Let's Play Hockey October Issue

MAPLEWOOD, MN

APPLE VALLEY, MN

CHANHASSEN, MN

DELANO, MN

INSIDE MINNESOTA HOCKEY

www.minnesotahockey.org

Minnesota Hockey, an affiliate of USA Hockey, is the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in Minnesota and the premier developer of hockey players in the state. Minnesota Hockey is governed by a board of directors and consists of approximately 140 community based associations who are formed into 12 districts.

Returning to hockey

As hockey players during the pandemic, we all missed that feeling of stepping into the rink and hearing our skates dig into the ice. You may be eager to get back out there, but an extended break from the ice means your body might not be used to the demands of skating. It’s important to gradually return to skating in order to prevent any injuries and improve your performance.

Below are a few tips for on and off the ice to make the transition back to hockey fun – and hopefully pain-free.

Off-Ice Training

During periods where you’re not able to train on the ice, make sure you incorporate physical activity into your routine, such as:

- Running - Rollerblading

- Swimming

- Biking

- Strength exercises and stretching

Ease back into it

Gradually return to your game-ready fitness by following these guidelines:

- Proper warm up

- Aerobic exercise

- Cross training

- Correct workload – including rest days

- Cool down and stretch

These elements will help ensure a safe and successful return to hockey.

Off-ice exercise to get ready for hockey

Off-ice training is crucial to preparing your body for the ice. Try these office ideas:

Warm Up: Walking quad/ hamstring stretch, high knees, butt kicks, walking front lunge, walking side lunge, side shuffle, grapevine, inch worm walkouts, high skips, open/close gate hip swings, jog 25 ft., 3/4 sprint 25 ft.

- Dry land

- Foot work ladder drills

- Agility cone drills

- Interval jogging and sprints

- Plyometric drills such as Russian box jumps, jump squats and lunges, jump roping

- Stick handling drills

- Pass/shooting drills

- Strength exercises

- Squats

- Lunges (forward, side, backward)

- Pushups (diamond, sumo, wide arm)

- Planks and side planks

- Triceps chair dips

- Core exercises (Russian twists, reverse sit ups, glute bridges, leg raises)

- Burpees

On-Ice Training

When you’re finally able to lace up those skates, make sure you continue to gradually increase your level of intensity. Follow these tips on how to safely return to full participation:

- Start without a stick and focus on your skating stride and form

- Complete off-ice and on-ice warmups. On-ice warm ups should include:

- Forward/Backward skating, cross under (skating backwards with cross overs while increase speed), transitions skating around the circles, outside edge

turns, inside edge turns

- Start at 50% of your maximum speed and then increase the intensity/ speed and duration of your skating each session.

- Start and stop drills, as well as quick acceleration drills should be completed toward the end of your skating session.

Hockey injuries and medical care

By following these guidelines and easing your way back into a successful hockey season, you will have a greater chance of returning to the sport you love without any injuries.

However, if you do need some extra help with aches, pains or injuries, we’re seeing patients across the metro. Our orthopedic experts are also available for video visits.

Made in Minnesota State of Hockey produces 12 players in PWHL draft

It didn’t come as too much of a surprise when Minnesota chose Taylor Heise with the No. 1 overall pick in the PWHL draft held Sept. 18 in Toronto. The draft is the first for the new league, which was formed this summer and will feature six franchises: Minnesota, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and New York. A total of 90 players were chosen over 15 rounds. Twenty-nine of those players were Americans and 12 were Minnesotans. Minnesota had the top pick and chose the highly decorated Heise who is coming off a spectacular career with the Minnesota Gophers.

Here is a closer look at the 12 Minnesotans chosen in the draft:

Team: Minnesota

Age: 23

Position: F

Round: 1

Overall Pick: 1

Hometown: Lake City, MN

High School: Red Wing

College: Minnesota

2022-23 Stats (U of M): 38-29-36-65

Heise won the Ms. Hockey Award in 2018 and hasn’t slowed down since after leading her high school team to the state tournament and amassing 374 points over her high school career. She transitioned to the Golden Gophers where she excelled out of the gate, notching 35 points as a freshman. This past season she scored 65 points to finish with 225 in her career, sixth all time. She was the 2022 Patty Kazmaeier Award winner as college hockey’s top player. She is also a two-time Team USA participant at the World Championships and has notched 30 points in just 14 games.

Team: Minnesota

Age: 24

Position: F

Round: 3

Overall Pick: 13

Hometown: Excelsior, MN

High School: Breck College: Minnesota

2022-23 stats (U of M): 28-35-36-61

Another Ms. Hockey Winner (2018), Zumwinkle is considered one of the top players to come out of the State of Hockey in the past 10 years. Like Heise, she also went on to a wonderful career at the University of Minnesota where she was a two-year captain. At Breck High School she recorded 241 points. At Minnesota she played five seasons and scored 209 points. This past season she served as co-captain with Heise.

Team: Ottawa

Age: 23

Position: F

Round: 4

Overall Pick: 20

Hometown: Lino Lakes, MN

High School: Centennial College: Minnesota-Duluth

2022-23 Stats (UMD): 38-10-36-46

Hughes was the third Minnesotan to join the ranks of the PWHL. Coming off a tremendous college career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the former Centennial star was a top3 finalist of the Patty Kazmaier Award. At Centennial High School she led her team to the state championship game in 2018 and finished her career with 315 points.

Team: Minnesota

Age: 23

Position: D

Round: 4

Overall Pick: 24

Hometown: Lakeville, MN

High School: Lakeville North College: Minnesota-Duluth

2022-23 Stats (UMD): 39-9-16-25

Minnesota grabbed Flaherty in the fourth round and 24th overall to anchor their blueline. The Lakeville native had a stellar career at Lakeville North where she had 146 points as a defenseman. She was Hughes’ teammate at UMD where she played in 153 games and notched 76 points.

Hannah Brandt

Team: Boston

Age: 29

Position: F

Round: 5

Overall Pick: 27

Hometown: Vadnais Heights, MN

High School: Hill-Murray College: Minnesota

2022-23 Stats: NA

Brandt will be one of the more experienced players chosen in the draft. The 29-year-old is a former Minnesota Whitecaps player and was the No. 2 overall pick in 2015 by the Connecticut Whale when womens’ professional hockey was just getting its start. She is also the all-time leading scorer in Minnesota Gopher history and was an integral member of the 2018 Gold Medal squad.

Madison Bizal

Team: Montreal

Age: 23

Position: D

Round: 8

Overall Pick: 43

Hometown: Elk River High School: Elk River/Zimmerman

College: Ohio State

2022-23 Stats (OSU): 41-4-15-19

Bizal was the second Minnesota-born defenseman off the board, going to Montreal in the eighth round and 43rd overall. She was a star at Elk River/ Zimmerman and headed east to play for Ohio State as a solid defender with good playmaking skills that resulted in 67 career assists.

Emily Brown Team: Boston

Age: 24

Position: D

Round: 8

Overall Pick: 46

Hometown: Blaine, MN

High School: Blaine

College: Minnesota

2021-22 Stats: 34-4-11-15

Brown was a three-time captain at Blaine High school where she graduated in 2017. She was also a captain for three years at the University of Minnesota, serving as an assistant as a sophomore and wearing the “C” as a junior and senior. A solid defender and a bonafide leader.

Sidney Morin Team: Minnesota

Age: 28

Position: D

Round: 9

Overall Pick: 49

Hometown: Minnetonka

High School: Minnetonka College: Minnesota-Duluth

2022-23 Stats (Whitecaps): 27-8-1119

Morin graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2013 before moving on to UMD where she was a captain as a senior. After college she played internationally for several years before returning to Minnesota last season to play for the Whitecaps and also serve as an assistant captain.

Made in Minnesota

– continued on next page –

Taylor Heise

Grace Zumwinkle

Gabbie Hughes

Maggie Flaherty

Professor “Prime Time”

by DAN BAUER Lets Play Hockey Columnist

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Same message, new dynamic messenger.

“Ninety-five percent of you are not going pro, whether you believe it or not,” from the mouth of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders. “So, I got to prepare you for life. I got to spend more time on the life part than the pro part.”

Better known as NFL legend “Prime Time”, coach Deion Sanders has turned the college football scene sideways with his team’s early success. On the exterior, ball cap, sunglasses and prominent gold cross around his neck, he is not your typical college coach. On the interior he is a man driven by old school character and a deep religious faith. His fire burns hot and while the expectations for his players are extremely high, he also knows the reality that very few will make a living in the NFL.

Sanders drew major criticism when he burst on the Colorado campus and verbally challenged the players in the program. His honest assessment of the program was a message many couldn’t handle. He advised most of them to quit or transfer, and over fifty players did exactly that.

“If you went for that, you were able to let words run you off, you ain’t for us,” said Sanders defending his actions. “Because we are an old school staff, we coach hard, we coach tough, we are disciplinarians.”

One of the most celebrated athletes of all-time, Sanders knows coaches get fired for losing, but understands the players also need to shoulder the blame.

Colorado won one game the previous season and has had only one winning season in the last seventeen years. The Buffalos won a National Championship in 1990.

While players and parents ran from Sanders blunt assessment, he believes he was just telling them the truth. You remember the truth, something we once believed in as a society, but today can be as scarce as a phone booth. Sanders be-

Made

lieves players don’t hear the truth often enough.

“I think truth is good for kids,” says the nine-time All Pro cornerback, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. “We are so busy lying that we don’t recognize the truth any more in this society. We want everyone to feel good, that‘s not the way life is.”

Believe is the buzz word Ted Lasso has recycled to the top of the current coaching vernacular. His paper sign is the battle cry for teams everywhere. The confidence to believe in yourself and your team’s goals is a necessity to any team’s success. Gary Barnett, who transformed the Northwestern football program from kittens to Wildcats, used the motto, “Belief without evidence”, in taking them to the Rose Bowl. We implore our players to believe in the face of impossible odds and unbeatable opponents yet want them to understand making a living as an athlete is a failed lottery ticket.

The odds and the road are long and when you coach for a long time you can easily ascertain those players that have the right stuff. While we want to see all our athletes achieve their dreams, the reality is the majority will fall short. The wonderful news is that the consolation prize is you will be prepared for life’s challenges.

That preparation is the result of coaches who set the bar high like Sanders has done. Sit in the front of your classroom, don’t be late, get an education and understand there will be sacrifice. His players are required to follow an aggressive dress code.

Sanders tells them, “Let your game separate you not your dress code”.

When pushed about his ridged standards, Sanders replies, “structure and discipline”. That is what will be required when you move into the real world.

The charismatic Sanders presents a non-traditional coaching exterior, but his old school beliefs are as true as Tom Landry’s trademarked fedora.

“Success, passion, purpose, dominance, knowledge, commitment, excellence. There’re so many attributes that I could continuously name,” says Sand-

ers.

He accepts no excuses, not for race or environment and there is only one way to approach a situation, and that is with maximum effort. These are values that we should be ingraining in every kid in America. It is the greatest benefit that the well-coached athletic experience delivers to 100% of the players.

Sanders’s methods are both tough and compassionate. It isn’t a new idea because great coaches across the country are all doing the same thing. It is encouraging, in this peculiar time of softening our kids, that this tough love approach is getting so much attention. The intensity of this strategy may not be appropriate for young kids, but should be a requirement for teenage athletes. Too many children today are sheltered from feeling the least bit of discomfort.

Good coaching is like adding a great parent to your family. In my early days in Spooner I was accused of “trying to be my players parent.” Honestly, I had enough kids at home to keep me busy, but as my athletic director told them, “You have a coach who cares too much about your kid, and why is this a bad thing?” Parenting is exhausting and if there is someone willing to reinforce

my values and teach my kids some life lessons, come on board. Coach Sanders has put his arm around these players and at the same time pushed them to be their best.

“And we make no excuses,” says Sanders.

The Buffaloes impressive 3-0 start hit a detour when they were drubbed by the 10th ranked Oregon Ducks, 42-6. After praising and congratulating his opponent, Sanders honestly admitted, “No excuses, we got our butt kicked.”

Donning his trademark sunglasses, Prime Time predicted a bright future, “You better get me right now, this is the worst were gonna be!”

Where Colorado goes from here is uncertain, but you can count on Deion Sanders, win, lose or draw, to continue to prepare these young men for the game of life.

“We teach so much more than just football here, it’s unbelievable.”

And that, above all else, is what great coaching is all about.

Dan Bauer is a free-lance writer, retired teacher and hockey coach in Wausau, Wis. You can contact him at drbauer13@gmail.com

Paetyn Levis

Team: New York

Age: 23

Position: F

Round: 10

Overall Pick: 57

Hometown: Rogers, MN

High School: Rogers

College: Ohio State

2022-23 Stats: 41-21-19-40

A 2018 graduate of Rogers High School, Levis put up big numbers at Ohio State with 93 points in 79 games in her final two seasons. At Rogers High school she had 221 points in five seasons.

Sophia Kunin (Shaver)

Team: Minnesota

Age: 26

Position: F

Round: 10

Overall Pick: 60

Hometown: Wayzata, MN

High School: Wayzata

College: Wisconsin

2022-23 Stats (PWHPA): 20-3-6-9

Sophia Kunin graduated from Wayzata High School as Sophia Shaver where she went on to a solid career at the University of Wisconsin, helping lead the Badgers to the NCAA title in 2019 when she served as team captain. She is married to former Wild first-round pick and current San Jose Shark Luke Kunin.

Liz Schepers

Team: Minnesota

Age: 24

Position: F Round: 13

Overall Pick: 73

Hometown: Mound, MN

High School: Mound Westonka

College: Ohio State

2022-23 Stats (Whitecaps): 22-6-8-14

Schepers is a 2017 graduate of Mound Westonka where she put up big numbers with 270 points during her career. She went on to Ohio State where she continued to score with 137 career points. Last season she had 14 points in 20 games with the Whitecaps. She will stay in Minnesota after being selected in the 13th round by Minnesota.

Sydney Brodt

Team: Minnesota

Age: 25

Position: F

Round: 15

Overall Pick: 85

Hometown: North Oaks, MN

High School: Mounds View

College: Minnesota-Duluth

2022-23 Stats (Whitecaps): 21-5-4-9

The captain of the Whitecaps is staying home. Brodt will remain in Minnesota with their final pick. Brodt had a storied career at both Mounds View High School and at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she served as captain multiple years.

in Minnesota continued from page 6__________________________________________________

Preseason coaches’ poll and awards announced

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced the 2023-24 Coaches’ Poll and Preseason Awards and Michigan Technological University edged out rival Northern Michigan University for the top spot, while Bowling Green State University rounded out the top three. Individually, Huskies senior goaltender Blake Pietila and Falcons junior forward Austen Swankler were named Co-Preseason Player of the Year, while Bemidji State University defenseman Eric Pohlkamp was selected as the Preseason Rookie of the Year. Four other student-athletes earned Preseason All-CCHA honors. Michigan Tech tallied 67 points out of a possible 70, including a league-high four first-place votes, in taking home the top spot in the poll, with the Wildcats grabbing 66 (3 first-place votes) and Bowling Green picking up 55. Bemidji State University had 49 points, which was good for fourth, while the University of St. Thomas claimed the eighth and final first-place vote and was tied with Minnesota State with 45 points apiece. Ferris State University and Lake Superior State University captured 36 and 29 points in the poll, respectively.

The eight CCHA head coaches competing in a full conference schedule ranked each school in projected order of finish for the regular season, excluding their own. Points were awarded on a 109-8-7-6-5-4 basis.

The reigning CCHA Player and Goaltender of the Year, Pietila (Howell, Mich.) returns to Tech after going 2311-3 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 37 starts last season. An All-America selection, he led the nation in shutouts with 10, while also holding the school record in that category for both a single-season and career (20). Helping the Huskies to a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, he finished with 951 total saves in 2173:57 minutes.

Swankler (North Huntingdon, Pa.) led the CCHA in points (32) and assists (19), while scoring 13 goals in 26 conference games for Bowling Green in 2022-23, earning All-CCHA First Team honors. Notching at least one point in 22 contests, he amassed a nation-best 19-game points streak across all com-

petitions. Four of his goals came on the power play and two were game-winners. Recording 65 shots on goal, the two-time CCHA Forward of the Month ranked second in the league in plus-minus (+12).

A fifth-round pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Pohlkamp (Brainerd, Minn.) joins the Beavers after a pair of seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United State Hockey League (USHL). Named the USHL Defenseman of the Year in 2022-23, he led all defensemen with 51 points on 16 goals and 35 assists in 59 games. He also paced league defensemen in power-play goals (9), power-play assists (18) and power-play points (27). He helped the United States Junior Select squad win the gold medal at the World Junior A Challenge in December 2022.

Joining Pietila and Swankler on the Preseason All-CCHA team were Andre Ghantous (Northern Michigan), Kyle Kukkonen (Michigan Tech), Ben Wozney (Bowling Green) and Josh Zinger (Northern Michigan).

Ghantous (Glendale, Calif.) closed out the 2022-23 regular season on a tear, finishing with nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 26 CCHA contests. He was a +2 with four power-play tallies and one game-winner. Notching 52 shots, he was second among conference skaters with seven multi-point games. Third in points and points per game (1.00), he was sixth in assists and assists per game (0.65) and was the only player to record two multi-goal games.

The CCHA Rookie of the Year a season ago, Kukkonen (Maple Grove, Minn.) played in all 39 games for the Huskies last season and led the team in goals (18), power-play goals (5) and game-winning goals (5). Also collecting nine assists, he was second in points (27), with two shorthanded tallies and a +5 rating. The CCHA leader in game-winning tallies, he was third in shorthanded goals, shots (120) and shots per game (3.16), fourth in goals and goals per game (0.47) and his eight multi-point games are seventh-most in the league.

A junior blueliner, Wozney (Richmond, B.C.) played in all 36 games for the Falcons in 2022-23, totaling two goals and 13 assists for 15 points. Second among Bowling Green defensemen in assists and points, he was the only blue-liner on the team to record a threepoint game, tallying a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over Lake Superior State (January 7). He also notched six power-play assists and blocked 24 shots at the defensive end of the ice.

Zinger (Red Deer, Alb.) recorded three goals and 13 assists for 16 points while playing in all 38 games for the Wildcats as a freshman last year. He was even in plus/minus with 20 blocked shots at the defensive end of the ice. Helping Northern Michigan to a 2.71 team goals against average, the Wildcats finished fourth in the league, earning a home series in the Mason Cup Playoffs and advancing all the way to the Mason Cup Championship Game.

2023-24 CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll:

Michigan Tech - 67 (4 first-place votes)

Northern Michigan - 66 (3)

Bowling Green - 55

Bemidji State - 49

St. Thomas - 45 (1)

Minnesota State - 45

Ferris State - 36

Lake Superior State - 29

Co-Preseason Players of the Year

Austen Swankler, JR, F, BGSU

Blake Pietila, SR, G, MTU

Preseason Rookie of the Year

Eric Pohlkamp, FR, D, BSU

Preseason All-CCHA

Andre Ghantous, SR, F, NMU

Kyle Kukkonen, SO, F, MTU

Austen Swankler, JR, F, BGSU

Ben Wozney, JR, D, BGSU

Josh Zinger, SO, D, NMU

Blake Pietila, SR, G, MTU

CCHA Media Day took place on Sept. 19. Along with CCHA Commissioner Don Lucia and CCHA Director of Officiating Marco Hunt, all nine CCHA Head Coaches previewed the upcoming season.

The CCHA officially drops the puck on year three of the reconfigured league on Saturday, Oct. 7. Seven CCHA teams will be in action across opening weekend, with conference play getting underway with a pair of series on Oct. 27.

Fans can stream all CCHA games live and on-demand, on their home televisions, computers, tablets, and mobile devices via the FloSports app. The FloSports App can be accessed on all screens and streaming devices by downloading the FloSports app on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, the App Store and Google Play Store. Additionally, FloSports can be accessed on any smart device browser by visiting FloHockey. tv.

For more information, contact:

Perry Laskaris

Director of Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement

Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA)

Laskaris@ccha.com

(651) 308-1065

AHCA/Krampade All-American scholars announced

The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) is once again recognizing varsity ice hockey players who compiled exceptional results in the classroom during the 2022-23 season with the announcement of the seventh annual “Krampade All-American Scholars” and 39 Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) student-athletes have been recognized.

Bemidji State and Minnesota State led the way with eight honorees apiece. Below is a list of each by school:

Bemidji State

Logan Acheson

Tony Follmer

Jackson Jutting

Jakub Lewandowski

Kyle Looft

Alexander Lundman

Kaden Pickering

Jere Vaisanen

Alex Barber

Bowling Green

Nathan Burke

Evan Dougherty

Brayden Krieger

Anton Malmstrom

Ryan O’Hara

Ferris State

Cade Kowalski

Ben Schultheis

Lake Superior State

Logan Jenuwine

Cole Craft

Grant Hindman

Artyom Borshyov

Michigan Tech

Kash Rasmussen

Minnesota State

Campbell Cichosz

Christian Fitzgerald

Josh Groll

Andrew Miller

Sam Morton

Ondrej Pavel

Simon Tassy

Alex Tracy

Northern Michigan

Connor Eddy

Aiden Gallacher

Andre Ghantous

Luke Gramer

Artem Shlaine

Tanner Vescio

Josh Zinger

Josh Eernisse

St. Thomas

Quinton Pepper

Nolan Sawchuk

To qualify, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.75 GPA for each semester, and had to appear in 40% of the team’s games. Exceptions were granted to injured players and back-up goaltenders. Schools also were required to be members of the AHCA.

FOX 9+ to air select St. Thomas games

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten announced that FOX 9+ will be the television home of Tommie Athletics for the 2023-24 season. FOX 9+ will air select home St. Thomas athletic events on its Twin Cities channels, including the final four football games and select basketball and hockey games.

“St. Thomas is proud to partner with FOX 9+ as we extend our media coverage to include broadcast TV in the local Twin Cities market,” said Esten. “As a university located in the heart of St. Paul, Minn., this is an exciting opportunity for our fans and student-athletes as we become the first athletic department in the metro area to sign a unique, multisport local broadcast deal.”

The landmark deal gives FOX 9+ the rights to air selected Tommie home events for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s hockey in the country’s 15th-largest media market. The final four home football games of the 2023 season will air live through FOX 9+, along with multiple men’s and women’s basketball and hockey games during the winter months. The full schedule will be announced by

the station and St. Thomas when determined later this year.

Marian Davey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of KMSP FOX 9 and WFTC FOX 9+, added, “We’re passionate here at FOX 9/FOX 9+ about bringing more local sports to Minnesota fans. We are very proud to add St. Thomas to our lineup, so that everyone can root on the Tommies as they continue their tradition of excellence.”

The deal is the first of its kind for the Tommies, who recently announced a new streaming partner, Midco Sports Plus, in early August. Production for both FOX 9+ and Midco Sports Plus will continue to be provided by the University of St. Thomas, including activation of student experiences, with FOX 9+ providing an onsite reporter during select events.

FOX 9+, your ticket to local sports,

reaches nearly two million homes and can be found on Comcast channel 10/807, DirecTV channel 29, DISH channel 29, Spectrum channel 10, Mediacom channel 10/803, and OverThe-Air channel 9.2. In addition, these games will be available on FOX 9+ on Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.

About KMSP FOX 9 and WFTC FOX 9+

KMSP FOX 9 and WFTC FOX 9+ are part of the FOX Television Stations, which owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in nine of the top ten largest designated market areas (DMAs), and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 17 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, FOX television stations collectively produce over 1,000 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

UMD Men’s hockey elevates Nicklin

al Player) in 1999-2000.

The University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey program has elevated the role of long-time goaltender coach Brant Nicklin.

“Brant has been a valuable part of our staff for many years, and I’m thrilled Bulldog hockey will continue to benefit from his knowledge and experience as we welcome him in his expanded role of assistant coach,” said head coach Scott Sandelin.

Nicklin has been a volunteer assistant coach for the Bulldogs men staff since the 2014-15 season, and prior to joining the men, served as the UMD women’s goaltending coach from 20092014. Nicklin was on coaching staff for the UMD women’s hockey NCAA title in 2010, as well as the men’s back-toback titles in 2018 and 2019. He’s also worked in that same capacity at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth previously and run a number of local goaltending schools and clinics.

A native of Comox, British Colum-

bia, Nicklin was the Bulldogs’ ace in the goal for four seasons and exited UMD in 2000 ranking first all-time in saves percentage (.895), shut outs (8) and appearances (137), second in saves (3,880), and goals against average (3.40) and third in wins (55), and still owns team records for games played (137). In 1996-97, Nicklin became just the second UMD freshman to play in every minute of his club’s Western Collegiate Hockey Asso-

ciation games and wound up landing a spot on that circuit’s All-Rookie Team. The following year, he posted a program-record five shutouts and a 21-16-2 overall mark while pacing the WCHA in saves for a second straight winter. Nicklin, the current WCHA record holder for consecutive league starts (80), was the recipient of the Bulldog Community Service Award as junior and the Goldie Wolfe Award (UMD’s Most Inspiration-

Nicklin went on to sign a free agent contract with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins and participated in two of their training camps. In four years as a professional, he tended goal for the Central Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Blazers (200001) and San Angelo Saints (2003-04), the United Hockey Leagues’s Quad City Mallards (2001-02) and Rockford Ice Hogs (2002-03), the East Coast Hockey League’s Florida Everblades (2000-01) and the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals (2002-03).

“I have a lot of pride and passion for the University and the Bulldog program,” said Nicklin. “It is a privilege having the opportunity to continue working with the players, coaches and hockey staff.”

Nicklin graduated from UMD in 2006 with a B.A. degree in recreation.

USCHO Division I Men’s poll - Sept. 25, 2023

PHOTO COURTESY OF CCHA.COM

Ethan Gauer, a senior from Farmington, Minn., scored 3-3-6 in 35 games in 2022-23.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UMDBULLDOGS.COM

Brant Nicklin pictured with 2019-20 goaltenders, (left to right), Ryan Fanti, Hunter Shepard, and Ben Patt.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOPHERSPORTS.COM

Mathew Knies, now of the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring one of his 21 goals last season against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Brock Faber takes nothing for granted

by SCOTT BURNSIDE Wild.com

There is little about Brock Faber that screams ‘wide-eyed rookie’.

In fact there is more than a little ‘old soul’ vibe from the rookie defenseman who is attending his first-ever NHL training camp as a member of the Minnesota Wild.

Maybe that’s growing up a Minnesota kid.

Maybe it’s that he has experienced much for a 21-year-old including absorbing a crushing defeat in the NCAA national championship game last spring followed by a taste of NHL playoff action and that’s not to mention a trip to the 2022 Olympics as a member of Team USA.

Or maybe it’s just that the good ones always seem to have the ability to put aside the noise and the hype and keep their ego in check.

Regardless, for a young man from whom so much is expected this season for the Wild, Faber is taking nothing for granted as he prepares for his first NHL camp.

“To be honest I don’t really know what to expect. I don’t even have an itinerary yet so it’s kind of just get all my clothes together, put them in a bunch of bins and move into the hotel and work as hard as I can to make the team,” the native of Maple Grove, Minnesota said. “I’m really excited for it though. I’m excited to get going. Obviously there’s always going to be nerves at the start of every season but it’s mostly excitement on my end. Just fed up with summer hockey, I’m ready to get into the real stuff.”

You could hardly blame the young man if he had been a bit overwhelmed with the various twists and turns in his career arc over the past couple of years.

The 45th overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Faber was acquired by the home-state Wild on June 29, 2022 for Kevin Fiala just a few months after Faber competed for Team USA in the Beijing Olympics. The Wild also received a 2022 first round pick which we used to select Liam Ohgren in the trade with the Kings for Kevin Fiala.

A year ago at this time his main focus was being the captain of the Gophers and his junior year studies. He was living in a house with a bunch of hockey pals. It was all pretty insular.

The Gopher season ended in heartbreak as they lost to Quinnipiac in overtime in the championship game in Tampa last April. One day later, Faber signed his first NHL contract with the Wild and even though he was still living with his pals – who were definitely in post-hockey season mode – Faber had suddenly transitioned from collegian to NHLer.

“I still see myself as just a normal 21-year-old kid. I just love working out, skating and bettering myself,” Faber said. “I love winning and I hate losing and that’s kind of just how I am. I’ve never been big on points or social media or accolades or anything like that. Frankly, it hasn’t changed one bit since I have signed. It’s obviously different but I would talk about that a lot with my

coaches growing up and they would always preach: unselfish people make it to the next level. Good people make it to the next level. People who care more about the team make it to the next level. And that’s just all the way up and how I was raised. It hasn’t changed, it won’t change a thing about me. But obviously it’s playing in front of those big crowds. It’s special and you soak it all in as much as you can but at the same time just focus on what got you there and being yourself and not switching to someone in the public spotlight I guess. I feel like I’m the same kid.”

It became obvious after a few days following the signing that it made more sense for all concerned if Faber moved off campus and into a hotel in St. Paul provided by the team.

“Obviously it’s a bit different for my roommates. They were all hockey players but their season ended, our season ended, with the Gophers so they weren’t focusing on hockey much the week that I was playing the most important hockey

of my life so that’s why I had to get out of there,” Faber said with a laugh.

Faber played in two regular season games and then all six games of the first round against Dallas. He made a game-saving play in overtime in Game 1, which the Wild would go on to win in double overtime, and played with poise and discipline throughout the six-game series in spite of the high stakes.

By the end of the series, fans, and more importantly coaches and management, were singing Faber’s praises and already anticipating what was next. And the fact is, all that has transpired in the past is merely a prelude to what is about to happen with and for the talented defenseman.

A long-time NHL player and executive reached out to say he was a huge Faber fan dating back to Faber’s time with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

“Good, smart pickup,” the executive said.

“He’s an impressive kid,” GM Bill

Guerin said a day before training camp opened.

“We’re going to ask of him the same we asked of Matt Boldy and that’s to take a bigger role than maybe you would get otherwise,” Guerin said referencing another top collegiate star who made a rather seamless jump from college to impact NHL player.

“Yeah, we’re asking you to play above your years. But you know what? We wouldn’t ask if we didn’t think he could deliver,” Guerin said of the expectations for Faber. “I do think that sometimes these kids go to college and then they just grow up. That’s one of the benefits that college does have is the time that they get and I think Brock is definitely maximized his experiences between playing at the U and the Olympics, things like that, to his benefit, to his betterment. He’s better for all of it and he’s learned. So he’s a very mature kid and humble. I think he can handle it.”

The widespread feeling is that Faber will get a shot to slide into the spot created by the departure of long-time Wild defender Matt Dumba who signed a oneyear deal in Arizona playing the right side alongside veteran Jonas Brodin as a key member of the Wild’s top four defenders along with Matt Spurgeon and Jake Middleton.

Faber

– Continued on next page –

“I know what Brock Faber and Sammy Walker want, and Vinni Lettieri. They want to win here. They want to be the guys that bring it here. And that to me is different.”

– Wild GM Bill Guerin

Brock Faber is one of four Minnesota players on the preseason roster and is expected to play a larger role on this year’s team. Faber is a product of Maple Grove and starred as a Minnesota Gopher before being signed by the Wild.

Minnesota Wild pay homage to North Stars with alternate jerseys

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild unveiled a new alternate uniform. Dubbed “The 78’s” in honor of our predecessor Minnesota NHL franchise, the North Stars, these throwback alternate jerseys celebrate the design and colors of the North Stars’ late-1970’s uniforms. These uniforms introduce an entirely new colorway, with a Kelly Green base color and bright yellow striping.

“Our primary home and road jerseys are as popular as ever with our fans,” said John Maher, Minnesota Wild Senior Brand Advisor. “They also let us know last season that they still loved this legacy look so we decided to keep it in our mix as a new alternate jersey, with some updated ‘State of Hockey’ details.”

The 78’s are based on the Minnesota Wild Reverse Retro uniforms from the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons that were created in collaboration with adidas and the NHL. Additional details have been added that were not a part of the Reverse Retro version, including a shoulder patch featuring the “State of Hockey” logo, as well as a distinctive treatment for the captain and alternate captains’ ‘C’ and ‘A’ on the upper left chest, which are now layered over a patch in the shape of our home state.

The Wild will wear the new alternate uniform 15 times this season: Oct. 21 vs. Columbus, Nov. 4 vs. the New York Rangers, Nov. 24 vs. Colorado, Dec. 3 vs. Chicago, Dec. 16 vs. Vancouver, Dec. 23 vs. Boston, Dec. 27 vs. Detroit, Dec. 31 vs. Winnipeg, Jan. 13 vs. Arizona, Jan. 27 vs. Anaheim, Feb. 17 vs. Buffalo, March 10 vs. Nashville, March 23 vs. St. Louis, March 30 vs. Vegas and April 6 vs. Winnipeg.

The Minnesota Wild’s new alternate jersey is available for purchase now at The Hockey Lodge at Xcel Energy Cen-

Faber

– From previous page –

Faber figures Brodin may be one of the most under-appreciated of NHL defensemen but if you’re expecting Faber to be assuming that any of this is a given, well, you’d be dead wrong.

“As soon as you’re satisfied or as soon as you expect something, that’s when it’s going to get taken from you,” Faber said. “I see myself obviously in that role. That’s what I worked for. That’s what I picture. But at the end of the day that’s earned, playing in the playoffs or not. I think some people assume that’s kind of, ‘Well, he’s on the team next year if he played in the playoffs.’ And that’s the furthest thing from the case. Again, everything’s earned. And I need to have a good camp. I need to build on what I ended with last year. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

Faber is the youngest of three children. He has two older sisters.

His father is a salesman. His mother works for a mortgage company.

He loves to golf and shot a personal best 77 this summer. He and his father used to fish regularly at the family cabin near Cold Spring, Minn., but he didn’t get to do as much fishing as he’d have liked this summer.

The family has a black lab named Snoop.

Faber rented a place this summer but the lease is up and he’ll be moving into the team hotel during camp because, until he gets the word that he can get a place from GM Bill Guerin or Head Coach Dean Evason, well, he’s like every other rookie trying to earn a roster spot on the team.

There’s a lot to unpack with all of this for Faber that in many ways makes him a unique case study.

He’s a kid from Minnesota who grew up a Wild fan. He starred for the local college team and now has a chance to make an impact with the local NHL fran-

“The 78’s” are based on adidas reverse retro design from 2022-23

ter and Hockeylodge.com. The Hockey Lodge is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Flex, 11-Game, half and full season tickets are also available for purchase. Please visit tickets. wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales

Representative by calling or texting (651) 222-WILD (9453) for more information. Group reservations of eight or more tickets can contact grouptickets@ wild.com for more information.

Follow @mnwildPR on X and visit www.wild.com/pressbox and for the latest news and information from the team including press releases, game notes, player interviews and daily statistics.

chise, a franchise hungry for playoff success and that long-awaited first Stanley Cup.

Too much?

For some, maybe. In fact Guerin admitted he has in the past shied away from drafting or acquiring young Minnesotans because sometimes the pressure can be a bit overwhelming.

“I used to not really do that. But to be quite honest, there’s too many good players from Minnesota to not be willing to take Minnesota players. But you have to get the right ones. The ones that can handle it,” Guerin said.

That means bringing in players that don’t just want to play at home but win at home.

“I know what Brock Faber and Sammy Walker want, and Vinni Lettieri. They want to win here. They want to be the guys that bring it here. And that to me is different.”

Certainly that prospect, the idea of bringing home a Stanley Cup, is something that burns brightly inside of Brock Faber, rookie or not.

“Being a Minnesota kid and playing at the University of Minnesota and now with the Minnesota Wild, it’s obvious

people from Minnesota love that. Fans. Even my friends and family and having them all so close, it is a whole lot different than it would be if I was in L.A.,” Faber said. “This is the State of Hockey and it’s the State of Hockey for a reason. It’s everything I could have imagined. But again all you think about is how happy would those fans be if you could bring back a Cup. That’s the main goal and that would be the coolest thing in the world, obviously. Yeah. It’s the State of Hockey. It’s special to be here and I’m so grateful for it.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MINNESOTA WILD

The Minnesota Wild added a state logo under the “A” and “C”, as well as a “State of Hockey” logo on the right shoulder of the jersey. These are the main changes to the 2022 “Reverse Retro” jerseys.

Wild captain Jared Spurgeon shows off the alternate jersey’s new look for the 2023 season.

PHOTO BY MATT KROHN/UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Brock Faber captained the Gophers to the national championship last season before making the jump to the NHL. Acquired in a trade by the Wild, he signed a three-year deal April 9 and made his NHL debut April 10.

Minnesota Wild go with 28 forwards, 14 defenseman and 4 goalies for preseason games

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota

Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reduced its training camp roster to 46 players.

Minnesota Wild Training Camp Roster 9-25

The Wild assigned F Hunter Haight to the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), F Riley Heidt to the Prince George Cougars (WHL), F Rasmus Kumpulainen to the Oshawa Generals (OHL), D Kalem Parker to the Victoria Royals (WHL) and F Servac Petrovsky to the Owen Sound Attack (OHL).

Minnesota assigned F Maxim Cajkovic and G Hunter Jones to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL), released F Louis Boudon, D Ben Brinkman, F Casey Dornbach, D Landon Kosior from their amateur tryouts and released F Brett Budgell, G Peyton Jones and D Brenden Miller from their professional tryouts. They will report to Iowa Wild training camp.

The Wild plays at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on KFAN 100.3 FM.

Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.comand at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Flex, 11Game, half and full season tickets are also available for purchase. Please visit tickets.wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales Representative by calling or texting (651) 222-WILD (9453) for more information. Group reservations of eight or more tickets can contact grouptickets@wild.com for more information.

Minnesota Wild sign forward Jujhar Khaira

Minnesota Wild re-sign defensman Calen Addison

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed forward Jujhar Khaira (JOO-jahr KARE-uh) to a one-year, two-way contract ($775,000/$300,000) for the 2023-24 season.

Khaira, 29 (8/13/94), registered 14 points (6-8=14) and 31 penalty minutes (PIM) in 51 games with Chicago last season. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound native of Surrey, British Columbia, owns 80 points (33-47=80), 229 PIM and six game-winning goals (GWG) in 336 career regular-season games in parts of six seasons with Edmonton (2015-21) and Chicago (2021-23). He has also appeared in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Oilers and recorded one goal.

Khaira tallied 57 points (22-35=57), 164 PIM and three shorthanded goals (SHG) in 133 career American Hockey League (AHL) games over four seasons with the Oklahoma City Barons (2013-15) and the Bakersfield Condors (2015-17). Khaira recorded 43 points (16-27=43) in 59 games (2013-14) with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and spent one year at Michigan Tech in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) where he recorded 25 points (6-19=25) in 37 games (2012-13).

Khaira was selected by Edmonton in the third round (60th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 28, 2015, to become the third player of Punjabi descent to play in the NHL, joining Robin Bawa and Manny Malholtra. He will wear sweater No. 16 with the Wild.

Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Flex, 11-Game, half and full season tickets are also for purchase. Please visit tickets.wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales Representative by calling or texting (651) 222-WILD (9453) for more information. Group reservations of eight or more tickets can contact grouptickets@ wild.com for more information.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Calen Addison to a one-year, $825,000 contract.

Addison, 23 (4/11/00), recorded 29 points (3-26=29), including 18 power-play points, in 62 games for Minnesota last season. He set a new single-season franchise record for assists by a rookie while finishing second in team annuals for total points by a rookie defenseman (Filip Kuba, 30). Addison led all NHL rookies in power-play points, ranked tied for fifth in assists and finished third among rookie defensemen in scoring. The 5-foot-11, 173-pound native of Brandon, Manitoba, owns 33 points (528=33), 24 penalty minutes (PIM) and one game-winning goal (GWG) in 80 career regular-season games in parts of three seasons with Minnesota (2020-23).

Addison has also tallied 58 points (13-45=58), 103 PIM and three GWG in 77 career American Hockey League (AHL) games over three seasons with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2018-19) and Iowa Wild (2020-22). He led Iowa defensemen in scoring (34), assists (27) and PPG (three) during the 2021-22 AHL season and earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors in 2020-21 after ranking second in scoring (22), third in assists (16) and tied for third in goals (six) among AHL rookie defensemen. Addison played five WHL seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 2015-20, posting 215 points (41-174=215) and 210 PIM in 252 games.

Addison was originally selected by the Pittsburg Penguins in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft and was acquired by Minnesota via trade on Feb. 10, 2020, with Alex Galchenyuk and a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (Carson Lambos) in exchange for forward Jason Zucker.

Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Flex, 11-Game, half and full season tickets are also available for purchase.

Minnesota Wild welcomes rescue dog, Hatty, to team

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced it has adopted Hatty, a four-month-old Golden Retriever mix rescue dog from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, on a one-year training contract. Hatty will be raised to become a future service dog and joins the Wild as part of the team’s Adopt-A-Dog Program. The program’s mission is to give a local hero a hero of their own.

This marks the fifth time the Wild has adopted a dog from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. Breezer, a Labrador Retriever, was the first team dog adopted during the 2019-20 season, Hobey, a Golden Retriever, was adopted for the 2020-21 season; Celly, a Shepherd/Catahoula/Labrador mix, was adopted for the 2021-22 season; and Brooksy, a Labrador Retriever mix, was adopted for the 2022-23 season. After their year-long training with the Wild organization, the dogs are then trained with Soldier’s 6, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Minnesota that provides honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and fire fighters with specially trained K-9s.

Minnesota Wild’s Senior Director of Community Relations and Hockey Partnerships, Wayne Petersen, and his wife, Xcel Energy Center’s Executive Director and General Manager, Kelly McGrath, will foster Hatty and help facilitate basic obedience training until the summer of 2024. Following her tenure with the Wild, Hatty will pursue a career training with Soldier’s 6. At the conclusion of her specialized training,

Hatty will be permanently placed with a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a “Battle Buddy” and will help guide them through the difficult days in life.

“My family and I are thrilled to be involved in the fifth season of the AdoptA-Dog Program,” said Petersen. “These dogs have become a mainstay for both our fans and our employees each year. We’re excited for Hatty to not only touch the lives of those of us with the Wild, but to also make her impact with Soldier’s 6 and her Battle Buddy family upon graduation.”

Fans can follow Hatty’s journey with the Wild on Instagram and X and at wild.com/hatty.

Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization grounded in love, dedication, and determination.

Coco’s Heart is dedicated to serving a variety of dogs needing rescue from a broad spectrum of unfortunate situations. Whether they are stuck in overcrowded shelters, strays from rural areas with little resources, injured with no place to turn, or rapped in puppy mills facing lives of misery. Coco’s Heart is determined to help and provide quality veterinary care to every dog welcomed.

As a foster-based organization there are anywhere from 200-500+ dogs in rescue at any given time. Coco’s Heart strives to provide all dogs with the love, veterinary care, and treatment that they de-

serve. Coco’s Heart is known for their dedication to the dogs needing a little extra care, often welcoming dogs who need extensive and specialized veterinary care. For more information about Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, visit www. cocosheartdogrescue.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Soldier’s 6’s mission is to provide honorably discharged veterans, police officers, fire fighters, correctional officers, 911 dispatchers and paramedics with specially trained K-9s. These special dogs will become their Battle Buddy and help guide them through the difficult days in life. The name Soldier’s 6 was chosen because that is what a service dog has, its Battle Buddy’s 6 (or back). For more information about Soldier’s 6, visit www.soldiers6.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Flex, 11-Game, half and full season tickets are also for purchase. Please visit tickets.wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales Representative by calling or texting (651) 222WILD (9453) for more information. Group reservations of eight or more tickets can contact grouptickets@wild. com for more information.

Follow @mnwildPR on X and visit www.wild.com/pressbox and for the latest news and information from the team including press releases, game notes, player interviews and daily statistics

Jujhar Khaira was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2012 draft. Calen Addison set a new single-season franchise record for assists by a rookie defenseman last season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA WILD Hatty is the fifth dog adopted by the Minnesota Wild raised to become a future service dog.

Q and A with Coach Dean Evason

Wild bench boss discusses upcoming season

by SCOTT BURNSIDE Wild.com

Before we get to our conversation with Minnesota Wild Head Coach Dean Evason let’s go back to a conversation I had with Evason’s former teammate (and roommate) Ray Ferraro.

Ferraro and I chatted last spring before the start of the Wild’s first-round playoff series against Dallas. What struck me about the conversation is as relevant today as the Wild begin their first steps towards the 2023-24 season as it was then.

Ferraro described how Evason was a top scorer in junior hockey – he scored 71 goals one year with Kamloops of the Western Hockey League – but when he broke into the NHL with the Hartford Whalers, the coaches there wanted him to be more of a defensive player.

Like turning a page in a book, Evason became what he needed to become.

“He became a diligent, aggressive, on top of it two way centerman. He was able to adapt his vision of the game into what he needed it to be,” Ferraro said.

“Everything he did was straight ahead,” the long-time NHL player and accomplished national analyst added. He recalled playing tennis with Evason and rallies that would last forever because neither would give up.

“I just think it’s an extension of everything he does,” Ferraro said.

Before hitting the links in the annual Wild Foundation golf outing, Evason sat down with Wild.com to chat about why taking a break is critical and plans for pushing the Wild forward in the coming season.

Scott Burnside: Tell me about your summer. Where did you go, what did you do?

Dean Evason: I just bounced around with visiting my kids. They’re all across Canada. I live in Montreal in the summer, I married a girl from there, so I’ve had a place there or we’ve had a place there for 10 years I guess. So, I come back and forth there, here, kids are all across Canada; Winnipeg, Victoria, Lethbridge. Other than that I do a lot of golfing, do a lot of traveling. My wife and I. She’s a flight attendant so we fly around as much as we can in the summer so it’s been fantastic.

SB: I always think it’s interesting with players, some never leave the ice during the summer while others take a break from it. Do you take a break from hockey, thinking about it? Are you able to put it aside when you’re doing these trips?

DE: Honestly, yes. I’m a big believer in even in-season getting away and mentally recharging. Get refreshed, come back to the rink. It’s always in the back of your mind and you’ll be doing something and obviously it’ll come back to what you can do and you’re putting your line combinations and all that kind of stuff together. I think it’s refreshing to get away. I encourage our players. I certainly encourage the coaches to do it. We don’t stay in the office all day. I think that’s counterproductive. We are there real early in the morning. We obviously work through practice and then lunch and then we get out of there. Everybody’s got family or other interests and get out of there and get recharged. We all have our computers. You can work at home if you want to bang off a couple of clips for the next day. You don’t have to

sit in the office and do that. So I encourage our group to do that. And the players as well. I do that as well.

SB: What’s your relationship with the coaching staff during the summer? Do you get together? Or is it a complete break so you can totally recharge?

DE: It’s literally a complete break until development camp. Development camp is where we start putting our structure together. At the end of the season we sat down because it was fresh. We talked about systematically what we’d like to change, negatives, positives, different things that we want to improve on obviously. And then we hit development camp and we revisit. We revisit what we’ve talked about and because it was so fresh guys have had time to think and work through some stuff. Change some stuff. And then at development camp, which was nice this year because Jason King was already hired (as an assistant to replace Brett McLean who took over as head coach in Iowa with the Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate) so we were able to get in there at development camp and get our roles defined. Get our videos. Not our practice plans because we didn’t do that until we get here (later in the summer). But we’re able to just really dial in our structure of what we want to do through training camp and then when we get back here same thing. Then you do it once more just to refine it. Now we watch our videos. Two days ago we presented all our videos that we’re going to present to the team we presented to Billy (Wild GM Bill Guerin) and his staff, all the scouts, so that they get to see how we want to play. That’s Billy’s suggestion. He’s like, geez, it would be great for all of our staffs, scouts included, this is how the Minnesota Wild play the game and that’s how we want to play so they have an idea of how our group wants to conduct themselves on the ice.

SB: That must be good for you guys, too. You know what you want to say but to have an audience that wants to learn as well.

DE: One, it’s a trial run for us to go through. Two, we have a guy in Billy Guerin who’s won (four) Stanley Cups in various roles. Now, he can question, the scouts can question. There’s not a lot of questions but Billy does. Why are we forechecking like this? Or maybe he’s got an idea of something else. Our communication is fantastic through the season and it’s fantastic in general and we want his input. I know a lot of coaches that’ll be like ‘the GMs can’t come

in and the owners can’t come in’. I go ‘why?’ We might as well all have some input. We’re all trying to accomplish the same thing. We’re trying to win the Stanley Cup. If we can gather information from everybody, and certainly a guy like Billy, we’re going to do it.

SB: What sort of things do you want to change/ and what sort of things do you want this team to do differently?

DE: Without going into specifics, obviously we’ve made some tweaks on our special teams that were real good through the regular season. They failed us in the playoffs. Both of them. We have to be better in that area so we’ve tweaked some different systematic stuff. How we approach the group, obviously Billy’s brought in a guy like Pat Maroon to give us that Stanley Cup pedigree and that presence in the room. That type of a guy. We’ve talked about a few different things that we are going to play with, tweak a little bit so that we’re in a position. But honestly the biggest thing that we took out of it, and it’s not an excuse because everybody goes through it, but if we could stay healthy we believe that we have as good a chance as anybody to win the Stanley Cup. You look at a team like Florida that doesn’t have a great regular season and they get in and they have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. They stayed healthy likely until the end and then they didn’t, right? Las Vegas stayed healthy completely right through (the playoffs). If you look at their group, their group didn’t change. Obviously they got (Mark) Stone back and they got some people back. Would we have liked to have our full group to play against the Dallas Stars? Yeah. But that’s out of our control. So we think the way that we play the game, how we play the game, with the energy, with the excitement, with the offense and defense, how we play, we think we’re in good shape to compete for a Stanley Cup.

SB: What’s the anticipation like for you to get back at it?

DE: It’s exciting because it literally ramps up. You go from development camp, you get a little taste of hockey again but it’s really just the kids coming. Then you get here and the rookie camp and it just ramps up. The game yesterday was fantastic. Our guys competed their asses off. And we’ve now got our systems and we’re in there and our videos and all that set up, practice plans and now it’s just an opportunity. Now we’re waiting for the real stuff to happen. It’s extremely exciting. I’ve talked to a lot of people about my job in particular and

even the assistant coaches, there’s only 32 jobs so we’re very fortunate, we don’t take it for granted and we work our asses off to try and win hockey games.

SB: Do you feel the pressure? We talk about players feeling a certain amount of pressure, what the expectations are for them. It comes with the territory, but you just mentioned it, one of 32 jobs in the world, do you feel the pressure? Do you embrace it?

DE: I don’t honestly. I love the butterflies. I love the excitement level just before a game. And I don’t want to say pressure because I control what I can control as a head coach. Our coaching staff controls what we can control. We try to give the players the best opportunity to go out there and compete and play the game and I might have a little different perspective as an ex-player that I get that the coaching staff can dial in everything, we can make our adjustments and give our little tweaks, but at the end of the day we got to give the players the best opportunity to go out and win hockey games each and every night. But it is fun to tweak different things as far as how we deal with each individual. And that’s a huge part of coaching today. Coaches can put a system together and the players will buy into that system. But now it’s trying to get the best out of each individual. So there’s a lot of stuff as far as how you deal with individuals. Some you have to boot. Some you have to pat on the back. Just different ways to get the best out of each individual.

SB: Have you had to learn that over your time as a coach?

DE: I honestly don’t think so. Even when I had my first coaching job in Kamloops in juniors you’re still dealing with individuals and even though they were younger you’re still trying to figure out what the best way to get this guy to be a team player or this guy to work a little harder or this guy to get a little more confident, for this to guy to get a little less cocky. You have to always figure that out. Our staff is fantastic about that. Darby (Hendrickson) and Woody (Bob Woods) and Freddie Chabot and now Jason King. The guys do a great job. It’s not just the head coach that does that. It’s on a daily constant we should talk to this player because he seems to have lost his confidence a little bit. How do we get that back? What do we say to him? What do we do with him? How do we deal with him to get the best out of him?

Maxwell remembered as ultimate teammate

Former All-Star and fan favorite passed away Sept. 3

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

The Minnesota North Stars lost a member of their family Sept. 3 when former defenseman and NHL All-Star Brad Maxwell passed away after a battle with lung cancer.

Maxwell was 66.

Maxwell was born in Brandon, Manitoba and was drafted seventh overall by the North Stars in 1977. A tough defenseman who could also rush the puck and had a heavy shot, Maxwell is remembered as a consummate teammate who always had his teammates backs.

“You always felt a little safer with Maxy on the ice with you,” said former teammate Curt Giles. “He was always there for support. He really cared about his teammates a lot.”

Maxwell played nine seasons with the North Stars beginning in 1977. During his rookie campaign he played in 75 games and scored 18 goals and had 29 assists. He was a member of the North Stars team that faced the New York Islanders in the 1980-81 Stanley Cup Finals. His best season came in 1983-84 when he had 73 points in 78 games.

“He was a very good player,” said Giles. “He could shoot the puck. He could really hammer that thing. He was on the power play and was killing penalties. And he played tough.”

Maxwell logged 225 penalty minutes during the 1983-84 campaign. Giles said he always stuck up for his teammates. In an interview shortly after he was drafted, Maxwell said, “I know defensemen have to play defense and I think I can help the North Stars in front of the goal,” Maxwell said, according to ESPN. “I’ll be there. But I also like to make rushes. All I want is a chance to play. I’ll be there if anyone challenges me or goes after anybody else on the team.”

Giles said having Maxwell on the ice helped open up opportunities for some of the smaller guys on the team like Giles, Neal Broten and Dino Ciccarelli.

“He was awfully tough,” he said. “His attitude and approach to the game was great. It didn’t matter if we were on the road in Philadelphia or Boston or at home…he always played the same. He stuck up for his teammates the same way.”

Maxwell wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves, either. Known for having a heavy left fist, he was a protector on those teams for the smaller guys.

“You knew which guys in the league were good at (fighting),” said Giles. “There was a switch that went off and he had that switch. He always stuck up for everybody.”

Gordie Roberts played against Maxwell in juniors and then joined him on the North Stars for the 1980-81 season. He echoed Giles’ comments about Maxwell always being there for his teammates.

“In hockey you gain respect from teammates with physical play and he did that by helping out his teammates in those physical situations,” Roberts said. “Brad was tough and he had everybody’s back.”

Roberts said Maxwell was one of the rare defenseman who were both tough, but also offensively gifted.

“He had great balance to his game,” he said. “He had it all.”

Roberts said Maxwell could have played in any era.

“He had a little bit of old time hockey in him,” he said. “He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed himself not just on the ice but off the ice. He was a fun guy to be around.”

In the locker room, Giles said Maxwell

was “great with everybody.”

Giles recalled the time he challenged Maxwell to a wrestling match in the locker room.

“That was a bad idea,” he said. “I thought I’d give him a whirl and then he got serious and I thought whoa that’s enough of that.”

In his later years Maxwell was head of the NHL Alumni Association in Minnesota and played an integral role in helping organize events that helped bring old teammates together.

“We played in a lot of alumni charity games,” said Roberts, “and Brad was always right in the middle organizing it.”

Roberts said he will always remember Maxwell as charismatic.

“He was always excited to see his hockey friends,” he said. “He had a good enthusiasm about him and truly cared about the players he played with.”

Giles said he and Maxwell stayed in touch over the years.

“He was always the same guy,” Giles said. “He always lived life to the fullest.”

Giles said he will miss Maxwell’s sense of humor, and is thankful for their playing days together.

“I can’t say enough how much I appreciated having him as a teammate,” he said.

Brad Maxwell Career Statistics

“He was always excited to see his hockey friends. He had a good enthusiasm about him and truly cared about the players he played with.”

- Gordie Roberts

Brad Maxwell’s NHL Alumni jersey hangs in th locker room when Minnesota hosted the the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016 as part of the NHL Stadium Series. Maxwell was a common sight at alumni events and was usually the one behind the scenes organizing them. PHOTOS COURTESY OF VINTAGE MINNESOTA HOCKEY

Maxwell was known for having one of the better shots in the league. He was a mainstay on both the power play and penalty kill in his nine seasons with the North Stars. He was drafted 7th overall by the North Stars in 1977 and became an NHL All-Star.

Maxwell (center) with teammates Don Beaupre (left) and Gordie Roberts (right). Maxwell was known as a player who always had his teammates’ backs on the ice. “Brad was tough and he had everybody’s back,” said Roberts.

Sertich to receive Spirit of Life Award

by JACKSON BOLINE Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

Long-time Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey coach Mike Sertich will be honored with the “Spirit of Life Award” Oct. 7 during the first intermission of the Hockey Hall of Fame Faceoff Classic game between the Bulldogs of UMD and the Michigan Tech Tigers.

“We at the Hockey Hall of Fame are truly the ones who are honored to be handing this award off to Mike,” said USA Hockey executive director Doug Palazzari.

Sertich, 76, was with the University of Minnesota-Duluth for 18 years, from 1982-200, and Michigan Tech for three seasons from 2000-2003. He led the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA Frozen Fours and three WCHA regular season titles, ending with a career record with UMD of 350-328-44.

For someone who was a part of so many big-time victories in the game of hockey, Sertich is aiming to win his most significant battle yet, the game of life.

Sertich battled a tumor that was discovered in a major vein near his pancreas. The 76-year-old Virginia, Minn. native spent most of his time recovering at his home on the Iron Range after having two major medical procedures in 2022. He spent the next year making trips to the doctor for chemotherapy treatments and on April 10, 2023, reports showed the first sign of great news…no spread.

Inspiration and motivation are things Sertich has used in his fight against the evilness that is cancer. He drew inspiration from individuals like Tom Kurvers, who eventually succumbed to lung cancer in June of 2022 at the age of 58, but it was the fight that Kurvers showed that gave Sertich the motivation he needed.

The Spirit of Life Award is described on the Hockey Hall of Fame website as follows:

“Due to the special nature of this award, the presentation by the U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM begins with a recommendation process followed by a careful review to identify a candidate whose serious life conditions

or circumstances related to the game of hockey and connection to the hockey community warrant attention.

Two primary categories represent the review process.

Category 1 – Life-Threatening Health Conditions

Category 2 – Physical Injury With Permanent Disability

A candidate identified in category 1 represents many years of personal commitment to player development while facing extreme personal health conditions as they continue to inspire and make a difference in the lives of young athletes while demonstrating for the community how to face adversity in life.

A candidate representing category 2 which emphasizes serious physical and permanent injury is a person who now must face life-changing decisions while demonstrating to the community their unbridled will to move forward to reclaim their life after

The harsh reality of this special ‘Spirit of Life Award’ emphasizes the serious side representing both categories. For each candidate, there are similarities but different personal challenges as one

recipient continues their uphill battle to ‘Prolong Their Life’ while the other recipient fights to ‘Rebuild Their Life.’”

The first Spirit of Life Award winner was in 2012 with Jack Jablonski, followed by Pat Forte in 2016, Matt Olson in 2017, and David Tomassoni in 2021.

This is an award that embodies everything Sertich is as a person. His no-quit mentality has paid dividends throughout his coaching career, and now it is paying off with the battle he faces now.

“The award is meant to show appreciation to those who have fought a battle with their health,” said Palazzari.

Sertich has shown that he is a fighter who has maintained high spirits.

“Mike is a perfect fit for this award because he accepted the battle and is doing it in the right frame of mind,” said Palazzari.

Sertich is known as a high-energy and happy individual who can liven the room by himself.

“He’s a great person with a great personality. If you listen to him talk he’ll have you laughing for a long time,” Palazzari said.

Throughout his battle with cancer,

Sertich has remained positive.

“We’re honoring him because he’s shown an incredible attitude and has made his same jokes along the way,” said Palazzari

Sertich has achieved many accolades throughout his coaching career, including being in the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame, along with being honored as a “Legend of College Hockey” in 2021 by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation.

Mike’s daughter, Lori Sertich, set up a page on Caringbridge.org, and as of Aug. 29, 2023, Mike Sertich received some great news on his battle…

“If you don’t believe in miracles, you better now....Dad had a follow-up with Dr. Friday. Cancer is pretty much undetected - not in remission - but not as large of an area as it was before treatment. There is a growing area around his stent but Dr. Friday is not 100% sure it is cancer, possibly a small infection. Dad will go back in 3 months for another PET scan and could possibly transition into doing CT scans, but that will be decided later.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts - for your prayers, well wishes, hugs, messages .... all of it. It was felt by the whole family and appreciated. Now we celebrate this victory. Dad, you are amazing”.

Sertich’s legacy in the State of Hockey is as strong as ever. He has meant so much to the hockey world not only in his hometown but also with every school he’s been with.

“This award for Mike is our way of honoring him for what he has done in hockey and all the lives he’s touched,” said Palazzari.

As Sertich has shown during his long and successful coaching career, he is a winner, and whilst he’s had to face his biggest competitor in cancer, he has never and will never stop fighting to come out with yet another win.

You can visit the page for Mike at www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikesertich to show your support and keep up with current updates on Mike’s journey.

Officially Speaking: Game management

by MARK LICHTENFELD Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

With the current season already underway, this is a great time to concentrate on fundamentals and ditch the rulebook.

I’m referring to game management.

Look, with an abundance of new officials coming into the ranks, especially in my neck of the cactus, there’s still nothing like doing a game with the two-ref system – where the other guy is equally savvy and experienced in the delicate fundamentals of game management.

You know what I’m talking about. Right? Like washing out a questionable icing with five minutes left in a tie game because an equally questionable icing was similarly waved off three minutes earlier.

Or no-calling a marginal penalty against Team A because the same kind of marginal infraction was ignored against Team B just three shifts prior.

It’s called awareness of the game, not simple memory of the rulebook. And trust me, it takes time and skill to apply this into game scenarios.

Game management also keeps the contest flowing. Ask any fan or player and they’ll tell you nothing’s worse than a choppy game.

And then there’s the consistency component. It’s usually best to be consistent – whether consistently awful or consistently excellent. I mean, that’s all we hear from coaches, players, beer leaguers and

low-level JV team managers. “You guys are inconsistent!”

Let’s elucidate via example. Okay, so it’s 5 -1 in the third, the losing team is suddenly in a great scoring position, and your partner is too quick to whistle down a loose puck in front of the winning team’s net. The losing team’s fans, coaches and players are hollering.

“Should be 5-2 zebra!”

Two minutes later, the play’s going the other way with another loose puck, this time in the losing team’s crease, and several players are flopping like drunk

flounders all over the blue paint. A veteran official immediately senses the scenario. He knows the losing team’s down by four, and that a similar play was quickly shut down with the losing team in a great scoring position just two minutes earlier. Marshaling his veteran experience, the ref senses it’s probably best to be quick on the pea because the last thing you want is to have the winning team padding the lead to 6-1, and the losing coach bellyaching that your partner just whistled down the exact same

play only minutes earlier.

Nothing in the rulebook about this, but it’s a veteran, common-sense decision that will provide superb deterrence against controversy, including complaints from team managers, Android replay from uncles and grandpas and adverse emails from local assignors.

Think I’m wrong?

Then explain how else OS has lasted 34 consecutive seasons as an “independent contractor” in this business.

New guys and midnight lumberjacks, do you understand what OS is trying to accomplish here? Don’t look at the calls in isolation. Sense the big picture. Everything’s part of a process.

Conflict management. Avoidance of controversy. The goal is to have everyone shaking your hand at the end of the game. And to get this result, you often have to throw out the rulebook.

Yeah, OS gets that only veteran guys really understand this. But that’s why the rest of you read OS. To acquire knowledge. And not just for officiating purposes.

Game management. Or life management. The big picture. Yup, these are generational lessons that are applicable to the social, business and domestic worlds.

A public service from OS and Let’s Play Hockey.

Questions, comments and feedback can be sent to editor@letsplayhockey.com, via Twitter @OSpeaking or through the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook page

PHOTO BY NICK WOSIKA

A lot can happen in the course of a game and sometimes, according to OS, it’s okay to toss the rulebook to the side in order to properly manage a game.

Mike Sertich coached at the University of Minnesota-Duluth for 18 seasons and won 350 games.

Tim Morris to be inducted into Minnesota State High School Coaches Hall of Fame

Lakeville South girls coach is entering his 31st year as high school coach

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

Long-tenured coaches are becoming rare these days, which is why those who stand the test of time are often rewarded for their dedication, resiliency and passion for the game of hockey.

Lakeville South Girls Hockey Coach

Tim Morris has been coaching hockey at various levels for 37 years. In honor of his dedication and service not just to the game of hockey, but to those who play it, he will be inducted into the 2023 Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame October 14.

Morris grew up in the Chicago area and didn’t start playing hockey until third grade.

“Two years later as a peewee we won our league championship,” said Morris. “I was hooked.”

He picked up on the game quickly and transitioned form a C-level player to an A player in just a couple years. He played four years of high school hockey in Illinois and was an all-star his junior and senior seasons. After high school he attended St. Cloud State University, but didn’t make the cut and instead played four years of club hockey.

His coaching career began in 1986 coaching youth hockey in the Roseville and Edison programs until 1993. That’s when he became an assistant varsity coach at Fridley High School. His first head coaching job at the high school level came in 1995 when he took over the Totino-Grace girls program. He coached at Totino until 2001 when he made the move to Eden Prairie’s girls program where he was the bench boss until 2011. From 2011-2108 he was assistant coach at Blaine High School and in 2018 took over at Lakeville South where he will en-

ter his sixth season at the helm.

Morris’ love for the game is what motivated him to begin coaching in the first place 37 long years ago.

“I found that coaching was a way for me to stay involved with the game of hockey that I had come to love,” he said. “Later it was the relationships with other coaches and my players that really fueled my desire to keep coaching.”

Coaching high school hockey for 31 years has been an education of sorts for Morris.

“I know as a younger coach I made some decisions that I would not make today,’ he said. “Just like learning to play the game, coaches get better as they progress through their coaching journey.”

Too often these days young coaches make mistakes and are not given second chances and are sometimes run out by parent groups. Morris would like to see that change.

“Parents need to let newer coaches make those early mistakes so they can learn and grow,” he said.

Not only has coaching changed, so has the game itself. Morris began coaching

girls high school hockey at its inception and has been a head coach every year since 1995.

“The biggest change has been the growth in numbers and the quality of the play,” he said. “No offense to some of the very early state champions, but some of today’s JV teams could have been state champions back in the day.”

That’s not a bad thing. That means the game has evolved rapidly with much credit going to coaches like Morris.

“Part of the reason girls high school hockey has prospered in Minnesota has been the dedication of so many individuals — coaches, players, administrators and supporters,” he said. “The level of play continues to escalate, the level of coaching continues to mature, and the players’ level of overall athletecism continues to break barriers.”

Minnesota has become a hotbed for young female hockey players and the game has served as a springboard for many young women to further their education and playing careers at the college level. Ask any college coach on the east coast and they will tell you their No. 1 recruiting hotbed is the State of Hockey.

“I am very proud of how many opportunities we have provided to countless players to further their playing careers and educational experiences as a result of their participation in high school hockey,” Morris said.

In addition to serving behind the bench, Morris has also served as executive director of the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association since 2003. He took over the position for Charlie Stryker who, on the morning after the Senior Classic in Blaine in 2003, passed away of a heart attack.

“I keep the photo of the team Charlie was coaching the day before he died in my office to remember to do what’s right even when nobody is looking,” said Morris. “He, along with Brano Stankovsky, Bill and Barb Halbrehder and many others have helped support the MGCHA vision and to grow it to where it is today.”

Morris will be inducted along with Mark Curley (Roseville), Erin Herman (Hill-Murray), John Hardgrove (Stillwater) and Lonnie Morton (Mabel-Canton) on Oct. 14. Morris said he is honored to receive the award and thankful for the support he has received along his coaching journey.

“I am grateful to have had so many people who have provided me their expertise, dedication, friendship, love and empathy over the years,” he said. “I hope I can provide that same level of support to those new coaches starting out on their own coaching journey.”

Five tips for scoring off rebounds

by KIM MCCULLOUGH Lets Play Hockey Columnist

The next time you watch a hockey game, count how many opportunities there are for players to score off rebounds. I would estimate that in the average girls’ hockey game, there are at least 10-20 scoring opportunities off rebounds. And so many of these potential goals go unscored. It’s one of the main reasons that girls’ hockey games tend not to be high-scoring affairs.

So I wanted to share five quick tips with you to help you score more goals off rebounds.

1. Get out a little further from the goalie. We know that your coach wants you to screen the goalie and maybe even advises you to get as close to the blue ice as possible in order to take away the goalie’s eyes. The problem with being too close to the goalie is that if there is a rebound opportunity, it’s going to bounce out in front of you and you’ll have to turn, find the puck and shoot. All those things take time, and time is something you don’t have a lot of when trying to score off a rebound. So get your heels out of the blue ice and be at least a stick length away from the top of the crease. You can still screen the goalie quite effectively from this distance and you’ll have a little bit more time to turn and open space to shoot at when that puck

comes off the goalie’s pads.

2. Put your stick on the ice. This might be the No. 1 tip for scoring goals overall. You can’t tip and screen and score effectively with your stick at your waist. Players who are in the net front when a shot is taken should have their stick straight out in front of them and on the ice. This “tripod” positioning allows for you to tip on either side of your body, and if you have to turn to find a loose puck, you’ve already got your stick on the ice. I would however recommend that once you’ve turned to face the goalie, you need to have your stick ready in the forehand shooting position so that you can get a quick strong shot off quickly instead of two-touching the puck off your backhand.

3. Turn as soon as you lose sight of

the puck. It drives me crazy to watch a player be in a perfect screening/tipping position who forget to turn once they’ve lost sight of the puck. If you turn immediately, and have your stick in a strong shooting position on your forehand side, I guarantee you will score more goals. And they are your coaches’ favorite kind of goals – the easy tap in or quick shot when the goalie is out of position. Sure, they don’t make the highlight reel, but they go in a lot and they count the same as the pretty ones.

4. Pre-load your stick. I’ve mentioned this already in the above tips, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to be ready to shoot when that rebound comes. If you have your toes turned towards the net, your stick pulled back on your forehand side and

you’re pushing hard into your bottom hand, you’ll be in a great position to pull the trigger and score some easy goals. Too often, players simply aren’t ready to capitalize on the rebound opportunity.

5. Study how the puck comes off the goalie’s pads. I won’t profess to know too much about how to teach goaltending, but I scored a lot of these “easy” rebound goals in my time by understanding how the puck would come off the goalie’s pads. For example, you need to position your body and stick differently if you are playing a rebound on your forehand side and backhand side. Simply put, if you are on your forehand side, you need to be a little bit higher up from the goal line than you do on your backhand side. This is because the “eyes” of your stick are closer to the net when you’re on your “off” wing, so you should have more of the net to shoot at. It’s a bit of a tough concept to explain in words so if you want to check out some on-ice videos I’ve made about scoring goals, you’ll find a good one about using the eyes of the stick here.

Beyond that, players and teams need to practice scoring off rebounds a lot more often so that shooters can get more experience positioning their stick and body correctly when that rebound pops out. The more you practice it, the more “ugly” goals you’ll score.

Tim Morris 2023 MSHSCA HOF Inductee

“The level of play continues to escalate, the level of coaching continues to mature, and the players’ level of overall athleticism continues to break barriers.”

- Tim Morris on girls hockey

A true Legend of Minnesota Hockey

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Lets Play Hockey Publisher

The State of Hockey is in mourning as they have lost one of their most beloved members.

Henry Boucha, a dynamic force on the ice and a soft-spoken, kind-hearted soul off it, died Sept. 18, at age 72.

Boucha grew up on the snowdrift streets of Warroad, now dubbed Hockeytown USA. It was there he learned to love the game that would eventually lead to a professional career and a lifetime of friendships and memories.

By the time he was in eighth grade he was skating for the high school team. As a senior he would lead the Warriors to the state title game in 1969 against Edina. That season he scored 60 goals in 25 games and finished with 95 points. Unfortunately, during the second period of the state title game, Boucha took a hit from an opponent that ruptured his ear drum. He never returned and Edina won 5-4 in overtime.

Years later, Boucha told the Star Tribune: “Me getting hurt was just as much my fault. I had my head down. It wasn’t a clean hit, but years later you kind of learn to keep your head up. Out to get me? Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t.”

Boucha was that kind of player. Big, strong, fast and with a lethal shot. He was one of the rare players where fans scooted to the edge of their seats, even rose, every time he had the puck on his stick.

After high school he joined the Winnipeg Jets of the WCJHL, scoring 53 points in 51 games. He also toiled with the U.S. National team in 1970 and 1971. When the NHL’s 1971 draft rolled around, Boucha was snagged in the second round, 16th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings. That same year he was chosen first overall in the WHA by the Minnesota Fighting Saints.

During the 1971-72 season, wearing his trademark red head band, he played 16 games with the Red Wings and scored one goal. He had better luck with the 1972 USA Olympic team where he helped lead them to a silver medal with two goals and four assists in six games.

Henry Boucha Career Statistics

During the 1972-73 season he returned to the NHL’s Red Wings and played in a career-high 73 games, notching 14 goals and 14 assists and 82 penalty minutes, earning him the team’s rookie of the year award. That same year he scored the second fastest goal in NHL history when he netted one just six seconds into the game.

The following season he played in 70 games, scoring a career-high 19 goals.

But the Red Wings sent him home to Minnesota in 1974 for Danny Grant, and Boucha joined his hometown North Stars. It was with the North Stars where he would suffer an injury that would cut his career short.

During a game against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 4, 1975, Boucha and Dave Forbes had fought and were sent to the penalty box. Upon their return to the ice, Forbes chased Boucha down and punched him with the butt end of his stick, catching his right eye. Boucha fell to the ice. He would eventually lose some sight in his eye and after trying to make a comeback with the Fighting Saints and eventually the Colorado Rockies, he retired from the game at age 26. Boucha eventually dabbled in business ventures, including owning a restaurant, writing an autobiography, and selling real estate. A full-blooded Ojibwe, he championed other native American athletes and was working with others on a documentary featuring 21 Native American athletes who competed in the Olympics. His heritage became a big part of him after his playing career ended.

“After hockey I found myself in my culture, my traditions, my spirituality,” Boucha told The Circle News in 2020. “I want young Native Americans to find this strength that we all have been given but don’t always recognize.”

He served on many boards for many causes, many of them committed to Native American culture. He recently testified before a legislative committee at the state capitol voicing his support for the Warroad school programs to keep their Warrior name and logo.

Always a common sight around the state hockey tournament, Boucha was always willing to shake a hand, take a photo and sign an autograph.

He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.

A warrior to the end, Henry Boucha was a one-of-a-kind player with a one-of-a-kind story. A career cut short, yet a life well lived.

awarded the Mr.

Boucha

Ambassador Award in 2021. After his career he championed Native American causes in his hometown of Warroad, most recently speaking at the state capitol in regards to the tradition of Warroad’s logo and Warrior nickname.

If Minnesota hockey had a Mount Rushmore, Henry Boucha’s image would be chiseled into it. A Warrior and a Minnesota legend who will never be forgotten.

was

Hockey

Henry Boucha’s game worn jersey form the 1969 state high school hockey tournament.

In Memoriam: Henry Boucha

Memories from Detroit

Michigan man recalls when Henry stayed with them during rookie season

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Lets Play Hockey Publisher

John Jeffire was nine years old when he met Henry Boucha for the first time.

Jeffire’s father, Tom, was the building superintendent at Olympia Stadium, home of the Detroit Red Wings. It was 1972 and the Red Wings had drafted a young Native American juggernaut from Minnesota. The Jeffires owned a house in nearby Dearborn with an upper flat they rented out for extra income. When Tom Jeffire began working at Olympia it became tradition for incoming Red Wing players to stay there until they could get settled in and give them time to find their own place to live. The Jeffires housed the likes of Marcel Dionne, Gary Unger, Pete Stemkowski, Serge Lajeunesse, Rene LeClere and, in 1972, Henry Boucha.

John Jeffire recalls those days as a youngster when Henry stayed at their place for about three months.

“He was the coolest guy around,” he said. “The headband trend took over my neighborhood and everyone wanted to look like Henry.”

Jeffire wore the headband to school and got sent home because it was against the dress code.

“Henry thought that was funny,” he said. “He and my father joked about Henry going to my school and kicking the principal’s butt.”

Henry would often join the Jeffires for dinner and other activities.

“Around my family he was very quiet, polite, and always observing what was going on around him,” he said. “His hair was long and I thought he was kind of a hippie. If he had time, he would play street hockey with me and my friends and it was something I’ll never forget. He seemed to get a kick out of stickhandling around us and deking us. We’d try to check him and just sort of bounce off him, which brought a grin to his face.”

The Jeffires followed Henry’s ca-

A friendship formed through hockey

Former Hibbing goalie, Andy Micheletti, recalls facing ‘the best to ever come out of Minnesota’

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Lets Play

Hockey

Publisher

Andy Micheletti was playing between the pipes for the Hibbing varsity hockey team when Warroad came to town in 1967. Apparently the Warriors had some player the Hibbing guys kept hearing about.

“We had some great players on our team and we kept hearing about this Henry Boucha,” said Micheletti. “We kept hearing how good he was.”

According to Micheletti, shortly after the puck was dropped Boucha gathered the puck and carried it into the Hibbing zone.

“He came down on my right side,” said Micheletti. “And he put a move on our defenseman that I had never seen before in high school hockey. It was like magic the way he went around our guy.”

He broke in on Micheletti who was fortunate to make the save.

“But I am telling you, he only missed one shift the entire game,” he said. “He was first line center, second line center and third line defense. He played the whole game. It really was

something else.”

Micheletti and Boucha both made the all-state team that season. They ended up playing against each other three times, and Micheletti said Boucha never scored on him in any of the three meetings.

“It gave me some bragging rights,” he said.

The two became friends through hockey and Boucha would often visit Hibbing when selling his autobiography.

“Anytime he was here for a book signing I would show up and from the middle of the line I would yell at him, ‘hey Henry, you remember me? I’m the goalie you never scored on.’

“Henry would always return a smile and say, ‘hey Andy, yes I know because you never let me forget it.’”

Micheletti went on to play at Gustavus-Adolphus College where he set and still holds many of the goalie records. He was inducted into their hall of fame in 2008. He played a season in Milwaukee in the ACHL with Henry’s brother, John.

“I got to know Henry pretty well,” he said. “Whenever he’d be around we

would go out with him. The one thing with Henry was he always paid. He would never let anyone else pay. He’d write the check. That was pretty special. That’s the kind of person he was.”

Over the years Micheletti said he and Boucha would see each other often.

“You just always felt good after being with and talking to Henry,” he said. “He was just a super person.”

Micheletti said he read about the news of Boucha’s passing on Facebook.

“I was in shock,” he said. “There are certain people in your life, even if you’re not with them all the time, whenever you see them you just pick up where you left off. Henry was one of those people.”

Micheletti said he recently lost his brother to cancer.

“I had the same feeling when I read about Henry,” he said.

That is the kind of effect Boucha has had on people throughout his 72 years.

“He was just the nicest guy ever,”

reer even after he left the Red Wings for the North Stars, where his career was cut short due to his eye injury.

“We were Red Wings fans, but we always rooted for Henry,” Jeffire said. “My family was saddened when he suffered the eye injury. My parents really loved the guy. It hurt.”

Jeffire said his father ran into Henry when the North Stars visited Detroit.

“He was a quiet guy but he always thanked my family for giving him a place to stay when he first got to town,” he said. “After his career ended we drifted apart, although my parents remained fairly close to Marcel Dionne.”

Boucha was one of many hockey stars the Jeffires had the opportunity to get to know. Jeffire’s memories of Henry are all good ones.

“When I learned of his death, a flood of memories came back,” he said. “The word that keeps coming to me when I think of Henry is ‘cool.’ May Henry rest in peace.”

he said. “I watched and played a lot of hockey most of my life. I still have never seen a high school player do what he could do. Even to this day. He had to be the best to ever come out of Minnesota.”

Minnesota Hockey magazine recognized Boucha as perhaps the best high school player in the country.

Boucha won a silver medal with Team USA in the 1972 Olympics.

Henry Boucha suffered a ruptured ear drum after taking a hit in the 1969 state title game against Edina. Warroad traield 4-2 at the time and rallied to tie it before Edina won 5-4 in overtime. Boucha never returned to the ice.

The hit (left) that sent Boucha to the hospital with a rupured ear drum. Rumor is that the nurses all wanted something to remember Henry by so he cut up part of his jersey to give to them. At right, Henry races down the ice, as usual with somebody trying to catch him.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BOUCHA FAMILY/ DIGITIZED BY VINTAGE MINNESOTA HOCKEY

In Memoriam: Henry Boucha

Henry Boucha Biography

Nicknamed “The Chief.” Played senior amateur hockey with Warroad Lakers for part of 1971-72 season before 1972 Olympics. Was first amateur player picked in 1972 WHA Draft. Played on Minnesota Fighting Saints (WHA) team that folded on Feb. 27, 1976. Went into real estate business after retirement, joining Warroad’s Pahlen Realty in 1987. Active supporter of Native American causes and charities. Named the 47th most important sports figure in Minnesota history by Minneapolis Star Tribune. Subject of biography called Henry Boucha: Star of the North.

Last name pronounced Boo-shay. Full-blooded Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian. Cousin of former NHL player Gary Sargent and former minor-leaguer Earl Sargent. Father of minor-leaguer Henry Boucha Jr.

Henry Boucha’s promising hockey career was tragically brief, cut short by an eye injury that forced him to hang up his skates at the age of 26. His impact on the game continues to this day, thanks to his work with an NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force Program in his hometown of Warroad, Minn. Like many great hockey players, Boucha was a multi-sport athlete growing up, excelling at hockey, football and basketball. He was versatile even within the sport of hockey, skating as both a defenseman and center for Warroad High School Warriors. Boucha played in what is still remembered as the greatest game in Minnesota high school hockey history, when Warroad took on Edina in the 1969 Minnesota State Championship game. The best player on either team, Boucha was knocked out of the game just four

(courtesy Vintage Minnesota Hockey –www.vintagemnhockey.com)

minutes into the second period by an elbow to the head. He never saw his team fall in overtime, 5-4, but it’s still remembered as one of the biggest games he ever played in. He played for three seasons with the U.S. National Team from 1969-72, netting 73 goals and 86 assists in 115 games. His international playing experience culminated with the 1972 Olympic Games, helping the U.S. Team bring home the silver medal.

The Detroit Red Wings quickly signed him to an NHL contract, and he suited up with the Red Wings in 1971-72, playing parts of three seasons in Hockeytown. He didn’t find the scoring touch of his youth in Detroit, tallying just 43 goals and 26 assists in 159 games. Boucha felt right at home in the 1974-75 season with the Minnesota North Stars, scoring 15 goals and 14 assists in his first 29 games, before his season — and his career — ended with an eye injury he suffered in a game against the Boston Bruins. He would come back to play for the WHA’s Minnesota Fighting Saints in 1976, and with the Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies of the NHL, but couldn’t overcome his limited vision. He then retired from the sport, when was just 26. Boucha would go on to play for his hometown Warroad Lakers, before donating much of his time to various Native American causes. A full-blooded Ojibwe Indian, Boucha founded a program in 1995 to offer economically disadvantaged Ojibwe youth the opportunity to play ice hockey. Though mostly remembered for his on-ice abilities, Boucha’s greatest assists can be found off the ice.

From Vintage Minnesota Hockey (www.vintagemnhockey.com)

What others were saying about the electrifying talent of Henry Boucha:

“The Man Who Ignites the Warriors”

Minneapolis Tribune, Feb. 19, 1969

On the ice, the lean, powerful defenseman [Boucha] is like a fourth forward to all three lines. He skates with great speed, cuts at incredibly sharp angles, sets up his forwards, carries the puck perfectly, and has a rifle shot either with a flick of his wrists or a slap.

“Warroad Ace Boucha Tabbed Best in State” St. Paul Pioneer Press, Feb. 20, 1969, by Patrick Reusse

Henry Boucha has been playing regularly – and spectacularly – for the Warroad hockey team since 1965, when he was an eighth grader. But most of Minnesota high school hockey fans will be getting their first look at the sensational defenseman this afternoon. You will notice that Henry’s right eye is heavily bandaged. He has a 12-stitch gash sustained when he was struck by a stick in the Region 3 championship Saturday night against Eveleth. The injury forced Henry to the sidelines – for three and one half minutes. It was the only time the Warroad defenseman left the ice in the double overtime clash. And it was Boucha who finally broke up the marathon. He scored on a 25-foot shot with one second remaining in the second eight-minute session to give the Warriors a 3-2 victory. What does Coach Dick Roberts think about this amazing 17-year-old? “I have never seen a high school player to compare with Henry,” said the personable Roberts. Herb Brooks, freshman coach at the University of Minnesota, overheard a TV man ask Roberts, “What can Boucha do with the puck?” Brooks said, “The coach should have said, ‘He can make it talk.’”

“Wren Blair Likes Boucha”

Minneapolis Tribune, Feb. 21, 1969

Wren Blair, coach of the Minnesota North Stars hockey team, ranks Warroad’s Henry Boucha with the outstanding young prospects in Canada his age. “I’m sure that the only reason they are playing Boucha at defense is so he doesn’t tire easy and so they can have him on the ice more,” said Blair. “He is quick, has good reaction and is a strong skater. He’s a natural forward. “Boucha is good enough to be playing Junior B now and next season he could play with the good Junior A players in Canada. “He has a fine backhand shot, better than anybody on the North Stars. “The boy is very dangerous when he has the puck.”

“Boucha- Talk of the Town”

St. Paul Pioneer Press, Feb. 21, 1969 by Frank Tienan

Henry Boucha and the Warroad Warriors were the talk of many towns at dinnertime Thursday night after bouncing Minneapolis Southwest in the first round of the state hockey tournament play. The 6-1, 180-pound Boucha, who skates with the same silvery stride [as that] of an antelope [graceful, smooth, flowing], sparked the thrilling 4-3 first round victory.

Southwest’s Dave Peterson conceded, “Warroad is very quick and gave our defense a lot of trouble.” Peterson added, “Boucha is an outstanding player but I think we tended to key on him too much subconsciously. He plays so much it’s amazing he can go as he does. If he rested more, he would probably really tear things apart.”

“There’s No One Like Henry”

St. Paul Pioneer Press, Feb. 22, 1969,

by Frank Tienan

Warroad’s “Gold Machine”, Henry Boucha. Carl Marvin, one time U.S. Nationals coach from Warroad, explains, “We call Henry the “gold machine” because he can bring people into a hockey arena who have never thought of crossing the threshold before. We have seen a lot of good ones up there, but none like Henry. After 4 games in 6 days, 1300 miles of winter road travel, and not very much sleep Boucha admitted he was getting a bit weary. “I’m not so tired from playing hockey. It’s that traveling.”

“In Bantam Hockey”

Minneapolis Tribune, Feb. 22, 1969

Several years ago, when Boucha played bantam hockey, Warroad won the state title. The next year, he did not play, and Edina beat Warroad en route to the championship.

Boucha: “An Amazing Hockey Player”

Minneapolis Tribune, Feb. 24, 1969

Murray Williams, who coached the U.S. Olympic team last year [1968], watched Boucha loosen up before the championship game. “I just came back from the East Coast,” Williams said, “and I watched Boston College play. Right now, I’d have to say Boucha is better than Tim Sheehy.” Sheehy, the former International Falls center now at Boston College, is often called the best Minnesota high school player in recent history. Williams added, “Boucha is an amazing hockey player. I think he could easily play for the National team right now.”

Henry Boucha shows off the silver medal he helped Team USA win in the 1972 Olympics.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOUCHA FAMILY/DIGITIZED BY VINTAGE MINNESOTA HOCKEY

Not many hockey players who have come up in the State of Hockey have dominated the headlines like Henry Boucha did as a young aspiring electrifying player

In Memoriam: Henry Boucha

– OBITUARY –courtesy of Helgeson Funeral Homes

Henry Boucha

Henry Charles Boucha (Ogichidaa-Makwa Dodem) was a former NHL/Olympian player, a US army veteran, a Native American legend, a prominent Warroad Warrior, a proud dad, a brother, an uncle, relative and friend!

Henry was born on June 1st, 1951 at the Warroad Hospital to George and Alice Boucha. He had 8 siblings, Darlene (Jim Dorion), Phyllis (William Sargent), George, Dave (Tudy), Shirley (Stan Flick), Jim (Donna), Susan, and Ed (Linda).

Henry excelled in all sports including hockey, football, baseball, and track throughout his youth while growing up in Warroad. Henry played on the 1964 Bantam State Championship hockey team, was all-conference in football, baseball, and hockey, including three-time all-state in hockey. Henry graduated from Warroad High School in 1969 and is considered the most electrifying high school hockey player in the State of Hockey. Henry starred at both defense and center for the Warroad Warriors, rarely leaving the ice. He was a tall, powerfully-built Ojibwe, that led Warroad to the 1969 State Tournament, where he was injured in an emotionally charged 5-4 final overtime loss to Edina – one of the all-time classic games in Minnesota state tournament history. He is ranked #5 on Minnesota’s 100 Greatest High School Hockey Players and in 2019 the MSHS League named Henry as one of six players on the 75th Anniversary All-Tournament Team.

After high school, Henry signed a letter of intent for a full scholarship with the Golden Gophers but decided to play for the Winnipeg Jets of the Western Canadian Hockey League for the ’69-’70 season. Due to the Vietnam War, Henry was drafted by the Army in Aug 1970 and went to basic training at Fort Knox, KY. While in the US Army from 1970 to 1972, he competed internationally in the 1970 and 1971 World Championships, and 1972 Olympics earning a silver medal in Sapporo Japan for Team USA. Henry was drafted 16th overall in 1971 by the Detroit Red Wings and was the Red Wings Rookie of the Year in ’72-’73. In 1973 while playing for the Red Wings “The Chief” gained acclaim for his headband. Just eight games after donning his new head gear, Henry set a Red Wings franchise record that remains on the books to this day. At the Montreal Forum on Jan. 28, 1973 Henry beat Montreal Canadiens goalie only six seconds following the opening faceoff, it is still the fastest goal ever scored by a Red Wings player from start of a game. After 1973 Henry continued to play professionally with the Minnesota North Stars, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies. He retired from hockey in 1976, unable to overcome his eye injury while with the North Stars. Henry was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.

Henry married his high-school sweetheart Deborah Bleau of Warroad in October 1969 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Tara Marie was born in Warroad in 1970. They lived in Winnipeg, Warroad, and Detroit during their time together.

Henry met his second wife Randi Peterson through mutual friends in Minneapolis after being traded from the Detroit Red Wings to the Minnesota North Stars. They were married May 9th, 1975. They lived in Minneapolis/St. Paul area and later moved to Kansas City where Henry Jr. was born in 1976. After retiring from hockey, they moved to Spokane, WA where Bridgette was born in 1979.

Henry moved back to Warroad and opened a bar, named Henry’s Place. It was then that he met his 3rd wife Elaine Olafson in 1982. They lived in Idaho for 4 years and later moved back to Warroad, when Henry became a realtor with Pahlen Realty and later became Warroad Public Schools Indian Education Director. Their son Jean Paul (JP) was born in 1988.

It is important to note that Warroad has always been so very special for Henry. He cherished the small, close knit community and the memories of being a Warroad Warrior. So much, that although his children could have gone to any other schools, they all went to Warroad High School.

Most recently Henry moved back to Warroad, Henry had been living in the MSP area as realtor with Edina Realty and focusing on a film documentary project. Henry donated much of his time in helping advance Native American causes throughout the U.S. including the NHL Diversity program with Willie O’ Ree, and more recently with the preservation of his beloved namesake “Warroad Warriors”.

Henry was involved with several organizations. Some examples include: Herb Brooks Foundation Board of Directors

NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force Program

Boucha Films, LLC & Kah-Bay-Kah-Nong Non-Profit

American Indian Education Coordinator Warroad School

American Indian Education Program Consultant at various Minnesota School Districts

NCARSM (National Coalition Against Racism In Sports and Media)

Ain Dah Yung Center (meaning “our home” in Ojibwe)

Warroad Youth Hockey Association

Warroad High School Athletic Hall of Fame

United States Hockey Hall of Fame (inducted 1995)

North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (inducted 2022)

Henry is survived by his daughter Tara (grandchildren- Shalese, Sky, Gaabi and Doot of Warroad), son Henry Jr. of the Twin Cities (grandchild- Anderson of Warroad), daughter Bridgette (Mike Schulte) of Atlanta, GA, and son Jean Paul (JP) of the Twin Cities. Siblings Shirley (Stanley Flick) of Warroad and family, Jim (Donna) of Hutchinson and family and Ed (Linda) and family of Milwaukee, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alice Boucha, siblings Darlene Dorion, Phyllis Sargent, George Boucha Jr, Dave/Tudy (Donna Mae) Boucha, and Susan Boucha.

A Traditional Anishinaabe Ceremony for Henry Boucha (Ogichidaa - Makwa Dotem) will begin Thursday September 28, 2023 from 5-9PM and will resume Friday morning from 10AM - 12:30PM inn the Gardens Arena.

A Remembrance Program for Henry will be Friday September 29, 2023 at 2PM in the Gardens Arena with lunch to follow. Visitation will begin at 1PM.

A Traditional Anishinaabe Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery immediately following Friday’s 2PM Remembrance Program and lunch.

Henry traded in his red headband for a green one when he was traded to his hometown North Stars for the 1974 season.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOUCHA FAMILY/ DIGITIZED BY VINTAGE MINNESOTA HOCKEY

Henry was recognized at the state tournament during their 75-year celebration.

Henry being interviewed by Sid Hartman during the 1969 state tournament.

Henry and another Minnesota great: Mike Antonovich.

Restoring an old relic

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Lets Play Hockey Publisher

John Lindberg was 8 years old when he first heard of the legend of Henry Boucha.

He was on a fishing trip with his father and others when stories were being told about the mystique of the Native American whirlwind who captured the hearts of hockey fans from all over the state.

“The stories I heard were of this 8-foot tall Indian who could bench press an Oldsmobile, who skated at highway speeds, and who shot pucks that put goalies in the hospital,” said Lindberg. “To me, Henry was Paul Bunyan on skates.”

Lindberg was born in 1980, so Henry Boucha’s legend was long-lived by then. And even though his career was over for more than a decade, stories were still being spun about the dynamic player was, and the intriguing career that followed.

For Lindberg, Boucha may as well have been a character from a fictional fantasy novel. Little did he know that years later he and Henry Boucha would cross paths, and a friendship would be formed.

After finally meeting Henry and asking him a million questions, the topic of Henry’s jersey came up. Lindberg loved collecting old jerseys.

“I love history and I love artifacts and I love hockey,” said Lindberg.

Henry said the black jersey he wore in the state championship game was in a trunk in Warroad.

“I thought, the trunk of a car?,” said Lindberg. “Who would be driving around with Henry’s jersey in their trunk?”

The jersey was in a tote that Henry referred to as a trunk and it was located at his sister’s property in a shed in Warroad.

“I told him the jersey shouldn’t be in a shed, it should be in a museum,” Lindberg said.

Henry agreed and asked Lindberg if he wanted to buy it, which he did.

Henry said the jersey was a little banged up, which was quite the understatement.

Due to his injury, there was blood on the shoulder that had to be cut out at the hospital for sanitary purposes. The crest was also cut out.

Apparently, the doctors and nurses who were treating Henry were also en-

amored with his status as a hockey play er.

“They all wanted a memento,” said Lindberg. “So they chopped up the crest of his jersey and each took a little piece.”

Lindberg was then faced with the tall task of repairing the jersey to as close as its original form.

“I visited every thrift store around to look for the same material,” he said. “I even took it to a fabric specialist who could airbrush it. It took about a decade.”

The jersey was final ly completed last year and Henry was able to see it.

“I could tell he was proud,” said Lindberg. “And I was proud to put it back in order for him.”

Lindberg also made prints of three jerseys Hen ry wore. Henry signed the prints with the money from the sales going to the Warroad hockey program.

“Every time one sells, I send a check up there,” said Lindberg. “He was proud of that, too.”

It was about that time when Henry found out he had some heart issues, so they worked fast to sign as many prints as possible.

Henry had recently purchased an RV and was planning on doing a lot of traveling, Lindberg said. They talked often and joked about making a map of the United States with big circles on it so he knew where to go and be within 100 miles of a VA hospital.

Henry was able to take the RV on a maiden voyage to the Upper Peninsula to visit family. Shortly after returning from the trip, Henry passed away.

“He was going to dot the country and go see old friends,” said Lindberg. “I wish he would have gotten more trips.”

From hearing about the myth of Henry Boucha when he was 8 years old, to restoring his jersey and becoming his close friend, Lindberg is sure of one thing.

“I loved Henry,” he said. “He was fun and funny, kind and sweet and wise. He was absolutely unique. There will never be another Henry.”

From fan to a friend

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Lets Play Hockey Publisher

Bobby Brost blames Henry Boucha for making him fall in love with hockey.

It was 1969 and Brost was watching the state tournament on his black and white television at his home in Minneapolis.

“I had never seen anything so electrifying,” he said. “It just kind of blew me away. I immediately started collecting hockey cards. I fell in love with hockey just watching this kid play.”

Years later, Brost told his partner, Mary, “I have to go see Henry.”

It was 1995 and Henry was at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo and Brost wanted to get his hockey Henry Boucha hockey cards signed.

“He signed a bunch of cards and then I pulled out some more cards and he kind of looked at me funny,” said Brost. “But he signed everything. He was a good guy to us.”

Brost and Mary would often attend

Henry’s book signings. Sooner than later, they struck up a friendship.

“We just kept seeing each other,” Brost said. “Henry really liked Mary and I think he liked my sense of humor. He trusted us.”

Henry was able to snag a Warroad jersey for Brost and sent it to him in the mail.

“We’ve been friends ever since,” he said.

Over the years they communicated

often. Henry was one of the few superstar players who had fans who eventually became friends. That’s the kind of guy he was. Always willing to shake a hand and get to know someone, even those who looked up to him.

“He has been such a good friend to us,” said Brost. “He always answered his phone and if you wanted to go out to eat he was always there and always right on time. Henry was always on the money.”

Like many fans and friends, Brost was heartbroken when he heard of the news of Henry’s passing.

“He was an overwhelming figure in my life,” he said. “He’s been a good friend of ours for quite a while. This has been a tough deal.”

Brost’s story is one of many young kids who fell in love with the game of hockey because they were fortunate enough to watch Henry Boucha race up and down the ice.

Brost said he will be making the trip to Warroad for Henry’s funeral.

“I have to pay my respects,” he said. “He was such a pillar in my life.”

Bobby Brost (middle) with Henry Boucha (left) and Tom Reid. Brost became friends with Boucha after first becoming a huge fan of his.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

John Lindberg (left) and his father (right) pose for a photo with Henry. Lindberg first heard of the legend of Henry Boucha when he was a youngster. Years later he would end up restoring Boucha’s 1969 state tournament jersey and the two would become close friends. The jersey (above) now hangs in a museum.

Minnesota Wilderness name Pitoscia assistant coach

The Minnesota Wilderness today announced it has promoted director of player development Steve Pitoscia to be the team’s new assistant coach.

Pitoscia, 47, is a Duluth native who has been head coach of the Duluth East High School boys varsity program since the summer of 2021, and will remain as the Greyhounds head coach while also serving in his new role as a Wilderness assistant. Pitoscia graduated from Duluth East in 1994.

“First and foremost, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be working with this organization”, said Pitoscia. He added, “It’s truly a blessing to be able to work in hockey, at any level. I can’t thank Barry [Bohman (Wilderness owner)], Dave [Boitz (general manager)] and Colten [St. Clair (head coach)]

enough for the chance to do so. This is a very talented group and it’s been a lot of fun to be around these guys so far this season. I’m excited I get the chance to work with them.”

St. Clair brought Pitoscia on to the Wilderness staff shortly after being hired last June due to the familiarity the pair had when they worked together in 2019-20 with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. That season, St. Clair was the Lancers’ assistant coach while Pitoscia was a scout.

The first year Wilderness head coach had nothing but praise for his new assistant.

Johnstown’s Holt makes D1 committment

The Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Isaac Holt has committed to play NCAA Division I commitment to Robert Morris University.

“I couldn’t be happier for Isaac on his much-deserved Division 1 Commitment to Robert Morris University,” said Johnstown Tomahawks Head Coach Mike Letizia. “As a young, first-year player with us last year, he made tremendous strides every step of the season and embraced the process of the journey to grow as a player. Isaac is truly a remarkable young man of the utmost character. Everyone loves him, and he is the type of person that would do anything for anyone. We are truly grateful for his trust in us as coaches and for his incredible commitment to the Tomahawks and the Johnstown community. The sky is the limit for him on and off the ice. I am so proud of him and just want to congratulate him, and his family!”

The 6’5/210 lbs. defenseman hailing from Pembroke, Ontario made a significant impact during the 2022-23 season while suiting up for the Johnstown Tomahawks. He contributed eight assists to the team’s success in his 45 appearances. In the ongoing 2023-24 season, Holt has already netted a goal during the NAHL Showcase.

“I am proud to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey and further my education at Robert Morris University,” said Isaac Holt. “I want to thank my family, friends, coaches, teammates, and the entire Johnstown Tomahawks organization for supporting me throughout this exciting process. Without these important people around me,

Holt is 6’5” and 210 pounds.

I would not have been able to grow as a player and a person. Having so many people around me and the entire team is what makes Johnstown feel so special. Being together as not only a team, but a community and fan base is what will lead us to success individually, and more importantly as a team.”

Following the conclusion of his junior hockey career in 2025, Isaac is set to don the jersey of the Robert Morris University Colonials. Robert Morris competes in the Atlantic Hockey Conference and is located outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Notably, he joins a distinguished list of former Tomahawks players who have found their way onto the Colonials’ roster.

“Pit is a great person and a great coach. He is someone I have worked with in the past and someone who puts his heart and soul into making people better. Not only is he someone I trust, but he is someone the players will be able to trust. We are excited to have him as a part of our winning tradition.”

Pitoscia’s coaching resume is highlighted by 17 seasons he spent as head coach of Duluth East’s AA bantam program. He also served two seasons as a head coach of the Omaha AAA Hockey Club, one as an assistant coach at Duluth Marshall High School, and four leading Cloquet’s AA bantams. Last season, he was also a scout for the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas.

With Pitoscia moving up to assistant coach, Patrick “Packy” Munson is moving on to explore new opportunities. Munson spent eight months with the team after being brought in to assist former head coach Brett Skinner last January.

Once the 2023-24 high school hockey season begins in November, Pitoscia’s focus will shift to Duluth East, and the Wilderness plan to hire an additional assistant prior to that time to further help guide the team.

Minnesota returns home this weekend to take on Springfield in a 2-game series beginning Friday night, with both games at the St. Luke’s Sports and Events Center in Proctor, MN.

Chaska native and Chanhassen High School forward Jack Christ recently committed to MSU-Mankato. Christ recently suited up for the NAHL’s St. Cloud Norsemen at the NAHL Showcase where he garnered three assists in four games.

Chanhassen’s Jack Christ commits to MSU-Mankato

The St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Jack Christ has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Minnesota State University-Mankato in the CCHA.

Christ, 17, made his NAHL and junior hockey debut this past week at the 2023 NAHL Showcase. The 5’9/170 lbs. native of Chaska, MN, posted three assists in four games played.

“I am proud and excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Minnesota State University. I would like to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for helping me

along the way,” said Christ on social media.

For the past two seasons, Christ has played high school hockey for Chanhassen High in Minnesota. In 54 career games he has recorded 69 points.

Christ also played for the Minnesota Lakers 15U team in 2020-21 at a NAPHL event where he recorded nine points in four games played.

He joins Sammy Crane (Air Force) and Hagen Moe (Bowling Green) as players on the 2023-24 Norsemen roster who have NCAA Division I commitments.

Steve Pitoscia

2023 - 2024 TOURNAME NTS

Nov 17-19, 2023

15UA & Squirt C

Nov 24-26, 2023

Bantam B

Dec 1-3, 2023

Bantam AA

12 teams

Top 4 teams get 5 games

Dec 8-10, 2023

Squirt A

Dec 15-17, 2023

Mite & 8U Jamborees

Entry Fee $275 (half-ice games)

Jan 5-7, 2024

Peewee B1 & B2

Jan 12-14, 2024

12UA & B

Jan 19-21, 2024

10UB

12 teams

Jan 26-28, 2024

Squirt B1 & B2

4 game guarantee. $1,350 and no gate fees. MN hockey sanctioned.

We’ll provide the fun!

What’s included at Cragun’s: Team Hospitality Room (subject to availability)

 Breakfast  Lighted Ice Rink on Gull Lake  Huge Indoor Pool  Sports Centre  Arcade

Pease support our tournament sponsors:

All invitational tournaments held in Minnesota must first go through a district tournament coordinator before being sent to the Minnesota Hockey tournament coordinator, Tim Sweezo, for final approval. The list below is of Minnesota Hockey tournament coordinators for each district. Please call them if you need information about a certain tournament.

District 1 Tom Mickus (651) 248-3075; District 2 Jake Reinseth (651) 274-9023; District 3 Chad Nicholls (952) 544-0808; District 4 Kris Hohensee (507) 360-6787; District 5 Jeff Carlen (320) 274-3509; District 6 Brad Hewitt (952) 250-6431; District 8 Zac Dockter (612) 735-9703; District 9 Troy Marquardt (507) 384-7386; District 10 Mark Osmondson (612) 747-8308; District 11 Clark Coole (218) 590-0703; District 12 Craig Homula (218) 744-5566; District 15 Cyndi Young (218) 731-5899; District 16, Mark Dragich (218) 791-0229; Senior Women, Nancy Wefler (763) 537-7837.

Tournament entrants from outside Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota: Be informed that Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota Squirt, PeeWee and Bantam teams will likely have some players up to six months older than the USA Hockey age guidelines for those classifications. Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are using a July 1 age cut-off date while USA Hockey is using a January 1 age cut-off date. If you are concerned about this issue, you should contact the tournament director immediately to determine whether or not you should register for the tournament.

October 2023

27-29 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm

Peewee/Bantam Scrimmage Fest. Bantam AA/Bantam A/ PeeWee AA/PeeWee A. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments November 2023

November 2023

03-05 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Junior Gold B. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@ gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com

10-12 Baldwin, WI Hawks squirt Tournament. MN B1, WI 2A/3A. Contact Jessie Johnson at jessejohnson0862@gmail.com or 715-410-7706. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

10-12 Bloomington, MN. Winter Classic. B1/Bantam B2/Bantam C. Contact Sven Bjorklund at bahatourneys@gmail.com. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey. com/page/show/187000-2023-2024-baha-tournaments.

10-12 Fort Lauderdale, FL. Veterans Day on the Beach. Boys 9U-18U. Register at app.eventconnect.io.

10-12 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Peewee, Peewee B. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www. lakesareahockey.com

10-12 St. Paul, MN. Capital Cup. Girls 12U B/ Girls 12U/Girls 10U B/Girls 10U. Contact Katie Murphy at spcha.ops@gmail.com. Register at www.stpaulcapitalshockey.com/program/girls-capital-cup/519.

17-19 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey Squirt C. Squirt C. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com .

17-19 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey 15UA Tournament. Girls 15U A. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com.

17-19 Little Falls, MN. Little Falls Tournaments. Squirt B2. Contact Kari Houle at LFYHtournaments@ gmail.com or 320-282-1434.

17-19 Owatonna, MN. Owatonna Peewee C. PeeWee C. Contact Mary Kelvie at oyha.adm.director@gmail. com or 651-226-7950. Register at www.owatonnahockey. com.

17-19 Paynesville, MN. Rover Lakes Stars Bantam B2 Tournament. Bantam B2. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

17-19 Richmond, MN. River Lakes Stars Bantam A. Bantam A. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@ gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

24-26 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey Bantam B Tournament. Bantam B. Register at www.brainerdhockey. com.

24-26 Chaska and Victoria, MN. 36th Annual Brick City Classic. PeeWee C/Squirt A/Squirt B1/Squirt B2/ Squirt C. Contact Laurie Grund at jlgrund@gmail.com. Register at www.cchockey.org/brick-city-tournament.

24-26 Blaine, MN. MVI Mavericks Super Rink Spectacular Thanksgiving Tournament. Bantam B1/B2/C, Peewee B1/B2/C, Squirt B1/B2/C. Register now at mvihockey. org.

24-26 Clearwater, FL. Thanksgiving on the Beach. 9U-18U. Contact info@weekendhockey.com or 905-4655343.

24-26 Chaska and Victoria, MN. 36th Annual Brick City Classic Squirt A/B1/B2/C. Peewee C. Contact Laurie Grund at jlgrund@gmail.com or register at https://www. cchockey.org/brick-city-tournament.

24-26 Edina, MN. 19th Annual Cake Eater Classic. 15UA/15UB/12UA/12UB1/12UB2/10UA/10UB1/10UB2. Email tournaments@edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments

24-26 Minneapolis and Richfield, MN. 49th Annual Minneapolis Cup. Bantam B1/B2/C, Peewee B1/B2/C, Squirt B1/B2/C. Information and registration at www. mplshockey.org.

25-27 Detroit Lakes, MN. Thanksgiving Classic. Bantam B. Contact Brooke at 605-520-4941 or brbohls@ gmail.com. Register at https://www.dlhockey.sportngin. com/register/form/240897059.

30-3 Anoka, MN. Anoka Classic Girls Tournament. Girls 12U B1/Girls 12U/Girls 10U A/Girls 10U B1/Girls 10U B2/Girls 10U. Contact Cory Schmidt at schmidty41@ gmail.com or 651-983-0551. Register at anoka.sportngin. com/page/show/2757-anoka-classic-tournaments.

December 2023

1-2 Worthington, MN. Worthington Hockey Girls 10U/12U. Girls 12U/Girls 10U. Contact Joe Vosburgh at whatournament@hotmail.com or 507-360-8789. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com/tournaments .

1-3 Armstrong Cooper, MN. New Hope Classic. Squirt A. Contact Susie Melynchuk at smelynchuk@comcast.net or 612-940-8686. Register at www.armstrongcooperhockey.org

1-3 Detroit Lakes, MN. Holidangle Classic. Peewee A. Contact Brooke at 605-520-4941 or brbohls@ gmail.com. Register at https://www.dlhockey.sportngin. com/register/form/240897059.

1-3 Hutchinson, MN. Battle at Burich. Peewee A/ B2. Contact Tom Larson at 320-260-0065 or hhatournaments@gmail.com. Register online at www.hutchhockey. com.

1-3 New Ulm, MN. Peewee B2. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail. com.

1-3 Bloomington, MN. Winter Warm Up. Girls 15U/Girls 15U B/Girls 12U A. Contact Sven Bjorklund at bahatourneys@gmail.com or 612-383-3311. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/show/187000-20232024-baha-tournaments .

1-3 Brainerd, MN. Battle for the Axe. Bantam AA. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com .

1-3 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Girls 12U A/Girls 12U/Girls 10U B/ Girls 10U. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments.

1-3 New Richmond, WI. Joe Swanda Memorial. Squirt B1/Squirt B2. Contact Barry Cunningham at tournaments@nryha.net or 651-283-0072. Register at www.nrhya.net.

1-3 Owatonna, MN. Owatonna Bantam Tournament. Bantam AA/Bantam A/Bantam B. Contact Mary Kelvie at oyha.adm.director@gmail.com or 651-226-7950. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com.

1-3 Paynesville, MN. River Lakes Stars Bantam B1 Tournament. Bantam B1. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

1-3 Proctor, MN. Proctor Girls 15UA. Girls 15U A. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@gmail.com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com.

1-3 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey I-90 Challenge. Bantam B. Contact Heidi at 320-260-0316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose.pucksystems.com

1-3 Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux Falls Flyers Challenger Tournament Series. Squirt A & B. Contact Amanda Smith at 605-359-8354 or amanda.smith@sfflyers.com

1-3 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake Skate Peewee B2. PeeWee B2. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@gmail.com or 218-834-8339. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org.

7-10 New Richmond, WI. Ryan Olson Memorial. PeeWee B1/PeeWee B2. Contact Barry Cunningham at tournaments@nryha.net or 651-283-0072. Register at www.nrhya.net.

8-10 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey Squirt A Tournament. Squirt A. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com.

8-10 Baldwin, WI. Rose Schultz Memorial. 10U/12U Girls. Contact Jodi at Jodivolgren@gmail.com or 715-308-9667. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

8-10 Edina, MN. 4th Annual Cornerstone Tournament. Squirt A/B1. Email tournaments@edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments

17-19 Little Falls, MN. Little Falls Tournament. Bantam A & B1. Contact Kari Houle at LFYHtournaments@ gmail.com or 320-282-1434.

8-10 New Ulm, MN. Girls 12UB. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail. com.

8-10 South St. Paul, MN. Squirt B2/C. Contact Michael Ahern at sspyha.tournaments@gmail.com.

8-10 Fergus Falls, MN. Flow at the Falls Bantam B. Bantam B. Contact at ffhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.fergusfallshockey.org.

8-10 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Bantam B2. Register at www.hcyha. org/tournaments.

8-10 Owatonna, MN. Owatonna Girls Tournament. Girls 15U B/Girls 12U B. Contact Mary Kelvie at oyha. adm.director@gmail.com or 651-226-7950. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com.

8-10 Paynesville, MN. River Lakes Stars Squirt C Tournament. Squirt C. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

8-10 Richmond, MN. River Lakes Stars Squirt A Tournament. Squirt A. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

8-10 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Bantam A. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

8-10 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake Skate. Bantam B2. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@ gmail.com or 218-834-8339. Register www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org.

8-10 Worthington, MN. Worthington Hockey Squirt Tournament. Squirt. Contact Joe Vosburgh at whatournament@hotmail.com or 507-360-8789. Register at www. worthingtonhockey.com/tournaments.

9-10 Crookston, MN. Girls 12UA/12UB. Contact Jake Solberg at 218-280-0260 or at jsolberg@crookston. mn.us. Online registration available at https://www.crookstonmn.us/360/2023-2024-tournaments.

14-17 Bloomington, MN. Peewee Showdown. PeeWee A/PeeWee B1/PeeWee B2. Contact Sven Bjorklund at bahatourneys@gmail.com or 612-383-3311. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/show/1870002023-2024-baha-tournaments .

15-17 Eveleth, MN. Jr. Gold Frozen Battle. JR Gold. Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org.

15-17 Fairmont, MN. Girls 10UB/12UB. Contact Luke Ebeling at 507-848-9016 or luke.ebeling@midco. com. More info and registration at https://fairmont.pucksystems2.com.

15-17 Hutchinson, MN. Battle at Burich. Bantam A/ B2. Contact Tom Larson at 320-260-0065 or hhatournaments@gmail.com. Register online at www.hutchhockey. com.

15-17 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Mite and 8U Jamboree. Girls 8U. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com .

15-17 Fergus Falls, MN. Fergus Falls Candy Cane Classic. Girls 10U A/Girls 10U. Contact Tom Larson at hhatournaments@gmail.com or 320-260-0065. Register at www.hutchhockey.com.

15-17 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. PeeWee A/PeeWee B. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments.

15-17 New Ulm, MN. New Ulm Squirt A. Squirt A. Contact Erica Newman at nusetournaments@gmail.com or 507-766-5943. Register at newulm.pucksystems2.com/ tournaments.

15-17 Paynesville, MN. River Lakes Stars Squirt B Tournament. Squirt B. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

15-17 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Girls 10U A/B Wisc/ B MIN. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-3483910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

15-17 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Girls 12U A Wisc/ B1 MIN. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

15-17 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake Skate. PeeWee B1. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@ gmail.com or 218-834-8339. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org.

15-17 Walker, Mn. City in the Bay Hockey Tournament. Squirt C. Contact Mitch loomis at loomis@ shoresofleechlake.com

15-17 Virginia, MN. Rock Ridge Jr. Gold Frozen Battle. Junior Gold B. Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org/page/ show/4365485-tournaments-2023-2024.

16-17 Proctor, MN. Proctor Bantam B2 Tournament. Bantam B2. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@ gmail.com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com .

16-17 Crookston, MN. Bantam A/B. Contact Jake Solberg at 218-280-0260 or at jsolberg@crookston.mn.us. Online registration available at https://www.crookstonmn. us/360/2023-2024-tournaments.

29-31 Baldwin, WI. Hawks New Year’s Tournament. Bantam 2A/3A. MN B2, 3B, C. Contact Jessie Johnson at jessejohnson0862@gmail.com or 715-410-7706. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

29-31 Eveleth, MN. Battle By The Bridge. Peewee B. Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org.

29-31 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Peewee

C. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

27-Jan. 1`Edina, MN. 55th Annual Tradition Invitational Tourna,ment. Bantam AA/A/B1, Peewee AA/A/B1. Email tournaments@edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments

January 2024

4-7 Blaine, MN. MVI Mavericks Super Rink Spectacular New Year’s Eve Tournament. Bantam A/Peewee A/ Squirt A. Register now at mvihockey.org. 05-07 Bloomington, MN. Squirt Shootout. Squirt A/Squirt B2/Squirt C. Contact Sven Bjorklund at bahatourneys@ gmail.com or 612-383-3311. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/show/187000-2023-2024-bahatournaments .

05-07 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey Peewee B1/ B2 ournament. PeeWee B1/PeeWee B2. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com .

5-7 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Girls 8U. Register at www.hcyha.org/ tournaments.

5-7 Hutchinson, MN. Battle at Burich. Squirt B/Squrt C. Contact Tom Larson at hhtournaments@gmail.com or 320-260-0065. Register at www.hutchhockey.com.

5-7 Owatonna, MN. Owatonna Peewee Tournament. PeeWee AA/PeeWee A/PeeWee B. Contact Mary Kelvie at oyha.adm.director@gmail.com or 651-226-7950. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com.

5-7 Proctor, MN. Proctor Peewee B2 Tournament. PeeWee B2. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@ gmail.com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com.

5-7 Richmond, MN. River Lakes Stars Peewee A Tournament. PeeWee A. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com.

5-7 Richmond, MN. River Lakes Stars Peewee A Tournament. Contact Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com or 651-334-5667. Register at www. riverlakeshockey.com.

5-7 Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux Falls Flyers Challenger Bantam Tournament. Contact Amanda Smith at amanda. smith@sfflyers.com or 605-359-8354. Register at www. sioux falls flyers-tournaments.

5-7 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey. Peewee B. Contact Heidi at 320-260-0316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose.pucksystem.com

5-7 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Bantam, Bantam B. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@ gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com

5-7 St. Paul, MN. Cormick Memorial Cup. Squirt B/ Squirt C. Contact Katie Murphy at spcha.ops@gmail.com . Register at www.stpaulsapitalshockey.com/program/ cormick-cup/1259.

5-7 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Peewee A. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

5-7 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Squirt A. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

05-7 Walker, MN. City of the Bay Hockey Tournament. Peewee B2. Contact Mitch loomis at loomis@ shoresofleechlake.com

05-7 Worthington, MN. Worthington Hockey Bantam Tournament. Bantam. Contact Joe Vosburgh at whatournament@hotmail.com or 507-360-8789. Register at www. worthingtonhockey.com/tournaments .

5-7 Detroit Lakes, MN. The Kent Cup Winter Squirt Series. Squirt A/B/C. Contact Brooke at 605-5204941 or brbohls@gmail.com. Register at https://www. dlhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/240897059.

5-7 Eveleth, MN. Mini Mite/Mite Jamboree (Half Ice). Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org.

5-7 Hutchinson, MN. Battle at Burich. Squirt B/C. Contact Tom Larson at 320-260-0065 or hhatournaments@gmail.com. Register online at www.hutchhockey. com.

5-7 Paynesville, MN. River Lakes Peewee B1 Tournament. Contact Jilia Orth or Corey Larson at riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com

5-7 Somerset, WI. Somerset Squirt Tournament. Contact Matt Page at tournamentdirector@somersethockey.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com

5-7 Virginia, MN. Rock Ridge Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree. Contact Michelle at rryhatournament. Register at www.rryha.org

5-7 Worthington, MN. Bantams. Contact Joe Vosburgh at 507-360-8789 or whatournament@hotmail. com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com.

6-7 Baldwin, WI Hawks Mite Cross Ice Jamboree. Mites. Contact Allie Carroll at allie.lunzer@gmail.com or 715-928-1580. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

6-7 Crookston, MN. Squirt A/B. Contact Jake Solberg at 218-280-0260 or at jsolberg@crookston.mn.us. Online registration available at https://www.crookstonmn. us/360/2023-2024-tournaments.

11-14 Edina, MN. 47th Annual John E. Reimann Tournament. JR Gold B/JR Gold 16. Email tournaments@ edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments

11-14 Anoka, MN. Anoka Classic Peewee Tournament. PeeWee B1/PeeWee B2/PeeWee C. Contact Cory Schmidt at cschmidty41@gmail.com or 651-983-0551. Register at anoka.sportngin.com/page/show/2757-anoka-classic-tournaments

Northfield

Bantam

$1200 - 3 Game Guarantee - 8 Team Tournament

To register or for more info, contact the Northfield Tournament Director at tournamentdirector@northfieldhockey.net

12-14 Armstrong Cooper, MN. Knockdown at New Hope. Girls U10B1, U10B2, U12B1. Contact Susie Melynchuk at smelynchuk@comcast.net or 612-940-8686. Register at www.armstrongcooperhockey.org

12-14 Baldwin, WI. Ice Fest. 14U/U15 Girls. Contact Jodi at Jodivolgren@gmail.com or 715-308-9667. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

12-14 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey 12UA/B Tournament. Girls 12U A/Girls 12U B/Girls 12U. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com.

12-14 Little Falls, MN. Little Falls Tournaments. Peewee A & B2. Contact Kari Houle at LFYHtournaments@gmail.com or 320-282-1434.

12-14 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Squirt A/Squirt B. Register at www. hcyha.org/tournaments.

12-14 Hutchinson, MN. Tiger Town Showdown. Girls 10U B/Girls 10U. Contact Tom Larson at hhtournaments@gmail.com or 320-260-0065. Register at www. hutchhockey.com .

12-14 New Ulm, MN. New Ulm Bantam B2. Bantam B2. Contact Erica Newman at nusetournaments@gmail. com or 507-766-5943. Register at newulm.pucksystems2. com/tournaments.

12-14 Proctor, MN. Proctor Peewee A Tournament. PeeWee A. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@ gmail.com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com .

12-14 Detroit Lakes, MN. 1st Annual Derick Brehm Memorial Tournament. Bantam A. Contact Brooke at 605520-4941 or brbohls@gmail.com. Register at https://www. dlhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/240897059.

12-14 Hutchinson, MN. Tiger Town Showdown. 10UB. Contact Tom Larson at 320-260-0065 or hhatournaments@gmail.com. Register online at www.hutchhockey. com.

12-14 New Ulm, MN. Bantam B2. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail. com.

12-14 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey. Squirt B. Contact Heidi at 320-260-0316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose. pucksystem.com

12-14 South St. Paul, MN. Peewee B2/C. Contact Michael Ahern at sspyha.tournaments@gmail.com.

12-14 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Peewee B. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

12-15 Las Vegas, NV. Vegas Jr. Golden Knights MLK Tournament. 9U-14U. Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343

12-15 Sarasota, FL. MLK on the Beach. 9U-12U. Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343.

13-13 Somerset, WI. Girls 8U & Mite 1 Jamboree. Contact Dan Gilkerson at dgilkerson@somersethockey. com

13-14 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Mite & Mini-Mite. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@ gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com

19-21 Edina, MN. 11th Annual Quinn’s Cup Jamboree. Boys Mite 4, Boys Mite 3, Girls Mite 3. Registration opens in summer. Email tournaments@edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments.

19-21 New Ulm, MN. Girls 10UB. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail.

19-21 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd 10UA/10UB Tournament. Girls 10U A/Girls 10U B/Girls 10U. Register at www. brainerdhockey.com .

19-21 New Ulm, MN. New Ulm Girls 10UB. Girls 10UB/Girls 10U. Contact Erica Newman at nusetournaments@gmail.com or 507-766-5943. Register at newulm. pucksystems2.com/tournaments.

19-21 Owatonna, MN. Owatonna Squirt A/10UB Tournament. Squirt A/Girls 10U B/Girls 10U. Contact Mary Kelvie at oyha.adm.director@gmail.com or 651-226-7950. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com.

19-21 Proctor, MN. Proctor Bantam A Tournament. Bantam A. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@ gmail.com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com.

19-21 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey. Squirt B2/C. Contact Heidi at 320-2600316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose.pucksystem.com

19-21 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Squirt, Squirt B. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www. lakesareahockey.com

19-21 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Bantam B. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

19-21 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake State. Girls 12U B2/Girls 12U. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@gmail.com or 218-834-8339. Register at www. twoharborsyouthhockey.org.

2023-2024 TOURNAMENTS

20-21 Crookston, MN. Girls 10U. Contact Jake Solberg at 218-280-0260 or at jsolberg@crookston.mn.us. Online registration available at https://www.crookstonmn. us/360/2023-2024-tournaments.

20-21 Crookston, MN. Peewee B. Contact Jake Solberg at 218-280-0260 or at jsolberg@crookston.mn.us. Online registration available at https://www.crookstonmn. us/360/2023-2024-tournaments.

20-21 Fairmont, MN. Mini Mites/Nites/8U Girls Jamboree. Contact Luke Ebeling at 507-848-9016 or luke. ebeling@midco.com. More info and registration at https:// fairmont.pucksystems2.com.

25-27 Detroit Lakes, MN. The Lakes Classic. Peewee B. Contact Brooke at 605-520-4941 or brbohls@ gmail.com. Register at https://www.dlhockey.sportngin. com/register/form/240897059.

26-28 Brainerd, MN. Brainerd Hockey Squirt B1/ B2 Tournament. Squirt B1/Squirt B2. Register at www. brainerdhockey.com .

26-28 Fergus Falls, MN. Flow at the Falls Squirt. Squirt A. Contact at ffhatournaments@gmail.com . Register at www.fergusfallshockey.org.

26-28 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Bantam B/Bantam B1. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments.

26-28 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament Series. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments.

26-28 Hutchinson, MN. Tiger Town Showdown. Girls 12U B1/Girls 12U B2/Girls 12U. Contact Tom Larson at hhtournaments@gmail.com or 320-260-0065. Register at www.hutchhockey.com .

26-28 New Richmond, WI. Carly Briggs Memorial. Girls 12U B/Girls 10U B. Contact Barry Cunningham at tournament@nryha.net or 651-283-0072. Register at www.nryha.net .

26-28 Proctor, MN. Proctor Squirt A Tournament. Squirt A. Contact Carl Burke at pahatournaments@gmail. com or 218-393-2220. Register at www.proctorhockey. com.

26-28 Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux Falls Flyers Challenger Peewee Tournament. Contact Amanda Smith at amanda. smith@sfflyers.com or 605-359-8354.

Luverne 2023-24 BLAZING BLADES TOURNAMENTS

▶ Bantams A: November 10-12, 2023

▶ PeeWees A/B: November 17-19, 2023

▶ Squirt B: December 15-17, 2023

▶ Squirt A: January 5-7, 2024

▶ Mites/Mini: January 12-14, 2024

▶ 12UB: February 2-4, 2024

Tournament fees are $700 – No Gate Fees

Mite/ Mini-Mite Jamboree $200 – No Gate Fee

To register or for more info, contact Amber Lais at 605-212-8169 or email luvernetournamentdirector@gmail.com luvernehockey.sportngin.com

26-28 Hutchinson, MN. Tiger Town Showdown. 12UB1/12UB2. Contact Tom Larson at 320-260-0065 or hhatournaments@gmail.com. Register online at www. hutchhockey.com.

26-28 New Ulm, MN. Squirt B. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail.com.

26-28 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Girls 8U Cross Ice. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey. com.

26-28 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Girls 14UB. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey. com.

26-28 Virginia, MN. Girls 12U B, Girls 12U B1, Girls 12U B2, Girls 12U, Girls 10U B, Girls 10U B1, Girls 10U. Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org

26-28 Walker, MN. City on the Bay Hockey tournament. Bantam B/B2. Contact Mitch loomis at loomis@ shoresofleechlake.com

26-28 Worthington, MN. Mite/Mini Mite Jamboree. Contact Joe Vosburgh at 507-360-8789 or whatournament@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey. com.

February 2024

1-4 Edina, MN. 39th Annual Bob O’Connor Tournament. Bantam B2/C, Peewee B2/C, Squirt B2/C Email tournaments@edinahockey.org. Info and registration at https://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/ourtournaments

1-4 Bloomington, MN. Cupid Classic. Girls 12U B2/ Girls 10U A/Girls 10U B1/Girls 10U B2. Contact Sven Bjorklund at bahatourneys@gmail.com or 612-3833311. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/ show/187000-2023-2024-baha-tournaments .

2-4 Detroit Lakes, MN. Polar Fest Freeze Invite. Girls 12UB. Contact Brooke at 605-520-4941 or brbohls@ gmail.com. Register at https://www.dlhockey.sportngin. com/register/form/240897059.

2-4 Fairmont, MN. Bantam A. Contact Luke Ebeling at 507-848-9016 or luke.ebeling@midco.com. More info and registration at https://fairmont.pucksystems2.com.

2-4 Fergus Falls, MN. Flow at the Falls Peewee B Tournament. PeeWee B. Contact at ffhatournaments@ gmail.com . Register at www.fergusfallshockey.org.

2023-2024 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye TOURNAMENTS

Dec. 1-3, 2023

Peewee B2 (8 teams)

Dec. 8-10, 2023

Girls 12UB (8 teams)

Dec. 15-17, 2023

Squirt A (8 teams)

Jan. 12-14, 2024

Bantam B2 (8 teams)

Jan. 19-21, 2024

Girls 10UB (8 teams)

Jan. 26-28, 2024

Squirt B2 (8 teams)

Feb. 2-4, 2024

Squirt C (8 teams)

Feb. 10-11

8U Mite Boys/Girls

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FEE

•$900 for Squirt and 10U

•$1000 for PeeWee, Bantam and 12U

•$250 for Mite Jamboree No Gate Fee Pool Play • 8 Team Limit • 4 Game Guarantee

Contact Erica Newman, Tournament Director, for more info 507-766-5943 • nusetournaments@gmail.com https://newulm.pucksystems2.com/tournaments

218-226-4214.

SAUK CENTRE/MELROSE YOUTH HOCKEY

I-94

Sauk Centre Civic Arena ❘ Sauk Centre, MN

2023-2024 SEASON TOURNAMENT DATES

Bantam B: Dec. 1-3, 2023

(Entry Fee: $1,000 per team)

PeeWee B: Jan. 5-7, 2024

(Entry Fee: $1,000 per team)

Squirt B: Jan. 12-14, 2024

(Entry Fee: $1,000 per team)

Mite Jamboree: Feb. 24, 2024 (No cost to register)

Mighty Mite Jamboree: Feb. 25, 2024 (No cost to register)

For more information, contact: Heidi at 320-260-0316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com Visit our website at: https://saukcentremelrose.pucksystems.com

We are in the heart of the State of Hockey, 90 minutes from the metro just off Interstate 94 between St. Cloud and Alexandria

2-4 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN. Hibbing-Chisholm Tournament. Mite/Mini-Mite. Register at www.hcyha.org/ tournaments.

2-4 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake Skate. Girls 10U B2/Girls 10 U. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@gmail.com or 218-834-8339.

2-4 New Ulm, MN. Squirt C. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail.com.

2-4 Worthington, MN. Peewee. Contact Joe Vosburgh at 507-360-8789 or whatournament@hotmail. com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com.

3-4 Proctor, MN. Proctor Squirt B2 Tournament. Squirt B2. Contact Carle Burke at pahatournaments@ gmail.com or 218-393-0220. Register at www.proctorhockey.com .

9-11 New Richmond, WI. Stars Classic. Girls 15U B/Girls 14U. Contact Barry Cunningham at tournaments@nryha.net or 651-283-0072. Register at www. nryha.net.

9-11 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Junior Gold B. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey. com.

9-11 Two Harbors, MN. The Great Lake Skate. Squirt B2. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@ gmail.com or 218-834-8339.

10-11 New Ulm, MN. Mite Jamboree. Contact Erica Newman at 507-766-5943 or nusetournaments@gmail. com.

10-11 Fergus Falls, MN. Fergus Falls 8U Jamboree. Girls 8U. Contact at ffhatournaments@gmail.com . Register at www.fergusfallshockey.org.

10-11 New Ulm, MN. New Ulm Mite Jamboree. Girls 8U. Contact Barry Cunningham at nusetournaments@ gmail.com or 507-766-5943. Register at newulm. pucksystems2.com/tournaments .

10-11 Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux Falls Challenger Mite Falls Freeze Tournament. Mite. Contact Amanda Smith at amanda.smith@sfflyers.com or 605-359-8354.

16-18 Somerset, WI. Somerset Jr. Gold. Contact Matt Page at tournamentdirector@somersethockey.com

16-18 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Squirt B. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@ sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey.com.

16-19 Las Vegas, NV. Vegas Jr: Knights President’s Day Tournament. Boys 9U-18U. Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343

16-19 Nashville, TN. Nashville President’s Day Shootout. 9U-10U. Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@ weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343

16-19 Palm Beach, FL. President’s Day on the Beach. 9U-18U Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343

17-18 New Richmond, WI. New Richmond Mite Invitational. Mite/Mini-Mite. Contact Anna Bonkoski at mitehockey_nr@yahoo.com . Register at www.nryha. net .

24-24 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey. Mite Jamboree. Contact Heidi at 320-2600316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose.pucksystem.com

23-25 Baldwin, WI. Hawks PeeWee Tournament. Peewee 2A/3A, MN B2, C. Contact Jessie Johnson at jessejohnson0862@gmail.com or 715-410-7706. Register at baldwin.pucksystems2.com

23-25 Fergus Falls, MN. Flow at the Falls Squirt B Tournament. Squirt B. Contact at ffhatournaments@ gmail.com . Register at www.fergusfallshockey.org .

23-25 Eveleth, MN. Up North Wolverine Squirt B Tournament. Contact Michelle at rryhatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.rryha.org.

25-25 Sauk Centre, MN. Sauk Centre/Melrose Youth Hockey. Mighty-Mite Jamboree. Contact Heidi at 320-260-0316 or heidibeissel@gmail.com. Register at saukcentremelrose.pucksystem.com

23-25 Superior, WI. Colder By The Lake. Mite 2 Cross Ice. Contact Dick Berthiaume at 218-348-3910 or at dick@sahahockey.com. Register at www.sahahockey. com.

March 2024

08-10 Nashville, TN. Nashville Country Shootout. Peewee, Squirt, Boys 9U-14U. Contact Lucas Zitmanis at info@weekendhockey.com or 905-465-5343

10-11 Spirit Lake, IA. Boji Blast Tournament. Mite, Mini-Mite. Contact Brad Shumway at bradleyshumway@ gmail.com or 320-217-0240. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com

15-17 New Richmond, WI. New Richmond Senior Men’s No Check Tournament. Adult Men, Over 35, Over 40. Contact Jeremy Melchert at rocksnowjm@yahoo.com or 715-441-9324. Register at www.nryha.net.

29-31 Somerset, WI. Somerset Senior Men’s No Check Tournament, Adult Men. Contact Dan Gilkerson at dgilkerson@somerset.com. register at www.somersethockey.com

26-28 Worthington, MN. Mite/Mini Mite Jamboree. Contact Joe Vosburgh at 507-360-8789 or whatournament@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey. com.

All games played at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena

Oct. 27-29, 2023

B1 Bantam and PeeWee

•Pool to bracket, 4 game guarantee

•$1,600 for each level

TURKEY TOURNEY

Nov. 24-26, 2023

C Bantam, C Peewee and C Squirt

•3 game guarantee and Squirts possible 4th

•$1,300 for each level

MITE JAMBOREE

Dec. 8-10, 2023

•3 game guarantee• Boys/Girls

6U• Boys/Girls 8U Tiers 1-4

•Fee: $400

YEAR END BASH

Dec. 27, 2023-

Jan. 1, 2024

B2 Bantam, B2 Peewee, B2 Squirts and 12U B2

•Brackets for all, 3 game guarantee

•8 teams for Bantam, PW and 12s, 16 teams for Squirts

•$1,400 for each level

SKATING WITH THE WOLVES

Jan. 26-28, 2024

Jr. Gold B and 16

•3 game guarantee

•$1,600 for each level

NO GATE FEES

For more information or to register, go online at: CGHOCKEY.COM/TOURNAMENTS

Cottage Grove Hockey Association Tournament Director: tournaments@cghockey.com

HOME OPENER

VS THU, OCT 12 | 7:00 PM

Plus, join us before the game as the boys arrive in style on the green carpet from 4-5 PM in the Saint Paul RiverCentre lobby.

The Green Carpet Arrival is free and open to the public.