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Winter
MINNESOTA STATE MEN'S HOCKEY
Unsung hero has big influence on Mavericks JOSH BERHOW
staff writer
Unappreciated is probably the best word to describe Kael Mouillierat, who might have had the WCHA’s quietest 17-goal season ever last year. In the WCHA, only one player - Minnesota’s Ryan Stoa scored more goals than Mouillierat did last season. Yet it wasn’t often one heard Stoa, who has since left the Gophers for the NHL, and Mouillierat’s name in the same breath, or heard Mouillierat’s name spoken with the rest of the elite WCHA forwards. But it should be. “I would say he’s right up there with any of those guys,” said junior defenseman Channing Boe. “I think Kale brings more to the table than some of those guys. He’s a little bigger and he’s a great defensive player as well as a great offensive player. He’s a kid with a lot of skill that doesn’t get as much recognition as some of the other top players in our league.” Mouillierat, the Mavericks assistant captain, scored 19 goals in 76 career games his first two years at Minnesota State, but exploded last year for 17 goals in 30 games. “It just comes with experience,” he said. “I got put into more spots to score goals and I got more ice time than I ever did before. My confidence kept building last year and that’s pretty much all it was.” Mouillierat played in at least 30 games in each of his first three seasons, and has played
a big role for the Mavericks since his arrival. He’s a valuable player on the penalty kill and power play, and had eight power-play goals last season. Mouillierat, like the Mavericks, has gotten off to a slow start this year. He has one goal and four points through 10 games, but those numbers shouldn’t last long. “Kael’s a goal scorer and I think he has the ability to go past that this year,” said head coach Troy Jutting. “I think he has the ability to be one of those kids who not only can score goals for us, but be one of the big-time goals scorers in the league.” The Edmonton, Alb., native is one of seven seniors dan moen • msu reporter on MSU’s roster, Senior forward Kael Mouillierat has one goal and three assists for the Mavericks this season. and gives Jutting the most experienced was their sophomore season fore us go all four years without most of them played special team he’s ever worked with. when they lost to the Gophers in making it to the Final Five and teams as freshmen,” Jutting said. All seven of the seniors, Game 3 of the WCHA playoffs national tournament,” he said. “They understand what it takes forwards Zach Harrison, Jerad in Mankato, and were then “Ever since we stepped off the to be successful at this level Stewart, Jason Wiley, James snubbed by the NCAA tournaice last year we’ve been thinking and I think it’s going to help us Gaulrapp and Irwin, along with tremendously this year.” ment committee. about it in the gym and all sumdefenseman Nick Canzanello And just like the senior class Mouillierat, and the rest of mer. Every day we think about have been in Mankato since before them, they’ve never made the senior class, are hoping they it.” their freshmen seasons. it to the WCHA Final Five or don’t have the same fate as the Through 10 games the “Not only did they play NCAA tournament. class that preceded them. Mavericks are 3-6-1 overall and when they were freshmen, but The closest they’ve been “We watched the class be1-6-1 in the WCHA.
MSU WBB Mavericks ranked No. 6 in nation to start 2009-10 season continued from 15
said, “to play the same kind “It’s a huge loss,” Trauger of basketball we played last said. “[Walsh] was a great year.” player for us last year and … Trauger agreed. it was a downer, but we just “Overall we’re have to take it in stride. still trying to push Someone else is going to the ball and run,” she have to step up.” said. “I don’t think That someone will there’s going to be a have to come from the huge change in the team’s large slate of style of play.” underclassmen. Some, And while the like sophomore JenMavericks are fonie Noreen, received Jennie Noreen cused firmly on this limited playing time last season, Trauger — season. Others, such as like Moe — will treasure what freshmen Kirstin Nelson, Ali the team did last season. Wilkinson and Sarah Wiens, “That’s something any made their debuts as Maverathlete strives for,” she said of icks against Dana Tuesday. winning a championship. “To Also making its debut was say ‘we’ve done it, we’ve been a more traditional three-guard, two-post lineup in place of last there,’ that’s a huge accomplishment.” season’s four-guard offense. Moe says at least one element hasn’t changed, however. “We’re still looking,” she