2 Twin Cities League Titles and appeared in 2 Super Series (both in 1979 & 1988)

### Why Flying Aces?

Because membership on the St. Paul Saints is exclusive to members of the St. Paul Athletic Club, the Twin Cities Vulcans players mainly come from either the St. Anthony neighborhood or the city of Minneapolis, and the St. Paul Victorias' legacy of success makes it difficult for would-be players to make the team, two St. Paul neighborhoods decided to put together their own expansion teams for the Twin Cities League's 1974 season; while Como formed their Como Sea Lions, Highland Park put together their Flying Aces.

Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, is a Highland Park native and a lifelong hockey fan. Since Schulz donated the money to get the team started, the team adopted the Flying Aces nickname as a tribute to him (named after Snoopy's alter ego the World War I Flying Ace, who pretends his doghouse is a Sopwith Camel he flies in pursuit of the Red Baron).

### Culture

#### Linus And Lucy

Since their inaugural season, the Aces have used Vince Guaraldi's "Linus And Lucy" (the de facto theme for the Peanuts) as their official team song. Fans sing along to the song after every period & every Flying Ace win.

Since the song is instrumental, fans have developed lyrics that have been tweaked here and there over the years before setting on what is used today.

Lyrics:

> *"Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Go score a goal*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Rough em up, Shoot the puck*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Go score a goal*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Brown and red, ‘Till we’re dead*
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> *Let’s Go Aces! Let’s Go Aces! Let’s Go Aces!*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Go score a goal*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Rough em up, Shoot the puck, Brown and red, ‘Till we’re dead
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> Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Go score a goal*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Beat the Waves, And the Skips, Down the V’s, And The East*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Go score a goal*
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> *Here we go Highland Park, let’s go, Rough em up, Shoot the puck, Brown and red, ‘Till we’re dead!"*
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### Snoopy

Beginning in 1985, Snoopy serves as the mascot for the Flying Aces. As previously mentioned, Charles M. Schulz is the team's primary benefactor, with the Aces named after perhaps Snoopy's most famous alter ego.

Unlike most other mascots in the MAHL, no one portrays Snoopy. Rather, a five-foot-tall statue of Snoopy wearing a generic hockey jersey in Flying Aces colors (and with their jersey's diagonal text and chest logo on the front) stands in the lobby of the Highland Arena, welcoming all the fans who come into the building.

### Rivalry Trophies

#### Fort Snelling Cannonball

The Flying Aces compete with their rivals the West St. Paul Waves for the Fort Snelling Cannonball, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams).

Currently, the Flying Aces hold the Cannonball, having won it back in 1987. The Aces lead the all-time trophy series, 5-2.

#### The Capital Cup

The Flying Aces compete against their in-city rivals the Phalen East Siders and St. Paul Victorias for The Capital Cup, awarded to the team which finishes the highest in the standings at the end of the season.

Currently, the Flying Aces hold the Cup, having won it for the first time in 1988. The Victorias lead the all-time trophy series 2-1-0, with the East Siders not yet having won the Cup as of 1988.