The Pause: Parents, kids grapple with 4-week pause of hockey season

Volume XLVIX • Number 3 • Issue 1280

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Years 20 72 0 2 ✯ Photo by Nick Wosika

THE PAUSE

Parents, kids grapple with 4-week pause of hockey season ... pages 20-21

IN THIS ISSUE ANDY NESS

Teaching a crossover ... pg. 4

JOHN RUSSO

Instilling self-confidence in players ... pg. 7

PROFILE: GOPHERS CAPTAIN SAMMY WALKER ... pg. 13 Q AND A WITH KENDALL COYNE-SCHOFIELD ... pg. 19 MIAMA DISCUSSES CURRENT “PAUSE” ... pg. 22 HS COACHES WAIT PATIENTLY AS PAUSE INTERRUPTS START OF SEASON ... pg. 23

LEARN TO SKATE NOW WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS - EDINA AND NEW ST LOUIS PARK FACILITIES A unique hockey based program taught by hockey coaches designed to not only teach your developing athlete how to skate, but also to teach introductory skills to play hockey.

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Come Skate! We hope to see you at the rink! information & registration at www.mnmadehockeytraining.com

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Teaching a crossover

Crossovers are one of the most important skating skills there is for many reasons. I always ask my students, “How many crossovers do you think you do in a Answers MN Wild Skating & game?”

Skills Instructor will vary with the age of the student, but the fact of the matter is that you will use crossovers every shift. If you ever watch a specific player throughout the course of their shift, you will see and may be surprised at how many crossovers they will do.

They may come in different forms such as tight corner crossovers, bigger loop crossovers, alternating crossovers, a crossover start, backwards crossovers, and many other forms as well. For this article we will break down the technique of a basic crossover.

The first thing we must understand is why are we using a crossover. The answer is to move laterally or corner. We are not players in the CHEXX bubble hockey game just going straight up and down the ice, we need to move laterally and continue to build speed as we do so.

So, what’s the first step? The first step is to understand that we turn our head, stick, and shoulders in the direction that we would like to go, much like turning your handlebars on your bike.

The stick should lead out in front of you and not be dragging behind as you commit to your turn. If your stick is technically in a sound position to crossover, it will be in a perfect position to accept a pass or control the puck on a corner.

Once we have our upper body and torso committed to corner, we must remember to get a body lean into our turn.

If you watch speed skating, it is a perfect example to see how a skater can accelerate through a turn. By leaning into your turn, you are creating less of an angle to the ice and therefore creating more speed around the corner. All the great skaters in the NHL that can corner and build speed have an excellent body lean along with strong outside edges to keep a skater from losing control on their skates or falling.

Andy Ness

If you watch a skater like Nathan McKinnon you will understand why cornering is so important for his game.

He is able to use his speed by picking up the puck behind the net during a power play breakout and beat the first two forecheckers. He is able to accelerate out of the zone on a center swing during a breakout. Finally, he can use his crossovers to beat a defenseman wide on a one on one or a line rush.

The next step is to push your outside foot on an inside edge out to the side. If the push “kicks” back, you will be on the flat of your blade and lose power because you will not be pushing on an edge. After you push the foot out, the outside foot should come all the way over the inside foot and not just in front of it. This is an important concept to remember because bringing the foot all the way over is what makes the skater turn. That is the reason we are crossing over in the first place – to turn right or left. Once the outside skate is all the way over you should aim to have your toes lined up with one another, not staggered. This is very important because it leads right into our last step which is the under push.

The under push is from the inside leg outside edge. It should feel as if you are “rolling” the foot under your other skate. You will hear the sound of an edge pushing in the ice if the under push is executed properly. As I stated earlier, it is important to try to line your toes up once the skate is completely crossed over. If not, you will get more of a running motion with ineffective pushes that will be “kicking” back rather than on our edge.

“Head bobbing” is one of the biggest common mistakes that I see. We must understand that to create power we need to push against the ice with an edge. As a skater is head bobbing, all of his/her momentum is wasted by coming up instead of out in the direction one would want to go. Also, “head bobbing” is one of the main reasons why skaters will lose the puck when cornering. If a skater is going up and down, that will in turn bring their upper body (stick positioning) up and down. What happens next is the puck goes right under the skater’s stick or the skater will just

Jordan Schroeder crossover.

Nick Bjugstad crossover.

Teemu Kivihalme crossover. mishandle the puck. We are looking to keep a level and or “quiet” upper body as we perform our crossovers. Any wasted movement is unnecessary and makes it very difficult to control a puck.

Also, when we move our feet quicker, we must remember to keep our good technique. As we go full speed, the technique stays the same, we just turn our feet over quicker. Depending on the situation in a game, our crossover speed may change but our technique should stay the same.

As you can see, crossovers are a vital part of the game. This is a skill that can be worked at and improved upon.

It takes repetition of good technique but

will be extremely beneficial to help a player’s game. I will break down more of the different types of crossovers that will be used in a hockey game in future articles. Continue to work on this skill and you will see a dramatic improvement if performed correctly.

Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild.

He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.

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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. With over 67,000 registered players and coaches, it is the largest state governing body for amateur hockey in the United States.

Division I coach on toughness Establishing your sports and physical play recognition program

by SHANE FREDERICK There’s no denying that hockey is a contact sport at every level and always will be. Even at the younger age groups and no-check leagues, it’s nearly impossible to avoid some kind of physical play.

“When I coach a game, I like there to be a physicality and a heart – being hard to play against – but that doesn’t mean blowing guys up,” said Derek Plante, an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team. “At every point where there’s contact, you can be a little bit physical, whether it’s just going through the hands or just forcing an opponent to do things at a higher, faster pace than they want to, to try to create a turnover.”

While body checking is technically defined as separating a player from the puck, it’s really about doing what Plante says: forcing a turnover and gaining possession of the puck.

USA Hockey in 2019 approved the Declaration of Player Safety, Fair Play and Respect that focuses on teaching players how to play with contact at their respective ages. While there was no change in the checking rules, the initiative included proper ways to give and receive checks and other body contact. It also focused on creating a safer and more respectful game overall by eliminating late hits, hits to the head, hits from behind and any other contact used to intimidate or injure another player from the sport.

Name of the Game Speed and skill are the name of the modern game. That’s the mantra.

“This model is about skill development and puck possession – the way the game is being played today,” said Guy Gosselin, a regional manager for USA Hockey’s American Development Model and two-time U.S. Olympian from Rochester.

While that model is being embraced more and more, there’s still a culture of contact that needs redefining. USA Hockey says the responsibility to modify that culture falls not just on players but with everyone involved in the game, from coaches to officials to parents to fans to administrators.

“This needs to get reinforced with our coaches and by mom and dad,” Gosselin said, highlighting perhaps the players’ biggest influences.

What It Means to Be Tough Plante has seen it all, closely following nearly every level of hockey over the years. As a player, he was a standout at Cloquet High School and Minnesota Duluth before embarking on a long professional career that took him around the world and included eight seasons in the National Hockey League.

Admittedly, Plante wasn’t an overly physical player, preferring to go after the puck and get it on his stick. But he wasn’t afraid of making contact when he had and be a little disruptive on defense.

“I’m all about pace and being in

someone’s face,” said Plante, who had 248 points in his NHL career and ranks tied for second all-time in scoring at UMD with 219 points. “That’s kind of how I played. I was a good forechecker.

I was in your face, but I never hammered people.”

Today, Plante is starting his second stint as an assistant coach at his alma mater, UMD, following five years as a player development coach with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. He also watches his three sons, ages 16, 14 and 12, play regularly.

That’s a lot of levels, each with its own kind of contact.

Plante says there are many ways to play the right way within the changing landscape of the game, but, in his opinion, it all starts with work ethic.

“If I’m coaching a team, the two biggest things are: Are you going to work your butt off? And, are you going to be unselfish?” he said. “That means you’re going to work on passing and you’re go-

– TOUGHNESS – continued on page 7

Applications for The Cammi Granato grant program in partnership with FlipGive are now open Our Hockey Hero, Cammi Granato, is looking for girls who love the sport and could use some extra help getting on the ice this season. Twenty-one grants will be awarded to girls in hockey. Each winner will receive $500, an equipment package generously provided by the NHL, NHLPA and Pure Hockey (approximately $300 value), and the head coach of the players team will receive an annual subscription to The Coaches Site (approximately $120 value).

Visit www.FlipGiveGrants.com to apply. Hurry – the deadline is Nov 30.

It’s no secret that everyone likes a little recognition, and for kids, it can be a determining factor when deciding to stay with a sport or not. A recent survey of parents conducted by TNS Worldwide reported that more than 76 percent of parents support recognizing a player’s contribution and participation. Parents also said that feedback from the coach was a key component of their child’s sports experience.

Below are tips for starting or enhancing your youth sports recognition program: • Look to the end of the season first. Determine what type of recognition program you want. Check and see if your sponsoring organization provide trophies or ribbons, and if so, how and when you will receive them. Be sure that you will have them well in advance of the season’s end.

• Make Notes. At the start of the season, keep a log via a notebook or smart phone with notes on each player’s progress. These notes will become helpful at the end of the season when recognizing each individual player for their effort and improvement throughout the season.

• Catch Them in Action. Ask parents to catch “action” photos of each player. Have them print out the best shots.

Distribute the photos with their award.

• Make it an Event. Plan an end of season event. This is a great way for a non-coaching parent to get involved.

Whether pizza or potluck, visit Pinterest. com and search “end of season party” or the name of your sport for great ideas.

Be sure to ask (or assign) families to bring an item.

• Be Specific. Have a plan for each child. Don’t wing it. Determine how each player contributed to the team. Be specific. Instead of saying “you worked hard,” point out something specific to each child such as “your batting average improved” or “your ball handling skills and assists increased.” This is the difference between giving a participation award and a recognition award.

• Recognize Regularly. Remember to make recognition a part of every practice and game/match/event. Point out positive traits, new skills learned and good sportsmanship. Make your specific comments, not a blanket statement.

Using the tips above will make your player’s experience, and your coaching tenure, something that you will both remember for years to come. We are more than happy to help you select the appropriate items to help recognize your team.

Viking Trophies is the official awards supplier of Minnesota Hockey. For more information on how to recognize the members of your program, contact Joe Sanders at joe@vikingtrophies.com

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Instilling COACHES’ CORNER self-confidence in players

by JOHN RUSSO

These next two issues will be dedicated to helping coaches instill confidence in their players. I will show two different views of the subject – and it has been 20 years since this column had those two articles.

I think confidence is one of the most important things for an athlete – and actually for almost every endeavor.

Breeding Self-Confidence The greatest builder of self-confidence in any player is having successes.

Successes are the highest form of positive feedback. So, what is success, then?

Success has a great range for a player. In other words, there are many levels of success. It can be as simple as perfecting a move or a shot in practice. It can be the more impactive action of scoring a goal in a game. Many successes add up, however, no matter if they are small or large.

Then as a coach, providing opportunities for successes to players is what will best help build their confidence. The higher the self-confidence, the better the player. The better the player(s), the better the team. Actually, the more self-confident a player, the more self- confident a person.

There are several items (to chew on) that help build self-confidence. Some of these are “opportunities for successes” mentioned in a previous column.

• Proper drills that progressively teach skills. Progressive teaching of skills allows players to gain skills in increments with less frustration (very anti-confidence building).

• Providing positive encouragement. Coaches must remember to praise and encourage. It is too easy to get into a negative habit when correcting and teaching. It is natural to watch for and comment on wrong actions and to forget to praise good actions. At the same time, corrections and demonstrations that help

overcome poor performance are very positive in themselves.

• Positioning players to highlight their best assets. Players must carefully be put in the proper positions so it is the easiest for them to succeed. This not only is best for their confidence but is best for team performance. As an example, I only put players at the center position if they can be good defensemen in their own zone. I expect that as a top priority from my centers. A totally offense oriented forward may not be able to reasonably do this – so will have a problem being a successful center.

• Giving players game experience that can build self-confidence. I always want to put players in a position of having a good chance to succeed in games.

That goes for individuals and teams. Individuals that are overmatched don’t gain confidence any more than teams do.

• Setting some reasonable goals that can be achieved. It is always a trick in goal setting not to undershoot too much, since the goals would be too easy to achieve and not really confidence building. It is also important not to overshoot or the goals cannot be achieved – and confidence destroying.

Overall, we could define self-confidence as a lack of (or lower) anxiety about a situation or situations. We could also call it the willingness and ability to flexibly handle challenges. These types of definitions sometimes put a different light on self-confidence for coaches and make it easier for them to deal with the subject. For example, I always remind my team that they are not going to gain any new skills or improve skills to any degree in games, so they can concentrate on the other two aspects that I always stress (effort and responsibility). Players should therefore not have anxiety about skills. They can concentrate on their jobs

Keeping hockey in our hearts

by MICHAEL DEBRULE

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

I was writing an essay about using Zoom to replace hockey locker room talks when I heard Governor Walz announce that Minnesota youth sports (including hockey) will be “on pause” for the next four weeks. And everything I had been writing went out the window.

Yet I still have some things to say.

About Zoom. And about keeping hockey in our hearts.

First, let me state the obvious: Zoom is an excellent app for connecting with your hockey team’s players and parents. But if you don’t like Zoom, you can use Google Meet, Microsoft Team, GoToMeeting, Skype or any other video conferencing app.

There is so much a team can do together with Zoom. You can do cardio work outs, practice stickhandling or shooting, talk about breakouts or backchecking, tell funny stories, stream game highlights, or watch movies like Mighty Ducks or Miracle.

Second, let me say something about keeping hockey in our hearts.

You can lock hockey players out of ice arenas and throw away the keys.

You can cancel games and practices or the entire season. You can take away our

skates, our shoulder pads, and our sticks.

You can even take away our hockey pucks. But you can’t cancel hockey.

That’s because hockey is more than a game.

It is a community. It is a state of mind. It is a feeling deep in your soul.

It is a slap shot hitting the cross bar.

It is hot cocoa and hot dogs and popcorn.

It is a double fist pump after a breakaway goal. It is the roar of the crowd.

It is high-fiving the stranger sitting next to you. It is wearing your team’s jersey on game day. It is sweat dripping down the back or your neck. It is skating your heart out and leaving nothing on the ice.

It is a Mom tying a little girl’s skates.

It is all these things and more.

In Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, do you remember how the Grinch stole all the presents and decorations, even the roast beast, but all the Whos down in Whoville celebrated anyway?

Well, I think canceling hockey is like canceling Christmas.

It can’t be done.

So, my fellow Let’s Play Hockey readers, as we put hockey “on pause” for a while, let’s meet virtually on Zoom, and let’s keep hockey in our hearts.

And we will get through this together.

and putting out a good effort. Since effort is not an anxiety item either (they can choose to work hard), then the anxiety items have been cut down from three to only one (responsibility).

In the end, the coach is trying to move players to a positive view of what is in front of them. I once read (can’t remember the author) that confidence is to some degree a choice. The confident athlete can transition the “I can’t” to “I can” and the “I won’t” to “I will.” The coach plays an important role in that transition.

Players get used to successes if coaches can help provide enough of them.

John Russo, Ph.D., is the founder and now mentor to the Upper Midwest H.S. Elite League. Hailing originally from Sault St. Marie, he was the first recruit and two time captain for the U of Wisconsin Badgers. He has been the recipient of the prestigious Peterson Award by

TOUGHNESS continued from page 5

ing to backcheck your butt off.”

“Nothing should be easy, right? And if you’re a team that’s willing to outwork the other team most nights, you’re going to have a legitimate chance. And then hopefully, you have enough guys in there that can score, too.”

Teaching the Progression But then the responsibility falls on the coaches to teach the proper ways to play with contact, recognizing that their rosters include players of differing skill sets, abilities and ways of getting from Point A to Point B. No easy task.

“Repetition and correction, and you’re going to get better habits,” Plante said. “And the earlier you start that, the better.”

Gosselin said bumping is introduced at the 8 & Under level, angling at 10U and full contact in practice at 12U before phasing body checking into actual competition at the 14U boys level. Skating, angling, stick checking and positioning are just as much a part of defensive tactics – at all levels – as body contact.

Minnesota Hockey and the Snooks Kelly Award by the US College Hockey Coaches – both for exceptional development of hockey on a regional and national level.

He is a (national) level 5 certified coach and has over 50 years coaching and training experience from mite to college levels. His Coaches Corner columns have appeared in Let’s Play Hockey each year since 1986.

A version of John Russo’s articles can be found in his chapterized book called “The Best of 26 Years of John Russo’s Coaches Corner”. It has been described as must read for all youth coaches and his Golden Rules can be found in dressing rooms throughout North American and many foreign rinks. Go to russocoachescorner.com for more information and ordering.

And those tactics, Plante said, are skills to be honed, just like stickhandling.

“We did a good angling drill the other day, and it was amazing how much hockey sense that takes and how every kid has to do it differently,” he said. “They just need to practice it because every kid skates differently and is different.”

“They’re trying to accomplish the same thing, but they’re going to have do it differently. So how do you coach that?”

Getting families to buy in to the right way to play can go a long way, too, Plante said. He compared two extremes: parents who brush off their child’s reckless play by saying, “Well, that’s hockey,” with those who cry foul when even the slightest contact is made with their young player.

In both instances, character and respect – of coaches, opponents, officials and the game itself – are key.

“When I’m at a game (as a recruiter) I look for that,” he said, “like, ‘I got knocked on my butt. Now what do I do?

Do I get up and go whack the guy or run around all over the rink trying to get them back? Or am I just going to go out on the next shift and be better?’ For me, that’s character.”

Follow Let’s Play Hockey on Twitter @LetsPlay_Hockey “Like” Let’s Play Hockey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/letsplayhockey

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Inside the NAHL The North American Hockey League • www.nahl.com

NAHL announces Stars of the Week

presented by Bauer Hockey

Dallas Stars re-sign NAHL alum Hintz to three-year deal

Honors this week go to Aberdeen Wings forward Clayton Cosentino, New Jersey Titans goalie Louden Hogg, Kenai River Brown Bears forward Brandon McNamara, and Lone Star Brahmas forward Nicholas Niemo DALLAS, Texas – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending Nov. 15. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2020-21 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions.

Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.

Central Division Star of the Week: Clayton Cosentino, Forward, Aberdeen Wings Currently the NAHL’s leading scorer, Aberdeen Wings forward Clayton Cosentino, 20, added to his point total this past weekend as the Wings stayed perfect on the season with a weekend home sweep of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Air Force recruit and 6’2/196 lbs. native of San Carlos, Calif., had three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and was a +2 in the two wins. On Friday, Cosentino had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win, and then on Saturday he had another goal in a 4-1 win. His 13 points are currently tops in the NAHL. “Clayton is a natural leader. He leads this team in various ways, but his work ethic is his biggest leadership asset. That work ethic fuels the rest of this team, and it is contagious. Clayton’s weekend was another product of that, and we are very proud that he is the Captain of the Aberdeen Wings,” said Wings head coach Scott Langer.

2nd Star: Walter Zacher, F, Austin Bruins Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Barrett Brooks, F, Austin Bruins – Dominik Wasik, G, Aberdeen Wings East Division Star of the Week: Louden Hogg, Goaltender, New Jersey Titans The New Jersey Titans picked up a home sweep of the Maryland Black Bears this past weekend. Backstopping the team in both wins was 18-year-old goaltender Louden Hogg. The 5’11/160 lbs. native of Minneapolis, Minn., stopped 46 of a possible 51 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Hogg made 30 saves in a 5-3 win, and then on Saturday, he made 26 saves and stopped two of three Maryland shooters in a 3-2 shootout win.

“Louden stepped up and got two big wins for us this past weekend. He made some timely saves both nights and especially Saturday night when we were slow out of the gate. Louden is a talented young man who we look forward to watching him grow and mature into a NCAA Division 1 goaltender,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.

2nd Star: Alexander Tertyshny, D, Northeast Generals Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brad McNeil, F, Maryland Black Bears – Michael Morelli, G, Maryland Black Bears – Jack Ring, F, New Jersey Titans – Kyle Schroeder, F, Northeast Generals Midwest Division Star of the Week: Brandon McNamara, Forward, Kenai River Brown Bears Kenai River forward Brandon McNamara, 20, helped his team pick up two wins in three games in Chippewa Falls against the Steel this past weekend. The 5’11/165 lbs. native of Andover, Minn., posted three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in the three wins and was a +7. On Thursday, he didn’t record a point, but was a +2 in a 5-3 win. On Friday, McNamara had an assist and was +2 in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he scored and had an assist and was +3 in a close 4-3 loss.

“Brandon had himself a very strong weekend. As a veteran player he has been very reliable defensively, and also helped contribute offensively this past weekend.

Brandon has proven to be a nice addition to our team early on this season,” said Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.

2nd Star: Owen Millward, G, Janesville Jets Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Brandon Lajoie, F, Kenai River Brown Bears South Division Star of the Week: Nicholas Niemo, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas It was a big weekend for the Lone Star Brahmas and forward Nicholas Niemo as the 19-year-old helped his club to a weekend home sweep of the Amarillo Bulls. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Middlebury, Vt., had seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) and was a +5 in the two wins. On Friday, Niemo, who ranks tied for 2nd in the NAHL currently with 12 points, had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, he assisted on four of Lone Star’s five goals in a 5-3 win.

“Nicholas had a great weekend. His work ethic and speed really stand out. He is seeing the ice well and his good play is being rewarded right now,” said Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong.

2nd Star: Sean Bunting, F, Shreveport Mudbugs Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cole Hanson, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Trenten Heyde, D, Shreveport Mudbugs – Owen Parker, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Zach Purcell, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Ryan Ullan, G, Wichita Falls Warriors – Jackson Wozniak, F, Wichita Falls Warriors

Roope Hintz played in the NAHL during the 2012-13 season for the Bismarck Bobcats.

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced that the club has signed center and NAHL alum Roope Hintz to a three-year contract, which will run through the 2022-23 season. The threeyear contract is worth $9,450,000 and has an average annual value (AAV) of $3,150,000.

Hintz, 23, finished tied for second on the Stars with a career-high 19 goals in 2019-20. Hintz also registered new career highs with 14 assists, 33 points (1914=33) and 60 games played during the campaign. He led Dallas with two shorthanded goals, ranked second with five game-winning goals and shared fifth with three power play goals, while he was the only Stars skater to finish with multiple power play, game-winning and shorthanded goals in 2019-20. Hintz also skated in 25 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, recording 13 points (2-11=13).

Hintz has skated in 118 career regular-season games, all with Dallas, and has posted 55 points (28-27=55). Additionally, he has logged 21 points (7-14=21) in

38 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Tampere, Finland was originally selected by Dallas in the second round (49th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Hintz played an early portion of the 2012-13 season in the NAHL with the Bismarck Bobcats before turning pro to play for Ilves in his home town of Tampere, Finland.

Magicians forward Bohlin makes NCAA D1 commitment The Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Josh Bohlin has committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey for Army (West Point) in Atlantic Hockey.

Bohlin, 20, is in his final season of playing junior hockey in the NAHL. The 6’2/190 lbs. native of Wausau, Wis., has been named the team captain for the 202021 season as the Magicians prepare to open their regular season this weekend.

During the 2019-20 season, Bohlin played in 48 regular season games, recording 16 goals and 9 assists for 25 points. Bohlin led the Magicians in goals during the 2019-20 regular season.

“As a Captain, Josh has consistently exhibited tremendous leadership qualities throughout his time with our organization. He has a heavy shot and he is not afraid to play in the dirty areas of the ice. His diligence and commitment to improving his game will afford him continued success as he transitions into college hockey at Army.

We couldn’t be happier for him,” said Magicians head coach Stu Bickel.

Prior to playing in the NAHL, Bohlin spent two seasons playing in the USHL. Prior to playing junior hockey he played for Wausau West High School and Team Wisconsin.

www.stateofhockey.com

November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

9

Inside the NAHL The North American Hockey League • www.nahl.com

Team

Central Division 1 Aberdeen Wings 2 Minot Minotauros6 3 Bismarck Bobcats 4 Austin Bruins 5 MN Wilderness 6 St. Cloud Norsemen

Stats Top 10 scorers W 8 4 2 1 1 0

L 0 0 5 0 1 5

PTS 16 10 4 3 2 0

East Division 1 Maine Nordiques 2 New Jersey Titans 3 Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks 4 Johnstown Tomahawks 5 Maryland Black Bears 6 Northeast Generals

W 7 4 5 3 3 4

L 3 3 1 0 3 7

PTS 14 12 10 9 8 8

Midwest Division 1 Kenai River Brown Bears 2 Janesville Jets 3 Chippewa Steel 4 MN Magicians 5 Fairbanks Ice Dogs

W 3 3 1 0 0

L 1 1 3 0 4

PTS 6 6 2 0 0

South Division 1 Lone Star Brahmas 2 Shreveport Mudbugs 3 Odessa Jackalopes 4 Wichita Falls Warriors 5 New Mexico Ice Wolves 6 Amarillo Bulls

W 5 3 3 2 2 1

L 1 1 3 2 1 4

PTS 10 6 6 6 5 3

Name Pos Team Goals Assists PTS Clayton Cosentino F ABD 2 11 13 Isaiah Fox F MNE 6 6 12 Jordan Randall F ABD 7 4 11 Tyler Gaulin F MNE 4 7 11 Cade Neilson F ABD 2 9 11 Aidan Curran (total) F NTE 1 10 11 Nicholas Niemo F LOS 5 5 10 Liam McCanney F NTE 5 5 10 Payton Matsui F ABD 3 7 10 Dylan Schuett F NTE 3 7 10

Top 5 goalies

Name Dominik Wasik Owen Parker Luke Pavicich Keenan Rancier Edward Nordlund

Team W ABD 2 NMO 2 KNR 2 MNT 4 DHT 3

L 0 0 0 0 0

GAA 0.50 1.00 1.50 1.57 1.67

SV% 0.976 0.970 0.963 0.960 0.940

2019-20 Coaches of the Year Congratulations to all of the following coaches on an outstanding year!

Class AA Head Coach Of The Year: Wade Chiodo Class AA Ass’t Coach Of The Year: Jay Phillips/Jared Gustafson Class A Head Coach Of The Year: Jay Hardwick Class A Ass’t Coach Of The Year: Paul Moen/Brett Westbrook SECTION 1 Class AA Head: Adam Welch, Hastings Class AA Ass’t: Matt Klein, Hastings Class A Head: Curtis Doell, Mankato West Class A Ass’t: Nate Olsen, Mankato West

Being a “Good Teammate” is a priority

SECTION 2 Class AA Head: Joe Pankratz/Dave Snuggerud, Prior Lake/Chaska Class AA Ass’t: Sean Bloomfield, Chaska Class A Head: Erik Westrum, SW Christian/Richfield Class A Ass’t: Austin Hill, Mound Westonka

Minnesota Hockey & Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, Inc. create unified voice for compliance of COVID Safety Guidelines

SECTION 3 Class AA Head: Steve Beaulieu, Burnsville Class AA Ass’t: Aaron Hazen, Burnsville Class A Head: Matt Telecky, Hutchinson Class A Ass’t: Nick Nelson, Hutchinson

As the Minnesota winter community-based youth hockey and basketball seasons begin in the midst of a pandemic, it is imperative that all players, coaches, parents, officials, and the associations that serve them take the ability to participate seriously.

Minnesota Hockey and Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) are two of the largest youth sports organizations in the state, and oversee the sports of hockey and basketball, respectively, throughout the state of Minnesota.

Collectively, Minnesota Hockey and the MYAS have created a joint partnership, which generates a unified voice to push for compliance of COVID Safety Guidelines. This unified voice will be centered around messaging directed at the thousands of youth hockey and youth basketball teams throughout the state. Following all COVID Safety Guidelines from the MDH and our respective organizations are an expectation for all participants, coaches, parents and officials. This guidance must not be taken lightly.

The consequences for not following the guidelines will impact everyone involved in youth sports.

Many participants are looking forward to participating in events, leagues, and tournaments this winter.

We don’t want to see those things lost because safety guidelines were not taken seriously. It is imperative that everyone involved is a “Good Teammate” and demands that teammates are doing what it takes to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep our kids playing.

Priorities for being a “Good Teammate”: • Follow the published guidelines set forth by MDH, MN Hockey and MYAS. • WEAR YOUR MASK. This includes coaches and spectators at all times, and players/officials while not actively participating in the competition.

SECTION 4 Class AA Head: Dustin Vogelgesang, East Ridge Class AA Ass’t: Bryan Boreen, Woodbury Class A Head: Peter Schultz, South St Paul Class A Ass’t: Paul Moen, South St Paul SECTION 5 Class AA Head, Todd Bergland, Maple Grove Class AA Ass’t: Brett Deboer, Spring Lake Park Class A Head: Eric Nelson, Monticello Class A Ass’t: Brett Westbrook, Pine City SECTION 6 Class AA Head: Rob Mcclanahan, Blake Class AA Ass’t: Jay Phillips, Blake Class A Head: Jeremiah Day, Morris/Benson Class A Ass’t: Mark Johnson, River Lakes • Do your part to slow the spread of this virus: wash your hands, practice safe hygiene habits, and clean surfaces/equipment between use.

• Stay at Home when you are sick and following the published MDH Decision Tree.

• Follow all guidance from health officials regarding quarantine direction. Individuals are ineligible to participate at any team event unless/until the quarantine period has expired.

• Stay more than 6 ft. from another person outside of your household at all times. As a spectator, stay 12 ft. from the closest participant in the competition.

Keep our kids playing – Be a “Good Teammate”!

SECTION 7 Class AA Head: Wade Chiodo, Grand Rapids Class AA Ass’t: Ben Jaremko, Elk River Class A Head: Dale Jago, Duluth Denfeld Class A Ass’t: Ryan Geris, Duluth Denfeld SECTION 8 Class AA Head: Jon Ammerman, Moorhead Class AA Ass’t: Jared Gustafson, Roseau Class A Head: Jay Hardwick, Warroad Class A Ass’t: Michael Tveit, Warroad

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November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

www.stateofhockey.com

Tradition.

Community.

B reezers.

THE HOME ICE

ADVANTAGE.

SAUCE

www.minnesotahockey.org

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November 27, 2020

11

North Dakota maintains No. 1 spot in USA Today/ USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2020-21 Men’s College Hockey Poll - Week #3

– NOTEBOOK – Thousands try hockey for first time More than 175 host sites welcomed new hockey families in November’s Try Hockey For Free, presented by SportsEngine COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – More than 3,000 kids across the country got to try hockey for the first time earlier this month (Nov. 7) during the first of two USA Hockey Try Hockey for Free Days this season. Presented by SportsEngine, USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free days are focused on providing an opportunity for children that haven’t tried hockey to do so without cost.

Certified volunteers and coaches put on the events, and host sites typically provide equipment for children to borrow.

“Because of the pandemic, we had limited sites this year with fewer participants, but for those that did participate, the smiles on the faces of kids and families were as heart-warming as ever,” said Kevin Erlenbach, assistant executive director for membership at USA Hockey. “Hockey provides so many positive benefits, including contributing to physical, social and mental well-being, and it’s always fun to share those benefits with new families.”

USA Hockey’s annual Hockey Week Across America celebration will include the second national Try Hockey for Free day on Feb. 20. Interested host sites should contact programservices@usahockey.org for more information.

With the support of the NHL and NHL member clubs, among others, USA Hockey’s Try Hockey For Free days are designed to provide a national platform for introducing children to the sport free of charge. They are the world’s largest introduction-to-hockey initiative, typically spanning more than 800 rinks nationwide.

CCM Hockey, Pure Hockey and SportsEngine are official sponsors of Try Hockey For Free.

NOTES: Now in its 11th season, USA Hockey’s Try Hockey For Free initiative has introduced more than 216,950 children to the sport of hockey . . . USA Hockey encourages participants to post photos and videos on social media to the “CCM Photo Gallery,” tagging @usahockey and using the hashtag #TryHockey.

The USA Hockey Foundation’s Raise the Flag Auction now open Bid to win a variety of experiences and signed memorabilia while supporting efforts of U.S. National Teams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The USA Hockey Foundation’s Raise the Flag Auction officially began on Nov. 19. Proceeds from the auction will support USA Hockey’s efforts in preparation for the upcoming 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In addition to signed memorabilia from U.S. national team athletes, among the many unique experiences up for bid are rounds of golf at famous courses, an opportunity to watch a Minnesota Wild game from a catered suite with general manager Bill Guerin, a special day with the famous Clydesdale horses in St. Louis; and a week in the Florida Keys, including airfare, resort credit, and a captained boat for fishing, cruising or snorkeling. For a full look at the opening catalog, go here.

Fans are encouraged to check back often as items will be added on a rolling basis through the end of the year.

To bid on an item, participants must first be registered. Visit www.usahockey. com for more information.

NOTES: The USA Hockey Foundation was established in 1989 and has been the charitable non-profit corporation that provides long-range financial support for USA Hockey and promotes the growth of hockey in the United States. The Foundation’s primary goals are to enhance USA Hockey’s mission and activities; to provide funding for education and training of high-performance athletes; and to provide opportunities for great participation throughout the country...The Raise the Flag Campaign was launched in 2020 ... The 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be held in Beijing, China starting Feb. 4-20.

(First-place votes in parentheses)

Last Week’s 2020-21 Weeks in Rank School Rank Record Top 15 1.

University of North Dakota, 501 (28) 1 0-0-0 3 2.

Boston College, 461 (2) 2 0-0-0 3 3.

University of Michigan, 422 (4) 6 4-0-0 3 4.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, 414 3 0-0-0 3 5.

Minnesota State University, 370 4 1-0-0 3 6.

University of Denver, 356 5 0-0-0 3 7.

University of Minnesota, 272 11 2-0-0 3 8.

University of Massachusetts, 266 7 1-0-1 3 9.

Clarkson University, 250 8 1-0-0 3 10. Ohio State University, 204 10 0-0-0 3 11. Quinnipiac University, 141 14 0-0-0 3 12. University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 156 12 0-0-0 3 13. Providence College, 80 15 0-0-0 2 14. Penn State University, 58 9 0-2-0 3 15. University of Wisconsin, 49 13 2-2-0 2 Others Receiving Votes: Northeastern University, 29; Boston University, 17; Western Michigan University, 14; Bemidji State University, 10; Bowling Green State University, 8; Robert Morris University, 8; Northern Michigan University, 5; Michigan State University, 4; Michigan Tech University, 3; Air Force Academy, 2; Lake Superior State University, 2.

Notes: The University of North Dakota holds the No. 1 ranking for the third week in a row with 501 points and 28 first-place votes...

The Big Ten leads with five teams in the ranking, while the Hockey East Association has four, NCHC has three, ECAC has two and the WCHA has one... Team records are listed as W-L-T... For past polls, click here.

About the Poll: The 26th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.

THIS WEEK’S TOP-15 MATCHUPS Tuesday, Nov. 24 No. 14 Penn State at No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 10 Ohio State at No. 7 Minnesota Friday, Nov. 27 No. 2 Boston College at No. 13 Providence Saturday, Nov. 28 No. 13 Providence at No. 2 Boston College

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November 27, 2020

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NA3HL.com

@NA3HL

NA3HL

UPDATE NA3HL, North Iowa alum Gravelle signs pro contract

During the 2015-16 season that saw North Iowa Bulls star Brett Gravelle set the North American Tier 3 Hockey League’s (NA3HL) single-season goals record, he racked up eight hat tricks. The last of those came in the Silver Cup national title game, his last game as a Bull before heading off to St. Thomas University in Minnesota.

As much as Gravelle knows about hat tricks, he’ll fit in perfectly in his first stop as a pro hockey player, after signing Tuesday with the Danbury Hat Tricks of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. He joins a group of 10 North Iowa alumni who suited up as professionals last season, including a pair of teammates in Austin Jackson and Jack Stang. Jackson, Kyle Gonzalez and Tim Santopoalo all played in the FPHL during the 2019-20 season, with Jackson and Gonzalez wearing the Hat Tricks’ black-and-orange at some point during the year.

“I’m just excited to have a chance to play this season with everything that is going on,” said Gravelle.

“The previous team I signed with, Quad City in the [Southern Professional Hockey League], canceled their season because of the pandemic, so I’m grateful just to have a chance to play hockey this season. Hopefully this is just the first step in my career as a pro and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Danbury has provided me.”

The Forest Lake, Minn., native spent his entire college career lighting up the scoreboard as well, notching 113 points over a 102-game career and leading the

Tommies in scoring each of his four seasons in Minneapolis. He served as an alternate captain during his junior season and as a team captain last season as a senior alongside former Bull Johnny Panvica. His team-best 28 points landed him a first-team all-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference nod for the third straight season, and he became the first Tommie since 2008 to surpass 100 points in a career.

Gravelle played 17 games in the North American Hockey League with the Minnesota Wilderness and the Austin Bruins, but he made his biggest impact as a member of the Bulls, winning back-to-back national championships in 2015 and 2016. He scored 160 points in 79 regular-season games, ranking third all-time on the North Iowa career leaderboard, and his 38 career postseason points ranks atop the Bulls’ leaderboard in that category. His 99 points during the 2015-16 season led the NA3HL, and his 57 goals was briefly an NA3HL record.

“Brett’s one of the best players to ever play for the Bulls, and probably in this league” said North Iowa associate head coach Mark Hicks. “Ever since he was here, I always thought he was a high-quality player and had pro abilities. It’s no surprise that he’s there, and he’ll probably succeed there as well.”

The FPHL season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Dec. 18 with eight teams and a 46-game regular season. The SPHL is down to just five teams for the upcoming season, with a 42-game schedule and a start date of Dec. 26. Both leagues were planning to ice

Brett Gravelle was voted the Most Valuable Player in the NA3HL during the 2015-16 season.

10 teams for the upcoming season prior to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve been fortunate to see Brett climb the through the junior ranks and advance to college hockey,” said Danbury head coach Anthony Bohn, who coached in the NA3HL for the Topeka and Atlanta Capitals during Gravelle’s junior career. “He’s a player with the right mindset along with the unique ability to provide scoring at every level he has played at. But more importantly for our organization, he’s just as good of a person as he is as a player. That excites us even more.”

Minnesota Wild Hockey Minnesota Wild unveils Reverse Retro Jersey for 2020-21 season

Fans can pre-order new adidas Wild Reverse Retro Jersey at the Hockey Lodge SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League (NHL) and adidas unveiled the adidas Reverse Retro ADIZERO Authentic jerseys for all 31 NHL teams, including the Minnesota Wild, marking the first time in League history that all 31 teams have participated in a League-wide alternate jersey program.

The Minnesota Wild Reverse Retro Jersey is a unique combination of the North Stars’ 1978 jersey with the current Minnesota Wild crest. This Reverse Retro jersey is the first time the beloved North Stars green and gold colorway has been worn by the Minnesota Wild, complete with era-specific drop-shadow numbers.

Legends in the North Stars organization including Mike Modano wore these colors while playing in the Twin cities.

Each team will wear the adidas Reverse Retro ADIZERO Authentic jersey in multiple games during the 2020-21 NHL season with special head-to-head matchups featuring exciting and renewed rivalries – both old and new – the league will announce at a later date.

“We are thrilled that our Reverse

Retro adidas jersey honors Minnesota’s first NHL team, the North Stars. While we’ve worked hard to build a distinct brand for the Wild, we have always looked for creative and appropriate ways to recognize the North Stars’ history in the State of Hockey,” said John Maher, Senior Brand Advisor. “We understand that many of our fans’ first NHL experience was cheering on the green and gold.

These Reverse Retro games will be a fun accompaniment to the coming season.”

The adidas Reverse Retro program creates a new formula to showcase the passion of the fans. The overarching design theme during adidas’ two-year-long process was to mine each team’s jersey archive and team colors, remixing them to create something new and never seen before. With that in mind, adidas created uniquely distinct and desirable jerseys that incorporated inverted team colors.

Fans can pre-order the new Minnesota Wild adidas Reverse Retro ADIZERO Authentic jersey online at hockeylodge.com and at both Minnesota Wild Hockey Lodge stores located at Xcel

Energy Center and Southdale Mall. Fans that pre-order the new Wild Reverse Retro jersey will be able to have them shipped or made available for pick up from The Hockey Lodge beginning Dec. 1. Customized jerseys will require additional processing time, depending on the order. The Wild Reverse Retro jersey will be on sale exclusively at The Hockey Lodge, Dec. 1-5.

The Minnesota Wild Hockey Lodge locations will also carry the Reverse Retro design in knit hats and hoodies beginning Dec. 1. A limited-edition ’47 branded baseball hat, designed by Wild forward Zach Parise, featuring the North

Stars colors is also available online and in stores now.

About adidas adidas is a global designer and developer of athletic and lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories with the mission to be the best sports brand in the world.

As an innovation and design leader, adidas engineers the best in high-performance products to make athletes better, faster, and stronger and creates a range of classic and fresh lifestyle and high-fashion lines.

www.stateofhockey.com

November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

Team leader, Walker, locked into season start

Sammy Walker led the Gophers with 30 points last season and will lead the Gophers on the ice this year as they look to return to national prominence.

by SHAFIN KHAN / Let’s Play Hockey Sammy Walker has come a long way from idolizing Patrick Kane as a teenager and attempting to emulate his game. The former 2018 Mr. Hockey winner has his eyes set on one goal and one goal only.

To bring home a national championship trophy to the University of Minnesota.

When it comes to team goals his season, Walker says that’s all him and his teammates have on their minds. He wants to bring the historic program back to the limelight and this is the only way he knows how to do it.

He also recognizes this is no easy feat and that there will be several difficult opponents this season standing in their way.

“I think everyone wants to win and win a national championship so that’s the ultimate goal. I think to get there, we need to win some games,” Walker said. “I think Michigan will be one of the top teams just because they have pretty much everyone returning and they got some good freshman. Notre Dame is always good. Penn

Sammy Walker is focused on bringing Gophers back to national prominence

State lost a lot of guys but it’ll be interesting to see how they are because they are always good. Wisconsin has a ton of talent so they will be good too. I mean, it’s the Big Ten so every team is going to show up to play.”

Walker will be a junior this season and while he has improved immensely over the past two seasons, he knows there is still work to do. Personally, he feels the need to win a higher percentage of his faceoff’s compared to last year which is something he wants to see improve as the season goes on.

As for the team, head coach Bob Motzko and Walker both believe they need to work on reducing the amount of times they turn the puck over along with staying out of the penalty box. Turnovers proved to be costly to the team’s success at crucial junctures throughout last season.

Walker also says Motzko has been a big influence on his development the last two years.

“I think the big thing he’s had me work on is keep using my speed to my advantage, winning faceoffs and being disciplined in defense zone,” Walker said.

While Walker is starving for a trip to the Frozen Four and a national title, he remains grateful for the

memories he has created the past two seasons. He admits his favorite memory as a Gopher came as a freshman after they defeated Michigan in double overtime in the Big Ten playoffs. Another moment of elation for Walker was when he netted his first collegiate goal in his second game ever as a Gopher against University of Minnesota-Duluth.

While he has experienced great highs, lows have come along the road as well. Walker says the biggest challenge he has faced was last spring, with the season shutting down early, just as the Gopher’s began to hit their prime form.

With this season bound to hit some rocky bumps in the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walker says he is doing his best to stay focused on bringing the Gophers back to national prominence and blocking out external distractions.

“It’s a great organization and we have a great staff.

I think as a whole, we’ve been making strides to get back to the top to where Gopher hockey used to be. I think last season we were making big strides before the season ended so hopefully we can pick back up where we left off.”

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November 27, 2020

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College Hockey report

Notable Zumwinkle’s goal at the 28-second mark of the game was the fastest goal by a Gopher in a season-opener in program history. Zumwinkle bested a record held by Gophers alumna and Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall, who scored at the 1:45mark of a season-opening match-up with St. Cloud State on Oct. 15, 1999.

Minnesota State announces attendance restrictions for Men’s & Women’s Hockey to begin season No fans allowed through end of current calendar year

2021-22 Minnesota State Men’s Hockey Recruiting Class

Player Pos Ht Wt S/C Hometown/Current Team (League) Dylan Abbott D 6-0 181 L Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL) Yusaku Ando F 5-7 150 R Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL) Steven Bellini D 5-10 174 R Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Tri-City (USHL) Will Hillman F 6-1 190 L Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL) Andrew Miller G 5-11 183 L Boulder, Colo.//Fargo (USHL) Brenden Olson F 6-0 185 L Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City (USHL) Luc Wilson F 5-8 168 L Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL) Bennett Zmolek D 6-2 183 R Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL) Biographies of the eight student-athletes are listed below.

Dylan Abbott, D, 6-0, 181, Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL). Wasilla (Alaska) High School product is in his first year with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League...Played two seasons with Fairbanks of the North American League where he had four goals and 44 assists for 48 points in 83 regular-season games over the course of two years with the Ice Dogs. Named to NAHL Top Prospects game in 2019 and 2020....NAHLAll-Midwest Division Team 2020 and Midwest Defenseman of the Year 2020...Had 0-6--6 in 10 GP in 2018-19 NAHL playoffs as Fairbanks advanced to the Robertson Cup championship round.

Yusaku Ando, F, 5-7, 150, Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL). In second season with Youngstown (USHL) where he had 8-17--25 in 40 GP in 2019-20...

Helped Japan win title at 2020 IIHF U20 D2A tournament (3-5--8 in 5 GP)...Appeared on this year’s NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List as a C prospect.

Steven Bellini, D, 5-10, 174, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Tri-City (USHL). In first year with Tri-City of the USHL after spending the 2019-20 campaign with Coquitlam of the BCHL...Had 8-30--38 in 46 games and was named team’s Top Defenseman with the Express in 2019-20...Played 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns with hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League where he registered 10-65-75 in 107 games played... NOJHL Best Defensemen Award in 2018-19 Will Hillman, F, 6-1, 190, Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL). In first season with Youngstown of the USHL after spending 2019-20 with Bismarck (NAHL)...

Registered 20-23--43 in 52 GP with the Bobcats in 2019-20...Named to NAHL Top Prospects game in 2020...NAHL All-Rookie First Team in 2020..Captained Blaine (Minn.) High School in 2018-19 and posted 13-15--28 in 23 GP with the Bengals, including 2-3--5 in five playoff games in helping lead Blaine to third-place finish at the state tournament.

Andrew Miller, G, 5-11, 183, Boulder, Colo./Fargo (USHL). In first season with Fargo (USHL)...Went 22-7-4 with 2.29 goals against average and .912 save percentage with Bismarck (NAHL) in 2019-20...Was named to 2019-20 NAHL All-Central Division Team, Central Division Goaltender of the Year and NAHL Al-Rookie Team...Product of Rocky Mountain Roughrider AAA program.

Brenden Olson, F, 6-0, 185, Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City (USHL). Serving as an alternate captain with Sioux City (USHL) in 2020-21...Had 10-5--15 in 47 games with Sioux Falls (USHL) in 2019-20 where he was an alternate captain for the Stampede...Had 22-19--41 in 24 GP with Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial High School in 2017-18.

Luc Wilson, F, 5-8, 168, Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL). In first season with Penticton (BCHL)... CJHL Prospects Event Team West in 2020...Had 19-34--53 in 55 GP with Cowichan (BCHL) in 2019-20 and led the Caps in points and finished second in goals...Over the course of his three seasons in Cowichan he had 75 points in 110 GP. Bennett Zmolek, D, 6-2, 183, Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL). Spending 2020-21 campaign with Youngstown (USHL) after playing with Cedar Rapids (USHL) in 2018-19 and 2019-20...Had 4-5--9 in 41 GP with Cedar Rapids in 201920...Captained Rochester (Minn.) Century HS in 2018-19 where he had 7-24--31 in 23 GP...Younger brother of current Maverick senior defenseman Riese Zmolek.

All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

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MANKATO, Minn. – With rising COVID-19 case rates across the state, within the region, and throughout the community and after consulting state and local health department officials, Minnesota State Athletics and the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center have announced that no fans will be admitted for home men’s and women’s home hockey games scheduled through the end of the 2020 calendar year.

For women’s hockey, this will impact the home opening series versus Minnesota-Duluth the weekend of Nov. 20-21 along with a final set before the Christmas break versus Bemidji State on Dec. 17-18.

For the men, these restrictions will apply to the home-opening series against Bemidji State on Nov. 27-28 and the Northern Michigan face-off slated for Dec. 11-12.

The policy will then be re-evaluated before the teams resume play in the New Year, with the women’s second half schedule yet to be determined and with the Mavericks men’s first home series versus Michigan Tech scheduled for Jan. 8-9.

All Minnesota State men’s and women’s hockey games are available to view online via the FloHockey subscription service. In addition, fans can tune into KTOE 1420-AM to follow home and away men’s hockey with men’s home games also broadcast locally on Charter-Spectrum channel 826. The Maverick marketing team is also working on a number of other initiatives that will allow others to be part of the game day experience, including cardboard cutouts that fans can purchase and offering the chance to participate in a virtual “Chuck-a-Puck” contest. More details about those opportunities are available on www.msumavericks.com, via Maverick Athletic social media platforms, or by calling (507) 389-6111.

“I know this is disappointing news for many of our fans, as we understand how passionate they are about supporting Maverick hockey”, explained Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics. “Ultimately, the health and personal well-being of everyone involved has to be considered and out of an abundance of caution we determined this is currently the approach we feel most comfortable with. We have worked very hard to safely get our student-athletes back on the ice and firmly believe this strategy gives us the best opportunity to sustain competition. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding and hope that they will avail themselves to other ways to support the program until we are able to get fans back into the building.”

MANKATO, Minn. – Head coach Mike Hastings has announced that eight student-athletes have signed NCAA Letters of Intent to attend Minnesota State University and play hockey for the Mavericks.

Committing to Minnesota State during the early signing period are defensemen Dylan Abbott (Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL)), Steve Bellini (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Tri-City (USHL)) and Bennett Zmolek (Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)), along with forwards Yusaku Ando (Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL)), Will Hillman (Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)), Brenden Olson (Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City, (USHL)), and Luc Wilson (Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL) and goaltender Andrew Miller (Boulder, Colo./Fargo (USHL)).

“Our entire staff is excited about this class of incoming freshmen,” said Hastings, who is beginning his ninth season as head coach of the Mavericks. “We are welcoming a group of young men that will improve our team at every position and the depth of leadership and talent is evident. We look forward to watching them continue their development in the outstanding junior programs they represent today.”

’

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Seniors Lauren Bench and Grace Zumwinkle led the No. 4 University of Minnesota women’s hockey team to a 4-0 win over No. 5 Ohio State in the teams’ season-opener at Ridder Arena on Saturday.

Bench logged a 36-save shutout in her Gopher debut as the goaltender transferred to Minnesota as a graduate student this season after playing her undergraduate career at Bemidji State. Zumwinkle scored a pair of goals, including netting the game-winner on the first shot on goal of the game. Madeline Wethington also tallied two points on a pair of assists while Josey Dunne and Taylor Wente found the back of the net for the Maroon & Gold as well.

Zumwinkle opened the scoring for Minnesota (1-0-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) just 28 seconds into the game and Dunne doubled the lead midway through the second period with her first career goal in her first game as a Gopher. Zumwinkle netted her second of the game with 4:24 remaining before Wente put away an empty-net goal with 2:53 remaining.

Ohio State (0-1-0, 0-1-0 WCHA) received 14 saves from goaltender Andrea Braendli as the visitors outshot the Gophers, 36-18, for the game. Both teams were scoreless on the power play with Minnesota going 0-for-1 and Ohio State finishing the game 0-for-2 with the advantage.

“It was a great way to start the season off with a win against a really good team,” head coach Brad Frost said. “Obviously you were able to see their speed and their relentless forecheck. I thought we managed the puck pretty well. Early on in the first, we gave it away a couple times, but overall we played a pretty solid game for our first game out. Certainly, it was their first game as well. They just play a little different style that generates a little more offense and they did a nice job with that.

“We got some real timely goals there in particular by Zummy to get us up early and then again to put us up by three. It was great to see Josey Dunne get her first goal of her Gopher career, and it was fun to have it be against Ohio State with her sister up in the stands as a grad assistant for Ohio State. Obviously Lauren Bench was tremendous for us. She did a really nice job of being very in control, not giving up a lot of rebounds, and when she did, our defense were generally there to clear it. It was just a great start to the year.”

Mavericks announce commitments for 2021-22

Let

Gophers shut out Buckeyes, 4-0

Years 0 ✯ 202

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College Hockey report Minnesota lands second in WCHA Preseason Poll

An update on UAH Chargers Hockey Program

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Golden Gopher women’s hockey team has been selected to finish second in the 2020-21 league standings according to the WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, which was released Nov. 16.

The Gophers received 31 points and three first-place votes in the preseason poll, three points behind Wisconsin, which collected 34 points and four first-place votes.

Ohio State finished third with 28 points ahead of fourth-place Minnesota Duluth (21 points). Bemidji State (14), Minnesota State (13) and St. Cloud State (6) rounded out this year’s poll.

Two Gophers were honored with individual preseason accolades as freshman defense Abbey Murphy was named the Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year and senior defense Emily Brown landed a place on the Preseason All-WCHA Team.

Fellow Gopher rookie Anne Cherkowski received a vote for Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year while senior Grace Zumwinkle picked up a vote for Preseason Player of the Year as well. Taylor Heise, Olivia Knowles, and Zumwinkle all received votes for the Preseason All-WCHA team.

The Gophers are set to open the 2020-21 season by hosting Ohio State at Ridder Arena at 3 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 21 and 2 p.m. CT Sunday, Nov. 22. Both games will be streamed online via BTN+. For the start of the 2020-21 season, there will be no ticket sales for Gopher women’s hockey home games.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – With the support of prominent alumni as well as the university administration and the Huntsville community, The University of Alabama in Huntsville is working to continue the UAH Division I ice hockey program on a longterm basis.

Goals of the group include alignment with a major conference and future plans to build a multi-purpose facility on the UAH campus that will be the home of the Charger hockey program. The facility would be subject to approval of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees based on the Board’s established criteria, which includes achieving fundraising goals, developing a sustainable business plan, and aligning with UAH’s budget parameters. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.

“The UAH hockey program has a long and cherished history,” UAH President Darren Dawson said. “We are truly grateful for the vital support from our alumni and community as we work together to ensure that the legacy of UAH hockey continues.”

“This is an exciting time for UAH hockey,” UAH Athletic Director Cade Smith said today. “The UAH administration and our alumni have come together to make a long-term multi-million dollar, multi-year financial commitment so UAH hockey not only survives but becomes a major Division I leader that competes for conference titles and national championships.

“The UAH administration and our alumni are committed to this goal, and it is our hope that the collegiate hockey community will give UAH the opportunity to show what a valued member we will be. Having made the commitment to our hockey program, we know we need to have a conference to call home,” Dr. Smith emphasized.

Following a strong campaign to save the program in May, UAH alumni led by Taso Sofikitis (1996), CEO and President of Maynards Industries Group, and Sheldon Wolitski (1996), Founder and Chairman of the Board of The Select Group, are working together to ensure the sustainability of the program.

“It is great to see the support we’ve already received and we’re excited about the future,” said Sofikitis. “It’s clear that people care about the UAH program and growing the game in the Southeast. Hopefully, years from now we will have teams like Alabama, Tennessee and more in Division I. We’re excited about the future.”

“The support means a lot coming from alumni,” said Wolitski. “There are so many people here in the community who have been positively impacted by UAH hockey, but when you have alumni reaching into their pockets and investing in this program for the long haul, that’s what will make it sustainable. We want to continue to see the community benefit from college hockey.”

An integral resource for the alumni group has been involving key players in an Advisory Committee which includes Sean Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nashville Predators, Bill Wickett, Executive Vice President of Communications of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Cam Talbot, a UAH alumnus and current NHL goalie for the Minnesota Wild.

“Sean and Bill have been incredible to work with,” said Sofikitis.

“They’re both extremely knowledgeable and well-rounded about what works and doesn’t from both the marketing and growth perspectives. They know that, if you can grow UAH hockey, it creates fans for both of their teams as well. It’s a win-win.”

“Using the incredible success of the Charger hockey program to improve the campus as a whole can be invaluable for every facet of UAH,” said Henry, regarding the possibility of building a multi-purpose facility on campus where the Chargers will play. “It will continue to allow this incredible program to grow, soar and amaze us year in and year out. It will only make the school bigger and better every year.”

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year: Daryl Watts, Sr., F, Wisconsin (3 votes) Others receiving votes: Emma Maltais, Sr., F, Ohio State (2); Grace Zumwinkle, Sr., F, Minnesota (1); Gabbie Hughes, Jr., F, Minnesota Duluth (1) Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year: Abbey Murphy, Fr., F, Minnesota (4 votes) Others receiving votes: Anne Cherkowski, Fr., F, Minnesota (1); Emma Gentry, Fr., F, St. Cloud State (1); Casey O’Brien, Fr., F, Wisconsin (1).

Preseason All-WCHA Team Forward: Emma Maltais, Sr., Ohio State Forward: Daryl Watts, Sr., Wisconsin Forward: Sophie Shirley, Jr., Wisconsin Defense: Ashton Bell, Sr., Minnesota Duluth Defense: Emily Brown, Sr., Minnesota Goaltender: Andrea Braendli, Jr., Ohio State Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards – Clair DeGeorge, Sr., Bemidji State; Taylor Heise, Jr., Minnesota; Gabbie Hughes, Jr., Minnesota Duluth; Klara Hymlarova, So., St. Cloud State; Grace Zumwinkle, Sr. Minnesota.

Defense – Grace Bowlby, Sr., Wisconsin; Sophie Jaques, Jr., Ohio State; Olivia Knowles, Sr., Minnesota; Anna Wilgren, Jr., Minnesota State.

Goaltender – Calla Frank, So., Minnesota State; Emma Polusny, Sr., St. Cloud State.

2020-21 WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll 1. Wisconsin (4 first place votes) - 34 2. Minnesota (3 first place votes) - 31 3. Ohio State - 28 4. Minnesota Duluth - 21 5. Bemidji State - 14 6. Minnesota State - 13 7. St. Cloud State - 6 Predicted order of finish. Based on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.

Note: Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Olczyk leaves Bemidji State men’s hockey program for NHL Beaver assistant coach to join Seattle Kraken scouting staff BEMIDJI, Minn. – After nearly five years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Bemidji State University, Eddie Olczyk has resigned from his position with the men’s hockey program and will join the front office staff of the Seattle Kraken, the National Hockey League’s newest franchise.

“This is a great opportunity for Eddie to advance his career at the professional level,” said BSU Head Coach Tom Serratore. “His eye for talent is second to none.

There is no doubt Eddie has helped continue the long-standing championship tradition here and I am sure he is going to do an outstanding job for Seattle.”

Olczyk’s duties as an amateur scout with the Kraken begin soon and include working with the rest of the front office staff to shape the organization through the NHL Entry Draft.

“First I have to thank Tom (Serratore) for entrusting me with a role in this storied program alongside both he and Travis (Winter),” said Olczyk. “I have had other stops in my coaching career, but as a part of this staff I have gained a greater understanding of the attributes to look for in a player and how to better evaluate them. I’ve also learned to see the game from a different perspective and the true definition of work ethic. Those skills have afforded me the opportunity to move on and help build an NHL expansion franchise from the ground up.”

Since joining the BSU coaching staff prior to the 2016-17 season, Olczyk has helped lead Bemidji State to the program’s first Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season title and 75 victories, while seven student-athletes who were either recruited by Olczyk or were members of his forward group have been recognized with All-WCHA honors. In addition, a BSU attack led by Olczyk’s forwards averaged 3.21 goals per game in 2019-20 to rank second in the WCHA, 13th in the nation and stand as BSU’s best goals per game average since 2009-10. The Beavers finished the season ranked 11th in the nation to cap an eight-week run among the nation’s top 20

teams and open the 2020-21 season ranked among the top 15 in the preseason national polls for the first time since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1999-2000.

Since 2016-17, BSU’s Phil Marinaccio finished among the league’s top 10 scorers (11g-18a), while both he and Gerry Fitzgerald earned a spot on the All-WCHA squad. In 2017-18, forward Kyle Bauman (9g-21a) became the first BSU player since 2011-12 to record at least 30 points, while his 21 assists marked the most by a BSU player since BSU great Brad Hunt posted 21 in 2011-12. Owen Sillinger came onto the scene in 2018-19 earning a spot on the WCHA All-Rookie Team after leading all BSU freshmen and ranking fifth on the team in scoring (10g-9a), while his 10 goals tied for second on the team. Forward Adam Brady, who led the nation with 12 power-play goals in 2019-20, became BSU’s second First Team All-WCHA selection since joining the league in 2010-11. In addition, Sillinger was voted Second-Team All-WCHA and Elias Rosén earned a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team as well as receiving Third Team All-WCHA honors.

Since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, the Beavers have posted a 75-57-22 (.556) overall record and a 66-31-15 (.656) mark in WCHA play.

“I want to thank the Bemidji community for welcoming us with open arms four years ago.” Olczyk added, “I am really going to miss working with our players on a daily basis. The level of dedication the guys have to this program, the amount of work they put in, and watching them grow and succeed make this job so rewarding.

I also want to thank our athletic training, equipment and strength and conditioning staffs and well as all the others who work hard behind the scenes at Sanford Center and on campus to make Beaver Hockey a success. The support behind this program is something I will not forget.”

Details are being finalized to secure Olczyk’s replacement. The announcement of the addition to the BSU coaching staff is expected soon.

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North Dakota picked to repeat as Penrose Cup Champions in 2020 NCHC Preseason Poll UND earns 27 of 28 first-place votes from media; Denver, UMD round out top three COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After hoisting the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions in 2019-20, North Dakota has been selected to do the same in 2020-21, as the Fighting Hawks topped the 2020 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Preseason Media Poll, revealed Nov 23.

North Dakota received 27 of a possible 28 first-place votes, totaling 223 points to sit comfortably in first in the poll. Denver was tabbed to finish as the runner-up in the NCHC, garnering the lone other first-place vote in the poll, while compiling 185 points. Minnesota Duluth (173 points) claimed the third spot 12 points back of DU. St. Cloud State came in fourth in the Preseason Poll with 126 points, 10 more than fifth-place Western Michigan. Omaha landed sixth in the poll with 96 points, while Colorado College (45 points) edged Miami (44) by a point for seventh place in the Preseason Poll.

The Fighting Hawks captured the program’s third Penrose Cup to close the 201920 campaign and would become the only NCHC team to win it four times if UND repeats as NCHC regular-season champions. North Dakota was also the preseason favorite in 2014-15 and 2016-17, with UND proving the media correct in 2014-15, the only time the NCHC preseason favorite has won the Penrose Cup. Minnesota Duluth topped the NCHC Preseason Poll each of the last two seasons.

UND returns 19 letterwinners from last season’s team that went 17-4-3-2 in conference play, including Hobey Hat Trick finalist and senior forward Jordan Kawaguchi and 2019-20 NCHC Rookie of the Year Shane Pinto. North Dakota also added two NHL draft picks to its blue line, while bringing back senior Matt Kiersted, who garnered Second-Team All-NCHC last season.

Despite losing 10 letterwinners, the Pioneers have 16 letterwinners coming back to Denver this season after placing third in the NCHC in 2019-20. DU has nine NHL draft picks on its roster after bringing in four NHL prospects as freshmen this season.

Denver also has plenty of experience with eight seniors on the squad and sophomore forward Bobby Brink, who earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors a season ago.

UMD has 18 letterwinners returning in 2020-21, and added eight newcomers, including two transfers and three NHL draft picks. The Bulldogs have eight NHL prospects on their roster this season, including All-American forwards and juniors Noah Cates and Cole Koepke. Minnesota Duluth was the runner-up in the NCHC last season, but lost six letterwinners, including Hobey Baker winner Scott Perunovich and two-time NCHC Goaltender of the Year Hunter Shepard.

St. Cloud State is second among all NCHC teams with 20 letterwinners back in 2020-21, after placing fifth a season ago. The Huskies return Second-Team AllNCHC senior goaltender David Hrenak in net, and boast four NHL draft picks on their roster. Right behind SCSU in the Preseason Poll, the Broncos finished fourth in the NCHC last season, but saw six players sign NHL contracts during the offseason.

WMU returns 16 letterwinners from 2019-20 and add 11 freshmen to the mix.

Omaha leads all NCHC squads with 21 letterwinners back this year and was predicted to finish in the same spot as last season – sixth place. Colorado College, which placed last in 2019-20, adds 14 newcomers to its 16 returning letterwinners, while Miami, which was seventh a year ago, has 18 returning letterwinners and 10 newcomers.

A total of 28 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media. Points were awarded on a descending scale with a first-place vote worth eight points, a second-place vote worth seven points and so on.

The 2020-21 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team, as selected by media, will be revealed on Nov. 24.

The NCHC will begin the 2020-21 season in the Pod in Omaha, Neb., where all eight teams will compete from Dec. 1-20, playing 10 games each. Fans can watch all 40 games in the Pod anywhere in the world with a subscription to NCHC.tv.

2020-21 NCHC Preseason Media Poll North Dakota – 223 points (27 first-place votes) Denver – 185 (1) Minnesota Duluth – 173 St. Cloud State – 126 Western Michigan – 116 Omaha – 96 Colorado College – 45 Miami – 44

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USPHL

NOTEBOOK Tier-2 NCDC features top Minnesota performers

by JOSHUA BOYD / USPHL.com

As we near December, it’s a good time to take a look at a few top performers from Minnesota competing in the USPHL’s tuition-free Tier-2 Junior League, the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).

The NCDC averaged better than 10 NCAA commitments per team in 2019-20. Most recently, the NCDC saw six currently active players listed on the NHL Central Scouting Players To Watch list for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the most of any Tier-2 league in the U.S. – and also more than any Canadian Jr. A league outside of the BCHL. For more information on the league, log onto USPHL.com/NCDC. Danny Magnuson, D, Boston Advantage A 2000-born resident of Sunfish Lake, Magnuson posted 95 points in 75 scholastic games for Cretin-Derham Hall through 2018-19, when he served as captain.

Currently, he is the Advantage’s ice time leader, averaging 22:24 per game and 25 shifts.

With 2-5-7 totals in 12 games, he is the leading scorer among Advantage defensemen. He also has a team-leading nine takeaways per game.

PHOTO BY RAM MCDONOUGH / TWIN CITY THUNDER

Dusty Bergstrom is the Islanders Hockey Club No. 1 shot-blocker and leads his team in puck challenges in the defensive zone.

Dusty Bergstrom, D, Islanders Hockey Club The former two-year captain for Pine City High School – one who posted 145 points in 100 Minnesota High School games – is a true stayat-home defenseman for the Islanders Hockey Club of Tyngsborough, Mass.

Bergstrom is the Islanders’ No. 1 shot-blocker taking 17 pucks this year early on, and he leads his team in puck challenges in the defensive zone, with 88. He is also a close third in takeaways with 60 on the year so far. He registered his sole assist on the season in Game 1 of the year on Oct. 8.

Joel Matthews, F, Northern Cyclones Another former captain, the 2018-19 skipper for Wayzata High School has become a valued playmaker for the Cyclones in Hudson, N.H. He is also another matching our theme of better than point-per-game average with 76 points in

PHOTO BY RAM MCDONOUGH / TWIN CITY THUNDER

PHOTO BY JOSHUA BOYD / USPHL

Danny Magnuson is the Boston Advantage’s ice time leader, along with being the leading scorer among Advantage defensemen. He also has a team-leading nine takeaways per game.

Matthew Swanson, forward for Philadelphia Hockey Club, has been strong on draws for PHC and leads all PHC forwards in shorthanded shifts and shorthanded time per game.

75 high school games at Wayzata.

He currently has four assists in the five games he’s played for the Cyclones. He is tied for third among forwards with 18 shifts per game, and he is tied for second in blocked shots among Cyclone forwards, illustrating a sharp two-way game.

Connor Kalthoff, Philadelphia Hockey Club A 2000-born defenseman, Kalthoff – a native of Sartell – is a former alternate captain for Sartell-St. Stephen High, graduating in 2019.

Kalthoff is tied for second on PHC in shifts per game (21), and with three assists, he is the leading scorer among PHC blueliners. He has also won 84 puck battles, good for a 66 percent success rate – he is first in both those categories.

Austen Humphrey, Philadelphia Hockey Club The first of four Philadelphia HC players out of Minnesota, we have another former captain, as he wore the “C” for Elk River and posted 90 points in 74 scholastic contests, before graduating last spring.

Nowadays, the ‘01-born forward is helping PHC build a foundation in the NCDC, as they are a first-year team in the 13-team circuit.

With a +2 rating, he is tied for the team lead in plus-minus, and he has a goal and an assist in nine games.

Matthew Swanson, Philadelphia Hockey Club A 100-plus point scorer during his time with Princeton High School as part of the Class of 2019, this ‘01 forward has been strong on draws for PHC, winning 31 of 58 (53 percent success rate, tying for first in that category). He also leads all PHC forwards in shorthanded shifts (35) and shorthanded time per game (2:18).

Christian Manz, Philadelphia Hockey Club Manz (‘04), a native of Blaine, most recently played for the Shattuck-St. Mary’s 14U and 15U teams. He has posted a .907 save percentage and was in net for the PHC’s historic first win, an 8-4 mark over the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders on Nov. 2 in their sixth contest. He is currently 1-3 on the season.

Talon Sigurdson, Twin City Thunder A recent arrival for the Thunder, Sigurdson is a former Sartell-St. Peter’s teammate of Connor Kalthoff and is also a Sartell resident, though born in 2002. He was only at Sartell-St. Peter’s a couple years before transferring to Northstar Christian Academy, his home the last two years.

Sigurdson’s first Thunder game was on Nov. 3, so he’s only played three so far. He’s mixed right in well, averaging nine shots on goal per game, and he is third in power play time per game at 7:26.

Ryan Brandt, Utica Jr. Comets A returning Jr. Comet, Brandt (‘00/Maple Grove) played a couple seasons at MGHS before starting his junior career. He posted 13 points in 49 games for the Jr. Comets last year and has played in three of their games so far, joining the team in late October.

The coaching staff put him right back at the top of the defensive rotation, and he is the leader in average ice time (21:42), and in average hits per game (2.7). He also averages eight takeaways per game.

Learn more at USPHL.com

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– MEN’S UPDATE –

– WOMEN'S UPDATE –

WCHA to highlight 70 Years of Excellence this season

Defending regular season champion Wisconsin tops WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll

League to recognize top players and coaches from each of its seven decades BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Men’s League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will celebrate seven decades of history this season.

Beginning in December, the league will announce a series of All-Decade Teams along with a Coach and Player of the Decade for the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. Current and former WCHA member institutions submitted nearly 200 players and coaches for consideration. The honorees will be selected by a panel of WCHA staff and media members who have covered the league.

“As the oldest and most historic college hockey league in the NCAA, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has established A Tradition of Excellence since its founding in 1951,” WCHA Men’s League Commissioner Bill Robertson said. “Our alumni include some of the greatest players in intercollegiate, amateur and professional hockey and we are excited to recognize their excellence during the years they competed in the WCHA.” Home to a record 37 national championships, 16 Hobey Baker Award winners, 407 All-Americans, more than 450 National Hockey League players and over 100 Olympians, the WCHA has been one of the most successful and decorated leagues in intercollegiate hockey.

The league will announce its 1950s honorees during the first week of December and will follow with the remaining six decades on a bi-weekly basis beginning with the 1960s during the week of Jan. 4, 2021.

Members of the All-Decade Selection Panel include: Bill Brophy, WCHA historian; Dave Fischer, USA Hockey; Shane Frederick, former WCHA beat writer – Mankato Free Press; John Gilbert, former WCHA beat writer – Minneapolis Star Tribune; Kevin Gorg, former WCHA Final Five reporter – FSN; Doug Johnson, former publisher – Let’s Play Hockey; Randy Johnson, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Todd Milewski, Wisconsin State Journal; Kevin Pates, former WCHA beat writer – Duluth News Tribune; Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald; Greg Shepherd, WCHA Supervisor of Officials; Gregg Wong, former WCHA beat writer – St. Paul Pioneer Press. WCHA Marketing and Communications Manager Todd Bell is the selection panel coordinator.

About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s League The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, will mark its 69th season of men’s competition in 2020-21. The 10-team NCAA Division I conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). For more information, visit wcha.com.

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Badger forward Daryl Watts named Preseason Player of the Year; Minnesota’s Abbey Murphy named Preseason Rookie of the Year BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Defending regular season champion Wisconsin is the pick among league head coaches to win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s League 2020-21 regular season title.

The Badgers totaled 34 points and four first place votes in preseason polling among the WCHA’s seven bench bosses. Defending WCHA regular season champion Minnesota received three first place votes and tallied 31 points in the poll.

Ohio State finished third with 28 points to edge out fourth-place Minnesota Duluth (21 points). Bemidji State (14), Minnesota State (13) and St. Cloud State (6) rounded out this year’s poll.

Daryl Watts, Wisconsin’s senior forward was named WCHA Preseason Player of the Year, edging out Ohio State senior forward Emma Maltais, Minnesota senior forward Grace Zumwinkle and Minnesota Duluth junior forward Gabbie Hughes.

The WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year selection is Minnesota freshman forward Abbey Murphy. Murphy received four votes, with Gopher forward Anne Cherkowsi, St. Cloud State forward Emma Gentry and Wisconsin forward Casey O’Brien also receiving votes.

The loaded Preseason All-WCHA Team features Ohio State’s Emma Maltais, Wisconsin’s Daryl Watts and Sophie Shirley at forward with Minnesota Duluth’s Ashton Bell and Minnesota’s Emily Brown on the blueline. Ohio State’s Andrea Braendli rounds out the team at goaltender.

The WCHA opens its 22nd season the weekend of Nov. 20-22 as Minnesota State hosts Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota hosts Ohio State.

WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rk. Team (First Place Votes) Points 1.

Wisconsin (4) 34 2 Minnesota (3) 31 3.

Ohio State 28 4.

Minnesota Duluth 21 5.

Bemidji State 14 6.

Minnesota State 13 7.

St. Cloud State 6 Predicted order of finish. Based on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year: Daryl Watts, Sr., F, Wisconsin (3 votes) Others receiving votes: Emma Maltais, Sr., F, Ohio State (2); Grace Zumwinkle, Sr., F, Minnesota (1); Gabbie Hughes, Jr., F, Minnesota Duluth (1) Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year: Abbey Murphy, Fr., F, Minnesota (4) Others receiving votes: Anne Cherkowski, Fr., F, Minnesota (1); Emma Gentry, Fr., F, St. Cloud State (1); Casey O’Brien, Fr., F, Wisconsin (1).

Preseason All-WCHA F: Emma Maltais, Sr., Ohio State F: Daryl Watts, Sr., Wisconsin F: Sophie Shirley, Jr., Wisconsin D: Ashton Bell, Sr., Minnesota Duluth D: Emily Brown, Sr., Minnesota G: Andrea Braendli, Jr., Ohio State Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards – Clair DeGeorge, Sr., Bemidji State; Taylor Heise, Jr., Minnesota; Gabbie Hughes, Jr., Minnesota Duluth; Klára Hymlárová, So., St. Cloud State; Grace Zumwinkle, Sr. Minnesota. Defensemen – Grace Bowlby, Sr., Wisconsin; Sophie Jaques, Jr., Ohio State; Olivia Knowles, Sr., Minnesota; Anna Wilgren, Jr., Minnesota State. Goaltender – Calla Frank, So., Minnesota State; Emma Polusny, Sr., St. Cloud State.

About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s League The Women’s League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will mark its 22nd season in 2020-21. The nation’s premier women’s hockey conference, WCHA member institutions have won a record 17 national championships since the league’s inception in 1999 (including 16 of a possible 19 NCAA titles), while producing seven Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winners, 105 All-Americans and numerous Olympic and national team members. The seven-team, NCAA Division I conference consists of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), The Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin (Badgers). The WCHA will grow to eight members with the addition of the University of St. Thomas (Tommies) beginning with the 2021-22 season. For more information, visit wcha.com.

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Let’s Play Hockey

Q&A

November 27, 2020

– SPONSORED CONTENT –

with Kendall Coyne-Schofield

Kendall Coyne-Schofield spent time playing for the Minnesota Whitecaps, but she is most well known for her being an integral part of the 2018 Olympic Gold Medal team. And who can forget her appearance at the NHL All-Star Game fastest skater competition.

Coyne-Schofield’s playing career is something girls dream of, and she is still turning heads even after her playing career has ended. Coyne-Schofield was recently hired by the Chicago Blackhawks to work as a player development coach. Coyne-Schofield is the first female coach to be hired in the Blackhawks organization. A native of Illinois, it’s a dream come true for her to work for the team she watched growing up. And she is also setting a standard and blazing a trail for all women hockey players who wish to stay in the game after their playing career.

Growing up in Illinois, is this a dream come true to work for the Chicago Blackhawks?

As a kid, I wanted to be on the Blackhawks. I feel I have fulfilled that dream through my new role as a player development coach and youth hockey growth specialist for the Chicago Blackhawks. I can’t put into words how excited I am to be a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

Describe your new position and what it will entail.

I will be doing a magnitude of things in both of my roles. Both of my roles will focus on development. As a player development coach, I will be working on the development of our prospects and as a youth hockey growth specialist I will continue to develop programs at the grassroots level of the game for kids in Chicago.

How does it feel to be the first female coach to ever be hired by the Blackhawks? Do you see yourself as a trailblazer for women in hockey?

It is a tremendous honor. I hope by being the first, I will make the path more visible for the second and third and the many more who will come after me. While I am the first player development coach in Blackhawks history, I am the third woman in the Hockey Operations Department with the Chicago Blackhawks behind Meghan Hunter and Mary Debartolo.

You are also viewed as a trailblazer when you competed in the All-Star Game fastest skater challenge. What was that experience like?

It was another moment that broke a barrier in the sport of hockey. That moment would not have happened without the support and confidence of Patrick Burke, the NHL, the NHLPA and the players. In addition, it would not have happened without the incredible players who came before us in that moment who proved that we could be successful and step into a moment like that.

What advice do you have for female hockey players who want to stay involved in the game after their playing career?

There are so many ways to stay involved in the game beyond playing. If you love the sport of hockey, there is a place for you in this game. Even if that role hasn’t been done before, you can be the first. Find your passion and follow your dreams.

We have to ask, who was your favorite Blackhawk player growing up and why? #7 Chris Chelios – He was the player I loved to watch as a kid.

A “solution” for dirty, germ-infested equipment and locker rooms?

Pro3 Solutions has the formula

Imagine if there were something that could just kill germs and viruses in locker rooms and on equipment on the spot.

Imagine no longer. Pro3 Solutions says they have the answer to dirty, dingy locker rooms where germs and viruses manifest and can wreak havoc on locker rooms and teams. Let’s face it, in the COVID-19 era, now more than ever do things need to not just be disinfected, but extra disinfected.

“COVID is not why we got into this business,” said Todd Strop, one of the three owners of the Madison, Wis., based company. “The reason we got into this was to keep players healthy.”

Pro3 Solutions uses a two-step process in treating equipment.

“We disinfect and then we protect,” said Strop.

Pro3 uses a hospital grade disinfectant called PureFX, which is a non-chemical formula that sterilizes everything it is applied to.

“Whether it is equipment, or a locker room or whatever, it disinfects everything it touches,” said Strop.

The second step is adding Penetrexx, an anti-microbial formula that inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses on surfaces.

“We kill any kind of bacteria, germ or virus,” said Strop. “Everything from common germs to the flu to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.”

Pro3 worked with more than 100 football teams this past fall.

Coaches and players don’t have to do anything except allow Pro3 staff into the locker room for the application process. They also worked with several hockey teams.

“We treat every piece of equipment, from the helmet all the way down to the skates,” said Strop. “And because of the way we do it, the locker room is also getting completely disinfected. And not only is it protecting the players, it eradicates the smell.”

Both products have been registered with the EPA, have been approved to kill coronavirus, and will not fade equipment or facilities.

Pro3 provides a service for high schools because they have locker rooms. Because youth teams move around so much they sell the product to youth associations to apply themselves.

“Of the 100 football teams we worked with last year nearly 100 percent of them signed up again,” said Strop. “And every hockey program we worked with last year also signed back up.”

For more information about Pro3 Solutions and their products, visit www.pro3solutions.com. Or call Todd Strop at 612-209-0668 or email him at toddstrop@pro3solutions.com.

Your new stick rack “We play with sticks, we play hockey”

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19

THE PAUSE

20

November 27, 2020

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

At the beginning of the season, Wayzata youth hockey coach Dave Klaiman was given a thermometer and some spare masks.

The thermometer was for taking every kid’s temperature before they entered the building and the masks were there in case anybody, player or coach, forgot to bring one.

“The players wear masks in the locker room, and the coaches wear them the entire time,” said Klaiman, who is an assistant coach for the Wayzata Bantam B2 team.

His oldest son, Max, is the head coach. “We practice social distancing and our time in the locker room is limited. The players come to practice dressed and leave dressed, only putting on or removing skates, gloves and helmets. And we are only allowed into the building seven minutes before practice or a game.”

These are the protocols many hockey arenas, coaches, players and parents say they are following, which is why they are frustrated that Governor Tim Walz has put a pause on hockey (in addition to all youth and high school sports) for the next four weeks beginning Nov. 20.

Holly Tchida is a member of the “team” for the Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association (CCHA) that works closely with rink managers, including their own, on COVID protocols, contact tracing and other COVID related items.

“We have strict guidelines and we’ve been following them very strictly,” Tchida said. “And we have seen that things were really being followed very well by CCHA members and other associations.”

CCHA has 55 youth hockey teams and close to 800 players. Each team has a “COVID monitor” who makes sure teams

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and parents are following protocols whether playing at one of their two home arenas or while traveling to other arenas. At the time of the pause, CCHA had a handful of cases, but none of them were traced back to the arena or one of the teams.

“We had not traced one player to player, coach to coach, player to coach or coach to player transmission,” she said. “We have 796 active members and 180 active coaches and no evidence of any transmission within our association at the time of the pause.”

The handful of cases, she said, came from players or coaches getting the virus from other sources outside of the association such as work or other group settings.

“We’ve had wonderful communication throughout our association from our president on down,” said Tchida. “If someone had symptoms they stayed home, or they stayed home if they had a pending test. We really went above and beyond. We put a lot of cautions in place from the very get go. All of our efforts we put into this were to make sure we could stay on the ice. In the end, I guess all of our efforts weren’t enough.”

According to data released by the Minnesota Department of Health there have been 46 “outbreaks” of COVID-19 traced back to youth hockey and a total of 780 cases linked to youth sports. An outbreak is considered as three or more cases on one team. There are more than 57,000 youth hockey players in the state of Minnesota. To many hockey parents, the numbers don’t justify pausing the sport for four weeks.

Brian and Amy Schiltgen have two boys in hockey, ages seven and eight. She said they have been playing since May and have been to dozens of different arenas, all with different protocols that have been strictly followed.

“We get dressed at home,” Amy said.

“We wear masks. We have one parent with the skater while the other one watches the games via Live Barn due to the rink’s rules.

Signs have been posted on arenas around the state. Hockey associations and arena staff worked very hard to curb the spread of COVID-19 through very strict guidelines.

Regardless, Governor Tim Walz executed an executive order closing arenas for four weeks until Dec. 18.

We have been doing all of this since May. The reason? Our boys love hockey.”

Parents and coaches understand the seriousness of the virus, which is why they took strict measures to provide the safest possible environment to prevent the spread and to keep their kids playing. Their ultimate goal was to keep kids playing throughout the pandemic.

Jeff Sturm has three kids in hockey in the St. Cloud Hockey Association. They have had a few sporadic COVID cases that have caused entire teams to quarantine. He said he doesn’t think a pause on youth sports will have a big impact on limiting the spread of the virus and that the negative aspects of the pause far outweigh the risks of the spread.

“As a parent of three boys that all play hockey, I feel this is detrimental to our kids’ health and self being,” said Sturm. “Halting youth sports is not going to have an impact on COVID in my opinion. If kids are going to get COVID, they will get it regardless of where they are. Shutting down youth sports hurts them physically and mentally. Efforts for COVID should be focused on the people that are at high risk, not on kids.”

Mental health is at the top of the list for most parents who are already struggling with the effects of distance learning. Jaci Schleper Humphrey is a child protection worker and a hockey mom who is concerned about the potential effects a pause will have on some kids.

“For many kids home is not ‘safe at home,’” she said. “The words from teachers and coaches may be the only positive words they ever hear from an adult. When we take these outlets away from kids it is so much more than just taking their sport away. Kids need their coaches, teachers, teammates, and teammates’ parents looking out for them.”

She said she was disappointed Walz has not addressed the mental health ramifications kids can potentially face. Hockey mom Traci Gangl agrees.

“In addition to making sure there is enough PPE and ICU beds, is Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health making sure there are adequate mental health services,” said Gangl, whose son plays in the Greenway Hockey Association.

“The kids can’t go to school, they can’t play sports, and they can’t see their friends. They are expected to sit in front of a computer screen all day, no interaction with friends, no sports they enjoy. I am so worried about the future of our youth.”

Jamie Loch is the parent of a high school player in St. Michael-Albertville.

“Kids have done everything we have asked of them,” he said. “And what they have gotten in return from us is something we would not deem to be okay as an adult. Some of these kids need to be connected to a coach, or to a teacher. They need that stability in their life.”

To date there have been 263,000 positive COVID-19 cases in Minnesota and 3,257 deaths. The survival rate is 98.8 percent, although the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there are many more asymptomatic cases of people who never were tested, which drives the survival rate even higher. Also to date, there have been zero deaths for school-aged children (age 5-19). According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the number of cases for those ages 5-19 is 36,610 as of Saturday, Nov. 21, when the “pause” was put in place.

The 5-19 age group is responsible for 14 percent of the number of cases in the state.

Governor Walz said in his Nov. 18 address the reason for his executive order is to give relief to overrun hospitals that are having trouble with available beds and staffing.

Youth sports, along with bars and restaurants, movie theatres and gyms were targeted in what he deemed a surgical approach to help slow the spread.

If youth sports are responsible for 780 positive cases, it amounts to .29 percent of total cases within the state. It’s these types of numbers that many parents say simply don’t

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add up to a pause on youth hockey or youth sports in general.

“Let youth sports govern themselves,” said Eric Stang, who has two boys in the Osseo-Maple Grove Association. “Thousands of hours of work have made youth sports safe and able to move forward. There has been an unbelievably good process put into place to guard against COVID and to protect teams, athletes, coaches and parents. We’re not forced to participate and know the consequences. Our children need to be children.

Everything else has been taken away from them already. Don’t take the only thing they have left, not even for a month.”

Deb Archambeault has a 9-year-old son playing in the Roseville Hockey Association. She agrees that kids should be allowed to play and that the choice should be left up to families.

“I believe if parents, coaches, and players are taking the appropriate precautions, and those who are showing symptoms or are at higher risk quarantine themselves, play should and can continue,” she said. “As a society, we are already seeing the negative impacts that not allowing a social or physical outlet is causing. Distance learning is causing a decrease in national test scores at the public school setting from last year and depression in our youth is at a record high.”

She said mitigation efforts can be followed to create a safe playing environment.

“I reiterate the absolute importance of following social distancing and say again that anyone who is at risk should quarantine themselves, but healthy kids should have a physical and social outlet and I believe it can be provided safely at the hockey rink. Don’t allow any spectators if need be but let them play.”

“Our kids need sports,” said Justin Jiskoot, whose 11-year-old son plays for Marshall. “Kids don’t just need it to have fun.

They need sports for the mental and physical aspect. Their world without sports gets turned upside down. It is far more unhealthy to pull them away from this than the small risk of this virus.”

Klaiman also sees a detrimental effect on kids’ mental health with the pause.

“Hockey and the socialization that comes with it are essential to our children’s mental health. They are isolated most of the day with distance learning. Socialization is limited. Hockey provides at least a partial sense of normalcy and a chance for in person interaction. It also affords the players – and coaches – an opportunity for physical activity after being at home or work most of the day. I don’t see how the players’ mental and physical health won’t suffer if hockey is suspended.”

Hockey parent Scott Cullen is also frustrated with the pause.

“I am very unhappy to hear about the shutdown of youth sports,” he said. “It is a huge part of our life and my son will be heartbroken without it. I don’t feel taking away youth sports is right. I really doubt it will have the impact on decreasing the number of cases. We’ve been playing since June under restrictions and as far as I know, there have not been any of these “super spreader” events as a result of any hockey.”

Cullen said it is important for kids to stay active, both for physical and mental purposes. “Having kids be active is necessary for the physical and emotional well-being of the kids,” he said.

But not all hockey parents and coaches are against the pause. Several have voiced their support for the pause to help slow the spread and allow health care facilities and staff to keep up with the rising number of cases and hospitalizations.

Barbi Judd, a scientist, has three girls in hockey and has helped her association contact trace during the early part of the season.

She said the spread isn’t happening at the rinks, but still supports the pause.

“I have helped contact trace enough cases to see most of the spread is not at the rink, but in carpools, at parties, and from parents socializing indoors,” she said. “My husband

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Let’s Play Hockey

November 27, 2020

21

Parents, kids grapple with 4-week pause of hockey season works in the ER and it is bad right now and they are bracing for it to get even worse. My girls have seen their dad, who has worked in the ER for 20 years, come home shaken after being overwhelmed by cases, by calling time of death for a 35-year-old, by not being able to find hospital beds for patients.

My kids are sad to miss hockey, but we see that this is needed to stop the spread of this virus.”

Eric Vegoe is a longtime coach currently coaching in Minneapolis and agrees that the pause is necessary to support the health care industry and save lives.

“The spread of the virus is rampant right now and our healthcare providers deserve our support. Cases during the summer were pretty limited and then all of a sudden I personally know double-digit people who have caught COVID from community spread,” he said. “Labeling this a shutdown or lockdown is just fanning the flames. It’s frustrating that it’s come to this, but all the micro-spreading events have put us in this situation. I think it’s pretty clear that this small sacrifice will save lives if people respect the guidelines epidemiologists are publishing.”

Vegoe said the pause can also help speed up the return to normal activities for kids, both in hockey and in school.

“My six-year-old and eight-year-old will now be distance learning through at least January and I’m hopeful this pause makes sports and in-person learning possible again this year,” he said. “I think the statement Minnesota Hockey made is a very reasoned perspective on the pause for youth sports coming up.”

Minnesota Hockey, the governing body overseeing youth hockey in Minnesota, sent out a letter to all member associations after Walz’s announcement. It read (in part): “We understand this is disappointing to many, and we are concerned about the effect it can have on the mental and physical health of our youth, who tremendously benefit from the camaraderie, physical activity and inspiration that sports provide. This is especially true in a time when schools and other activities are not available to many.

We would have preferred the opportunity to implement more restrictions prior to a pause taking place, but the exponential growth of infections and hospitalizations in our state made that impossible.

We are also understanding of why this decision was made. COVID-19 is a devastating virus, as too many people have found out across the country and the state. It is important that the spread of this virus is controlled so that more lives can be saved. In addition to controlling the spread, this pause is being implemented at this time in order to save the remainder of the winter sports season.

The large majority of our members have been doing everything that has been asked of them. But whether it’s coming dressed to the rink, avoiding locker rooms or social gatherings, etc., we also know many of us can and need to do more. Just like in a hockey game, non-compliance to team expectations in a single instance rarely has immediate or dire consequences, but the cumulative impact over time can significantly harm a team. We’re seeing that right now with hockey being associated with the most outbreaks of youth sports in Minnesota.

The good news is coming out of the pause, we will still have a minimum of three months remaining in the season, and the Board of Directors will be meeting to discuss the potential extension of the season.

Minnesota Hockey will also implement an updated “Return to Play” plan with continued guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and Commissioner Tarek Tomes. It will be imperative that all of our members are following guidelines and policies in order to keep our players safe, and keep our game going.

There is still much more time for our kids to create lifelong memories and improve their skills. But we must do everything we can to keep our kids and their families safe and preserve those opportunities. That

PHOTOS BY NICK WOSIKA

Arenas around the state are closed as hockey is going through a “pause” instituted by state government on the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. Editor’s Note: The chain and padlock are props in this photo and were not placed on the doors by the arena staff. includes taking this pause seriously, and not doing anything to jeopardize our chances of being able to start in late December.”

For associations who were looking to book ice out of state or to hold outdoor practices, Governor Walz is also prohibiting any such activity until Dec. 18. Minnesota Hockey President Steve Oleheiser sent out a letter regarding outdoor hockey and possible ramifications for teams who planned to organize and gather at outdoor rinks. The restriction of outdoor practices or group skates is not a Minnesota Hockey rule, but a state government rule that Minnesota Hockey must follow.

Minnesota Hockey President Steve Oleheiser later sent out a letter regarding outdoor hockey and possible ramifications for teams who planned to organize and gather at outdoor rinks.

Oleheiser’s letter read (in part): “All Minnesota Hockey rostered teams are not allowed to play during the designated pause time period. This includes play outside of Minnesota in bordering states.

Play is defined as practice, scrimmages, games and tournaments.

• No organized team skates on an outdoor rink, pond • No small group skates indoors or outdoors • Minnesota Ice Arenas will be closed.

• Virtual coaching only. No in-person instruction.

Failure by an association, team and or coach to follow the directives outlined in the government issued executive order could result in severe sanctions to a team or coach. These sanctions could include loss of privilege to participate in post-season play including District, Regions and State tournaments. The failure of an association to enforce the directives of the executive order could result in sanctions to the association including the loss of ability to host tournaments.

It has been made clear to myself and other leaders of Minnesota Hockey that this pause on youth sports is an attempt to ensure that the winter sports season can continue to completion, uninterrupted after the pause.

This will only occur if people care enough about the season to follow the directives of the Governor’s order. Failure to follow the

directives by some will shed negative light on our entire organization and could effectively cancel the entire winter youth sports season for ALL sports.”

The only way forward for players, parents and coaches is to wait patiently, and once it’s time to press play on the season, everyone who wants to keep playing hockey will have to adhere to the guidelines put in place or risk having the sport shut down again, perhaps for the entire season.

Staying on the ice was the goal for associations at the beginning of the season. Now the goal is getting back onto the ice. The four-week pause is supposed to end on Dec. 18. Just in time for Christmas. And there are plenty of young hockey players who would want nothing more for Christmas than to hear the drop of the puck again.

Some additional comments we received via Facebook: Debbie Wappula: I have a PeeWee goalie...I talked to him last night after practice and he’s not concerned. I wish parents would focus on raising well rounded kids with more to life than just hockey. Of course their mental health will suffer if they lose the only outlet they have. Mine has several outlets and yes, he’ll miss it but there certainly won’t be some major mental breakdown because he can’t be on the ice.

Kelli Foster: “How do you explain to a 12-year-old that she can’t go to school and she can’t play hockey but thousands of people can shop at Mall of America anytime they want. If it’s truly community spread then there is no logic behind these cherry picking decisions.”

Brooke Moen Mastro: “When I told my 9-year-old hockey player Easton that hockey was going to be on pause he started crying and said, ‘why do they have to take hockey from us? We don’t have anything left. I don’t get to go to school, I can’t hang out with my friends – we have nothing.’

It was heartbreaking. I am concerned about both my kids’ mental health. Hockey has been their stress release, their little bit of normal in this crazy time.”

Nick Alvarez: “Let them play. My 6-year-old is crushed. He plays on two different mite level teams and it means the world to him. He looks forward to every

practice and game, which is three to four times a week. It’s more than just a game to these kids. It’s the friendships they make, the social interaction they get, the mental structure they need.”

JT Bernier: “Hockey is not the problem.

Adults and kids gathering without following protocols is the problem.”

Jason Sprague: “Apparently this virus is smarter than we thought. It can apparently tell the difference between kids playing hockey for fun, and college/pro athletes. #mindboggling” Sandra Lofsness: “Hockey was a big deal in our family years before the pandemic thankfully. Would you rather your school age hockey player miss one season of hockey so that they will have many more seasons or years to play? Or possibly have them be exposed to COVID and pass it on to friends and family members who may be older and may be more susceptible to the disease. Missing one season of any sport seems a small price to pay for being able to play many more seasons. Good time to teach our children life lessons. The question is: is it parents who are upset or their children?”

James Van Guilder: “The Governor is not transparent enough for us to trust his science. My 9-year-old playing hockey is not causing hospitals to be overwhelmed.

This is another sad, irrational decision. He’s dictated kids can’t even skate outside with a neighbor or a friend when the lakes and backyard rinks are ready.”

Jim Oman: “There is more and more evidence of youth sports outbreaks. Yes, the kids will most certainly be fine but the same may not be true to those they spread it to.

As much as I would love to watch my junior play this year, hockey is not as important as public health. Our kids right to play is not as important as someone else’s right not to literally suffocate in their own sputum filled restricted airways. What an awful lesson #letthemplay is teaching our kids. We should #LetThemBeResponsibleCitizens instead.”

Jill Hammer: “Give parents and kids the choice to play. Give kids something to look forward to after being home all day for school. We should all have the power of choice, whatever that choice may be.”

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November 27, 2020

THE PAUSE Q&A

The Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association is a volunteer organization of arena managers and related vendors throughout Minnesota, other states and Canada. MIAMA provides communication and support systems for arenas, arena managers and staff to better face issues within the industry.

They have been working with several other organizations such as Minnesota Hockey, the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, the Minnesota State High School League and the Minnesota Department of Health in providing safety guidelines and protocols to provide for a safe environment at member arenas.

Mat Hennen is the President of MIAMA and also runs the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria. We asked Hennen several questions concerning the pandemic and the current pause instituted by Governor Tim Walz.

Below is our Q and A with Hennen: Q: We know you guys have worked tirelessly with all of the strict guidelines with member arenas. How did that process go?

A: In the months leading up to our first reopening in June, our membership held weekly meetings to go over the Executive Orders from the Governor and also taking from the CDC and MDH. We would share that information to our membership during these meetings on Zoom and also post it on the MIAMA website. Since reopening in June we have continued to hold a meeting every two weeks for our membership to submit questions in regard to COVID Preparedness Plans or general operation questions. We also invite the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission along with Minnesota Hockey to help answer these questions from the membership on Zoom.

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All rinks are different in that some are operated privately, by a city, or in some small cases the state of Minnesota/University. In keeping those things in mind, each facility had to decide what protocols they would be able to implement with the amount of resources that they had and also get approval from their governing body (for example: a city rink may need approval from a city manager or city council).

Q: Did you find that most arenas/arena managers followed strict protocols put in place by the Minnesota Department of Health?

The Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association provided and shared the information that was available from the Minnesota Department of Health and Center of Disease Control and feel each arena/facility in the membership implemented what their resources allowed them to do and operate in accordance to the executive orders that were issued.

Each facility in terms of space to spread out to safely to accommodate 6-feet for physical distancing can vary depending upon lobby and hallway size.

We have continued to adapt as we learn more from MDH and CDC in terms of coming dressed before entering the building, along with the use of face coverings, and the admittance of fans/spectators. Each facility had to work with their governing body to put protocols into place and have plans on how they were going to administer them. While many protocols are similar between each of our membership arenas, some may have more protocols in place then others due to a wide range of reasons but may consist of Staffing Resources, Financial Resources, and Operational Constraints.

We feel rinks have worked very hard in following the guidelines set

›››››››››› with Mat Hennen President of Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association (MIAMA)

forth from the Governor’s Office along with the CDC and MDH. Q: Were there any big outbreaks traced back to arenas? Most associations we talked to said that most positive cases came from outside the arenas.

A: MIAMA has not been informed of outbreaks traced to a specific arena.

Teams are asked to be in pods of 25 or less when inside ice arenas. What those pods turn into once they leave the facility is on each of those individual groups. There is a need for some personal responsibility from all of us when we leave the rinks and what we do in our everyday lives. If we are operating like we have done before the pandemic, more than likely we are doing it wrong.

Q: What happens with all of the ice time that was purchased and can now not be utilized? What does this pause do to the financial situations of cities/arenas and associations who purchased ice? What about arena managers? Will they still get paid for the next four weeks and perhaps longer?

A: Each rink and governing body for those rinks will be answering those tough questions in the next couple of weeks. Obviously, like most businesses that have closed down during the pandemic, finances will need to be addressed by each individual facility.

A lot of arenas will try to be more efficient in energy by raising ice temps and shaving down the ice sheets so equipment does not have to work as hard to keep the ice surface cold. Other options may be to take ice out completely. A rule of thumb in the industry has been if you are going to be closed for more than a month, you would want to take your ice out. Tough spot we are in right now so each rink will be making their decision strictly off of

their own operation. As far as staffing goes, organizations may utilize this time to work on projects that normally are done in the spring; or may utilize the staff in other areas within their organization if they have the capacity.

In some cases furloughs of part-time and full-time staff may occur. All of us in the arena industry will be impacted in some shape or form.

Q: Did you find that most players, coaches and parents followed the arena guidelines throughout the state?

A: We would say a high percentage did a great job at following the guidelines. The older kids along with adult teams have had a harder time transitioning to the new guidelines while younger players have adapted well. In the summer months, teams traveling from the Dakotas and Wisconsin also had issues following the guidelines as their states did not have the same guidelines. When you have been operating a certain way for so long, it is hard to fully expect people to adapt to those changes right away.

Education of the rules to our players, coaches, and families is part of our everyday operation starting at the entryway. All businesses have new protocols in place and these changes are no different to ice arenas.

MIAMA will continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Minnesota Hockey, and Minnesota State High School League on reopening plans during this four week pause. Right now is the time to protect and help our health care system. While it’s difficult to put a pause on sports and facilities we all have a passion for in Minnesota, we will respect our state leaders decisions and find better ways to operate when it’s time to open once again.

Sports Psychologist offers advice for parents, kids Dr. John Tauer is a Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. He is also the head men’s basketball coach. Tauer offers advice for parents, what to watch for, and how to have meaningful conversation with kids who may be struggling with distance learning and now not being able to play a sport or be with their friends.

What are some things parents can do to help their kids cope with the struggles of the shutdown and having opportunities taken away from them due to the Pandemic?

Talking with our kids about how they are feeling, acknowledging the challenges, putting things in perspective, talking about what we can and cannot control in life, and being grateful for the things we do have are all potential ways parents can help kids cope during the pandemic.

Are there specific signs they should look for that are red flags indicating their child may be struggling mentally due to no involve-

ment in sports?

Certainly mood swings can be an indicator something is amiss. It’s easier for kids to be inactive, so retreating to their rooms and playing video games or listening to music may mask some of their feelings. Engaging in regular conversations with them, validating how they are feeling, and also allowing them to see that as adults we face challenges, and allowing them to see us handle those challenges with poise, perseverance, and a blend of realism and optimism can model healthy behaviors.

Not all athletes have a strong support system at home and their outlet and family is their sport and their coaches. What advice do you give to those kids?

Seek help. Simply letting a coach or teacher or mentor know “I’m struggling, would it be ok if we talked?” will open the door for understanding, empathy, and dialogue. Oftentimes, just talking about one’s stresses can take some pressure off and make

things seem more manageable for kids. There are so many people in the world going through similar things right now, which makes it a little easier. Empathy should be easier for all of us, because each of us is dealing with pandemic-related challenges. It is not easy to be vulnerable, but the research shows it is incredibly helpful to have a support system we lean on during times of stress.

Should coaches stay connected with the kids during the shutdown?

What advice do you have for coaches on how to help see the kids through the next four weeks and probably longer? What is the best way for them to communicate? Individually? Group Zoom meetings? Texting or calling? Should they be checking in with their athletes? Should they let them know they are there to talk when needed?

I think each coach is navigating this differently, and so much depends on the circumstance. I think Zoom calls can be effective, but there is also

a lot of Zoom fatigue at this point. Individual connections tend to be more meaningful, even if brief. Reaching out to athletes and asking how they are doing can start a conversation, particularly with athletes who are struggling. Asking specific questions such as “What’s one challenge you have felt during this time” can elicit more information that can help coaches know how to best help our athletes. There is no one size fits all solution. Frequent reminders to athletes that we are here for them, and reminders acknowledging the challenges, helping them see perspective, being hopeful and realistic, and allowing them to see us as a person who is also dealing with the pandemic on a personal level can all be helpful. All of us have choices each day – to focus on what we do have or what we don’t have – and coaches can be role models for our athletes in modeling healthy coping behaviors while seeing the big picture of public health as we all eagerly await getting back on the rinks, fields, and courts.

www.stateofhockey.com

November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

THE PAUSE

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Pause causes HS programs to wait even longer

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

With the high school season already pushed back and shortened due to COVID-19, high school coaches were eager to get started in November, pick their teams, and look forward to competition.

But the opponent they feared most has once again reared its ugly head and caused a “pause” instituted by the state government for four weeks until Dec. 18. And as much as they hate to have to pause for four weeks, they can’t say they didn’t see it coming.

“I wish I could say I was surprised, but I wasn’t,” said Patrick Andrews, head boys’ coach at Hermantown. “That doesn’t mean I am for or against what we are doing. Everybody is frustrated and everybody wants to be mad at somebody but I don’t think there is anyone to be mad at.”

Eric Nelson is the head boys’ coach at Monticello and said he sees both sides of the issue – kids and coaches and parents wanting to play, but also knowing that public health and overrun hospitals are cause for concern. He understands the effects of COVID, having contracted it recently and just now starting to come out of it.

“I understand the frustration,” he said. “I understand people want to keep their kids on the ice, but you have to make sure it is in a safe environment. I don’t know where the right answer lies.”

Ken Pauly, Benilde-St. Margaret’s head boys’ coach, said he understands the move made by the state and hopes the next four weeks are utilized well so there can be a full season. By full season he means a regular season, however many games that would entail, a section tournament and a state tournament.

“As long as it’s a pause, I support it,” he said. “If the pause just means we can regroup so we can get a full high school season in, terrific. My fear, of course, is they will take the pause and turn it into a shutdown.”

The hardest part was telling their players. Randy Koeppl, head girls’ coach at Holy Family School, said he and his players too saw the pause coming, but it is still difficult.

“They took it okay. We prepared them, but it’s tough,” he said. “It’s tough on these kids. They are ready to roll.

They just want to play.”

“They were disappointed,” said Pauly. “I told them it was probably coming. We had heard rumors so they weren’t completely shocked by it.”

Andrews said his players were also disappointed.

“They were upset and sad,” he said.

“But they are resilient. They have been through so much the past nine months.

They are taking it in stride knowing that’s all they can do.”

“It sucks for these kids,” said Nelson. “They’ve been punched in the gut.

Fortunately, we were able to finish our season last year.”

When the start of the season was initially pushed back, High School programs adopted a “bridge season” that allowed kids to get on the ice with their teammates and play other schools.

Coaches were not allowed to be a part of the bridge season due to Minnesota

COVID-19 shutdowns began shortly after last year’s state tournament. This year’s state tournament is up in limbo, as is much of the season as players and coaches wait on what their season will look like in the coming weeks.

“Let’s use these next few weeks to take a step back.

How can we make things work? Let’s get everyone on the same page with mitigation strategies, etc.

I hope they use these next few weeks to develop a full plan. I think there is a path forward.”

– Ken Pauly, Benilde-St. Margaret’s head boys’ coach

State High School League rules. Both girls and boys programs participated with volunteer coaches and played about a half dozen games.

“The bridge season was great for us, said Andrews, who has a senior-laden squad.

But because of a late official start, programs are now forced to wait until Dec. 18, which would still require two weeks of practice and tryouts before an official game could begin. That would push the start of the season into January.

And that’s if the state doesn’t extend the current pause.

The MSHSL is scheduled to meet Dec. 3 to discuss winter sports. With what looks like a January start at the earliest for games, the MSHSL could push the state tournament back to late March to allow for more regular season games, keep the state tournament for early March and limit the number of regular season games, limit the number of teams in the section tournament or condense the time frame of a section tournament from two weeks to one. Or they could do what was done in the fall and cancel state tournament competition. Of course, hockey isn’t the only sport on the minds of MSHSL decision-makers.

MSHSL will likely base their decision by taking into account all winter sports and the spring sports that could potentially be affected by extending winter activities.

Pauly said he hopes the high school league uses the time wisely to develop a strong plan moving forward.

“Let’s use these next few weeks to take a step back,” he said. “How can we make things work? Let’s get everyone on the same page with mitigation strategies, etc. I hope they use these next few weeks to develop a full plan. I think there is a path forward.”

In the meantime, players are not allowed to practice, even outdoors, with teammates or friends.

“The hardest part is they can’t get together at all,” said Andrews. “It is very restrictive and that’s really hard.”

Players will be required to work out on their own to stay in shape. Most programs will have individual workout plans for players to follow during the pause so the players are in shape and ready to go once the season begins.

“A lot of our kids made great gains this fall and we want to maintain what they have going,” said Andrews.

Koeppl said his team generally

works out in a large warehouse with 20foot high ceilings and open garage doors, but can’t because of the current shutdown of workout facilities and gyms. He said players and teams around the state have been using mitigation strategies to help keep them on the ice, which adds to the frustration of the pause.

“It’s not a matter of if we think we can do it,” he said of following strict safety guidelines. “We know we can do it. We’ve been successful. These kids just want to play.”

Andrews said there is also the social challenge the pause brings.

“They are craving their friends,” he said. “I told my players you can’t get together as a team. You can’t even skate together. You just can’t. But this is their extended family. That part of it is very hard. It’s hard on both coaches and the kids. We want to be at the rink.”

Koeppl said his program spends ample time on the mental health of its players, and the recent pause, in addition to the past nine months of what kids have had to endure, will be something he focuses on moving forward.

“In today’s world if you’re not confronting mental health, you’re not doing your job,” he said. “You hear very little about the mental health aspect from this.

It’s the elephant in the room.”

Nelson said while the pause causes some hardships, the kids will be okay in the end.

“We try to prepare our kids for the unknowns,” he said. “We can control our attitudes. You’re going to see some tough kids come out of this. At the end of the day they’ll be more prepared for life. It’s just another obstacle they have to overcome.”

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November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

www.stateofhockey.com

The State of Hockey:

WCHA women’s season opens in one-of-a-kind year

by MARY LYNN MCPHERSON & SUSAN RENNIE MCPHERSON The WCHA women’s division opened the season the weekend of Nov. 20-22 with four games. Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks hosted the Bulldogs from the University of Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 20 and 21, while the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hosted the Buckeyes of Ohio State on Nov. 21 and 22. #8UMD vs Minnesota State Game 1: UMD 5 Minnesota State 0 UMD had goals from five different players in the season opener win. Naomi Rogge scored after being out most of the 2019-2020 season due to injury. Goals were added from Taylor Anderson, Ashton Bell, Clara Van Wieren and Anna Klein. Emma Sodberg had her first shutout of the year with 22 saves while Calla Frank had 29 saves in the loss.

Game 2: UMD 7 Minnesota State 3 Despite having five lead changes in the first two periods of play, UMD took the lead for the final time in the game at 18:00 in the second and added 3 more goals in the 3rd for the weekend sweep. Scoring two goals each for UMD were Anna Klein, Anneke Linser and Kylie Hanley.

Clara Van Wieren added one goal. Kennedy Bobyck, Madison Oelkers and Kelsey King added goals for the Mavericks. Emma Soderberg had 22 saves for the Bulldogs while Calla Frank had 40 saves in the loss. #4 Minnesota vs #5 Ohio State Game 1: Minnesota 4 Ohio State 0 Game 1 was all Gophers beginning with a goal at 0:28 when Grace Zumwinkle tipped a puck into the net. Zumwinkle was not finished with her scoring adding a second goal in the third period. Freshman Josey Dunne scored her first goal as a Gopher in the second period.

Taylor Wente rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal in the third. Redshirt senior transfer Lauren Bench recorded her first win and first shutout as a Gopher with 36 saves. Andrea Braendli had 14 saves on 18 total shots.

Game 2: Ohio State 2 Minnesota 1 Ohio State came back in Game 2 scoring 2 goals on 35 shots. Grace Zumwinkle started the scoring again for the Gophers in the first period only to be answered 21 seconds later by Liz Scheppers of Ohio State. Tatum Skaggs scored the game winner for the Buckeyes with 9:26 left in the first period. Despite having several golden opportunities to score, the Gophers came up short earning a weekend split. Andrea Braendli had 25 saves in the win and Lauren Bench had another solid game with 33 saves in the loss.

Grace Zumwinkle (Breck) scored three goals for the Gophers in their season-opening series against Ohio State.

Perspective on the 2020-2021 Season In a typical season with Ohio State in town, Ridder Arena would have been filled with at least 2,000 fans. In attendance on Nov. 22 were two hockey teams, four media personnel situated in four press boxes, four photographers distanced by 20 feet, and 40 cutouts of fans lining the east glass. The only sounds in the arena was the slap of the puck hitting the boards, the sounds of skates etching the ice and encouraging chatter from the teams. Music played occasionally and the horn still sounded when the home team scored a goal.

As journalists and fans, we recognize that it is going to be a different kind of season, with canceled games due to positive COVID-19 tests (as was the case with the St. Cloud Women’s team the weekend of Nov. 20-22) and no fans in the stands. However, we want to try to keep this Lauren Bench provided solid goaltending for the Gophers getting her first season in the larger perspective of the current world-wide pandemic. No matter the changes, the fans are grateful to be able to watch the hockey teams they love and support, and the players are win and first shutout with 36 saves in Minnesota’s 4-0 win over Ohio State. grateful to be playing the game they love.

www.stateofhockey.com

Let’s Play Hockey

MN

Hockey A tradition like no other.

TraditionCompanies.com

November 27, 2020

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November 27, 2020

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Let’s Play Hockey

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR powered by America ’s No. 1 Hockey Newspaper!

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.

27-29 Eden Prairie, MN: First Test of the Best.

Bantam AA & PeeWee AA. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 27-29 Edina, MN: Tradition CakeEater Classic Tournament. 15A, 15B, 12A, 12B1, 12B2, 10A, 10B1, 10B2. Contact Janae Hentges (612) 8121136 or janae@sportscontentmanagement.com.

Register at www.edinatourney.com 27-29 Hermantown, MN: PeeWee AA Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 27-29 Hopkins, MN: 45th Annual Thanksgiving Tournament. Squirt A, B, C, PeeWee A, B, C & Bantam A, B2, C. Contact Allyson Ashley (763) 2226742 or register at www.hopkinshockey.com 27-29 Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis Cup Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament. Bantam B1, B2, C, PeeWee B1, B2, C and Squirt B1, B2, C. For Info/ registration, visit www.mplshockey.com 27-29 Moorhead, MN: Girls 10UA and 10UB Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 27-29 Mounds View, MN: Thanksgiving Tournament. Squirt A, B1, C / PeeWee A, B1, C / Bantam AA, B1, C. Info/registration at mvihockey.org 27-29 Roseau, MN. Aaron Broten Bantam B Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com

DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 25, 27-29 Burnsville, MN: Burnsville Thanksgiving Tournament. Squirt A, Peewee A, Bantam A. Contact Dennis Dukart at tournaments@burnsvillehockey.com. Register at blazehockey.com/tournaments.

27-28 Lakeville, MN: Turkey Cup Mite/U8 Jamboree. Contact Bob Smith at robert1smith1@ hotmail.com. www.lakevillehockey.org 27-29 Bemidji, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament.

Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 27-29 Bemidji, MN: George Pelawa Memorial.

Bantam AA/A. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org.

For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji. com 27-29 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

PeeWee A, B and C. Contact tournamentdirector@ brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 27-29 Brooklyn Park, MN: Thanksgiving Pirate Classic. Squirt B1, B2, C, Bantam B. Contact Amanda Naylor: tournamentdirector@nmyha.com.

Register at www.nmyha.com under “Tournaments”.

27-29 Champlin, MN: Champlin Park Rebels 2020 Thanksgiving Classic PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact: cpyhatournament@gmail.com. Additional info at www.cpyha.com. Register at https:// cpyha.sportngin.com/register/form/306455071#_ ga=2.265276871.996468238.15964642172116521331.1592919320 27-29 Chaska and Victoria, MN. CCHA Brick City Classic. Squirt B1/B2/C, PeeWee C, 12UB2.

Contact Beth Johnson (763) 772-4795 or bfjohnson5@gmail.com. Register at https://www.cchockey.org/ccha-tournaments.

27-29 Cottage Grove, MN: Turkey Tourney.

A/B1/B2/C Squirts. Contact Sheila Bellinger (651) 295-3408 or tournaments@cghockey.com. Register at CGhockey.com/tournaments 27-29 Detroit Lakes, MN: Thanksgiving Classic. Bantam B. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 234-9193, (218) 234-5068 or email: abbypettit80@ gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/ show/203545-dlyha-tournament-information

3-6 Anoka, MN: Anoka-Rogers Girls Classic. Girls 10UA, 10UB1, 10UB2, 12UA, 12UB. Contact Kristi Robideau at anokatournaments@gmail. com. Register at anoka.pucksystems2.com 3-6 Circle Pines, MN: Centennial Girls Chill.

Contact Kathy Gould (651) 216-5768. Register at www.centennialhockey.org 3-6 Osseo/Maple Grove, MN: Lucas Decker Ultimate Showdown. Peewee B2, C. Contact Sara Grant (763) 442-7259 or tournamentchair@omgha. com. Register at https://www.omgha.com/page/ show/74-omgha-tournament-information-and-registration. www.omgha.com 3-6 West Saint Paul/Mendota Heights, MN: Salute to Hockey. Squirt A, Squirt B. Contact Rick Lopez at rlopez1724@yahoo.com. Register at https://www.sibleyareahockey.org/page/ show/12029-2020-salute-to-hockey-tournamentsquirt-a-and-squirt-b 4-6 Albert Lea, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 4-6 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Squirt B2 Tournament. Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

4-6 Apple Valley/Eagan, MN: Valkyrie Lightning U10A and U10B2 Tournament. Info/registration visit www.eastviewhockey.net/tourneys.

4-6 Bemidji, MN: Bantam B1 Tournament.

Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 4-6 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Bantam A & B. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 4-6 Cloquet, MN: Squirt A Tournament. Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 4-6 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Face Off. PeeWee B1 & B2. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 4-6 Eveleth, MN: 35th Annual Sam Lopresti Bantam A Tournament. Contact egyouthhockey@ gmail.com or visit www.evelethyouthhockey.com

4-6 Fairmont, MN: Girls 12UB Tournament.

Contact Tom Chapman (507) 848-0923 or tomchapmanjr@yahoo.com. Register at https://fairmont. pucksystems2.com 4-6 Forest Lake, MN: Girls 15UA Tournament. Contact Brandon Ferngren (612) 986-1453 ortournaments@flhockey.org. Info/registration at www.flhockey.org 4-6 Grand Forks, ND: Angels 10UB, 12UB, 15UB Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 7870316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 4-6 Grand Rapids, MN: PeeWee B1 Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 4-6 Hastings, MN: Sugar & Spice Girl’s Tournament U10 / U12. Levels U10B1 & U10B2 / U12B1 & U12B2. Contact Tiffany Newton at tournaments@ hastingshockey. www.hastingshockey.com 4-6 Hermantown, MN: Girls U12A & U15A Tournaments. Contact Amber Manion (218) 7295493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 4-6 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: 10UB and 12UB Tournaments. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www. hcyha.org/tournaments 4-6 Hoyt Lakes (Mesabi East), MN: Mike Kangas Memorial Squirts Tournament. Register at www.meyha.com 4-6 Hutchinson, MN: PeeWee A and B Tournament. Contact Caleb Paulson (320) 292-4512 or Caleb.M.Paulson@wellsfargo.com. Register at www.hutchhockey.org 4-6 La Crescent, MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Info/registration at www.lacrescenthockey. com 4-6 Lakeville, MN: Prowler Classic. Junior Gold U16. Contact Bob Smith at robert1smith1@ hotmail.com. www.lakevillehockey.org 4-6 Little Falls, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Kari Houle (320) 282-1434 or kari.anne. houle@gmail.com. Info/register at https://littlefallsyha.pucksystems.com/page/show/51280-tournaments 4-6 Mankato, MN: Bantam B1 Tournament.

Contact Jenny Pierskalla at mankatotcr58@gmail. com. Register at www.mankatohockey.com 4-6 Monticello, MN: Moose Cup. Squirt A. Contact Sean Lawrance (612) 290-8547 or moosehockeytournaments@gmail.com. www.mooseyouthhockey.org 4-6 Moorhead, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 4-6 Moose Lake, MN: Bantam B Tournament. Contact Heidi Oswald at (218) 565-2488 or heidi3258@gmail.com. Register at https://www.mlaharebels.com/page/show/198092-tournaments 4-6 New Hope, MN: Squirt B1, Squirt B2 and Squirt C Tournament. Contact Susie Melynchuk: smelynchuk@comcast.net or visit www.armstrongcooperhockey.org 4-6 New Richmond, WI: Joe Swanda Memorial Squirt Tournament. WI A, MN B1 / WI B, MN B2. Contact Barry Cunningham (651) 283-0072 or tournaments@nryha.net. Register at www.NRYHA. net 4-6 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: Squirt B/C Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 2765612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm. pucksystems2.com 4-6 Owatonna, MN: Girls U10B and U12B Tournament. Email Director@owatonnahockey. com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 4-6 Paynesville, MN: Squirt C Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com

BE GAME DAY READY

with the Tournament Experts Visit our tournament headquarters at

www.tag-up.com Call 800-528-0828 or email: sales@tag-up.com

4-6 River Falls, WI: Blackcat Classic. U14.

Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@ gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 4-6 Rochester, MN: Squirt A Tournament.

Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com.

Register at www.RYHA.net 4-6 Roseau, MN. Center Ice Club Bantam A-AA Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 6890636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 4-6 Sioux Falls, SD: Squirt A & B (MN B/ B1 & MN B2/C) Tournament. Contact Aimee Chase (605) 929-0039. www.siouxfallsflyers.com 4-6 Somerset, WI: PeeWee B1 (WI A) & PeeWee C (WI B) Tournament. Contact Jim Urquhart (763) 218-1385 or jurq121@icloud.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 4-6 Spirit Lake, IA: Sticks & Slides Squirt B Tournament. Email Brittney Swanson: brittneyray412@gmail.com. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com.

4-6 Wayzata, MN: Wayzata Fire on Ice. Squirt B2 and Squirt C . Contact: tournaments@ wayzatahockey.org. Register at www.wayzatahockey.org 4-6 Willmar, MN: Cardinal Classic Girls 10UB & 12UB Tournament. Contact Joe Wisocki (559) 213-3683 or jwisocki@pga.com. Register at www.willmarhockey.com and click on the Tournaments tab.

5-6 Silver Bay, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 9-11 Faribault, MN: Girls U10B, U12B Tournament. Contact Michal Munoz at fhatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.faribaulthockey.com 10-13 Eden Prairie, MN: Prelude to the Playoffs. 15U A & 15B. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 10-13 New Richmond, WI: Ryan Olson Memorial PeeWee Tournament. WI A, MN B1 / WI B, MN B2. Contact Barry Cunningham (651) 283-0072 or tournaments@nryha.net. Register at www.NRYHA. net 11-13 Albert Lea, MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 11-13 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole U10A & U10B Tournament. Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

11-13 Amery, WI: Bantam Tournament. WI 3A/2B/1C and MN B. Contact Kari Stinson (715) 338-7843 or karilee521@yahoo.com. www.ameryhockey.com 11-13 Baldwin, WI: U10/U12 Girls. Contact Jodi Volgren (715) 308-9667 or jodivolgren@gmail. com. Register at https://baldwin.pucksystems2. com/page/show/26105-tournament-information 11-13 Barron/Chetek, WI: PeeWee Tournament. Wisconsin Levels: 4A, 3A, 2B, 1C. Minnesota Levels: B2/C (or equivalent). Contact Mark Bell (715) 205-7903 or bellmc78@hotmail.com. Register at www.bcyha.org/page/show/4615021-tournaments 11-13 Bemidji, MN: Girls U10A & U12A Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji. com 11-13 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Jr Gold B. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers. com 11-13 Cloquet, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 11-13 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@ gahamn.org. For more info visit www.gahamn.org 11-13 Cottage Grove, MN: Mite Jamboree. U6 Boy/Girls through Mite 4 Boy/Girls. Contact Sheila Bellinger (651) 295-3408 or tournaments@cghockey.com. Register at CGhockey.com/tournaments

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 11-13 Detroit Lakes, MN: HoliDangle Classic. PeeWee A. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 234-9193, (218) 234-5068 or email: abbypettit80@ gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/ show/203545-dlyha-tournament-information 11-13 Duluth, MN: Head of the Lake Tournament. PeeWee B1 & Bantam B1. Contact Shawn Burns: shawn.burns@hotmail.com. Register at duluthhockey.com/hockeytournaments 11-13 Edina, MN: Cornerstone Tournament.

Squirt A, Squirt B1. Contact Janae Hentges (612) 812-1136 or janae@sportscontentmanagement. com. Register at www.edinatourney.com 11-13 Fergus Falls, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Questions, email FFHAtournaments@gmail. com. For info and to register, visit https://fergusfallshockey.pucksystems.com/page/show/48928-tournaments 11-13 Grand Forks, ND: Bantam AA Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 11-13 Grand Rapids, MN: 12UA Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 11-13 Hermantown, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 11-13 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.hcyha. org/tournaments 11-13 Hutchinson, MN: Girls 10UB/12UA Tournament. Contact Caleb Paulson (320) 292-4512 or Caleb.M.Paulson@wellsfargo.com. Register at www.hutchhockey.org 11-13 Inver Grove Heights, MN: Bantam B1/C Tournament. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www.ighha. org 11-13 Luverne, MN: PeeWee A Tournament.

For info/registration, contact Eric Edstrom (507) 380-1002 or visit luvernehockey.sportngin.com 11-13 Marshall, MN: Battle at the Baron. Bantam A & B. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 2484445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register https:// marshall.pucksystems2.com 11-13 Moorhead, MN: Squirt A & B Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey. com/tournaments 11-13 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 2765612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm. pucksystems2.com 11-13 Owatonna, MN: Bantam A/B Tournament. Email: Director@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 11-13 Paynesville, MN: Squirt A Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com 11-13 Richmond, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com 11-13 Rochester, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com.

Register at www.RYHA.net 11-13 Roseau, MN. Neal Broten Squirt B and Girls 12U B Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 11-13 Sauk Rapids, MN: Storm On Ice. Squirt C. $950. Contact Connie Pesta (320) 333-3860 or pestaconnie@gmail.com. www.saukrapidshockey. org 11-13 Silver Bay, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 11-13 Siren, WI: Junior Gold Tournament. Level: WAHA HS B/C. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 8435634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www. burnettyouthhockey.com 11-13 Somerset, WI: Bantam B1 (WI A) & Bantam C (WI B) Tournament. Contact Jim Urquhart (763) 218-1385 or jurq121@icloud.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 11-13 South St. Paul, MN: Squirt B & C Tournament. Contact Dan Nerka at sspyha.tournaments@ gmail.com.

11-13 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Bantam A Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 11-13 Two Harbors, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament. Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 11-13 Virginia, MN. “Battle by the Bridge.”

PWB2 Tournament. Contact Davis Lampaa at vaha. reg@gmail.com. Register at www.virginiabluedevilhockey.com 11-13 Willmar, MN: Cardinal Classic Squirt A & B Tournament. Contact Joe Wisocki (559) 213-3683 or jwisocki@pga.com. Register at www.willmarhockey.com and click on the Tournaments tab.

11-13 Worthington, MN: Squirt A/B Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 12 La Crescent, MN: Mite Jamboree. Info/ registration at www.lacrescenthockey.com 12 Walker, MN: Mini/Mite Jam. To register email Nate Gustafson, nwgustaf@hotmail.com 12-13 Mason City, IA: Mite Jamboree. Contact Ashley Page at mchockeytournament@gmail.com.

Register at mcmohawkhockey.com 12-13 Moose Lake, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament. Contact Heidi Oswald at (218) 565-2488 or heidi3258@gmail.com. Register at https://www.mlaharebels.com/page/show/198092-tournaments

17-20 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Shootout.

Squirt A, B1 & B2. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 18-20 Albert Lea, MN: Squirt A Tournament.

Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 18-20 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole PeeWee B & PeeWee B2 Tournament. Register online at www. alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

18-20 Bloomington, MN: PeeWee Showdown.

All levels. Email questions to bahatourneys@gmail. com. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com 18-20 Cloquet, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 18-20 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: Dean Rajala Memorial Tournament. PeeWee B. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn.org. For more info visit www.gahamn.org 18-20 Duluth, MN: Lake Superior Classic.

PeeWee A & Bantam A. Contact Steve Berry: smberry@d.umn.edu. Register at duluthhockey.com/ hockeytournaments 18-20 Fairmont, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament.

Contact Tom Chapman (507) 848-0923 or tomchapmanjr@yahoo.com. Register at https://fairmont. pucksystems2.com 18-20 Fergus Falls, MN: 10UB Tournament.

Questions, email FFHAtournaments@gmail.com.

For info and to register, visit https://fergusfallshockey.pucksystems.com/page/show/48928-tournaments 18-20 Grand Forks, ND: PeeWee B1 Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 18-20 Grand Rapids, MN: 15UA Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 18-20 Hermantown, MN: Squirt A Tournament.

Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 18-20 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: PeeWee B and PeeWee B2 Tournaments. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments 18-20 Moorhead, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 18-20 Mora, MN: Girls 10UB/Girls 12UB Tournament. For info/registration contact Cristy Thomas (612) 390-5790 or morahockey@yahoo.com. Visit www.mayrasports.com 18-20 Northfield, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament.

For info/registration contact the tournament director at tournamentdirector@northfieldhockey.net. www. northfieldhockey.net 18-20 Proctor, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey. com 18-20 Red Wing MN: Shiver River Showdown Bantam B Tournament. Contact Nichole Hultman (651) 210-6619. Register at www.redwingathleticassociation.org 18-20 Rochester, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com.

Register at www.RYHA.net 18-20 Roseau, MN. Paul Broten PeeWee A-AA Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 18-20 Siren, WI: Girls 14U/15U Tournament.

Level: WI A / MN B. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 8435634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www. burnettyouthhockey.com 18-20 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Girls 10U and Girls 12U Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 18-20 Two Harbors, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 18-20 Walker, MN: City on the Bay Squirt C Tournament. To register contact Mitch Loomis, loomis@shoresofleechlake.com 18-20 Warroad, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 19 Somerset, WI: Mite Jamboree. Contact Dan Gilkerson (715) 222-2448 or dgilkerson@somersethockey.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 19-20 Silver Bay, MN: Mite 1 and Mite 2 Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 26-28 Warroad, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 27-31 Edina, MN: Tradition Invitational Tournament. Bantam AA, Bantam A, Bantam B1, PeeWee A, PeeWee AA, PeeWee B1. Contact Janae Hentges (612) 812-1136 or janae@sportscontentmanagement.com. Register at www.edinatourney.com 31-3 Bemidji, MN: Paul Bunyan International.

PeeWee AA/A. Register at paulbunyanhockey.com.

For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji. com 31-3 Cottage Grove, MN: Year End Bash.

B2/C PeeWee and Bantam. Contact Sheila Bellinger (651) 295-3408 or tournaments@cghockey. com. Register at CGhockey.com/tournaments

JANUARY 2021 1-3 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Bantam B & Bantam B2 Tournament. Register online at www. alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

1-3 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Squirt A & B. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 1-3 Cloquet, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 1-3 Crookston, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com 1-3 Duluth, MN: Up North Tournament. PeeWee A & Bantam A. Contact Clare Markley: markleyclare@gmail.com. Register at duluthhockey.com/ hockeytournaments 1-3 Hermantown, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 1-3 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: PeeWee A Tournament. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www. hcyha.org/tournaments 1-3 Lakeville, MN: Squirt Showdown. Squirt B1. Contact Bob Smith at robert1smith1@hotmail. com. www.lakevillehockey.org 1-3 Moorhead, MN: Junior Gold B and Girls 15UA Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 1-3 Osseo/Maple Grove, MN: Squirt Extravaganza. Squirt A, B, B2, C. Contact Sara Grant (763) 442-7259 or tournamentchair@omgha. com. Register at https://www.omgha.com/page/ show/74-omgha-tournament-information-and-registration. www.omgha.com 1-3 Proctor, MN: Girls 12UB Tournament.

Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 1-3 Richmond, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com 1-3 Roseau, MN. Stan Ostby Bantam AA Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 1-3 Spirit Lake, IA: Sticks & Slides Bantam B Tournament. Email Brittney Swanson: brittneyray412@gmail.com. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com.

1-3 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Jr. Gold Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 1-3 Two Harbors, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 2-3 Amery, WI: Mites Cross-Ice Jamboree.

Contact Kari Stinson (715) 338-7843 or karilee521@ yahoo.com. www.ameryhockey.com 2-3 Baldwin, WI: Bantam U14. Contact Michelle Stevens (507) 272-1212 or cutebagsmichelle@icloud.com. Register at https://baldwin. pucksystems2.com/page/show/26105-tournament-information 2-3 Hoyt Lakes (Mesabi East), MN: Mesabi East Mites Jamboree. Register at www.meyha.com 2-3 Monticello, MN: Wild Moose Jamboree.

Mite A/B/C. Contact Sean Lawrance (612) 290-8547 or moosehockeytournaments@gmail.com. www. mooseyouthhockey.org 2-3 Moose Lake, MN: Mite 1 (Cross-Ice) & Mite 2 (Full-Ice) Jamboree. Contact Heidi Oswald at (218) 565-2488 or heidi3258@gmail.com.

Register at https://www.mlaharebels.com/page/ show/198092-tournaments 7-10 Anoka, MN: PeeWee Tournament. PeeWee A/AA, B1, B2, C. Contact Kristi Robideau at anokatournaments@gmail.com. Register at anoka. pucksystems2.com 7-10 Bloomington, MN: Squirt Shootout.

A,B,C. Email questions to bahatourneys@gmail. com. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com 7-10 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Showdown.

12U A, 12U B1 & 12U B2. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 7-10 Edina, MN: John E. Reimann Tournament. Jr Gold B, U16. Contact Janae Hentges (612) 812-1136 or janae@sportscontentmanagement. com. Register at www.edinatourney.com 7-10 Hastings, MN: The Big Chill Bantam A/ AA & Bantam B1 Tournament. Contact Tiffany Newton at tournaments@hastingshockey. www.hastingshockey.com 7-10 Mounds View, MN: New Year’s Tournament. U15A, U15B, U12B, U10A, U10B. Info/registration at mvihockey.org 8-10 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole U12A & U12B Tournament. Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

8-10 Baldwin, WI: Mite Jamboree. Contact Michelle Stevens (507) 272-1212 or cutebagsmichelle@icloud.com. Register at https://baldwin. pucksystems2.com/page/show/26105-tournament-information

27

continued

8-10 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Mite A & B. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers. com 8-10 Cambridge/Isanti, MN: Ruckus on the Rum Squirt B Open Tournament. Register at www. cambridgeisantihockey.org/ruckusontherum 8-10 Cloquet, MN: Bantam AA-A Tournament.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 8-10 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: “Misky” Memorial Tournament. Squirt B. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn.org. For more info visit www. gahamn.org 8-10 Cottage Grove, MN: Skating with the Wolves. 10B1/10B2/12B. Contact Sheila Bellinger (651) 295-3408 or tournaments@cghockey.com.

Register at CGhockey.com/tournaments 8-10 Crookston, MN: Girls 15UA Tournament.

Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com 8-10 Detroit Lakes, MN: State of Hockey Invitational. PeeWee B. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 234-9193, (218) 234-5068 or email: abbypettit80@gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/ page/show/203545-dlyha-tournament-information 8-10 Duluth, MN: DAHA Mid-Winter Classic.

PeeWee C & Bantam C. Contact Bailey Olson: bailey@duluthhockey.com. Register at duluthhockey. com/hockeytournaments 8-10 Fairmont, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Tom Chapman (507) 848-0923 or tomchapmanjr@yahoo.com. Register at https://fairmont. pucksystems2.com 8-10 Faribault, MN: PeeWee A/B Tournament. Contact Michal Munoz at fhatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.faribaulthockey.com 8-10 Fergus Falls, MN: Squirt B2 Tournament. Questions, email FFHAtournaments@gmail. com. For info and to register, visit https://fergusfallshockey.pucksystems.com/page/show/48928-tournaments 8-10 Grand Forks, ND: Bantam B Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 8-10 Grand Rapids, MN: Bantam B Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 8-10 Hermantown, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 8-10 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: Bantam A Tournament. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.hcyha. org/tournaments 8-10 Hutchinson, MN: Squirt A, B & C Tournament. Contact Caleb Paulson (320) 292-4512 or Caleb.M.Paulson@wellsfargo.com. Register at www.hutchhockey.org 8-10 Inver Grove Heights, MN: PeeWee B2/C Tournament. Contact Kari Miller (612) 3091923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www. ighha.org 8-10 La Crescent, MN: Bantam B Tournament. Info/registration at www.lacrescenthockey. com 8-10 Little Falls, MN: PeeWee A & B2Tournament. Contact Kari Houle (320) 282-1434 or kari. anne.houle@gmail.com. Info/register at https://littlefallsyha.pucksystems.com/page/show/51280-tournaments 8-10 Luverne, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

For info/registration, contact Eric Edstrom (507) 380-1002 or visit luvernehockey.sportngin.com 8-10 New Richmond, WI: Tiger Winter Classic. Squirt C/PeeWee C. WI C / MN C. Contact Barry Cunningham (651) 283-0072 or tournaments@nryha.net. Register at www.NRYHA.net 8-10 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: PeeWee A Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 2765612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm. pucksystems2.com 8-10 Northfield, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

For info/registration contact the tournament director at tournamentdirector@northfieldhockey.net. www. northfieldhockey.net 8-10 Owatonna, MN: PeeWee A/B Tournament. Email: Director@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 8-10 Paynesville, MN: PeeWee B1 Tournament. Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey.com 8-10 Proctor, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 8-10 Richmond, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com 8-10 River Falls, WI: PeeWee B2 & C Tournament. Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament. reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls. pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 8-10 Roseau, MN. Dave Wensloff Squirt A Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 8-10 St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Icebreaker Tournament. Squirt B & C. Contact Katie Murphy: spcha. ops@gmail.com. Register at StPaulCapitalsHockey. com 8-10 Silver Bay, MN: Girls 12UB Tournament.

Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com

28

November 27, 2020

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Let’s Play Hockey

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 8-10 Sioux Falls, SD: Bantam A & B (MN B/ B1 & MN B2/C) Tournament. Contact Aimee Chase (605) 929-0039. www.siouxfallsflyers.co 8-10 Siren, WI: Squirt Tournament. Level: WI 3B/4A - MN C. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 8435634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www. burnettyouthhockey.com 8-10 Somerset, WI: Squirt B1 (WI A) & Squirt C (WI B) Tournament. Contact Jim Urquhart (763) 218-1385 or jurq121@icloud.com. Register at www. somersethockey.com 8-10 Spirit Lake, IA: Sticks & Slides Mini & Mite Jamboree. Email Brittney Swanson: brittneyray412@gmail.com. Register at www.lakesareahockey.com.

8-10 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake PeeWee A Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 8-10 Walker, MN: City on the Bay PeeWee B2 Tournament. To register contact Mitch Loomis, loomis@shoresofleechlake.com 8-10 Warroad, MN: Girls 12U Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 8-10 Wayzata, MN: Wayzata Freeze. Squirt B1 and Squirt B2. Contact: tournaments@wayzatahockey.org. Register at www.wayzatahockey.org 9-10 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Termite Jamboree. Contact tournamentdirector@ brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 9-10 Two Harbors, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament. Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 14-17 New Richmond, WI: Kittel/Parin POW/ MIA Memorial. Bantam Tournament. WI A, MN A / WI B, MN B2. Contact Barry Cunningham (651) 2830072 or tournaments@nryha.net. Register at www.

NRYHA.net 14-17 St. Paul, MN: East Side Outdoor Classic Squirt B Tournament. Presented by St. Paul Johnson. Contact Contact Mitch McNamee (651) 3280064 or email mmcnamee9@gmail.com 15-17 Albert Lea, MN: Girls U12-B Tournament. Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 15-17 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole PeeWee AA/A & Bantam AA/A Tournament. Register online at www. alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

15-17 Apple Valley/Eagan, MN: Play for Patrick Bantam AA Tournament. Info/registration visit www.eastviewhockey.net/tourneys.

15-17 Baldwin, WI: U14 Girls. Contact Jodi Volgren (715) 308-9667 or jodivolgren@gmail.com.

Register at https://baldwin.pucksystems2.com/page/ show/26105-tournament-information

15-17 Bemidji, MN: PeeWee B1 Tournament.

Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 15-17 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Girls 14UB. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers. com 15-17 Brooklyn Park, MN: January Pirate Classic. PeeWee B & C. Contact Amanda Naylor: tournamentdirector@nmyha.com. Register at www. nmyha.com under “Tournaments” 15-17 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: Buzz Guyer Memorial Tournament. Bantam A. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn.org. For more info visit www.gahamn.org 15-17 Crookston, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com .15-17 Duluth, MN: St. Luke’s Duluth Icebreaker Girls Invitational. U10B, U10A, U12B, U12A, U15B, U15A. Contact Clarke Coole (218) 590-0703 or cooleclarke@gmail.com. Register at www.duluthgirlshockey.org 15-17 Eden Prairie, MN: Border Battle. Jr Gold B. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/ tournaments 15-17 Eveleth, MN: 34th Annual John Mariucci PeeWee A Tournament. Contact egyouthhockey@ gmail.com or visit www.evelethyouthhockey.com 15-17 Fergus Falls, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament. Questions, email FFHAtournaments@gmail. com. For info and to register, visit https://fergusfallshockey.pucksystems.com/page/show/48928-tournaments 15-17 Forest Lake, MN: FlakeJam Mite Tournament. Contact Brandon Ferngren (612) 986-1453 ortournaments@flhockey.org. Info/registration at www.flhockey.org 15-17 Grand Forks, ND: Squirt Classic. Squirt A, B1, B2. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 15-17 Grand Rapids, MN: Bantam AA Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey. com 15-17 Hermantown, MN: Bantam A Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 15-17 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www. hcyha.org/tournaments 15-17 Hoyt Lakes (Mesabi East), MN: In The Stix PeeWee B Tournament. Register at www.meyha.com

HOCKEY

TRIVIA Sponsored by

Q. What women’s college hockey team won the NCAA tittle in 2019?

A. The Wisconsin Badgers.

Q. What year did the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament Championship game go into overtime for the first time?

A. In 1963. St. Paul Johnson beat International Falls 4-3 in overtime.

Q. Which NHL player is the only player to have won the Stanley Cup in 2019 and 2020?

A. Patrick Maroon won the Cup with the Blues and the Lightning.

15-17 Inver Grove Heights, MN: U10 A/B1/B2 Tournament. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www.ighha. org 15-17 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: Squirt A Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm.pucksystems2.com 15-17 Marshall, MN: Prairie Shootout. PeeWee A & B. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 248-4445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register https://marshall. pucksystems2.com 15-17 Moorhead, MN: Squirt C Tournament.

Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 15-17 New Hope, MN: U10B1, U12B1 & PeeWee C Tournament. Contact Susie Melynchuk: smelynchuk@comcast.net or visit www.armstrongcooperhockey.org 15-17 Proctor, MN: PeeWee A Tournament.

Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 15-17 River Falls, WI: PeeWee C Tournament.

Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@ gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 15-17 Rochester, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com.

Register at www.RYHA.net 15-17 Roseau, MN. Dick Johnson PeeWee AA Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 15-17 Sauk Rapids, MN: Storm On Ice. Squirt B2. $950. Contact Connie Pesta (320) 333-3860 or pestaconnie@gmail.com. www.saukrapidshockey. org 15-17 Silver Bay, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 15-17 Siren, WI: PeeWee Tournament. Level: WI 3B/4A - MN C. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 8435634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www. burnettyouthhockey.com 15-17 South St. Paul, MN: PeeWee B1 & C Tournament. Contact Dan Nerka at sspyha.tournaments@gmail.com.

15-17 Stillwater, MN: Stillwater Round-Up. Squirt C & PeeWee C. Contact Pete Waggoner (952) 769-6513 or Pete@SportsContentManagement.com. Register at stillwaterhockey.net 15-17 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake PeeWee B Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 15-17 Warroad, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 15-17 Wayzata, MN: Wayzata JGA High School Invitational. Jr. Gold A. Contact: tournaments@wayzatahockey.org. Register at www.wayzatahockey. org 15-17 Willmar, MN: Cardinal Classic PeeWee A & B Tournament. Contact Joe Wisocki (559) 2133683 or jwisocki@pga.com. Register at www.willmarhockey.com and click on the Tournaments tab.

15-17 Winona, MN: Squirt C Tournament. Contact Ditlev Larsen at dlarsen@winona.edu. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2.com 16 Somerset, WI: Mite Jamboree. Contact Dan Gilkerson (715) 222-2448 or dgilkerson@somersethockey.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 21-24 Stillwater, MN: Skate for the Roses. 10U AB, 12U AB, 15U AB. Email Adrienne Schmidt at skate4theroses@gmail.com. Register at stillwaterhockey.net 14-17 St. Paul, MN: East Side Outdoor Classic PeeWee B Tournament. Presented by St. Paul Johnson. Contact Contact Mitch McNamee (651) 328-0064 or email mmcnamee9@gmail.com 22-24 Albert Lea, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 22-24 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole U15A & U15B Tournament. Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

22-24 Austin, MN: Tyler Brady Memorial PeeWee A, B, C Tournament. Contact Dave Lagerstedt (507) 438-2256 or email dave@farmtech.com. austin.pucksystems2.com 22-24 Bemidji, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 22-24 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic.

Jr. Gold A. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers. com 22-24 Cloquet, MN: PeeWee AA-A Tournament. Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@ hotmail.com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 22-24 Crookston, MN: PeeWee B Tournament.

Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com 22-24 Devil’s Lake, ND: VFW PeeWee Hockey Tournament. Levels A/B1 & B. Contact Terry Wallace (701) 662-8243 or email twallacedlpb@gondtc. com. www.dlparkboard.org 22-24 Duluth, MN: Skate on the Edge Tournament. Squirt B. Contact Shawn Roed: roedwarrior@ gmail.com. Register at duluthhockey.com/hockeytournaments 22-24 Grand Forks, ND: Bantam B1 Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com

continued

22-24 Grand Rapids, MN: Squirt A Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 22-24 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: 8U/6U Girls Jamboree. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.hcyha. org/tournaments 22-24 Hoyt Lakes (Mesabi East), MN: Cody Vreeland Memorial Bantam B Tournament. Register at www.meyha.com 22-24 Lakeville, MN: Panther Classic. PeeWee B1. Contact Bob Smith at robert1smith1@hotmail. com. www.lakevillehockey.org 22-24 Luverne, MN: Squirt A Tournament. For info/registration, contact Eric Edstrom (507) 3801002 or visit luvernehockey.sportngin.com 22-24 Mankato, MN: PeeWee B2 and Squirt B2 Tournament. Contact Jenny Pierskalla at mankatotcr58@gmail.com. Register at www.mankatohockey. com 22-24 Minneapolis, MN: U10B and, U12B, Tournament. Info/register at www.mplshockey.com 22-24 Mora, MN: Squirt B2 & PeeWee B2 Tournament. For info/registration contact Cristy Thomas (612) 390-5790 or morahockey@yahoo.com. Visit www.mayrasports.com 22-24 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: Bantam B Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm.pucksystems2.com 22-24 Osseo/Maple Grove, MN: Girls Cabin Fever Classic. U12 A, B, B2. Contact Sara Grant (763) 442-7259 or tournamentchair@omgha. com. Register at https://www.omgha.com/page/ show/74-omgha-tournament-information-and-registration. www.omgha.com 22-24 Owatonna, MN: Squirt C Tournament.

Email: Director@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 22-24 Paynesville, MN: PeeWee A Tournament. Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey.com 22-24 Proctor, MN: Bantam A Tournament.

Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 22-24 Richmond, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey.com 22-24 River Falls, WI: Squirt A/B/C Tournament. A (WI)/B (MN), B (WI)/C (MN), and C (WI or equiv.). Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls. pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 22-24 Rochester, MN: Bantam B1 and B2 Tournaments. Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com. Register at www.RYHA.net 22-24 Roseau, MN. John Wensloff PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 22-24 St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Heartbreaker Tournament. Girls 10U A & B, Girls 12U B. Contact Katie Murphy: spcha.ops@gmail.com. Register at StPaulCapitalsHockey.com 22-24 Silver Bay, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament.

Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 22-24 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Bantam B and Girls 14U Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 22-24 Two Harbors, MN: Girls 12UB Tournament. Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 22-24 Warroad, MN: PeeWee A Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 22-24 Wayzata, MN: Wayzata Junior Gold Classic. Jr. Gold B & Jr. Gold 16U. Contact: tournaments@wayzatahockey.org. Register at www. wayzatahockey.org 22-24 Worthington, MN: Girls 10U/12U Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 23-24 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: Darrell Leen Memorial. Mini-Mite Jamboree. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn.org. For more info visit www.gahamn.org 23-24 Fairmont, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Tom Chapman (507) 848-0923 or tomchapmanjr@ yahoo.com. Register at https://fairmont.pucksystems2.com 23-24 Faribault, MN: Mite Mania Tournament.

Contact Michal Munoz at fhatournaments@gmail. com. Register at www.faribaulthockey.com 23-24 Moose Lake, MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Heidi Oswald at (218) 565-2488 or heidi3258@gmail.com. Register at https://www.mlaharebels.com/page/show/198092-tournaments 23-24 Waseca, MN. Al Kunz Memorial Tournament. Mites/8U Girls. Contact whatournamentdirector@gmail.com. Regsiter at www.wasecahockey. org.

23-25 Monticello, MN: Iceberg Classic. Squirt B/C. Contact Sean Lawrance (612) 290-8547 or moosehockeytournaments@gmail.com. www. mooseyouthhockey.org 24 Winona, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Ditlev Larsen at dlarsen@winona.edu. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2.com 27-31 Bloomington, MN: Cupid Classic. 15U, 12U, 10U. Email questions to bahatourneys@gmail. com. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com

www.stateofhockey.com

Let’s Play Hockey

November 27, 2020

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

MARCH 2021 5-7 Worthington, MN: Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 6-7 Silver Bay, MN: Mite 2 (Full-Ice) Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www. silverbayhockey.com 12-14 Barron/Chetek, WI: Squirt Tournament.

Wisconsin Levels: 4A, 3A, 2B, 1C. Minnesota Levels: B2/C (or equivalent). Contact Mark Thompson (715) 418-9812 or thompson.m.a1981@gmail.com. Register at www.bcyha.org/page/show/4615021-tournaments 12-14 Marshall, MN: Tiger Classic. Mites & Mini-Mites. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 2484445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register https:// marshall.pucksystems2.com 12-14 River Falls, WI: Mites Shamrock Shootout. Levels 3 & 4. Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https:// riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 19-21 New Richmond, WI: Senior Men’s Tournament. Contact Shawn Demulling (715) 781-0129 or sdemulling8817@gmail.com. Visit www.NRYHA. net 26-28 Somerset, WI: Senior Men’s No Check Tournament. Contact Dan Gilkerson (715) 222-2448 or dgilkerson@somersethockey.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com

MAY 2021 28-30 Duluth, MN. Twin Ports Prospects Girls Showcase. 16U and 19U. Contact Kevin Mudrak at 218-522-1375 or kmudrak@yahoo.com. Visit www. mnfemalehockey.com

No portion of the tournament calendar may be copied, reproduced or transmitted without written permission from Let’s Play Hockey and its publisher.

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4-7 Osseo/Maple Grove, MN: Girls Cabin Fever Classic. U10 A, B, B2. Contact Sara Grant (763) 442-7259 or tournamentchair@omgha. com. Register at https://www.omgha.com/page/ show/74-omgha-tournament-information-and-registration. www.omgha.com 4-7 Edina, MN: Bob O’Connor Tournament.

Bantam B2, Bantam C, PeeWee B2, PeeWee C, Squirt B2, Squirt C. Contact Janae Hentges (612) 812-1136 or janae@sportscontentmanagement. com. Register at www.edinatourney.com 5-6 Eveleth, MN: 10th Annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Squirt B Tournament. Contact egyouthhockey@gmail.com or visit www.evelethyouthhockey.com 5-7 Albert Lea, MN: Squirt C Tournament.

Contact darcy@drascases.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 5-7 Bemidji, MN: Squirt C Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 5-7 Brookings, SD: Dakota Premier Classic. Girls 19U A & B. Contact tournamentdirector@ brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 5-7 Cloquet, MN: Girls 12UB Tournament.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 5-7 Crookston, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament. Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www. crookstonbluelinehockey.com 5-7 Detroit Lakes, MN: Polar Fest Freeze.

U12B. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 2349193, (218) 234-5068 or email: abbypettit80@ gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/ show/203545-dlyha-tournament-information 5-7 Devil’s Lake, ND: John and Pat Olsen Memorial Squirt Tournament. Levels A/B1 & B. Contact Terry Wallace (701) 662-8243 or email twallacedlpb@gondtc.com. www.dlparkboard.org 5-7 Duluth, MN: Jr. Gold B Tournament.

Contact Bailey Olson: bailey@duluthhockey.com.

Register at duluthhockey.com/hockeytournaments 5-7 Faribault, MN: Squirt A/B Tournament.

Contact Michal Munoz at fhatournaments@gmail. com. Register at www.faribaulthockey.com 5-7 Grand Forks, ND: Angels 10UA & 12UA Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 5-7 Grand Rapids, MN: Squirt B Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 5-7 Hastings, MN: The River Rumble Peewee C & Bantam C Tournament. Contact Tiffany Newton at tournaments@hastingshockey. www. hastingshockey.com 5-7 Hermantown, MN: Girls U10B Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 5-7 Hibbing/Chisholm, MN: Mite (Half Ice) and Mini-Mite (Cross-Ice) Jamborees. Contact Jr Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail. com. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments 5-7 Inver Grove Heights, MN: Squirt B/C Tournament. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www.ighha. org 5-7 Lakeville, MN: Cougar Classic. Bantam B1. Contact Bob Smith at robert1smith1@hotmail. com. www.lakevillehockey.org 5-7 Marshall, MN: Squadron Classic. Squirt A & B. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 248-4445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register https://marshall.pucksystems2.com 5-7 Moorhead, MN: PeeWee AA and Girls 12UA Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 5-7 New Hope, MN: PeeWee A & Bantam A Tournament. Contact Susie Melynchuk: smelynchuk@comcast.net or visit www.armstrongcooperhockey.org 5-7 River Falls, WI: Bantam B (WI)/C (MN) Tournament. Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls. pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 5-7 Warroad, MN: Girls 10U Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 5-7 Waseca, MN. 12UA/10UB Girl Tournament. Contact whatournamentdirector@gmai l.com.

Register at www.wasecahockey.org.

6-7 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https://newulm.pucksystems2.com 12-13 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Mite Jamboree.

Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

12-14 Amery, WI: PeeWee A/B Tournament. WI 3A/2B/1C and MN B & WI 3B/4A and MN C. Contact Kari Stinson (715) 338-7843 or karilee521@yahoo. com. www.ameryhockey.com 12-14 Duluth, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Lynden Medlin: aemduluth@yahoo.com. Register at duluthhockey.com/hockeytournaments 12-14 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Madness.

Squirt C & PeeWee C. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 12-14 Grand Forks, ND: PeeWee A, Bantam A Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 12-14 Hermantown, MN: Mite I Jamboree.

Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 12-14 Luverne, MN: Squirt B Tournament. For info/registration, contact Eric Edstrom (507) 3801002 or visit luvernehockey.sportngin.com 12-14 Mason City, IA: J2K Tournament. PeeWee/Bantam. Contact Ashley Page at mchockeytournament@gmail.com. Register at mcmohawkhockey.com 12-14 Red Wing MN: Shiver River Showdown Squirt B & C Tournament. Contact Nichole Hultman (651) 210-6619. Register at www.redwingathleticassociation.org 12-14 Somerset, WI: Jr. Gold B & Jr. Gold 16 Tournament. Contact Jim Urquhart (763) 218-1385 or jurq121@icloud.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 12-14 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Jr Gold Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 12-14 Warroad, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 13-14 Cloquet, MN: Mite 1 & Mite 2 Jamboree.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 13-14 Sioux Falls, SD: Mite Falls Freeze Tournament. Contact Aimee Chase (605) 929-0039. www.siouxfallsflyers.com 19-20 Devil’s Lake, ND: Mikal Wakefield Memorial Mite Jamboree. Levels A, B & C. Contact Terry Wallace (701) 662-8243 or email twallacedlpb@ gondtc.com. www.dlparkboard.org 19-20 Duluth, MN: Mite 2 Jamboree. Contact Bailey Olson: bailey@duluthhockey.com. Register at duluthhockey.com/hockeytournaments 19-21 Baldwin, WI: Squirts Tournament.

Contact Michelle Stevens (507) 272-1212 or cutebagsmichelle@icloud.com. Register at https:// baldwin.pucksystems2.com/page/show/26105-tournament-information 19-21 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Meltdown.

10U B1 & 10U B2. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 19-21 Eveleth, MN: 25th Annual Nick Vincent Memorial Mite Jamboree. Contact egyouthhockey@ gmail.com or visit www.evelethyouthhockey.com 19-21 Grand Forks, ND: NDAHA 12UB, 12A, 14B Jamboree. Contact Jessie Close (701) 7870316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 19-21 Grand Rapids, MN: 10UB Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 19-21 Hermantown, MN: Mite II Jamboree.

Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 19-21 Owatonna, MN: Squirt A/B Tournament.

Email: Director@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 19-21 River Falls, WI: Bantam A (WI)/B (MN) Tournament. Contact Becca Hoeft at rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls. pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 19-21 Siren, WI: Junior Gold Tournament. Level: WI 3B/4A - MN C. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 843-5634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www.burnettyouthhockey.com 19-21 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Squirt B Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 19-21 Virginia, MN. “Marwick Tournament.”

Squirt B. Contact Davis Lampaa at vaha.reg@ gmail.com. Register at www.virginiabluedevilhockey.com

19-21 Winona, MN: PeeWee C Tournament.

Contact Ditlev Larsen at dlarsen@winona.edu. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2.com 20-21 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn. org. For more info visit www.gahamn.org 20-21 New Richmond, WI: Mite Invitational. All levels. Email Wendy Melchert at mitehockey_nr@ yahoo.com. Register at www.NRYHA.net 26-28 Amery, WI: Squirt A/B Tournament. WI 3A/2B/1C and MN B & WI 3B/4A and MN C. Contact Kari Stinson (715) 338-7843 or karilee521@yahoo. com. www.ameryhockey.com 26-28 Austin, MN: Squirt A, B, C Tournament.

Contact Dave Lagerstedt (507) 438-2256 or email dave@farmtech.com. austin.pucksystems2.com 26-28 Baldwin, WI: PeeWee Tournament.

Contact Michelle Stevens (507) 272-1212 or cutebagsmichelle@icloud.com. Register at https://baldwin.pucksystems2.com/page/show/26105-tournament-information 26-28 Faribault, MN: Squirt C Tournament.

Contact Michal Munoz at fhatournaments@gmail. com. Register at www.faribaulthockey.com 26-28 Fergus Falls, MN: 8U Jamboree. Questions, email FFHAtournaments@gmail.com. For info and to register, visit https://fergusfallshockey. pucksystems.com/page/show/48928-tournaments 26-28 Moorhead, MN: Bantam C and PeeWee C Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 26-28 Superior, WI: Colder by the Lake Mite Tournament. For info/registration visit the tournament tab at sahahockey.com 29-31 Red Wing MN: Shiver River Mite Jamboree. Contact Nichole Hultman (651) 210-6619.

Register at www.redwingathleticassociation.org 27-28 Silver Bay, MN: Mite 1 Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com

’

FEBRUARY 2021

5-7 Worthington, MN: PeeWee A/B Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com

Let

30-31 Hoyt Lakes (Mesabi East), MN: Geno Olds Pops Jamboree. Mini-Mites/“Pops”. Register at www.meyha.com 30-31 Moose Lake, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Contact Heidi Oswald at (218) 565-2488 or heidi3258@gmail.com. Register at https://www.mlaharebels.com/page/show/198092-tournaments 30-1 Coleraine (Greenway), MN: Bantam B Tournament. Squirt B. Contact Mark Gibeau at president@gahamn.org. For more info visit www. gahamn.org

continued

ck

28-31 Eden Prairie, MN: Winter Classic.

Bantam B2 & C. Contact Shelly Heggestad: EPHAEPHAtournaments@ephockey.com or visit www.ephockey.com/tournaments 29-31 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Squirt A & Squirt C Tournament. Register online at www.alexhockey.org under the tournaments tab.

29-31 Austin, MN: Chris Fischer Memorial Bantam B Tournament. Contact Dave Lagerstedt (507) 438-2256 or email dave@farmtech.com. austin. pucksystems2.com 29-31 Bemidji, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament.

Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org. For lodging, call (877) 250-5959 or go to visitbemidji.com 29-31 Cloquet, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament.

Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 29-31 Crookston, MN: Girls 12UA Tournament.

Contact Kristy Swanson (218) 470-0423 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com 29-31 Detroit Lakes, MN: Fill the Net Fest.

Bantam A. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 2349193, (218) 234-5068 or email: abbypettit80@ gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/ show/203545-dlyha-tournament-information 29-31 Duluth, MN: Zenith City Invitational.

PeeWee B2 & Bantam B2. Contact Clare Markley: markleyclare@gmail.com. Register at duluthhockey. com/hockeytournaments 29-31 Forest Lake, MN: Squirt B2 & Squirt C Tournament. Contact Brandon Ferngren (612) 9861453 ortournaments@flhockey.org. Info/registration at www.flhockey.org 29-31 Grand Forks, ND: Angels 15UA and PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Jessie Close (701) 787-0316 or Jclose.gfyouthhockey@gmail.com.

Register at grandforksyouthhockey.com 29-31 Grand Rapids, MN: PeeWee A/AA Star of the North Tournament. Contact Colleen Forrest: grhockey55744@yahoo.com or register at grhockey.com 29-31 Hermantown, MN: PeeWee A Tournament. Contact Amber Manion (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey. com 29-31 Hutchinson, MN: Bantam A and B Tournament. Contact Caleb Paulson (320) 292-4512 or Caleb.M.Paulson@wellsfargo.com. Register at www.hutchhockey.org 29-31 La Crescent, MN: Squirt B Tournament.

Info/registration at www.lacrescenthockey.com 29-31 Little Falls, MN: Bantam A & B Tournament. Contact Kari Houle (320) 282-1434 or kari. anne.houle@gmail.com. Info/register at https://littlefallsyha.pucksystems.com/page/show/51280-tournaments 29-31 Luverne, MN: Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree . For info/registration, contact Eric Edstrom (507) 380-1002 or visit luvernehockey.sportngin.com 29-31 Moorhead, MN: PeeWee A and Girls 12UB Tournament. Info/registration at moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 29-31 New Richmond, WI: Cally Briggs Memorial. Girls U10 B & U12 B. Contact Barry Cunningham (651) 283-0072 or tournaments@nryha.net.

Register at www.NRYHA.net 29-31 New Ulm/Sleepy Eye, MN: Girls 10UB/12UB Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. https:// newulm.pucksystems2.com 29-31 Paynesville, MN: Girls 12UA and 12UB Tournament. Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey.com 29-31 Proctor, MN: Bantam B Tournament.

Contact Chris Simonson (218) 310-1338 or pahatournaments@gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 29-31 Red Wing MN: Shiver River Showdown PeeWee B & C Tournament. Contact Nichole Hultman (651) 210-6619. Register at www.redwingathleticassociation.org 29-31 Richmond, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament.

Contact Michelle (952) 484-5479 or email riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. www.riverlakeshockey. com 29-31 Rochester, MN: Shannon Cup Tournament. Girls 10A, 10B, 12A, 12B. Levels subject to change. Contact Rob Cothern at robertcothern@ yahoo.com. Register at www.RYHA.net 29-31 Roseau, MN. Girls 10U A/B Tournament.

Contact Bill Lund (218) 689-0636. www.roseauhockeyonline.com 29-31 Sioux Falls, SD: PeeWee A & B (MN B/ B1 & MN B2/C) Tournament. Contact Aimee Chase (605) 929-0039. www.siouxfallsflyers.com 29-31 Siren, WI: Bantam Tournament. Level: WI 3B/4A - MN C. Contact Steve Rohde (877) 8435634 or steverohde@sirentel.net. Register at www. burnettyouthhockey.com 29-31 Two Harbors, MN: Bantam A Tournament. Contact Jesse Lundgren (218) 834.8339 or thyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org 29-31 Walker, MN: City on the Bay Squirt B2 Tournament. To register contact Mitch Loomis, loomis@shoresofleechlake.com 29-31 Warroad, MN: Squirt A Tournament.

Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@gmail.com. Register at www.warroadhockey. com/tournamentspage 29-31 Winona, MN: PeeWee B and Squirt B Tournament. Contact Ditlev Larsen at dlarsen@winona.edu. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2. com 30-31 Cloquet, MN: 8U Girls Jamboree. Contact Justin Harriman at cloquethockey@hotmail. com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org

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Q&A

November 27, 2020

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Ryan Minkoff grew up playing hockey in Minnesota and fell in love with he game at age 4. Many times he faced obstacles in his career yet it never stopped him from achieving his goals. His book “Thin Ice: A Hockey Journey - from unknown to elite and the gift of a lifetime” chronicles those challenges. The foreword to the book was written by Stanley Cup Champion Travis Boyd. Minkoff now uses his experience as a player to help other players reach their goals as a sports agent. Here is his story: What is your personal background?

Where did you grow up and how did you get involved in hockey? I grew up in Corcoran, Minn. My family had season tickets to Gopher hockey games before I was born, so I was introduced to the sport at a young age. I started playing hockey at the park in Rogers and then joined Hanover Youth Hockey at age 4, which later merged in with the Buffalo Youth Hockey for my mite and squirt years. I then went to play Tier 1 hockey with Team Midwest for my first year of peewees, which really elevated my game, and we were coached by former NHLer Craig Norwich. That team ended up folding after one year, so I went on to play for Tri-City (Columbia Heights, Fridley, Brooklyn Center), which also folded after my one season there. I spent my bantam years at Armstrong/ Cooper and then played at Benilde-St. Margaret’s JV and Varsity for a couple of years before concluding my senior year of high school playing in the now defunct MNJHL for the Minnesota Wildcats. My MN hockey experience was quite the adventure, and I go into depth in my book.

Where did you play after high school? I had NCAA DIII interest and one NCAA D1 school interested in me, who went from wanting me right out of high school to then wanting me to first play a couple of years of junior hockey until age 20.

I didn’t want to play juniors again after high school. I was ready to go to college like most of my close friends were doing. I played club (ACHA) hockey at the University of Washington in Seattle. I had a record setting career all four years which led to my playing professionally overseas in Finland for one season. When the season ended, having suffered a few concussions during my career, I hung up the skates and started my own hockey agency in Seattle that I run today called 83, LLC. I have clients from all over the world and a number of players that are Minnesota natives. I love it!

What gave you the idea to write a book? I actually started writing the book before my senior year of college at UW. When you start thinking that you could be coming to the end of your career, you tend to begin to reminisce. I started writing things down that I experienced growing up in hockey. It was my whole life in Minnesota. I had about 100 pages done that summer and just kept writing as my senior year

Ryan Minkoff with one of his teams he played on with Travis Boyd, Jonny Brodzinski and Christian Horn.

32nd Annual

MARCH 5-6, 2021

with Ryan Minkoff Publisher of Thin Ice: A Hockey Journey From Unknown to Elite and the Gift of a Lifetime

went along. I knew I had a unique path in Minnesota youth hockey, bouncing around to different associations and felt that others could learn from my experiences. I didn’t have many personal or family connections in the hockey world that helped me along.

I was a good player that felt as though I got lost in the crowd. I played ACHA club at the college level. When I got the Finland contract, I knew my story was pretty unique going from the club level to playing professionally overseas, and I wanted to share it because I felt it could help others going through challenging times as they moved through the sport, and if they had the passion and perseverance, they could also keep playing at a high level.

What is the basis of the book or the main emphasis? The main emphasis of Thin Ice is don’t listen to detractors or let anyone get in the way of what you believe Ryan Minkoff fell in love with the game you can do, and don’t be afraid to take an at age. 4. He started out playing for Ha- unconventional path to achieve your goals. nover.

There is a path to wherever you want to go; it just may not be what is considered by the masses as the norm or most popular. It is also okay to drop down a level and excel and then move up. Recognize when you feel you may be struggling a bit, this is what will lead to your growth. I stressed my lack of connections and a lack of relationship building that I did not do when I was younger.

Stronger relationships could have really helped me. This is something I continue to work on to improve.

Looking back, what is your greatest reward you have received from the game of hockey? The greatest reward from the game, besides all of the people and players I have met and played with, is what I have been able to do since ending my playing career. I have gotten the most satisfaction from giving back to the game by helping and supporting players that are trying to reach their goals. In running my hockey agency, I am able to help players navigate more smoothly through their careers, overcoming their personal and hockey challenges, and sharing in their triumphs. It has been gratifying to help players that have not been given much attention or opportunities in their careers to get the needed exposure they have been deserving of. I have also been able to share my experiences with players to help them continue to believe in themselves and not give up on their dreams.

What advice would you give to young kids who love the game and want to play at the next level, whether that be a squirt wanting to make the Peewee A team, a HS player wanting to play in college or a college kid wanting to play pro?

Play because you love to play. Work on your skating ability and watch a lot of games.

Train with better and older players in the offseason if you have the opportunity. Mentally, believe in yourself and don’t let anyone or anything sway you away from what you are trying to accomplish or what your goals and dreams are. Avoid detractors and don’t listen or surround yourself with negative people. It is important to remember to play where you are wanted, in a positive environment with positive coaches and where you can develop and learn. Playing time and being in a program where you can make mistakes and keep playing is a key to developing and progressing. It is also okay to struggle a little, as you will learn and grow during these times. Be open to going in a path that isn’t “the norm” in the public eye. As long as you keep your focus and eyes on your goals, you will reach them.

What advice would you give to other hockey players who want to tell their story and possibly write a book? My advice to other players if they have a story to tell is to just start writing down your thoughts. Writing brought clarity to my life and helped me sort through difficult times that I experienced. The process was therapeutic. Though it takes a lot of time and thought, patience with yourself is important in trying to craft the message you are trying to deliver.

What is your next project? My next project is already in the works, and is a children’s book. I plan to reveal more details in the coming months!

How can people purchase the book? My book can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Target, my website 83llc.com, and many other international retailers online.

Any additional comments? Life isn’t a destination – it’s a journey and embrace the ride. It helps to be comfortable with making mistakes along the way because the more mistakes we make, the more we learn, which we always want to be doing. Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to follow your unique path because success has different meanings to each of us.

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Youth Hockey Report presented by Otter VFW Bantam A’s season opener is a blowout

PHOTOS BY HEATHER DIRKMAN

by Heather Schmidt The Fergus Falls Otter VFW Bantam A team opened their season on Nov. 1, 2020, against the Willmar Cardinals.

The Otters were excited to take the ice to show the Cardinals what they were made of. With 8 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the first period, Brayden Nelson fired a shot past the Cardinal goalie to put the Otters on the board. This Youth Hockey Report goal was assisted by Gavin Geopferd and Sam Dirkman. The Otters were clearly fired up and ready to get ahead. Less than 3 minutes later, Nelson found the back of the net again, this time assisted by Shane Zierden. With minutes remaining in the first period, Nelson completed his hat trick by sinking another goal assisted by Michael Schmidt and Geopferd. At the last second, an Otter player was sent to the penalty box. The final score of the first period was Otters 3, Cardinals 0.

Being short handed with a player in the box, the Otters knew they needed to start the second period strong to keep the Cardinals from scoring. Just a minute into the period Luke Norgard sent a beautiful pass to Griffin Babolian, who scored a short-handed goal.

The Cardinals were called for too many men on the ice and the Otters had a Power Play. The Cardinals showed great defense and excellent goaltending and were able to hold the Otters off.

The Otters were able to get two more goals scored by Geopferd, who was assisted by Nelson. The last goal of the second period was scored by Zierden and assisted by Geopferd and Riley McGovern. The Otters ended the period with a 6-0 lead against the Cardinals.

The Otters came back to the third period unwilling to give up. They continued to show great teamwork. The Otters were able to get 3 more goals – scoring was Nelson from Zierden and Geopferd, Babolian from Norgard, and Schmidt from Dirkman.

With just 2 minutes remaining in the game the Cardinals were not willing to give up.

One of the Cardinal players skated down the ice with the Otter team chasing him, determined to get a goal for the team. He shot and the shot was blocked by Otter goalie Timothy Nanson. With Nanson recovering from an excellent save, the puck sat in front of the Otter net. McGovern swooped in to get the puck out of the zone.

The Otters were able to triumph over the Cardinals with a shut-out win of 9-0. Other contributing players on the team were Jack Welde, Davis Shol, Leighton Buckmeier, Adam Kennedy, and Dakota Komestakes. The Otters are coached by Jerid Adamson and Aaron Geopferd.

Chaska/Chanhassen PeeWee B1 Gold wins Pumpkin Bash

Players: Michael Azanov, Kaleb Bergman, Gavin Harvey, Landon Huh, Ryan Jirele, Kieran Kurtt, Drew Lindell, Donovan Madsen, Jon Parrington, Dawson Perry, Frank Petz, Gavin Schmid, Sam Swanson, Matthew Tyler, and Ethan Williams. Head Coach: Corey Bergman. Assistant Coaches: Jae Huh, Chad Lindell, and Dan Madsen.

Chaska/Chanhassen PeeWee B1 Gold captured the championship of the Pumpkin Bash on Oct. 30-Nov. 1, posting a 4-0 record to claim CCHA’s first tournament championship of the 2020-21 season. The Stormhawks outscored their opponents 32-12, defeating Stillwater 6-4, Cottage Grove Green 11-3, Sioux City 7-2 and Cottage Grove Black 8-3 to Youth Hockey Report cruise to the title.

CC Gold won the championship despite a two-week delay in starting the season and only four practices and one scrimmage prior to the tournament. The Stormhawks will look to make it 2-for-2 in tournaments on Nov. 2729 at the Minneapolis Cup.

Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam A takes third in Eden Prairie

Congratulations to Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam A for taking third place at the Season Premiere Kick Off in Eden Prairie on Nov. 13-14. The Stormhawks outscored their opponents 16-6, thanks in part to point leaders Mason Grinnell (8 points) and Danny Fahey (7), and strong goalie play by Nathan Mach who recorded his second shutout of the season. Pictured are (front row, from left): Adam Kimbrell, Ryan McPartland, Logan Broten, Danny Fahey, Henri Ament, Micah Saxon, Nathan Mach; (back row): Lorenzo Pekarek, Ashton Lee, Brady Robbins, Cole Seaverson, Carson Moe, Logan Grinnell, Peyton, Chase, Cullen Flannery, and Mason Grinnell. Not pictured: Coltin Wassengeso.

Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam C finishes second at Sniper Classic

Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam C captured second place at the Wayzata Sniper Classic on Nov 12-15, posting a 3-1-1 record to claim a trophy in the team’s first tournament of the season. The Stormhawks went 2-0-1 in pool play to claim the #1 seed, defeating Edina 5-1 and Osseo/Maple Grove 1-0, and tying Minneapolis 1-1. In a great semifinal vs. Prior Lake, CCHA trailed Youth Hockey Report 1-0 for most of the game before tying it up in the third period. After a scoreless overtime, the contest headed to a shootout where the Stormhawks claimed the win. CCHA couldn’t maintain the momentum in the championship game, however, falling 3-0 to Minneapolis.

Players (from left): Ryan Gonsalves, Will Bushey, Parker Mancini, Dominic Donato, Cullen Wendolek, Jack Grobel, Tommy Hawley, Ryder Herrmann, Sam Rocheford, Logan Hutchings, Mateo Arango, and Tommy Brammer. Not pictured: Wyatt Auseth, Coletn Kinneman, Joey Nelson, and Adam Spiess.

Coaches: Jesse Auseth, Andy Brammer, Joe Donato, and Steve Bushey.

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Youth Hockey Report presented by Delano Peewee C squad finishes second at Wayzata Sniper Tournament The Delano Peewee C squad finished second at the Wayzata Sniper Tournament the weekend of Nov. 13-15. The team rallied together, picked each other up, and played hard to secure the second place trophy.

“Here in Delano we certainly love success, but we treasure teamwork, perseverance and growth. We didn’t win every game during this tournament, but they lost together as Youth Hockey Report a team and won together as a team. They showed an amazing display of teamwork, support and hard work,” said Robin Olson, social media contact for DAYHA.

The Delano Peewee C squad took second place at the Wayzata Snipers Tournament.

Team members include: Jack Hausladen, Brody Roers, Peter Weis, Nicholas Peterson, Mason Mattson, Danny Franklin, Blake Merritt, Cooper Jennie, Johan Ronnings, Beau Burlingame, Deagan Kolleck and Adam Boerboom. Coaches are Ben Mattson, Bryan Franklin, Jason Peterson and Brian Roers.

The team played great defense and got great goaltending throughout the tourney.

Adam Boerboom closes in on a breakaway!

YOUTH PLAYER

OF THE WEEK Mason Mattson, Delano Peewee C

Mason Mattson scored the game winning goal in a 2-1 win over Andover in the opening game of the Wayzata Snipers Classic with less than two minutes to play. Delano was down 6-4 against host Wayzata in game two but worked their way back into the game when Mattson scored with 84 seconds to play for the game-winner. He added an empty net goal to seal the win. Delano advanced to the championship game where they lost to Eagan 4-0. Congratulations to Mason Mattson of the Delano Peewee C team.

To submit a nomination for Carbone’s Player of the Week, send your nomination to editor@letsplayhockey.com.

For a Carbone’s Pizza location near you, visit www.carbones.com.

Name: Mason Mattson Nickname: Mase Team: Delano Tigers PWC Age: 12 Position: Left Wing Shoots: Righty What age did you start playing hockey? 3 years old like all MN Boys, LOL. Who is your favorite team?

MN Wild Who is your favorite player?

Connor McDavid What is your favorite hockey memory? When my Squirt team won the D3 District Championship at our home rink in Delano, to a packed house, in OT last year.

What do you love most about playing hockey?

The friendships and the intensity of the game.

Fergus Falls 10UB hockey wins two

by Michael Swenson The Fergus Falls Prairie’s Edge Dental 10U B Girls’ hockey team played two games Nov. 14 and recorded two wins.

In the first game, the Otters faced off against Alexandria.

Payton Wolden got the scoring started for the Otters as she scored the lone goal in the first period, assisted by Brinley Youth Hockey Report Harris. One more goal was recorded in period number two, giving the Otters a 2-0 lead. Scoring for the Otters this time was Willow Glas, assisted

by Brinly Shol and Jordynn Anderson. The Otters tripled their lead in period number three scoring four more times. Celia Smith scored unassisted to get the scoring started for the Otters in the final period. Four minutes later, Claire Duffy gave the Otters a 4-0 lead with a goal of her own. Duffy was assisted by Breeynn Hill and Calista Fleischauer. Wolden finished off the scoring for the Otters and capped off the day with a hat trick. Wolden scored the last two goals for the Otters as they went on to win 6-0.

Her first goal of the third period was unassisted, and her second goal was assisted by Shol.

Game number two against West Fargo was filled with action. Shol got the scoring started for the Otters as they jumped to a 1-0 lead. West Fargo responded with two goals of their own, and took a 2-1 lead. Wolden tied the game up at 2-2 with an assist from Fleischauer. Shol and Wolden would each score one more time before the first period ended. Wolden was assisted by Duffy. Period two started with a 4-2 Otters lead, and the Otters continued to add to their lead. Shol started period two by recording a hat trick. Brinly scored her third goal of the game just minutes into the second period.

West Fargo started a comeback as they scored a goal of their own, narrowing the Otters lead to 5-3. However, that would be the end of West Fargo’s scoring for the day. The Otters added 5 more goals before winning 10-3. Duffy scored back-to-back goals in the second period, both unassisted. Period three started with a goal by Smith, assisted by Shol. Seylah Arneson scored the Otters ninth goal before Shol added her fourth and final goal of the evening. The 10U girls are coached by Josh Shol and Dan Hill.

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Youth Hockey Report presented by Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam AA captures Battle for the Blue Ox title Despite not being picked by Youth Hockey Hub staffers as a pre-tournament favorite, Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam AA captured the championship of YHH’s Battle for the Blue Ox on Nov. 13-15 in Moorhead, posting a perfect 6-0 record. In pool play, the Stormhawks allowed just one goal, defeating Elk River 8-0, Osseo/Maple Grove A 8-0 and Moorhead 6-1.

In the quarterfinals, CC edged Grand Forks 3-2 with Sam Scheetz notching the game-winning goal early in the third period. In the semifinals, the Stormhawks downed Wayzata 5-3 in a back-and-forth game. Scheetz scored two goals in 20 seconds early in the second period, only to see the Trojans rattle off three straight Youth Hockey Report markers to take a 3-2 lead. Just 18 seconds later, however, CC’s Jack Christ scored to knot the game at 3-3 heading into the final period. Christ notched the go-ahead goal early in the third and Alexander Jensen made it 5-3 late in the period to send the Stormhawks to the title game.

In the championship contest, Chaska/Chanhassen came from behind again, this time to edge District 6 rival Minnetonka 2-1. The Skippers struck first late in the second period and held their one-goal lead until about midway through the third period when CC’s Ashton Schultz scored to tie the game.

Then, with just 28 seconds remaining in regulation, Tanner Bruender slammed home a loose puck to lift the Stormhawks to their first championship of the season.

Front row (from left): Caleb Heil, Erik Charchenko, Chase Borene, Drew Jensen, Owen Buesgens, Ashton Schultz, Sam Scheetz, and Rylan Oster. Back row: Head Coach Zack Friedl, Assistant Coach Evan Bisek, Tyler Smith, Hunter Bauer, Tanner Bruender, Adam Kleber, Lukas Sawchyn, Jack Christ, Alex Jensen, Assistant Coach Jace Carlin, and Assistant Coach Alex Jensen. Not pictured: Brayden Willis, Nick Patka.

With the puck in possession of the Skippers in their own zone, Schultz picked a Minnetonka defender’s pocket, scooted to the net, and had his backhand attempt stuffed by Minnetonka’s Grady Rannow. With the puck uncovered, Bruender swooped into the slot and jammed it into the net.

Chaska/Chanhassen had four players named to the All-Tournament Team: forwards Bruender and Scheetz, defenseman Adam Kleber and goalie Caleb Heil.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YOUTH HOCKEY HUB

Chaska/Chanhassen’s Tanner Bruender scores the game-winning goal with 28 seconds left in regulation to lift the Stormhawks to a 2-1 win over Minnetonka.

Fergus Falls 12UB hockey split series with Alexandria

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32nd Annual

MARCH 5-6, 2021

by Michael Swenson The Fergus Falls Pemberton 12U B Girls’ hockey team competed in two games against the 12U B Girls’ Alexandria team Nov. 14. In the first of two games, both teams were scoreless after one. The Otters broke the tie and scored early into period number two with a goal by Emma Sandstrom, unassisted. After the first goal, it was all Otters, Atleigh Shol, Youth Hockey Report after that. Shol got to work, recording a hat trick and scoring three consecutive times for the Otters giving them a 4-0 win. Shol was assisted on two of the goals by Anna Sem and Abby Schuman.

Game two on Saturday was a little bit of a different story. Alexandria came out looking to even up the series against the Otters, and they did just that. The Otters did score first, however, on a goal by Anna Sem, assisted by Atley Duckwitz. After a brief 1-0 lead by the Otters, the Alexandria girls took over from there scoring three straight goals splitting the series at one a piece with the Otters.

The 12UB girls are coached by Abby Hightower and Jason Sem.

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November 27, 2020

HS BOYS AA FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

HILL-MURRAY Eden Prairie Blake St. Thomas Academy Andover Maple Grove Moorhead Lakeville South Benilde-St. Margaret’s Prior Lake Cretin-Derham Hall Rosemount Grand Rapids Edina White Bear Lake Blaine Wayzata Minnetonka Lakeville North Stillwater

HS BOYS A FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

BANTAM AA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

EDINA Minnetonka Eden Prairie Chaska/Chanhassen Wayzata Woodbury Stillwater Prior Lake Hermantown Osseo-Maple Grove Mahtomedi Duluth East Andover White Bear Lake Orono

Champlin Park Coon Rapids Moorhead Rosemount Sibley Area

HS GIRLS AA FINAL

AHTOMEDI M Hermantown St. Cloud Cathedral Warroad Delano Monticello Hutchinson Mankato East/Loyola Orono East Grand Forks Alexandria Gentry Academy Little Falls Thief River Falls St Paul Johnson North Branch Eveleth-Gilbert Greenway Armstrong Cooper Breck

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

BANTAM A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

ANDOVER Edina Minnetonka Maple Grove Roseau Hill-Murray Burnsville Farmington Eden Prairie Wayzata Blake Brainerd/Little Falls Stillwater Forest Lake North Wright County Holy Family Lakeville South Apple Valley Rogers Eastview

HS GIRLS A FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

BANTAM B1

SHAKOPEE Northfield Sartell

Stillwater St. Louis Park Edina

Minneapolis Chaska/Chanhassen Woodbury Delano Forest Lake Alexandria Grand Rapids Owatonna Bloomington Jefferson Osseo-Maple Grove Virginia Hastings Eagan

Minnetonka

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

PRIOR LAKE Edina Green Osseo-Maple Grove Black Woodbury Black Minnetonka Park/Cottage Grove Edina White Elk River Black Alexandria Black Minneapolis Grey Chaska/Chanhassen St. Paul Dodge County Black Minnesota River Eagan

Champlin Park Becker/Big Lake Blaine

Mahtomedi Blue Mahtomedi Gold

RECK B Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Warroad Rochester Lourdes Hutchinson South St. Paul Willmar Luverne Proctor/Hermantown Mound Westonka Chisago Lakes Simley St. Paul United Orono Faribault Duluth Marshall Thief River Falls River Lakes Minneapolis New Ulm

JUNIOR GOLD A FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EDINA Shakopee

Stillwater Moorhead Mahtomedi Duluth East Osseo-Maple Grove Hermantown Andover Centennial Wayzata Grand Rapids Rogers White Bear Lake Bloomington Jefferson Chaska/Chanhassen Minnetonka Rosemount Prior Lake Anoka

1 2 3 4 5

LAKEVILLE Osseo-Maple Grove Blaine Stillwater Edina White

6 7 8 9 10

PEEWEE A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

APPLE VALLEY/BURNSVILLE Hibbing-Chisholm Armstrong Cooper Delano Minnetonka Edina

Stillwater East Grand Forks Moorhead Sibley Area Alexandria Hopkins Mankato Northfield Monticello Northern Lakes Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato St Louis Park Chaska/Chanhassen Eveleth-Gilbert

Want to be a youth hockey ranker? Send an e-mail to editor@letsplayhockey.com

Helping you figure out your game plan.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ROSEMOUNT Edina Green Osseo-Maple Grove Edina White Duluth Wayzata Blue Elk River Black Centennial Orono Blaine

JUNIOR GOLD 16U FINAL

PEEWEE AA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

EDINA White Bear Lake Stillwater St. Louis Park Centennial St. Thomas Academy Minnetonka St. Louis Park Blaine Wayzata

JUNIOR GOLD B FINAL

Woodbury Rosemount Prior Lake Mahtomedi Edina Green

PEEWEE B1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

EDINA GREEN White Bear Lake Orange Anoka

Mahtomedi Osseo-Maple Grove Eden Prairie Farmington Champlin Park Hibbing Forest Lake Edina White Alexandria Minnetonka Blue Hermantown Gold Woodbury Black Mankato Black Prior Lake Navy Lakeville South Chaska/Chanhassen Gold Park Cottage Grove Black

GIRLS 15U A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ANDOVER Alexandria Osseo-Maple Grove Hastings Elk River Lakeville Stillwater Black Forest Lake Anoka-Rogers Blaine/Spring Lake Park

GIRLS 15U B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EDEN PRAIRIE Osseo-Maple Grove White Wayzata Osseo-Maple Grove Black Stillwater Owatonna Minnetonka Alexandria Sartell/Sauk Rapids North Wright County

GIRLS 12U A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EDINA Stillwater Minnetonka Proctor-Hermantown Rosemount Moorhead Roseau Dodge County White Bear Lake Orono/Westonka

GIRLS 12U B

TraditionCompanies.com

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10

MINNETONKA BLUE Edina Black Stillwater Black Eveleth-Gilbert Mesabi East Wayzata Blue Moorhead Black Luverne Hastings Blue Rosemount Blue (T) Minnesota River (T) St. Paul Roseville White

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Let’s Play Hockey

November 27, 2020

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November 27, 2020

Let’s Play Hockey

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