Minnesota Blue Ox - Thin the Herd - Volume 7 - 2024-2025

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VOLUME 5

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#INTHISISSUE 05 06 JAY WITTA Meet the Owner/ Partner/GM/Head Coach

GARY HEGENES Meet the Owner/ Partner/Hockey Enthusiast

08 12 A UNIQUE OWNERSHIP

By Michael Russo

NHL MILITARY CHARITY GAME

By John Sumner Photos

17 26 HAUGLIE BILLET EXPERIENCE

By Anna Hauglie

34 BLUE OX TO THE NHL

By Dan Myers

45 MEET 4OXEN TACTICAL

By Mark Jendro

TAKE A VET FISHING & OX

By Tara Schmidt

41 THE WALSER WAY

By Dayna Kleve

69 BLUE OX HEATING STORY

By Shiela Gibson

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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JAY WITTA MINNESOTA BLUE OX OWNER / PARTNER / GM / HEAD COACH Head Coach Jay Witta is in his 11th year of Junior A hockey and his 9th year with the Blue Ox ownership group. Jay’s career Junior A head coaching record stands at 343-144-14, and he has helped guide the Blue Ox to three National Tournament appearances in the first nine years. Witta has also played a key role in promoting over 30 players to the Tier 2 level and more than 50 players to NCAA and ACHA college hockey.

Before purchasing the Blue Ox, Witta was the head coach of the NA3HL’s Junior A team, the New Ulm Steel. He compiled a 67-33-10 record over two seasons with the Steel, leading them to a Silver Cup semifinal appearance in 2015–16 and a Western Division playoff final in 2016–17, where they fell to the eventual National Champion, Granite City.

Jay worked closely with the Steel ownership in all aspects of team operations—including budgeting, league communications, recruiting, trades, facilities management, core value accountability, parent communication, and player advancement.

In 2017, Jay partnered with Bruce and Crystal Boudreau to purchase a United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) franchise in the Midwest West Division.

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

The rest is history. A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Jay played three years for the Minnetonka Skippers from 1985–1987. He was named captain in his senior season, helped lead the Skippers to their firstever Lake Conference Championship, and earned All-Conference honors.

Witta was recruited by Herb Brooks in 1987 to play for the inaugural Division I team at St. Cloud State University. After receiving offers from multiple Division I and III programs across the country, Jay chose to stay close to home and joined SCSU as a walk-on defenseman. He also played Junior A hockey in Humboldt, Saskatchewan for the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) before an undetected heart issue forced him to retire and return to Minnesota.

Jay has been coaching youth hockey for the past 30 seasons and served four years on the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Board.

He currently resides in Minnetonka with his wife Sara and their four boys: Bennett, Brody, Brooks, and Griffin.

Feel free to reach out to Coach Witta at jay@blueoxhockey.com with any questions, comments, or Blue Ox stories you’d love to share! Even better—pull him aside at the rink when you see him. He loves talking youth sports and hockey with all parents and fans!

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GARY HEGENES MINNESOTA BLUE OX OWNER / PARTNER Gary joined the Blue Ox team in February

youth-focused

organizations,

2021 by acquiring a percentage of the

the Boys and Girls Club, which supports

Boudreaus’ ownership shares. He and Jay

inner-city

have known each other through business

formerly incarcerated individuals reenter

and youth sports circles for the past fifteen

the workforce; Student Venture, which

years, and when the opportunity arose

focuses on developing student leaders;

for Gary to become part of the Blue Ox

and Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he has

organization, the timing couldn’t have been

been involved for over 40 years helping to

better. He is a lifelong hockey player and

mentor and guide young people.

youth;

CCTP,

including

which

helps

passionate hockey fan.

As a former coach and dedicated hockey Gary is also a Founder and Owner of

dad, Gary still laces up his skates at least

Breakaway Hockey Academy in Edina,

once a week, if not more. He’s a regular at

Minnesota, which specializes in combining

local high school hockey games throughout

academics with elite hockey development

the winter and can often be found cheering

for student-athletes. Breakaway Academy

on the Blue Ox at their home rink.

has helped develop NHL-drafted players such as Bobby Brink, Mike Koster, Drew

Be sure to say hello when you see Gary

Helleson,

Rhett

roaming the rink at a Blue Ox game. He’ll

Pitlick, and many other top college and

always have a smile on his face and time to

international players. You can learn more at

catch up—always.

Jackson

Lacombe,

www.BreakawayAcademy.net.

Beyond hockey, Gary has a strong passion for real estate development and is deeply committed to giving back to the community.

He has been actively involved in several A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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TO SPONSOR OR ADVERTISE IN NEXT SEASONS MAGAZINE CALL JAY WITTA AT 612-554-8994 OR EMAIL JAY@BLUEOXHOCKEY.COM

A UNIQUE OWNERSHIP

By MICHAEL RUSSO

Bruce Boudreau’s ambition is simple: To keep kids playing hockey. The hockey lifer began his Golden Horseshoe Hockey School in Ontario 45 years ago and it was purely because he didn’t want young hockey players to quit once they realized they probably wouldn’t fulfill their dreams of one day making it to the NHL. There are so many other places players can strive to play competitive hockey, whether that’s juniors, colleges, a myriad North American pro leagues and, of course, throughout Europe. He wanted to keep kids learning the game. He wanted to keep kids loving the game. “I really believe I was put on the Earth to promote the game, so everywhere I’ve gone I’ve tried my best to promote hockey and make it bigger,” said Boudreau, who behind only Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman owns the second-best points percentage (.654) as a coach in NHL history. “And this was an opportunity that really allowed that to happen.” Boudreau’s ties to Minnesota only included a brief stint decades ago with the WHA Fighting Saints and one year coaching the Wild.

But he still had a desire to give back to the State of Hockey. So, the opportunity Boudreau is referring to? Helping launch the expansion Blue Ox into the United States Premier Hockey League in 2017 with his wife, Crystal and local marketing business owner and hockey coach Jay Witta. Witta used to coach the New Ulm Steel in the NA3HL. In April 2017, Witta met up with Boudreau and broached the subject of going in together on a junior team.

“He looked at me and goes, ‘Find us a team, and I’m in,’” Witta said. A week later, Witta called Boudreau and said, “I found a team. ”Months later, the Tier III expansion team was debuting in Coon Rapids with Witta serving as head coach and general manager and Crystal Boudreau running pretty much the entire business operations. Bruce’s role besides the financial commitment? King cheerleader.

During the Blue Ox’s season, Boudreau often attends games and sometimes even collects tickets. When Blue Ox games conflict with Wild games, he’s getting constant text updates from his wife and hilariously updates local Wild reporters on just how the Blue Ox are doing. “I want to just promote hockey, and I think we’ve done that,” Boudreau said.

“We started the Blue Ox really fast last year, but the second year, especially in the offseason, it has gone so much easier than the first season because people didn’t know.

“They didn’t know if we were staying, coming or going, but I think from sponsorship and everything else it’s gone up by a lot. And the people know who the Blue Ox are. Name recognition is so much greater this year. This time last year people were asking, ‘What are you smoking?’” The Blue Ox rosters 25 players ranging from Minnesota, California, New York, Texas - all throughout the United States and Canada - and even Europe.

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A UNIQUE OWNERSHIP CONTINUED

“Our team has become a destination for players,” said Witta. “It’s because of how we run the team, the culture from the top down. All the things that are kind of lacking in junior hockey, that’s not the case here. Our goal, is not to just run a Tier 3 Junior A’ hockey team. We want to run a mini-NHL team, do it right and make the player experience off the charts. The players here know they will be treated well and be given an honest chance to develop their game, that is rare in Junior A’ hockey.”

Boudreau’s hope is to one day add a youth program, an Under-16 and Under-18 team and a Tier II team like other programs across the USPHL. In the summer of 2018, Boudreau’s youngest son, Brady, a goalie on the Blue Ox, launched an off-shoot of his dad’s hockey school right at the Coon Rapids Ice Center. “The city here has worked tremendously with us,” Boudreau said.

“It’s become a family thing, too, and I’m real proud of it. For six bucks, kids can get in to a Blue Ox game. That’s pretty good in today’s world, you can’t get anything for six bucks.”

Junior hockey’s landscape has changed rapidly in the last 30 years, so even Division III college programs want their incoming freshmen to have a few years of junior hockey under their belt, Witta said. “Our younger kids are looking to move up a tier and still maybe dream of Division I and the rest of them want to play Division III or ACHA D1 college

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hockey,” said Witta, who once upon a time captained the Minnetonka High School Skippers. “These are guys out to prove something or maybe they were a late bloomer. It’s a great level.

They’re hungry. “Advancement is one thing that is awesome, but a great hockey experience is priceless.” And, there’s always success stories.

Before Boston University, the Wild’s Charlie Coyle played in the league as a 17-year-old for the South Shore Kings in Foxboro, Mass. He finished fifth in league scoring and called it a “great experience.” In fact, Coyle says he still uses the Kings’ strength and conditioning coach, Brian McDonough, as his personal trainer. A few years ago, Witta had a Swiss player named Yannick Zehnder play Tier III hockey in White Bear Lake. Two winters ago, Zehnder lit it up with eventual No. 1 overall NHL pick Nico Hischier for Switzerland in the U20 world junior championships. Goalie Adam Carlson, who never even played varsity hockey at Edina, played for the Steele County Blades, ultimately got a full ride to Mercyhurst and recently signed with the Washington Capitals. This past summer, the Wild brought 20-year-old Finnish Blue Ox defenseman Oskari Halme to development camp on a tryout.

“Scouts go everywhere to find players,” Boudreau said. “Somebody that might not be ready at 17 may all of a sudden flourish in a league like this at 18, 19 or

Thin The Herd // 2024-25

20. You can at some point catch that diamond in the rough or can go on to Division I or bigger and better things.

“This is the State of Hockey, and my family wants to be Minnesotans. So if we can get involved in the minor and junior hockey level, I think that’ll be great for long after I’m done coaching.”

As important as teaching the players and letting them get a grand experience, Blue Ox fans are having a ball, too.

“It’s so good for the community,” said Todd Bushy, a Coon Rapids resident and father of six boys. “It’s just great.

Tailgating in the parking lot, and such a good atmosphere inside.” Bushy loves the commitment from Boudreau and the ownership. “Right from the news conference, Bruce got on the ice and took pics with the kids and signed my son’s goalie stick,” Bushy said. “He’s been just first class all the way. He even walked for miles and sat on our Coon Rapids Youth Hockey float at our parade last summer. He didn’t have to do that, but he signed every autograph ever asked. He was just unbelievable.”

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Michael Russo covers the Minnesota Wild and National Hockey League for The Athletic. He has covered the NHL since 1995.

He co-hosts the Russo-Souhan Show on talknorth.com and can be heard on KFAN (100.3-FM) and seen throughout the hockey sea- son on Fox Sports North. Follow Russo on Twitter at @RussoHockey. Please consider a subscription to The Athletic go to theathletic.com/michaelrussohockey.

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OH WHAT A SKATE IT WAS...

NHL LEGENDS VETERANS INDOOR GAME TO HELP FIGHT PTSD AND CELEBRATE THOSE THAT SERVED OUR COUNTRY

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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# W E L O V E C O O N R A P I D S

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SHOULD WE? SHOULD WE? SHOULD WE?

BY ANNA HAUGLIE

That was the main question that raced through our minds for quite some time. I was intrigued by the idea of billeting, I guess it was in my blood. My parents were dorm parents for high school students when we lived in Kobe, Japan (I lived with these dorm kids from birth until age five). My grandma hosted foreign exchange students, one of whom her and I attended her wedding in Japan many years later. But having two younger kids, 7 and 10 at the time, meant we had to take extra consideration into inviting a teen hockey player to live with us. What if they were a horrible influence? What if they were rude, dirty, didn’tf ollow the rules, didn’t respect our house and family?

Having gone through all the worst-case scenarios, we then began to look at what the positives could be… Being a new hockey family, how cool would it be to have someone for our kids to learn the game from? Not to mention the priceless advice that we could receive from veteran hockey parents on how to navigate the perils of youth hockey. We decided to do some moreresearch about billeting a player.

Initially, Mike sent me a link about billeting for the Minnesota Moose. I looked it over, thought about it for a few days, emailed the coach and billet coordinator. Communication was a little slow and lacking.

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THE HAUGLIE BILLET FAMILY

I went and checked out a game with the kids. It was fun to watch, but the atmosphere was less than desirable. I remember the entertainment between periods were two or three remote controlled cars out on the ice. Not even a race, just watching them drive on the ice. (No offense Moose but lame) I did some googl-ing and found that the Ox team wasn’t that far from us either.

Hmm, okay, let’s check out that team.

Our initial Blue Ox gameday experience was a total 180 degrees - game was great and the atmosphere was amazing! They seemed to have a great fan base. Ok, they got the hook in me, now time to reel me in...I reached out to coach Jay and the billet coordinator. Super fast and friendly responses from both and we were invited to the next game. The coordinator said there would be a potluck with the billets and parents, and we would be able to meet people and ask questions. Our family went and had a good time. I got all my questions answered and now I’m reeled in. We signed up to billet. Here comes another of life’s adventures.

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HOCKEY CHANGES LIVES The anticipation of our first player was crazy, we were just a bundle of nerves and worry but also total excitement. The day came where we got the message about who we were matched with - Preston Cloutier from Springfield, Massachusetts.

After coach did the initial introduction via Whatsapp, Mike was busy checking out stats and we start chatting away with Preston and his parents. All is well, seems like a good kid, with good parents.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING....

After finding our Preston was allergic to cats and dogs (and we have 3 dogs), I went out and purchased an air filter purifier for his room, hoping that this will prevent issues with Preston’s allergies. Preston moves in at the beginning of September, just in time for the team’s dreaded boot-camp. Initially he is pretty quiet. And he is a total adult - cooks for himself, does his own laundry, cleans up after himself. Our rules were pretty basic - obey the team rules and curfew, just let us know if you’re running late, and you’re responsible for cleaning tour bathroom and bedrooms. He followed everything to a T. The season was spent getting to know Preston, his family, the Ox, the other billets and parents, and even other fans.

This isn’t just a boy and a hockey team. This was a Blue Ox community, the whole package. Good, bad and ugly. I will tell you 95% good! The added bonus - Preston asked if he could stay with us for the summer too and we didn’t hesitate to say yes. Good, he wasn’t leaving yet!

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FRIENDSHIPS & MEMORIES FOR LIFE...

Originally Preston had signed to play a 2nd year with the Ox but made the hard decision to switch and play for a team back out East. We had one last family dinner with Preston and his mom, four of us and my parents. That night was filled with a lot of tears. I’m happy to say even with him being states away, we’ve still texted regularly and spoken a few times (shout out to Preston’s dad, Larry, for also staying in touch - great guy!)

We hope to get out to Boston for a visit sooner than later.

But, our journey isn’t over yet. Year 2 we get matched with Zach from Omaha, Nebraska. As soon as that happens I’m texting Preston asking him to ask Karl (Ox player also from Omaha) to give us the low-down on Zach. All good things were reported - phew! Our second year was almost filled with more anxiety in the beginning. After having such a great first year billeting itwas almost like, could we get so lucky again?? We did!

Farnsy is super chill, very respectful, holds a damn good conversation for an 18 year old (no offense to most 18 year olds) - his mom said she’s always gotten compliments about this and I could see why! He was pretty regimented about cleaning, doing his laundry but ate out all the time. With two kids in sports we’re hardly home so dinners are on the fly a lot. He’d join when he was home but a lot of times it was “oh I already ate with the guys.” By the tail end of the season he was finally cooking more for himself, making steaks a few times a week. Getting texts of ‘hey, can you pick up X, Y and Z for me at the grocery store’ made me relieved and useful.

Our two years have been filled with highs and lows (mostly highs!). Lots of memories were made (and more to come): working hard to get Preston his drivers license (taking him to a parking lot to practice parallel parking); both billet boys playing video games and knee hockey with the kids and attending their U12 and squirt games; Preston making bracelets with Macy; Zach giving Macy some skating pointers; Ox pasta feeds; Sully dropping gloves with Gabe; the kids skating with the Ox; taking some players to St. Cloud state Husky hockey games and Twins games; Preston and a previous teammate Sumo wrestling at a Saints game; other Ox families and players coming to cheer on our kids; tailgating and pre-game dinners with other Ox families; becoming friends with other billets and parents; Sully taking lessons with Ox goaltender Sticky; traveling to FL with Macy for a showcase and driving Karl and Elias to the beach with us; Macy enjoying time spent with Zach’s nieces and nephews; my dad slipping our billet boys $20 for ‘dealing’ with Sully; my folks stepping in to represent us during billet appreciation night.

Sully drawin pictures and making cookies for some players; bringing friends to the games; volunteering with different organizations like Fighting for Freedom; seeing relatives at the games like sponsor Go Green Sports; Preston and Elias having Thanksgiving at my parents and playing Old Maid with us; Elias teaching Sully how to flip the puck on the back of his goalie glove (and how to give the middle finger); Preston following our Star Wars theme for Halloween and trick-or-treating with us; Preston and I shoveling Mike out of the snow at 4am after a storm; teaching Preston how to address airmail; taking Zach to his first MLB game with a fireworks show after; Sully skating the flag out at games; making new friends at games; seeing the players put in time volunteering; dressing up for theme nights; winning Alloy Brewery growlers and Drooling Moose chocolates; going through concussions, stitches on the face, slumps, sickness and suspensions; seeing our billet kids score goals and get assists; good chats about the team, family, friends and even girls; trying to keep spirits up during the losing streaks; sharing messages with the parents; getting to know their families - the list goes on and on.

We are so happy we have one more year with Zach and can hold out on the goodbye for now. His plan is to be back with the Ox again this season. (Fingers crossed his plans don’t change) And we’ll also see him here and there throughout the summer as he said he’d be up to skate with the Ox summer program. So for just a bit longer we can wait although I know the inevitable will come where we say our goodbyes - which really are more like “see you laters!” I can’t wait to see where Preston and Zach end up. I love seeing the updates on facebook about players that left after last year. They really are ALWAYS a part of the Blue Ox family!

Our good luck continues. I’m sure we could get a rotten egg in our house at some point. But, until that time I will cherish the times we have with our Ox player and the rest of the Ox community. And my heart will melt a little more each time I hear my kids say “my big brother” when they’re talking about their billet brother to their friends. I hope these guys know that they’ll always have some family here in Minnesota!

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2014 35 Passenger Blue Ox Coach Bus

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TAKE A VET FISHING AND TO A HOCKEY GAME...

BY TARA SCHMIDT Our family’s journey with Take a Vet Fishing began in 2017 as volunteers. My husband guides the veterans on the water, while our daughter and I help set up the event on land, handling lunch and the ceremony portion.

Over time, our family became more involved with Take a Vet Fishing, and that’s how we met the Garsteckis. At one of the Minnetonka events, Coach Witta showed up with the Blue Ox team. He spoke to the veterans about the team and what they stand for. That’s when my husband found out Justin Garstecki was on the team—one of the goalies who played for the Minnesota Blue Ox. The Garsteckis later invited us to a game, and we instantly fell in love with the team. My husband used to play hockey and still loves watching it, especially because these young athletes play with such heart. We began attending every game Justin played in. Eventually, we were going to every single game—even when Justin wasn’t playing—just to cheer on his teammates.

Even after Justin went off to college, we continued attending games. It gives us something fun to do during the winter months, and we genuinely love watching hockey. If we’re not busy, we’ll even travel to away games or make the one-hour drive to the home rink just to enjoy a great hockey game. Last year, our daughter started bringing her boyfriend, and now he’s a fan too—just like us.

Even though the Garsteckis have since moved to Florida, we proudly continue to represent Take a Vet Fishing. Through this journey, we’ve made so many new friends and amazing connections, and we look forward to making more with the players and their families.

After attending so many games, we’ve grown to deeply appreciate how Coach Witta is shaping these young men— encouraging them to get involved in the community and give back. It’s inspiring to watch and be a part of, especially since our family values giving back.

Overall, we will continue attending as many games as we can and will always support a great cause—and a great team!

PleaseconsideradonationtoTakeAVetFishingandOperation Healing Heroes. https://www.takeavetfishing.org

Let’s kick some butt this year, Blue Ox!

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Jace Lombardo // ’04 Forward // Farmingdale State College AAU D1 Commit

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Jack Wallace // ’04 Forward // Grand Canyon University ACHA D1

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THE VOICE OF BLUE OX PLAY BY PLAY

BY JOE RUHLAND

NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JOE: A MOMENTUM CATALYST! When not at the rink with Mn Blue Ox, Joe also does play-by-play for the Big Ten Network for most sports and for QCTV as well. Joe is also Managing Partner of YourTime Performance Agency, a company focusing on Leadership and Sales Development, infusing his “Batteries Included” Momentum Mindset in leading various initiatives and launches for medical device, healthcare and software companies.

Joe’s connections and experience of 20-plus years, has an engaging presence and skill to elevate talent, team effectiveness and sales revenue.

His sustained success, and proven results are the reason companies have Joe involved with merger integrations or leading leadership launches for their teams.

Joe Ruhland, Minnesota Blue Ox, playby-play announcer, brings extensive broadcast to the Blue Ox. His broadcast career began while attending St. Cloud State University, when he covered hockey, along with football and basketball for several radio stations in the St. Cloud area and working closely with the sports information department.

With a passion to capture the energy and the speed of the game during his call of a great goal, a spectacular save, a bigtime check or a key play, Joe’s

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commitment is to bring excitement to his play-by-play and reward the players, the team, fans and families with momentum in his voice. These are key moments that remain with players, family members and fans for years to come. By conducting interviews with players in the moment, moments after their achievement, Joe believes it elevates and enhances the experience of the event, which is a key reason he created his YouTube channel, MoJoeMoments as a hub to share and retain these moments.

Thin The Herd // 2024-25

Following college Joe joined the New York Rangers, as their Playby-Play announcer and PR/Media Relations Director for the Rangers top development team in Denver, During his three-year stint with the Rangers, he was an instrumental resource in the start-up of the Rangers IHL topdevelopment team, which also included hosting a hockey talk show on KBYGAM, a 50,000 watt sports network.

The Denver Rangers rostered future Hall of Famers, Mike Richter and Marcel Dionne and coached by Peter Mahovlich. A couple of players from

the Denver Rangers who became NHL coaches were Tony Granato and Peter Laviolette. The GM of the New York Rangers during that time was another Hall of Famer, Phil Esposito who led the league with 48 recalls and reassignments throughout the 1988-89 season.

In the offseason, Joe was a play-by-play announcer for college football on Prime Sports Network and radio play-by-play for the Denver Zephers, formerly the Milwaukee Brewers Triple A team.

After the Rangers moved their top development team closer to New York, then Albany Joe decided to stay in Colorado vs head east, taking a role with Team USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, as a PR consultant and the Public Address announcer for many of their Pre-Olympic games many hosted at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver.

It was during his time with Team USA Hockey, Joe became involved with leadership and neuroscience performance and as a speaker/trainer at the Olympic Training Center for many athletes.

Listen and catch the Joementum this season during his Blue Ox Hockey TV broadcasts.

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication Thin The Herd // 2018-19

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Conor Heniff // ’04 Forward// University of Arkansas ACHA D2 Commit

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FROM THE USPHL TO THE NHL

BY DAN MYERS / NHL.COM / 2017

Oskari Halme’s North American ascent continues in Minnesota.

Defenseman starred for Wild coach Bruce Boudreau’s junior team in Coon Rapids, took part in this year’s Wild development camp To say Oskari Halme’s transition to North American hockey went well would be quite the understatement.

A defenseman from Tampere, Finland, Halme played his entire career in his home country until an opportunity to suit up for the Minnesota Blue Ox last season. The Blue Ox are, of course, owned by Wild coach Bruce Boudreau, and the chance to play for a team owned by an NHL coach was simply too much to pass up.

“It was pretty fun, and everything [with the team] is amazing,” Halme said. “Everything was us for amazing; the food, our own locker room. It’s a good organization with Bruce.”

After a difficult season in Finland, one where he scored one goal and five points in 29 games with his junior team in Tappara, Halme was ready for something different.

First, he tried Boston, but nothing came of his visit there. Then he talked to Blue Ox coach and general manager Jay Witta. Immediately, it felt right.

“It was an amazing organization,” Halme said. “I liked to be [in Minnesota] a lot. I love being there.”

Halme’s offensive flair immediately caught the attention of many, including Boudreau, who became one of Halme’s biggest supporters.

“When I watched him play for our team, his skating was excellent,” Boudreau said. “He was the best player on our team.”

In 35 games with the Blue Ox, Halme’s offensive numbers were staggering; he scored 26 goals and added 36 assists, averaging more than 1.7 points per game.full seasons with the Kings in the USPHL’s top tier.

Those numbers come in part from his experience as a forward. He didn’t become a defenseman until his was 14 years old.

“I like to be with the puck and stickhandling and scoring goals,” Halme said.

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FROM THE USPHL TO THE NHL CONTINUED

Not only was he the best player on the Blue Ox, he was arguably the best player in the entire USPHL. Despite playing nine fewer games, Halme scored 11 more points than the next best defenseman in the league, finishing 19th in the USPHL in overall scoring.

Opponents took notice, as well, often trying to take issue. Despite his slight frame -- Halme is listed at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds -- he never backed down, piling up a couple fighting majors among his 54 penalty minutes.

“Maybe sometimes, they tried to get me [out of my game] on the ice,” Halme said. “I played a lot last year, so they tried to get me off the ice.”

In the second half of the season, Halme transitioned to the National Collegiate Development Conference -- a part of the same USPHL as the Blux Ox but one level higher.

In 13 games with the P.A.L. Islanders in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, Halme chipped in six assists and played top-4 minutes on a club that won the league championship.

“It was a little bit harder,” Halme said. “It was a little bit faster. The hardest part was going to a new team because they had been together and I was new. It took one or two weeks to know everybody.

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“But we won the championship. It was a very good team.”

Despite leaving in the middle of the season, Halme had remained on Boudreau’s radar and the coach helped get the Wild to extend him an invite to its development camp last week. Halme, who said his goal is to play Division I college hockey next season, remains without a home. But he but didn’t look out of place against drafted players and chosen invitees.

Noticeably nervous at the beginning of the camp, Halme calmed down and was back to his normal play-making ways by the end of the week.

Boudreau wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

“I hope somebody would notice him and say, ‘You know what? That kid could be a good addition to our team,’” Boudreau said. “You let him grow for a couple years, I think he’d be a really good player.

“He’s one of those guys that, if he played at high levels and had that kind of coaching, he’d become a really good player.”

Thin The Herd // 2024-25

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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NCDC EXPANSION TO 30 TIER 2 TEAMS

BY JOSHUA BOYD / USPHLNCDC.COM The United States Premier Hockey League and its Tuition-Free Tier II National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) are proud to welcome the ownership of an NCDC team in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to the NCDC for 2023-24, joining the NCDC West Division.

Naylor, originally from White Rock, B.C., played in the WHL and then 10 years of professional hockey before transitioning to coaching. Naylor was a coach at BWC and together with Mussio, they won over 54 championships at every level and then the two guided Nanaimo to success in the BCHL.

The NCDC is a step up from Premier division in the USPHL and Rock Springs fans will see a higher brand of hockey with players who are destined to be NCAA Division 1 players and NHL draft choices.

“Having an experienced hockey team like Wes and Darren who sent 12 or more players a year to NCAA Division 1 hockey is a great addition to our NCDC West division.” Commissioner Bob Turow added. “This is an ownership group that also gives back to the community through charity, time spent in local schools, hospitals and alike.

Wes and Darren are about great hockey and a better community.”

Longtime colleagues Wes Mussio and Darren Naylor, who bring extensive Tier II experience from the British Columbia Hockey League, have purchased the franchise of the former Rock Springs Prospectors and will elevate the franchise from the USPHL Premier to the NCDC for the coming season.

“This is a joint venture, a partnership.

We will be naming the team the Grizzlies and bringing Tier II junior hockey to the town,” said Co-Owner Wes Mussio, who previously owned the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers from 2017 through 2022.

“When researching markets in the NCDC West’s footprint, Rock Springs stood out”, GM and Head Coach Darren Naylor stated. “Current USPHL Prospectors’ Governor David Amonti’s assistance was instrumental in making the jump to NCDC happen and the City officials have been welcoming.”

Mussio was the President of the Burnaby Winter Club in British Columbia for 5 years which is one of the top development programs in North America and includes many current NHL players including Ryan NugentHopkins, Matthew Barzal and Dante Fabbro.

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Rock Springs is a community that puts a lot of pride in its hard-working populace, most working in the energy sectors of oil or natural gas drilling in the surrounding area.

“When you come down to the statistics of it, you want to get into a market where we are the only show in town, and not competing with university sports or football. We wanted an arena with a certain seating capacity, and we just had a feeling that this town is really starving for something like this,” said Naylor.

“That is the first sign that you have a market where you will have success.

At the Tier II level, the NCDC is doing a great job and it’s expanded already, and it will expand more over time,” added Mussio. “We did quite a bit of investigation on the league and the market, and so far the city of Rock Springs has been unbelievably receptive to junior hockey.”

Thin The Herd // 2024-25

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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A GROWING TIER 2 PATH

BY JOSHUA BOYD / USPHL.COM

The National Collegiate Development Conference, the top tier of the United States Premier Hockey League, will see a total of 31 teams hitting the ice in 202526, the NCDC’s ninth season.

For the first time since its 201718 inception, the NCDC will be an international league, operating in the U.S. and Canada. During the 2024-25 season, the league announced new teams for this season in Springfield, Mass., Clifton Park, N.Y., Marlborough, Mass., as well as the NCDC’s first teams playing in Vermont.

Just after the season ended, additional teams were announced in Presque Isle, Maine, as well as the New Brunswick towns of Woodstock, St. Stephen and Eastern Charlotte. Quebec City was also announced as a new NCDC location. We will introduce you here to all of the new NCDC teams for 2025-26.

ABOUT THE NCDC There were more than 900 former players from the NCDC skating with NCAA hockey teams during the 2024-25 season, including 182 alumni playing at the NCAA Division I level. By late May, the NCDC had seen more than 150 players committed to NCAA hockey teams from the 2024-25 season alone.

The NHL has also taken notice as the League saw three players selected directly out of the NCDC in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the best for any North American Tier II league. Overall, the NHL has selected 18 former NCDC players.

Alumni of USPHL organizations currently skating in the NHL include players such as Jack Eichel, Charlie Coyle, John Marino, Jimmy Vesey, Cameron Lund and Collin Graf. The league has seen Stanley

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

TIER 3 PATHWAY PREMIER DIVISION - 61 TEAMS

Cup Champions including Zach Sanford, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Ross Colton and Brian Dumoulin.

The USPHL Premier Conference of 2025-26 will see no less than 80 teams competing across nine divisions, located across the country - from New England to Florida, from the Pacific Northwest to the Southern California coast.

Through late May, there were 150 college commitments to NCAA, ACHA and AAU schools. Premier teams have also seen more than 70 players tendered to the NCDC for the 2025-26 season.

The United States Premier Hockey League of 2025-26 is the nation’s largest junior amateur ice hockey league and the only junior league to span the continental United States and parts of Canada. From Seattle to San Diego, and from Maine to Florida, the USPHL has a home for student-athletes with the skill and determination to play college hockey.

Overall, across all its divisions, the USPHL has placed more than 10,000 alumni in college hockey, plus 250 more alumni in pro hockey, including the NHL.

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VISIT USPHL.COM TO LEARN MORE

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FROM THE ICE TO THE AUTO INDUSTRY: HOW TEAM CULTURE FUELS WALSER’S PROGRESS

BY DAYNA KLEVE In hockey, success isn’t built by one star player: it’s built by the whole team. Trust.

Communication. Playing to each other’s strengths. That same team-first mentality shapes how Walser Automotive Group has continued to grow its workforce and business over its 70-year history.

Headquartered today in Bloomington, Minn.—where skates hit the ice early and often—Walser knows the power of preparation, perseverance, and showing up for each other. These aren’t just hockey values; they’re core to how the organization operates as a company.

“People do their best work when they feel supported and valued,” said Sherry Schultz, Walser’s Chief Human Resources Officer/EVP. “That sense of trust and teamwork isn’t all that different from what happens on the ice. Everyone has a role to play, and the team moves forward when they rely on each other.”

To help create that kind of workplace, Walser has expanded employeeled groups that offer connection, mentorship, and growth opportunities.

What started with one initiative in 2018 has grown into four dedicated Employee Resource Groups:

The result? Stronger engagement, better performance, and a workplace where people are proud to be.

Women of Walser (2018) — focused on career development and leadership opportunities that recruit, engage, and develop women in the automotive industry

That commitment to development extends to the next generation, too. In 2025, Walser significantly expanded its NextGen summer internship program, welcoming 19 college and high school students across multiple departments and locations. The program offers hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and a first look at careers in the automotive industry in sales, inventory, HR, IT, marketing, events and more. For many participants, it’s a chance to explore a field they may not have considered before.

Drive With Pride (2019) —supporting LGBTQIA+ employees and fostering allyship and education Asian Hmong Alliance (2023) — creating space to share culture, identity, and experience alongside strong community connections Veterans at Walser (2024) — supporting employees with military backgrounds by building community, fostering camaraderie, and a continued mission while creating pathways for career growth and connection beyond service.

Each group plays a unique role in helping team members bring their full selves to work.

“We serve a diverse demographic of customers, and our workforce should reflect that,” said CEO Andrew Walser, a former Edina hockey player who still credits his time on the ice for teaching him how to lead. “This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about doing what’s right for our people and our business.”

For Walser, creating opportunity across the organization is more than a strategy, it’s a commitment to building a better, stronger team.

Pictured left: Walser Automotive Group, Corporate Campus & Toyota Dealership Walser Automotive Group operates 30+ retail locations across the U.S. and is committed to driving change in the automotive industry through inclusive culture, community giving, and people-first values.

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

Pictured: CEO of Walser Automotive Group, Andrew Walser, growing up playing hockey for the Edina Youth Hockey Association and High School team.

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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Walser Automotive Group Chief Human Resources Officer Sherry Schultz

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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4OXEN TACTICAL GROUP MN BLUE OX BOOT CAMP 2024-25 | YEAR 8

BY MARK JENDRO & NICK LEACH

This year’s boot camp began like any other camp. Friday night the Cadre and coaches worked on site preparation to make sure that everything was ready for the boys when they showed up Saturday morning. It was a different process this year because camp had a different theme then in years past. While there would still be the physical and mental trials the boys would have a different process. This year was all about communication! Could you be aware of everything around you and communicate what you saw to those in charge and get all important information to the rest of the team. The Cadre setup multiple “enemy” camp sites in the woods one Friday night with the expectation that players would find them at some point on Saturday and relay that information to the team “intel” board. After everything was set and ready for the boys on Saturday Morning the Cadre and coaches could relax around the fire and chat about what was to come in the 36 hours for these boys.

Good Morning Ox players welcome to the 2024 Blue Ox Bootcamp! This year’s camp would begin like any other to complete all required tasks quickly and to a high standard. Once the gear was grounded in a neat and orderly fashion the players were put into their squads flags (guidons) were passed out along with other essential equipment each squad leader was given a stuffed oxen named by the cadre in charge of that squad this oxen must be carried and kept clean for the entirety of the 36 hours. Also for the platoon there was a stuffed troll doll (Crosby) that was to be carried by any member of the team in a baby bjorn. After all the equipment was sorted and the squads were set the rules and expectations for the camp were set out. Attention to detail and powers of observation and relaying all information to the “intel” officer and the board updated by the platoon leader and his appointed squad leaders. Then the “fun” was about to begin.

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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Krist Francisco, Mark Jendro, Jon Albert, Nick Leach, - NHL Legends Game 2022-23

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

Blue Ox Hockey

4OXEN TACTICAL BOOT CAMP CONTINUED

As is tradition with all past Blue Ox boot camps the first

or article out of place garners a physical reminder about why

movement or activity was the Murph. This is a crossfit workout

details matter, usually pushups or situps.

named after Lt. Michael Murphy. The activity starts by reading out loud the citation Murphy received. After reading the citation the exercise is explained and the standard for completion is set. The players are to complete a 1 mile run, 200 pushups, 200 situps and 300 air squats and then finish with a 1 mile run. No better welcome to our boot camp than to honor an American hero. After the physical stress of the murph we immediately switch gears to the mental stress and return them to their

This group took a little time to get everything together and some players’ missing pieces caused a delay in getting their sleep area setup which then caused a delay in gathering firewood for the campfire at the end of the night. Taking the long way around to the players camp area was about a mile hike and needed to be set up in order to move on to the next movement. One more before lunch is the Ox Gauntlet.

squads and lat out their packing list dress right dress according to the predetermined diagram provided to the team by the 4 Oxen Cadre. The smallest details matter any missing piece

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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This was another physically taxing

the players are introduced to MREs, a

relay was cadre Roulette, a grab bag of

event. Relay race of carrying 50

wonderful military culinary delight.

hero workouts. Then it was time to wind

pound sand bags, tire pulls some really physically demanding exercises.

After the OX gauntlet we went right into another mental test. There was a prison exchange out on the lake which the players missed and needed prompting from the cadre to see what was happening, more on that later..

After the Prison exchange it was time for lunch, another boot camp tradition

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things down for the night, with dinner After lunch is a cadre favorite the song workouts. Air squats to Flowers by Moby, Burpees to Roxanne and this years’ new addition legs lifts to Gucci Gang.

Building into our after lunch activity

camp setup completion and a campfire which provides a chance for the cadre, coaches and players to get to know each other and chat about their lives and who they are.

the 4 Station relay which included both mental and physical challenges. Trivia,

Sunday starts bang right at 6 am

sandbag stacking, and Airsoft target

although this year started a little

practice, sling shot and puzzle. After the

earlier because the players had some

Thin The Herd // 2024-25

infractions they needed to pay for from

the evening of cadre operations. Once

breakfast around the campfire while

the infractions were paid for the original

each cadre member shares their story

workout the Herradora which is 101 in

but not the stories from the previous

cadence push ups, situp, and flutter kicks.

the “real” stories about their military

Then right into another Roulette hero

career the struggles, what it means to

workout. The last workout of the weekend

be teammates brothers and the deeper

is the Seal Team Shuffle, each squad is

message that we hope lives on with

split in half while half of the squad is

them long after the grueling 36 hours

carrying railroad timbers the other half is

has ended.

doing some push ups, situps, burpees or any other physical movement the cadre think of. Then camp comes to an end with A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

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Thin The Herd // 2020-21

Noah Scherff // ’04 Dman // Aquinas College ACHA D1 Commit

A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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Eli Puchner // ’04 Dman // Western Michigan University ACHA D1 Commit

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

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Front Row: Kellen Maher, Jayden White, Caleb Goar, Zach Farnsworth, Eli Puchner, Tyler Gipple, Joseph Autletti, Pearse Mayrose, Jackson Clough, Kodah Smith, Cooper Nielsen, Jace Lombardo, Lars Goerliltz, Bentley Sathre, Owen Pazandak

Back Row: Coach Barone, Leighton Buckmeier, John Sittig, Nick Korpi, Jack Wallace, Gordy Lawson, Haden Henke, Conor Heniff, Noah Scherff, Mike Abrego, Tom Sandholm, Coach Witta (not pictured Caleb Caldwell)

RECORD 22-22-2 8TH BLUE OX SEASON IN COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

2024-2025 MINNESOTA BLUE OX JUNIOR A’ HOCKEY CLUB

2024-25 BLUE OX HOCKEY CLUB

Haden Henke // ’04 Forward // College Undecided

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HOCKEY CHANGES LIVES. - Larry Hendrickson | Founder Hendrickson Foundation

Advertisement donated by a Yontz Valor grant

The Minnesota Blue Ox is proud to have partnered with the Minnesota Warriors and The Hendrickson Foundation this season to help hockey change the lives of our fellow soliders and disabled Veterans. #thintheherd #weLOVEourveterans TO SUPPORT THE MINNESOTA WARRIORS VISIT | MNWARRIORS.COM TO SUPPORT THE HENDRICKSON FOUNDATION VISIT | HENDRICKSONFOUNDATION.COM

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Thin Thin The The Herd Herd // // 2023-24 2018-19

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

3 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES since 2017 A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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Thin The Herd // 2021-22

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Captains /COOPER NIELSEN/ZACH FARNSWORTH/JACK WALLACE/JACE LOMBARDO/ELI PUCHNER

A true leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

—John Maxwell

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Thin The Herd // 2024-25

Blue Ox Hockey

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“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen

to be going down.” – Arnold H. Glasgow A Minnesota Blue Ox Publication

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LEGENDARY HOME SERVICES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

BY STAFF Thank you to Blue Ox Heating & Air for their loyalty and partnership the past five seasons! Our fans love our Mascot Babe! We are grateful for you all!

Blue Ox was founded in 2013 when the McGuire, Gavic and Foschiatti families combined their 100 collective years of experience into one talented company. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured to provide our Minneapolis-St. Paul area customers with outstanding heating, cooling, and indoor-air quality services to make your home as comfortable as possible. Blue Ox Heating and Air is North American Technician Excellence certified and a member of the Minnesota Heating & Cooling Association. We want to be your go-to heating, cooling and air quality company.

When we say we can handle whatever problem you have, we say it with total confidence. Whether you have a small problem or a huge problem, know that the timely tech who shows up at your door will know exactly what to do. You don’t even need to know what your problem is! That’s what we’re here for.

HOME SERVICES MADE EASY We serve you the way you want to be served. If your furnace stops working at 2 a.m. — call us! We’ll be there to fix your problem with a smile on our face and shoe covers on our feet, regardless of what the clock says. It’s our mission to quickly take care of your heating and cooling emergencies. In addition to repair, replacement, and emergency service, we’re passionate about air quality. If you’re suffering from allergies or itchy skin –let’s problem solve together. Our comfort advisors will explain numerous options fitting a range of budgets to improve your indoor air quality. We offer expertise in humidity management, air cleaning, and particle removal to keep your family healthy and comfortable.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM BLUE OX TECHNICIANS? Blue Ox believes professionalism is about more than just doing a great job. It’s about how we do a great job. Our technicians aren’t here just to fix your heating, cooling, and air quality system, they’re also here to answer your questions and make sure you’re comfortable. We accomplish all three goals by emphasizing courtesy, punctuality, and attentive customer service. Our job isn’t just about the work we do; it’s about making sure the people we work for, YOU, are as happy and satisfied as possible.

VISIT GOBLUEOX.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION! 5720 International Parkway New Hope, MN 55428 952-208-4570

OUR SERVICE PROMISE TO OUR CUSTOMERS 3We value your comfort and happiness.

3We will cheerfully refund your money if you are not 100% satisfied.

3Our technicians will treat your home like it was their own.

3We will be on-time, professional, and polite.

3We will wear shoe covers in your home, never use foul language or use tobacco while on the job.

3To ensure your peace of mind, our employees are background-checked and drug-tested.

3We only use quality heating and cooling products to make our repairs and installations.

3We never cut corners on products and parts and take pride in providing efficient and long-lasting results.

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