1. Tailgating makes any activity more fun.
2. It's really hard to artificially create cheers. NDSU tried it my freshman year. It was cringe. Needs to be organic.
3. When you say "white out", Winnipeg is not and never will be the image that pops into someone's head.
4. I'd go for a collegiate experience. People are there to watch a college hockey game. Not the Wild or the Jets. UND can have a great experience without being a pale imitation of a professional team.
As is the case with all college venues, atmosphere comes from the student section. They'll need to take the lead on that.