His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and hockey star Mats Zuccarello visit Augsburg

From filming the original “Mighty Ducks” movie to last season’s thrilling NCAA Division III women’s hockey quarterfinal victory, Ed Saugestad Rink is a place where magic happens.

Even so, it’s not every day that Norwegian royalty stops by the ice. 

On Tuesday evening, a group of students and staff gathered to welcome His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway to the Augsburg ice arena. Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello was also on hand to visit with members of the DinoMights youth hockey program during their regular practice at Augsburg. Zuccarello, a native of Norway, presented the prince with a special Minnesota Wild jersey with “Haakon” on the back. Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame hockey player John Evans ’82 helped coordinate the visit and Board Chair John O’Brien served as the host. 

After greeting the Crown Prince and the Norwegian delegation upon their arrival, the Augsburg students spent time with Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Anniken Huitfeldt. Ambassador Huitfeldt later expressed how impressed she was with the Auggies. 

Augsburg retains strong ties to Norway, enrolling Norwegian international students each year and participating annually in the Peace Scholars program. This fall, Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience opened a new study abroad program in Fredrikstad that explores social systems, sustainability, and justice in Norway. The Norwegian parliamentary Arctic delegation visited campus during their U.S. tour this past February. 

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to America as well as 100 years of educational cooperation between the two countries. In addition to the crown prince, members of the Norwegian royal family have visited Augsburg periodically since 1939. The peace pole that stands outside of the chapel commemorates the most recent visit, in 2011, by Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja.