🌪 Meet the Storm Fans: Kelsey Hamilton’s Journey from the Stands to Every USHL Arena.

When the puck hits the ice at the Viaero Event Center, few fans cheer louder than Kelsey Hamilton. Originally from the small town of Hartington, Nebraska, Kelsey moved to Kearney for college back in 2009 and now calls Minden home. She works at The Buckle, but her real passion comes alive under the arena lights, surrounded by the energy of the Tri-City Storm.

Kelsey’s journey as a fan began during the 2010–2011 season, and from that moment, she was hooked. “Storm games are where I fell in love with the sport,” she says. For her, hockey isn’t about the fights or the chaos it’s about the intensity, the skill, and the heart that make every play electric. “It’s more exciting and fun to watch hockey live in person than on TV,” she explains. “I love the fast-paced skill and grit that is the sport of hockey.”

Over the years, she’s witnessed some unforgettable moments. Game 3 of the Clark Cup Final in 2016, the Storm’s Anderson Cup wins in 2019 and 2022, and even a goalie goal, one of hockey’s rarest sights. Each memory adds another chapter to a story of loyalty and love for the game that’s lasted well over a decade.

But what really defines Kelsey’s fandom are the friendships and traditions born in the stands. During her early years attending games, she won a jersey raffle a moment that introduced her to Michelle Hilkemann, a beloved billet mom. The two quickly became friends, chatting during intermissions until Michelle’s passing. That connection, rooted in shared love for the Storm, would be the first of many meaningful bonds hockey brought into Kelsey’s life.

Then, during the 2016–2017 season opener, fate stepped in again. As Kelsey found her seat in Section R, she noticed a mom and son sitting beside her. At first, she thought she might need to tone down her own energy a bit—but within minutes, it was clear they shared the same passion for the game. A questionable call from the ref got the crowd fired up, and the three of them were soon laughing and cheering together. That night marked the start of a friendship with Robbie Ellis, one that would turn into a years-long adventure across the United States Hockey League.

Together, Kelsey and Robbie made it their mission to visit every USHL arena 17 in total, including stops at the Fall Classic and the Frosty Cup. During the Storm’s record-breaking 2021–2022 season, the duo attended every single game, home and away, playoffs included 67 games in all. “It took us seven years to hit them all.

The road trips became a cornerstone of her life. Some seasons, Kelsey and her sisters turned Easter weekends into girls’ trips to Sioux Falls or Sioux City to catch Storm games. More recently, she’s brought extended family to the Concrete Cares game, a community favorite that blends sports and purpose. But above all, she has one simple message for the team that fuels her passion:

“Thank you for bringing your all to every game! Wishing every one of you success in everything you do. Go Storm!”

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