Let's Play Hockey Jan. 19, 2022 by Let's Play Hockey

Volume L • Number 5 • Issue 1289

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l ay Ho P s

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January 19, 2022

Years 21 72 0 ✯2

HOLMGREN, POTTER, BLAIS AND GRANATO

Is Back!

REPRESENT THE MIDWEST

After a modified version last year, Hockey Day MN will celebrate its 16th annual event

IN THIS ISSUE Ness: Skills for the Elite Skater...page 4 5 qualities of top teammates...page 5 Russo’s Golden Rules for Defensemen...page 7 Remembering the 1980 Mankato Miracle...page 9 Coming together for Tucker...page 10

PHF gets big financial boost...page 12 Hobey Baker nominees announced...page 13 Minnesotans lead the way on Olympic rosters...page 15

Hockey Day MN...page 16-17 Carbone’s Youth Hockey Report...pages 18-20

online registration is open!

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January 19, 2022

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3 DAYS | 71 TEAMS | 108 GAMES ENDLESS MEMORIES

CONGRATULATIONS 2021 CHAMPIONS Girls Varsity Gold Proctor Hermantown | Girls JV Gold Proctor Hermantown Girls Varsity Silver Luverne | Girls JV Silver Waconia | Boys Varsity Gold Academy of Holy Angels Boys JV Gold Minneapolis | Boys Varsity Silver Eau Claire North | Boys JV Silver Osseo Junior Gold 16U Blaine IceDogs | Junior Gold B Minnetonka White | Junior Gold A Lakeville Prowler

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January 19, 2022

HOCKEY. THE WAY NATURE INTENDED.

LAKE NOKOMIS • JANUARY 19-29, 2023 PRO UD LY A

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January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

Skills for the elite skater by ANDY NESS

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Sometimes throughout my articles I like to go into detail on some of the most common basic skating skills a player will use. For this article, I would like to dive in a little deeper into some skills that are extremely important at the higher levels. These are skills that I will do with pros as well as the college level skaters. Some of them have to do with skating, some of them are functional game used puck skills. Let’s get after it... One of the first skills in which I would like to discuss has many different layers to it. I will basically call it board play. Next NHL game you watch, focus on how often the puck is either on the boards or yellow dasher. Whether it’s a forecheck or in the D zone, plays will usually start with guys pulling the puck off the wall, continuing to cycle, turning away from pressure, and then followed by usually a “quick strike” to the slot or soft spot in the offensive zone. Pucks are wrapped, ringed, bounced, and passed off the boards all the time. It is the skater’s job to have the skill to be able to pull the puck of the dasher and control it to be able to make a play. Sounds easy enough but it is a very, very difficult skill. Consider this, you are playing wing in the defensive zone and the puck gets rung around the boards. While this is going on you

usually have an opposing D stepping down on you so your time to pull and control the puck is very limited. What makes this skill so hard is the fact that the puck has a ton of spin on it. The goal is to try to corral the puck as quickly as possible in order to make a play. We will work on this a ton throughout the summer. The more reps the skater gets executing this skill the easier it becomes. Guys at the highest level tend to make this skill look easy but it is an extremely difficult skill. Branching off from that skill we will work a lot on turning away from pressure. Being able to control the puck while executing a hard escape or a slide-stop turn is one of the only ways to create some space. The skating skill is the first and most important thing to learn. Once a skater is able to execute this specific turn both directions then you can add a puck. From there, we will turn it into a game-like drill. The skater should focus on keeping his/her head up while turning tightly to the boards. Matt Barzal is one of the best at this. If you can, please watch his highlights and watch

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how much separation he creates when he is able to turn to allude defenders. The ability to turn tight as opposed to turning like a cruise ship is a must for the elite player. Finally, I would like to discuss the offensive zone blue line work for defenseman. This is one of the areas that D men can be most vital as well as just being more of an asset. Actually, this is probably the biggest area a defenseman can contribute to offense. Whether it’s getting a shot on net or just making a simple pass to the forwards a good D man will find a way to make a play in the offensive zone. The first key is footwork. Every defenseman should work on “walking the blue line” or being able to move with the puck across the blue while keeping his/her head up and shoulders square. That is one of the biggest keys is that you have to be able to see what is in front of you. A defenseman should also have the mobility to be able to move laterally to find a shooting lane (watch Cale Makar). With that in mind, defenseman should continually work on “holding” the blue line whether it’s off the dasher or bouncing off of the glass. I always tell the younger defenseman that no one cares if the puck is bouncing or rolling funny. Just find a way to hold the puck in the zone. Nothing kills a forecheck like having the puck exit the zone. Everyone has to go out, tag up, and then find a way to apply pressure again. I have given you just a few examples of skills that we will work on at the higher levels. Sometimes in my small groups I will just pick a couple of skills and really try to hammer home the skill and create muscle memory. Like anything else, if you work on these skills, you will have the ability to execute them when they come up in a game. Good Luck! 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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January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

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.

5 Qualities of Top Teammates by STEVE MANN In this day and age of youth player rankings, social media channels devoted to Peewee highlights and college programs offering scholarships to tweens, it’s become more important than ever for youth hockey coaches and parents to emphasize effort over performance and teamwork over individual accomplishments. Why? Experts agree, the long-term benefits of being part of a team are numerous and learning the values of what makes a good teammate are best established when they’re reinforced at a young age. As the ultimate team sport, hockey provides the perfect setting to drive home this message of teamwork and develop attitudes and behaviors that can last a lifetime. “I think it is so important because a lot of the qualities and habits extend outside the hockey rink,” said Garrett Raboin, University of Minnesota men’s hockey assistant coach. “Great teammates are simply just good people. They work hard to do their best and care for those around them. Many of the things that make players successful in a team setting go on to help them be successful

in life after sports.” Raboin, a native of Detroit Lakes, has been a part of successful teams both as a player and a coach, in the U.S. and overseas. He was a three-year captain at St. Cloud State before playing professionally in Europe and eventually starting his coaching career. According to Raboin, great teammates are: • Selfless – Great teammates put the team before themselves and are willing

Hard Ice Divider Program returns for 2022

Minnesota Hockey, in partnership with Rink Systems, Inc., will offer its Hard Ice Divider Program for the ninth consecutive season in 2022. The program has helped supply over 100 sets of dividers to 75 youth hockey associations in Minnesota. The Minnesota Hockey Hard Ice Divider Program was designed to aid community-based associations and their home rinks in promoting the growth of ice hockey through the implementation of cross and half-ice hockey, and it’s made a huge impact on the game throughout the state. Associations have utilized the boards to enhance a wide variety of age-appropriate programs include in-house mite and squirt programs, jamborees, tournaments and three-on-three or four-on-four leagues for older age groups. Through the partnership, Rink Systems will also allow for associations

that purchase hard ice dividers through the program to purchase junior size goal frames at a discounted rate. Junior size goal frames provide a more realistic playing experience for young goaltenders, enabling them to gain confidence and passion for position. Minnesota Hockey affiliated associations interested in purchasing a “hard divider” system must complete an online application for the program and submit a deposit. Once approved, Minnesota Hockey associations will be able to purchase a set of boards, valued at $7,900, for just $5,400. Associations that take advantage of the hard ice divider subsidy will also be able to purchase the junior goal frames sets of two goal frames for $500, which are valued at $600. To learn more, visit www.minnesotahockey.org/harddividers.

to sacrifice in order for the team and their teammates to achieve success. • Positive – Players who are seen as good teammates exude a positive energy. Other players want to be around them, and they’re uplifting to those around them. They’re encouraging to teammates and practice positive talk

– TEAMMATES –

continued on page 8

2022 Essay Contest finalists announced

Minnesota Hockey is excited to reveal the finalists for the 2022 Minnesota Hockey Essay Contest, presented by Park Dental. Entries for the contest were submitted by boys and girls of all ages from around the state on the topic of “I Believe Everyone in Minnesota Should Play Hockey Because…” The following finalists have been selected to be featured as a part of Hockey Day Minnesota 2022 during the Bally Sports North broadcast on Saturday, Jan. 22: • Sami Grumish, an 8U player from Shakopee Youth Hockey Association • Nolan Mason, a Peewee player from Champlin Park Youth Hockey Association • Kellen Prescott, a Squirt player from Austin Youth Hockey All three finalists will also be featured in Let’s Play Hockey magazine. The contest winner, which will be announced on Hockey Day Minnesota 2022, will be selected among the three finalists and will receive a “Dream Day” experience on a Minnesota Wild gameday during the 2022-23 season. The “Dream Day” includes attending a Minnesota Wild morning skate, an hour of ice time at Xcel Energy Center and a group suite at a Wild game later that night. Tune in to Bally Sports North on Jan. 22 to see the essays submitted by each of the finalists. Then, stay tuned after the Minnesota Wild game to find out who the randomly selected winner will be.

TRIA’s Dr. Joel Boyd celebrates 20 years with MN Wild

For many Minnesotans, it’s hard to imagine life without the Minnesota Wild. We’re surrounded by hockey culture, with the Wild at the center. But Dr. Joel Boyd, orthopedic surgeon at TRIA and team physician for the Wild, remembers when the Wild first began – he’s been there through it all. He became the first Black team physician in NHL history when the Wild began in 2000. He was there when Minnesota native Darby Hendrickson scored the team’s very first home goal, and when the team unexpectedly beat the Avalanche in overtime during the 2003 playoffs. And he’s been there through all the ups and downs since. Rewind to the beginning “When I graduated high school, the Washington Capitals came to D.C. They had an African American player on their team, Mike Marson – the second African American player ever to play in the NHL. My friends and I were all very excited to see him play. From that point on, I was a true hockey fan,” Dr. Boyd said. While in medical school, Dr. Boyd found himself back in the hockey world when he became a fellow at the University of Western Ontario and cared for the athletes on the London Knights, a junior ice hockey team, and the Mustangs, the University’s men’s ice hockey team. There, he discovered his love for covering games and being involved on the medical side of the sport. Dr. Boyd’s path to the Wild Many people assume all careers in hockey stem from being a hockey player and then moving on to a hockey-related career from there. But for the Boyd family, every member of the family has found a career in hockey not by playing, but simply by loving the game. Dr. Boyd’s daughter is the vice president for strategy and analytics for the Seattle Kraken, an NHL expansion team that will begin competing this season. His son is the director of youth and community development for the same team. “I always told my kids, ‘you can always be smart about the game of hockey even if you’re not the most talented in the game.’ This is why you can have a career in hockey without being a star player. I found my way to hockey because my love for the game and my medical practice came together,” Dr. Boyd said. When Dr. Boyd looks back, he can see that many of his experiences led to his eventual career with the Wild. He arrived in Minnesota at the perfect time to establish himself in the medical sports community before the Wild became a team.

– BOYD –

continued on page 8

ice

January 19, 2022

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Minnesota Wild Hockey

Kaprizov, Talbot tabbed for All-Star Game in Vegas SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov and goaltender Cam Talbot will represent the club at the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, Feb. 4-5, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. This is the first NHL All-Star Weekend appearance for each player and the fourth time in team history the Wild will have more than one representative (2004, 2011, 2017). Kaprizov, 24 (4/26/97), will be the Wild’s sixth forward in team history selected to represent the club at the NHL All-Star Game. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, owns 40 points (14-26=40), a plus-12 rating, two power-play goals (PPG), eight power-play points (PPP), two game-winning goals (GWG) and 110 shots in 32 games this season. He leads the Wild in assists, scoring and even-strength points (32), ranks second in even-strength goals (12), PPP and shots, T-2nd in goals and GWG and T-3rd in PPG. He ranks T-3rd in the NHL in EVP, T-7th in scoring and T-12th in assists. The left-shot winger registered a career-high seven-game assist and point streak (5-9=14) from Nov. 26-Dec. 9. He recorded a career-best four points twice this season: Nov. 18 vs. DAL and Nov. 26 vs. WPG. Kaprizov has 91 points (41-50=91), a plus-22 rating, 10 PPG, 21 PPP, five GWG and 267 shots in 87 career NHL games with Minnesota

(2020-22). Talbot, 34 (7/5/87), will be the Wild’s fourth goaltender in team history, sixth appearance by a goalie, to represent the club at the NHL All-Star Game. Per NHL Stats, Minnesota is second for most goaltender appearances at the NHL All-Star Game since 2003 (MTL, 8). The 6-foot-4, 196-pound native of Caledonia, Ontario is 15-8-1 with a 3.00 GAA and a .909 SV% in 24 contests this season. He ranks T-8th in the NHL in wins – his most wins in the first 24 starts of a season. He started the season 5-00 for the first time in his career and be-

came the second goaltender in franchise history to start a season 5-0-0. The leftglove backstop set a season-high sixgame win streak, Nov. 24-Dec. 9, tied for the eighth-longest win streak by an NHL goalie this season. His win on Nov. 13 at SEA completed his feat of earning a win against every NHL team to become the second NHL goaltender to earn a win against every NHL opponent (Jonathan Bernier, per NHL Stats). Talbot is 184-138-31 with a 2.63 GAA, a .915 SV% and 24 shutouts in 371 career NHL games (357 starts) in nine seasons with New York Rangers (2013-15), Ed-

monton (2015-19), Philadelphia (201819), Calgary (2019-20) and Minnesota (2020-22). The Vegas Golden Knights and the city of Las Vegas will host the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, from Feb. 4-5, including the 2022 NHL AllStar Skills, presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, on Friday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. CT on ABC and ESPN+. The 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game will once again consist of a three-game tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, featuring four teams – one for each NHL division. Each team will be made up of 11 players from the respective division: six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders. Minnesota Wild players that have been selected to play in previous NHL All-Star Games: Marian Gaborik (2003, 2008), Filip Kuba and Dwayne Roloson (2004), Brian Rolston (2007), Niklas Backstrom (2009), Brent Burns and Martin Havlat (2011), Mikko Koivu (2012 – did not play due to injury), Ryan Suter (2015, 2017), Devan Dubnyk (2016, 2017, 2019) and Eric Staal (2018, 2020). Bruce Boudreau coached the Central Division at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.

Podcast Bardown Beauties

New episodes released every Monday

Join Jessi Pierce and Alexis Pearson for puck talk with a Minnesota lean in Bardown Beauties Podcast. New episodes released every Monday on YouTube and your favorite podcast listening app.

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January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

Golden Rules for Defensemen The best players at the highest levels of hockey follow the Golden Rules most often

These Golden Rules are the key items players should be striving to master as they progress up through the ranks to high school and college. The best players at the highest levels of hockey follow the Golden Rules most often. A player of average skills and speed will do very well if these rules are mastered. While the rules are basic and seem obvious, it may take many years of concentrated effort for most players to automatically perform them properly. This automatic reaction is what coaches should be teaching and players working towards. 1. Always back your partner — on the offensive blue line, in the neutral zone and especially in the defensive zone. 2. Always one defenseman in front of the net when the opposition has the puck in your zone or there is danger that they may gain possession. For young defensemen, (mites through early PeeWees) the rule should always be one defenseman in front of the net when the puck is in your zone. 3. Do not leave the offensive zone too soon. Leaving too soon is a much more common mistake than leaving too late for a large percentage of defensemen from mites through high school. It backs the defense up too fast and too far and makes “pacing” the attacking forward much harder. 4. Always play defense first. If attacking with the puck, only go deep into the offensive zone until the prime scoring opportunity is over — and you are part of it. Top of the circle is a good “limiting” point. Scoring is a bonus for defensemen.

COACHES’ CORNER by JOHN RUSSO

5. Never play a 1-on-1 head on. Give the attacker a little room on one side to force him to go where you want him to go. 6. Stagger one defenseman up a little farther than the other in 2-on-2 and 3-on-2 situations. The up-man will generally be nearest to the puck carrier. 7. Shoot intelligently from the point. The best shot is always low, generally not too hard (so it stays in the scoring area for rebounds) and accurate. Defensemen seldom are shooting to score, but rather to put the puck into the scoring area so that forwards can score. Always look up so shots are not into opposing players and so that passes to wide wings or partner can be made when appropriate. “Slide” a little before shooting. 8. Do not “tie-up” with people in front of the net, rather gain position and control. Always control the opposition’s stick. 9. Do not ever “tie-up” with an opposing player anywhere when your team is a man short. As the players on the team with a penalty tie up and are out of the play, the odds get better on the power play, i.e. 4-on-3 is better than 5-on-4, 3-on-2 is better than 4-on-3, etc. 10. Do not stand looking for someone to pass to, especially in the defensive zone. Lookmove-look-pass. This reduces the chances of being surprised from the back or side, makes the pass more accurate and forces the opponent to begin retreating. 11. When turning with a player breaking around the outside, keep the feet moving – do not lunge or reach without moving your feet. Young players have an especially hard time with this, mainly because of their lack of skating and turning skills.

12. Work, work, work on backwards skating and turning. A defenseman must be as comfortable going backwards and sideways as forward. Young players all the way through college must continue to practice these skills as their bodies grow and change. 13. Do not pass to covered forwards – carry it, cross-pass to partner or “eat it” if necessary. Defensemen must gain confidence in cross-passing and in carrying the puck to open up the attack, allowing their forward to get open. Feeding the opposition’s point has been a weakness at all levels since day one. But – once an open forward exists, move the puck. 14. Check only for purpose. Checking just for the sake of a hit is seldom of value and creates risk of self-injury, missed checks and open opposition players, as well as penalties. 15. Communicate – with your partner, to goalkeeper and your forwards. It is an important part of teamwork. Do not communicate with opposing players – it seldom is of value and exposes your emotions. 16. Follow your attacking forwards closely (20 to 30

feet) and move quickly into the offensive zone after the puck goes into the zone. Many defensemen are lazy moving up the ice and allow the puck to turn around before they get over the blue line. 17. The blue lines are critical. Always clear the puck over the defensive blue line as a first priority – then move up to the blue line quickly. Defend both blue lines with as much vigor as is reasonable as the opposition attacks down the ice – they are natural points to stop the attack. 18. Learn the critical skills of flipping the puck (out of the zone) and deflecting the puck off the glass (out of the zone) at the earliest possible age. They are key puck movement skills. 19. Learn the skating/ passing skills and situations to cross pass and cooperate with your partner to move the puck out of the defensive zone. 20. Know your job in the defensive zone and do it consistently and well.

January 19, 2022

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Let’s Play Hockey

Minnesotans fare well in USA Hockey BioSteel All-American game Snuggerud scores, Harvey and Kurth have helpers in overtime game

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Damien Carfagna (Green Bay Gamblers/Wood Ridge, N.J.) netted the game-winning goal in overtime with help from Jack Harvey (Chicago Steel/Stacy,Minn.) as Team Blue came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Team White, 4-3, at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game in Connor Plymouth, Mich. Jimmy Jack Kurth Team Blue came off the opening Snuggerud Harvey faceoff quick as Harvey forced an offensive zone turnover to nearly put his team ahead, but Team White netminder Tyler Muszelik (USA Hockey’s NTDP /Long Valley N.J.) blocked it aside. Four minutes into play, Team Blue goaltender Dylan Silverstein (USA Hockey’s NTDP /Calabasas, Calif.) was tested, turning away a flurry of shots in front of the crease on the penalty kill with multiple Team White players chopping at the puck. Stephen Halliday (Dubuque Fighting Saints/Glenwood, Md.) got the scoring started 10:20 into the opening frame. Connor Kurth (Dubuque Fighting Saints/South Center Lake, Minn.) received a pass up the ice and dished it out to his teammate from the wing, allowing Halliday to walk into the slot and score the lone goal of the period. Team White kept it rolling in the second to gain a two-goal advantage less than five minutes into the period. Lane Hutson (USA Hockey’s NTDP /North Barrington, Ill.) found Logan Cooley (USA Hockey’s NTDP /Pittsburgh, Pa.) on the doorstep who went between-the-legs for an initial shot, as Cole Spicer (USA Hockey’s NTDP / Grand Folks, N.D.) came in to clean up the rebound. Team Blue was inches from cutting its deficit to one with a little over 13:00 to play off a pair of shots but, Muszelik denied the opportunities. After a goalie change for each team at the 10:10 mark, Team Blue notched its first goal of the game with help from Jimmy Snuggerud (USA Hockey’s NTDP/Chaska, Minn.). Cutter Gauthier (USA Hockey’s NTDP /Scottsdale, Ariz.) skated into the zone with the puck and left it near the blue line for Snuggerud, who snapped it past Team White goaltender Gibson Homer (Chicago Steel/Grand Rapids, Mich.). However, Brady Berard (USNTDP/East Greenwich, R.I.) retook a two-goal advantage for Team White after he finished a bounce pass off the boards. Team Blue kept the game tight and closed its deficit to one goal off the blade of Cole Knuble (Fargo Force/East Grand Rapids, Mich.). A backhand shot from the slot found the back of the net after a wraparound dish from Vincent Borgesi (Tri-City Storm/Philadelphia, Pa.). A broken-up play gave Rutger McGroarty (USA Hockey’s NTDP /Lincoln, Neb.) a breakaway opportunity as he flipped the puck over the glove of Homer to tie things up with 2:37 to go which forced the game into overtime. Carfagna found himself on an odd-man rush 2:30 into three-on-three overtime was the time to send one to the back of the net to complete the comeback for Team Blue by a final score of 4-3. Silverstein started in net for Team Blue and played 30:10 minutes, stopping 16 shots faced, while Geisel came in for 32:20 minutes, stopping 17 shots faced. Muszelik started for Team White and played 30:10 minutes, stopping all 13 shots faced, while Homer stopped nine shots in 32:20 minutes on the ice. NOTES: Forty-two players who competed in today’s game are committed to NCAA programs... Tyler Muszelik is the sixth goaltender in BioSteel All-American Game history to stop all shots faced... Rutger McGroarty was named Player of the Game... Team White outshot Team Blue, 36-26... Both Team Blue and Team White were 0-for-2 on the power play... Tonight’s game was this first time in the game’s 10 year history to go to overtime ...

Host Sites Announced For 2023 USA Hockey National Championships COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Hockey announced the 2023 USA Hockey National Championships host sites. Eleven different cities in nine states will crown champions nationwide, stretching from New Jersey to California. USA Hockey has conducted the country’s ice hockey National Championship tournaments since 1938, with teams from all across the United States crowned champions across various classifications. As part of USA Hockey Nationals, more than 7,500 players compete for American hockey top honors at youth, girls, women’s, sled, high school and adult levels. 2023 USA Hockey National Championship Locations and Dates High School Youth Tier I 14U Youth Tier I 15O Youth Tier I 16U/18U Youth Tier II 14U Youth Tier II 16U Youth Tier II 18U Girls Tier I 14U, 16U, 19U Girls Tier II 14U, 16U, 19U Sled Adult Men’s Adult Women’s

Wayzata, Minnesota Plymouth, Michigan Newark, New Jersey San Jose, California Denver, Colorado Amherst, New York Maple Grove, Minnesota Dallas, Texas Anaheim, California Maryland Heights, Missouri Wesley Chapel, Florida Wesley Chapel, Florida

TEAMMATES continued from page 5

about the team and others away from the rink. A good team player will never cast a negative light on their team, regardless of the setting. • Dependable – Good teammates are players that put forth a consistent effort and you know what you’re going to get out of them every day. Whether it’s being on time or following through with something you say you’re going to do, knowing that you can count on a person goes a long way in a team setting. • Accountable – Good teammates are able to own their actions and don’t ask of others anything that they are not willing to do themselves. They strive to be the example not only on the ice, but outside of the rink as well. • Available – A good teammate is someone who is available to all teammates. They are people who engage and communicate with teammates outside of their friends’ circle and make the effort to involve anyone. It is important to understand that each individual on the team is important to achieving team success, and you should go out of your way to make sure everyone feels valued. “By simply respecting your fellow teammates and keeping a positive attitude, players will be on their way to be-

BOYD

continued from page 5 He worked for the state high school league, the Minnesota Moose, USA hockey and even a roller hockey team called the Arctic Blast. He was team physician for the U.S. men’s hockey team at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He was also involved with the NHL’s Diversity Task Force. When he learned that Minnesota was

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coming great teammates and leaders,” Raboin added. “All teams are made up of different personalities and abilities, and it is important for players to understand that. A player who respects their teammates will make every attempt to not let them down, as well as give their absolute best whether it’s at practice, in games or in the classroom.” On most teams, there is at least one player or a group of players that rise to the top in terms of leadership. For a select few, those qualities may come naturally. But can a player be taught to be a leader and a better teammate? Raboin believes the answer is yes and suggests that coaches and parents can make the biggest impression away from the rink. “I think the best thing they can do is model the behavior themselves and help guide conversations at home,” he said. “It’s important for parents to talk to their young players about how they can be better teammates and leaders. The car ride home from practice and games is a great opportunity to not just talk about their individual play, but check-in and see how they were as a teammate. Being a good teammate is just natural for some players, it’s just who they are. For others, it might not be so natural, but over time they may come to realize the connection between team and individual success, and how one feeds the other.” getting an NHL franchise, he was immediately interested in getting involved as a team physician. And because of his experience and connections in the sport, he was interviewed and then selected to be the team physician for the Minnesota Wild. With this role, he became the first Black team physician in NHL history. “It really came to me at the right place and the right time. I had a lot of support, and all those things together led to my opportunity with the Wild,” Dr. Boyd said.

Ice Available for only $85/hour Ron Castellano Arena I Babbitt, MN

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Great opportunity to host a tournament or extra games Contact Duane: 218-827-3568 or email: duanelossing@hotmail.com

www.stateofhockey.com

Living the Dream Let’s Play Hockey

January 19, 2022

Shortly after there was a Miracle on Ice in 1980, a Mankato team also found glory by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Less than a month after Team USA did the unthinkable and defeated the Russians 4-3 on their way to an Olympic Gold Medal, a group of young spitfires in Mankato were working on a miracle of their own. After losing in the finals a year prior, Mankato State University (now known as Minnesota State), then a Division II program, faced a similar task as the USA Olympic team, only their target wasn’t an eastern country, it was the eastern coast. “We were tired of hearing how great the teams out East were,” said Steve Carroll, the goalie on the 1980 Maverick squad. His sentiment is similar to a line Herb Brooks said in the movie Miracle, “I’m tired of hearing how good the Russians are!” Carroll came on the scene in Mankato in 1977-78 along with another slew of hungry hockey players. Don Brose was finishing up his first decade as the school’s bench boss, and was recruiting kids out of some of the bigger schools in the metro and adding key outstate players. Carroll actually wasn’t recruited much at all. “St. Louis University had expressed some interest, but I did not hear from many other schools,” he said. “I would later learn there was some concern about how good I was because I played on a talented high school team (Edina East) that lost only two games.” Steve’s older brother Mike was enrolled at Mankato and on the team, so Steve decided to follow in big brother’s footsteps. “I figured that was a good place for me to try to continue my hockey career,” he said. But as a freshman, he was fifth on the depth chart and eventually cut after tryouts. Luckily for him, though, two of the goalies did not return for winter semester and the coaches invited him back onto the team. He would eventually earn the starting job. Later that season was the first time a NCAA Division II National Tournament was held. MSU was invited to play with Merrimack, Elmira and Lake Forest. They lost to Merrimack 6-1, but bounced back to beat Elmira 5-3 to earn third place. The following year they returned and beat Salem State in the semifinals before losing to UMass-Lowell in the title game. By the 79-80 season they weren’t just well-seasoned, they were hungry. “We were determined to win it all,” Carroll said. “We were fired up to become the first school from the west to take home a DII national title.” Former Mankato Free Press reporter Dennis Bracken wrote about how western teams got no respect from the eastern squads who could hand out scholarships like many Division I programs. Carroll was quoted in the article mentioning the hostility from eastern players, the press and fans. “The MSU players were accorded less respect than, well, less respect than comedian Rodney Dangerfield,” wrote Bracken. “Any mention of the lone Western entrant winning the national title would have been looked upon as heresy.” The Mavericks not only had a chip on their shoulder, they had talent. While Carroll was steady as they come between the pipes, the Mavericks were loaded with offensive talent. Five different players would score at least 29

After two years of coming close, the 1979-80 Maverick hockey squad was finally able to give the No. 1 signal after defeating Elmira College on March 15, 1980, the first and only national hockey championship so far for the University. Steve Carroll is pictured in the front row, fifth from left. goals that season. Steve Forliti led the way with 32 followed by John Passolt with 31, Paul Mattson with 30, and Greg Larson and Tom Kern with 29 each. “There’s no question we had a ton of offensive skill to go along with a strong defensive core,” said Carroll. “We had a great combination of experience, speed, skill, size, determination and grit. We enjoyed being on the same team and were close off the ice as well.” But Brose was the mastermind, having assembled a group of kids from all over the state. Forliti was from Kellogg High School, Passolt from St. Louis Park, Kern from Hibbing, Mike Weinkauf from Hopkins/Eisenhower, and Mattson and Larson from Robbinsdale High School. Every player on the roster but one came from a Minnesota high school program. “He continuously brought in talented players and was able to challenge us to be the best we could be,” said Carroll. “He had a knack for pushing the right buttons to get us to perform at high levels for most of that championship season. From my perspective, he was Mankato hockey and was the backbone of our success.” That season the Mavericks averaged 7.3 goals per game, 293 in their 40 game-season, still a school record. Carroll, meanwhile, would play in 38 of 40 games and had a save percentage of .904 and a goals against average of 3.28, excellent numbers during a time when goalie pads were the size of couch pillows and teams were scoring six to seven goals a game on average. But entering their third consecutive national tournament they still had to beat the eastern teams to get their coveted national title. Their first game was no easy match-up as they faced defending champion UMass-Lowell who had knocked them out the year prior. The Mavericks got up 5-0 and never looked back in an 8-1 trouncing. That set the stage to face Elmira for the national championship. Not only had Soaring Eagles beat them 6-2 in the season-opening game, the game was being played on Elmira’s home ice in New York.

The team was given rings after winning their national title. They went to four straight final fours from 1977-81, winning in 1980 and helping put Mankato hockey on the map. “There were about 4,000 fans at the game and all but about 50 of them cheering against the Mavs,” remembered Carroll. Carroll remembers the arena well. “It was located in a dome and had really poor lighting,” he said. “I recall seeing the ESPN trucks outside the arena, which elevated the tournament to a new level.” Back then ESPN was in its infancy and wasn’t yet a regular at covering professional sports. Despite the arena and the hostile atmosphere, the determined Mavs jumped to a 3-0 lead and held on to win 5-2. Carroll stopped 44 shots and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. “When that final buzzer sounded we were overjoyed,” said Carroll. “When they presented us with the national championship trophy we celebrated like never before. To their credit, the Elmira fans clapped for us when we received our trophy.” Carroll and Weinkauf, who tallied 48 points as a defenseman, were named All-American. The following season, the Mavs made their fourth straight trip to the na-

A banner still hangs at MSU home games commemmorating the 1980 squad who performed a miracle of their own that winter. tional tournament, but came up short, finishing in third place. Once the group graduated they scattered their different ways chasing careers, but still stayed in touch. There have been periodic reunions and golf outings where they reminisce about their old playing days and that magical 1980 season. In 2005, MSU hosted a 25-year reunion and 19 players showed up as well as Coach Brose and Assistant Coach Wayne Harris. “It was a great reunion and the first time in many years that most of us were together again in one spot,” he recalled. “The school presented us with replica jerseys from that championship team, which made it a memorable night.” But no night was as memorable as March 15, 1980. It was less than month after Team USA had shocked the world by beating the Russians on their way to winning the gold medal. “I have a ton of great memories from playing hockey at Mankato State,” said Carroll. “The highlight was being part of a team that made four consecutive final fours and being crowned national champions on that memorable night in New York. For us, that was our Mankato Miracle on Ice.”

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

www.stateofhockey.com

Team Tucker held a 4-on-4 pond hockey tournament behind the home of Jon and Jody De St. Hubert. This year they are holding a Team Tucker Dollar Donation Drive. They will present the funds raised at a Hopkins varsity hockey game Jan. 27.

Coming together for Tucker

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Teams/Schools participating in the fundraiser

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Tucker Helstrom was a boy living in the Hopkins community. He spent his short 9 ½ years playing sports, laughing with friends and family, and showing love to all, even after cancer forced the amputation of his leg. Tucker showed everyone how to live during his heroic battle with Osteosarcoma. Now, his mother, family, and his “team” are continuing his legacy. Tucker, with his amazing strength and attitude, created an explosion. Team Tucker ensures more children Play, Laugh, and feel Love. Those are the words on the www. PlayLaughLove.org website in honor of Tucker Helstrom. Since his passing in 2016, his former teammates, the Hopkins community and the hockey community as a whole have come together to raise money for other children and their families who are faced with the daunting task of battling cancer. From 2018-2020, Jody De St. Hubert and her sons, Cade and Finn, would host a 4-on-4 pond hockey tournament fundraiser in their backyard. A makeshift Stanley Cup made of cardboard and tinfoil was the trophy everyone was chasing, but it was Tucker who they were playing for. Because of Covid, in 2021 Cade and Finn switched their fundraiser to the Team Tucker Dollar Donation Drive. This year they have done it again, and it is getting bigger than ever. “We played sports together when we were kids,” said Cade De St. Hubert, now 15 and playing for the varsity team in Hopkins. “Finn and I were lucky enough to experience the kindness and joy that he brought to others.” Since becoming Tucker’s Teammates five years ago, Cade and Finn’s donations have grown each year. This year’s Dollar Donation Drive will definitely be the biggest so far. There are 25 teams participating in helping raise money in Tucker’s honor to help others who are going through what Tucker had to endure. The teams will distribute the donations to Tucker’s nonprofit, Team Tucker: Play Laugh Love, before the varsity Hopkins game on Jan. 27. “We know this will help young kids needing joy while battling sickness,” Cade said. Tucker & Zucker Just two weeks before his 9th birthday and during hockey tryouts, the Helstroms found out Tucker had Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer that affects about 400 kids annually. While in the hospital, former

Cade and Finn De St. Hubert have been a part of Tucker’s Teammates for five years and this year started the Tucker’s Team Dollar Donation Drive. Tucker takes a shot in his hospital room during treatment for cancer. Wild player Jason Zucker paid a visit to the Masonic Children’s Hospital with teammates and walked into Tucker’s room. Zucker just happened to be Tucker’s favorite player. The pair struck up a friendship, and when Tucker was in hospice care just a short eight months after his diagnosis, Jason Zucker and his wife Carly were there. Tucker inspired them to create their own foundation, Give 16. They have raised and donated money to build the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at the U of M Children’s Hospital where sick children can enjoy watching sporting events and daily sports broadcasts. How close did Zucker and Tucker become? Zucker has a tattoo on his wrist of Tucker’s signature with the words “shoot more.” During their visits, Tucker offered Zucker some advice after watching him pass up taking shots during Wild games. He told him to shoot more. Zucker told the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh that “shooting more” is more than firing more pucks at the net. It is something that translates to life. “...off the ice, why hold back? Why not take the chance? Why not try something new? Why not go after your goals? Take your shot at whatever that certain thing is.” Zucker had said. Tucker’s Legacy Cade and Finn De St. Hubert are continuing Tucker’s legacy. In the

spring of 2016, Tucker was on their baseball team and because he couldn’t play, he became another coach. It was right after he got his leg amputated. “He led us to the championship game,” Cade said. “On the bench he kept us motivated. Even through his hard times he always showed up with a smile on his face and helped keep the team positive.” It’s memories like those that keeps Tucker alive in the hearts of others, and motivates the De St. Hubert brothers and the Hopkins community to continue to raise as much as they can to help those in need. “After he passed away we wanted to keep spreading his legacy,” Cade said. “It feels great to keep Tucker’s legacy alive by helping others.”

Wayzata Bantam AA Hopkins Bantam A Hopkins Bantam B2 SLP High School Hopkins Squirt B1 Hopkins Mite 3 Hopkins High School Hopkins Peewee A Delassalle Basketball Hopkins/Park 12B1 Hopkins/Park 15U Breck High School Hockey Winona Senior High Delano Bantams Holy Family HS Boys SLP Bantam AA Hopkins PeeWee B Hopkins Park Girl High School Minnetonka U12 B1 Blue Hopkins Squirt C

To learn more about Tucker and his journey through his war with cancer you can read his story in the book that his mother, Dana, wrote titled There’s Nothing We Can’t Do which is available at https://danacares.org/.

How can you help? Kids who want to do their own fundraisers and become Tucker’s Teammates can visit the PlayLaughLove.org website to get ideas and contact Dana, Tucker’s mom and executive director of Team Tucker. Money raised will benefit children and teens battling life-threatening diseases. There is also a GoFundMe page set up where people can donate online. The link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/ t eam -t u ck er-d o l l ar-d o n a tions-2022?qid=f25900b1fc- Tucker with his favorite player, former Wild 26c03d964532c498bd257a. player Jason Zucker.

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

NORTH AMERICAN

HOCKEY LEAGUE

THE LEAGUE OF OPPORTUNITY

Five NAHL alumni make Olympic roster

Registration for 2022 NAHL Combines now open The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has the announced the dates and locations for the 2022 Combines, which are now open for registration. The NAHL Combines are driven by the North American Hockey League and operated by the NAHL’s professional staff in order to serve the most valuable asset to hockey… the players. The goal is to provide the aspiring hockey player to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience that is designed to maximize exposure at grand-scale events that provide a true look and feel of the genuine NAHL Experience. NAHL Combines are carefully designed to provide an Education, Exposure, and Experience for prospects that strive to advance their hockey development at the junior hockey and college level. In 2022, there are combines for two different age groups. Junior (2002 to 2006 birth years): Highlight exposure to scouts and junior coaches – Continue education about proven pathway to NCAA hockey via the NAHL’s Ladder of Development – Provide an experience that will help in the player’s next steps in pursuit of playing junior hockey. 16U (2006 to 2008 birth years): Reinforce education about the proven pathway to the NCAA through junior hockey – Emphasize evaluation and further exposure to NAHL and NA3HL coaches and scouts – Provide a realistic experience of a junior tryout. Register for NAHL Combines at: http://nahl. com/combines/ NAHL Combine Dates and Locations March 25-27, 2022 – St. Louis, Missouri (Played in conjunction with the NA3HL’s Fraser Cup Championship) April 1-3, 2022 – Middletown, New Jersey (Played during the same weekend as NAHL New Jersey Titans games) April 8-10, 2022 – Columbus, Ohio (Great location for Midwest players that traditionally fills up very fast) April 29-May 1, 2022 – Attleboro, Massachusetts (Great location for Eastern players and traditionally fills up very fast)

Central Division 1 Austin Bruins 2 Minot Minotauros 3 Aberdeen Wings 4 North Iowa Bulls 5 St. Cloud Norsemen 6 Bismarck Bobcats

GP 35 36 34 33 30 34

East Division 1 New Jersey Titans 2 Maryland Black Bears 3 Johnstown Tomahawks 4 Jamestown Rebels 5 Northeast Generals 6 Maine Nordiques 7 Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks

GP 36 32 33 34 35 32 34

Pat Nagle, who won a Robertson Cup with the St. Louis Bandits back in 2007, is one of five NAHL alumni on the USA Olympic team.

USA Hockey announced the final roster for its 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team tonight, a group that includes 15 current NCAA players, eight European pros and two players from the AHL. The squad will represent the United States at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. The roster includes five players who previously played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). They are: - David Warsofsky, Defenseman (NTDP, 2007-08) - Nathan Smith, Forward (Aberdeen Wings, 2016-17) - Nick Abruzzese, Forward (New Jersey Titans, 2016-17) - Pat Nagle, Goaltender (St. Louis Bandits, 2006-07) - Nick Shore, Forward (NTDP, 2008-09) “We’re excited about the roster we’ve put together,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “The Olympics are the biggest stage in sports and it was fun to hear the enthusiasm our players have to represent their country. We’re fortunate to have a deep talent pool -- thanks in part to all the great work of our volunteers in communities across the nation -- and with the mix of players who are part of our team, we’re looking forward to competing for a gold medal in Beijing.” Nathan Smith (Hudson, Fla./Minnesota State University) is the leading point-getter in the NCAA and is one of nine collegiate players on the roster averaging a point or better per game, including Nick Abruzzese (Slate Hill, N.Y./Harvard University). A total of seven players will bring NHL experience to the Team USA lineup, led by Nick Shore (Denver, Colo./Sibir/University of Denver), who has played 299 regular-season NHL games (18-41—59), and David Warsofsky (Marshfield, Mass./ERC Ingolstadt/Boston University/55GP, 2-9—11). Goalie Pat Nagle (Bloomfield Township, Mich./Ferris State University) is currently playing for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms (2.74, .897)

May 6-8, 2022 – Southern California (Great location for players on the West Coast and traditionally fills up very fast) Education ensures the players are provided knowledge about NCAA compliance and eligibility, recruiting processes, the correct and legitimate path to college hockey, as well as an in-depth look at the three different tiers of junior hockey. This includes seminars that discuss the NAHL junior hockey experience, the ladder of development, as well as NCAA compliance seminars. Exposure means that players compete in front of junior and college scouts and gain additional exposure through NAHL Central Scouting. With NAHL Tryout Camps and NAHL Drafts taking place from May through July, NAHL Combines are a perfect indicator to evaluate just how ready they are for the next step and receive valuable feedback. Experience means that players from all over North America and Europe will play multiple games against other NAHL and NCAA hockey prospects with team’s coached by staff members from NAHL, NAHL Central Scouting, and NA3HL teams, providing a top notch, professional, and memorable experience.

Team Stats W 20 20 18 16 16 12

L 12 15 14 12 13 19

PTS 43 41 38 37 33 27

W 25 20 17 17 18 10 9

L 10 7 12 14 16 19 22

PTS 51 45 38 37 34 23 21

Midwest Division GP 1 Fairbanks Ice Dogs 37 2 Springfield Jr. Blues 33 3 Anchorage Wolverines 34 4 MN Magicians 35 5 Chippewa Steel 35 6 MN Wilderness 36 7 Janesville Jets 34 8 Kenai River Brown Bears 36

W 25 22 19 17 17 17 16 7

L PTS 11 51 9 46 12 41 14 38 16 36 18 35 17 33 24 19

South Division 1 New Mexico Ice Wolves 2 Lone Star Brahmas 3 Odessa Jackalopes 4 Amarillo Wranglers 5 Wichita Falls Warriors 6 Shreveport Mudbugs 7 Corpus Christi IceRays 8 El Paso Rhinos

W 22 18 19 19 15 14 15 13

L 10 9 12 12 13 14 18 17

GP 34 33 34 33 34 32 35 33

PTS 46 42 41 40 36 32 32 29

Top 20 Scorers

Name 1 Cade Neilson 2 Alexander Malinowski 3 Cy LeClerc 4 Jake Black 5 Tommy Bannister 6 Cole Dubicki 7 Kristaps Skrastins 8 Brendan Dumas 9 Ryan Bottrill 10 Huston Karpman 11 Chris Carroll 12 Nicholas Niemo 13 Gavin Best 14 Talon Sigurdson 15 Ryan Robinson 16 David Andreychuk 17 Hunter Longhi 18 Branden Piku 19 Anthony Calafiore 20 Ryan O’Neill

GP 32 35 34 33 36 36 32 36 32 33 31 33 35 34 34 33 35 32 29 28

W 17 17 21 22 16 13 20 14 10 12 6 17 14 25 18 14 16 15 14 12

L 29 27 22 20 26 29 21 26 30 27 33 21 24 12 19 23 20 21 22 24

PTS 46 44 43 42 42 42 41 40 40 39 39 38 38 37 37 37 36 36 36 36

January 19, 2022

www.stateofhockey.com

Let’s Play Hockey

PHF gets $25 million boost for teams, players

The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) today announced a commitment from the Board of Governors to invest over $25 million in direct payments and benefits to its players over the next three years. The pledge includes more than $7.5 million in salary and benefits for the 2022-23 season. This represents the largest one-time independent investment in the history of professional women’s hockey and will provide more financial opportunities for athletes while directly enhancing the player experience. “The PHF has been steadfast in its vision to grow the game under a new era that truly provides leading opportunities for athletes in the sport who deserve to be treated as professionals,” said Tyler Tumminia, PHF Commissioner. “This amazing investment by ownership reaffirms the strength of their commitment to being difference-makers who advance the professional game so that our athletes can thrive as role models who continue to inspire the next generation.” The investment to our professional players, which includes cash, full healthcare benefits provided by their club, and equity in the teams, will support the current athletes and attract new players. At the heart of the investment is a substantial salary cap increase to $750,000 for next year, 150 percent more than the current record figure of $300,000 that is available per team. The PHF will further support its growth and the development opportunities for its athletes through expansion, updating facilities, purchasing new equipment, and increasing ice time in the form of more practices and an expanded 28 game schedule. All players will benefit from 10 percent of the equity of each team, which will be contributed to an investment pool owned by the PHF players, enabling them to share in the league’s financial success. Additionally, players will have control over their own likeness and be able to profit from their image.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors we are proud to play a part in bringing women’s sports to the next level by investing in the PHF,” said John Boynton, Chairman of the Board of Governors. “We see the PHF as a platform to address the inequities that women athletes face. We also believe in the sustainability of our developing business model and embrace our responsibility to build a platform that grows this dynamic league to historic heights.” Over the last 18 months, the PHF has pivoted from a single entity structure to a joint venture model, with all six member clubs owned and operated by private ownership groups in their respective markets. The PHF also generated landmark broadcast and corporate partnerships, the largest sponsorship revenues in its history, and received record digital viewership and engagement during a shortened season. Prior

to the 2021-22 campaign, the league announced a historic name change and refreshed logo to redefine the brand based on the skill and talent of the athletes as opposed to their gender. This season, the PHF has established unprecedented media exposure through an agreement with ESPN+ who serves as the exclusive home of the PHF in the United States, with international rights for ESPN affiliates including TSN in Canada. The Federation also recently announced a trailblazing multi-year agreement with The Upper Deck Company who will produce their first-ever professional women’s hockey trading cards and a new multi-year agreement with Warrior who becomes the first PHF-wide partner in the equipment category. The PHF currently has six franchises including the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropol-

itan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and Toronto Six. Details for the PHF’s planned expansion of a seventh team in Montreal, Quebec, and the potential for additional clubs to broaden its United States footprint will be announced at a later date. About the Premier Hockey Federation The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup.

Team Thunstrom to include three Whitecap players in PHF All-Star game The Premier Hockey Federation has announced the three team rosters for the 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase to be played on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Buffalo’s Northtown Center. The rosters were determined in a virtual draft with selections made by All-Star captains Shiann Darkangelo, Jillian Dempsey, and Allie Thunstrom. The results were revealed during game broadcasts on ESPN+. Darkangelo was awarded first overall pick by random draw and used it to select her Toronto Six teammate Mikyla Grant-Mentis who is the reigning PHF MVP and current top scorer. “With the first overall pick in the PHF All-Star Showcase draft, I’m proud to announce Mikyla Grant-Mentis,” Darkangelo announced. “I definitely have to go with one of my teammates here, thinking about offense first for our team.” Thunstrom chose second and also picked one of her PHF teammates in Minnesota Whitecaps forward Jonna Curtis who leads the club in goal scoring this season. “I’m very honored to announce one of the best players I think in this league,” Thunstrom said while making her pick. “An amazing teammate, a really great friend, and somebody that continuously makes me look good, and that would be Jonna Curtis.” Dempsey also decided to use her first pick on somebody familiar and opted for Boston Pride defender Kaleigh Fratkin. The pair won the Isobel Cup last season and were the first two players in PHF history to play in 100 career games. “I’m going to go with Boston defender number 13, Kaleigh Fratkin,” Dempsey declared during the draft. “Big

PHF Team Rosters TEAM DARKANGELO COACHED BY MEGHAN CHAYKA: Goaltender: Katie Burt (BOS) Defenders: Lindsay Eastwood (TOR) Kali Flanagan (BOS) Allie Munroe (CTW) Shannon Turner (CTW) Forwards: Shiann Darkangelo (TOR) Kennedy Ganser (BUF) Mikyla Grant-Mentis (TOR) Meghara McManus (BOS) Madison Packer (MET) Alyssa Wohlfeiler (CTW) Emma Woods (TOR) TEAM DEMPSEY COACHED BY SAMI JO SMALL: Goaltender: Elaine Chuli (TOR) Defenders: Kaleigh Fratkin (BOS) Tori Howran (CTW) Dominique Kremer (BUF) Taylor Woods (TOR)

reason being she can do it all. I’ve seen her in all situations five-on-five, threeon-three, moves the puck well, great shot, physical, and I’m also not trying to get into a corner battle with her in the All-Star weekend so I’m going to secure Fratty.” The draft’s order of selection alternated from top down, to bottom up after every round meaning Dempsey also held the fourth overall pick. She used it to select another member of the Pride in forward McKenna Brand. Thunstrom chose fifth overall and elected to choose

Forwards: Taylor Accursi (BUF) McKenna Brand (BOS) Jillian Dempsey (BOS) Autumn MacDougall (BUF) Kennedy Marchment (CTW) Cassidy Vinkle (BUF) Emma Vlasic (CTW) TEAM THUNSTROM COACHED BY MEL DAVIDSON: Goaltender: Abbie Ives (CTW) Defenders: Amanda Boulier (BOS) Taylor Davison (TOR) Patti Marshall (MIN) Marie-Jo Pelletier (BUF) Forwards: Jonna Curtis (MIN) Sammy Davis (BOS) Anjelica Diffendal (BUF) Taylor Girard (CTW) Christina Putigna (BOS) Rebecca Russo (MET) Allie Thunstrom (MIN)

her first defender in Boston’s Amanda Boulier. Another Pride blue liner went at number six when Darkangelo called on Kali Flanagan. Through the draft process the captains were all required to select one goaltender, four defenders, and six forwards to ensure an even balance amongst the teams. The pool of All-Stars eligible for the draft was pre-determined and included the 30 selections made by PHF coaches along with the three skaters identified through the online fan vote. Captains were also responsible for se-

lecting which of the event’s honorary coaches would stand behind their bench, the jerseys their team would wear, as well as which teams would faceoff first in the competition. The first game of the 2022 PHF AllStar Showcase will feature Team Thunstrom coached by Mel Davidson against Team Darkangelo coached by Meghan Chayka. The second game will be played between the loser of the first game and Team Dempsey coached by Sami Jo Small. Dempsey’s squad will also play in the third game competing against the winner of game number one. Each of the three games will be single-period contests consisting of 10 minutes of 5-on-5 action, followed by five minutes of 3-on-3 play, and a shootout. All goals will count towards final game scores with the top team crowned PHF AllStar champions. The 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase will stream live in the United States exclusively on ESPN+, in Canada to TSN and TSN Direct subscribers, and through the ESPN International distribution network. About Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and maintains the mission to provide strong role models and fuel the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

Hobey Baker nominees announced

College hockey fans can cast their vote here from the field of 50+ nominees for the 2022 Hobey Baker Award. Nominated players were submitted by the athletic departments of the Division I men’s hockey schools with a maximum of three candidates from any one school. The Hobey Baker Puck Giveaway will run from today until the end of the first round of voting (March 6th 2022 @ Midnight). Three names will be drawn to receive the 2021 winner’s puck after the announcement of the winner. To enter simply vote, once per day, for your favorite Hobey Baker Candidate on this website. Connor MacEachern - Pennsylvania State University Mitchell Martan - Canisius College Keaton Mastrodonato - Canisius College Jack McBain - Boston College Aidan McDonough - Northeastern University Dryden McKay - Minnesota State University, Mankato Marc McLaughlin - Boston College Zach Metsa - Quinnipiac University Ben Meyers - University of Minnesota Joseph Nardi - Northern Michigan University Max Newton - Merrimack College Owen Norton - Mercyhurst University Nick Perbix - St. Cloud State University Yaniv Perets - Quinnipiac University Clayton Phillips - Pennsylvania State University Kaden Pickering - St. Lawrence University Jackson Pierson - University of New Hampshire Blake Pietila - Michigan Technological University Owen Power - University of Michigan Brady Risk - University of Alaska Fairbanks Jake Sanderson - University of North Dakota Isaiah Saville - University of Nebraska Omaha Carter Savoie - University of Denver Owen Savory - University of Massachusetts Lowell Owen Sillinger - Bemidji State University Nathan Smith - Minnesota State University, Mankato Jack St. Ivany - Boston College Jaxson Stauber - Providence College Matt Stienburg - Cornell University Colin Theisen - Arizona State University Bobby Trivigno - University of Massachusetts Amherst Braeden Tuck - Sacred Heart University Ryan Tverberg - University of Connecticut Zach Uens - Merrimack College Kevin Wall - Pennsylvania State University Taylor Ward - University of Nebraska Omaha Colton Young - Colgate University

Nick Abruzzese - Harvard University Corey Andonovski - Princeton University Max Andreev - Cornell University Jacob Barczewski - Canisius College Drew Bavaro - Bentley University Jacob Bengtsson - Lake Superior State University Matty Beniers - University of Michigan Trenton Bliss - Michigan Technological University Louis Boudon - Lake Superior State University Carson Briere - Mercyhurst University Bobby Brink - University of Denver Easton Brodzinski - St. Cloud State University Nathan Burke - Bowling Green State University Will Calverley - Rochester Institute of Technology Declan Carlile - Merrimack College Gabe Carriere - University of Vermont Hank Crone - Northern Michigan University Gustavs Davis Grigals - University of Alaska Fairbanks Drew DeRidder - Michigan State University Max Ellis - University of Notre Dame Ryan Fanti - University of Minnesota Duluth Sean Farrell - Harvard University Domenick Fensore - Boston University Kevin Fitzgerald - St. Cloud State University Ethen Frank - Western Michigan University Riese Gaber - University of North Dakota Matthew Galajda - University of Notre Dame Cole Guttman - University of Denver Brian Halonen - Michigan Technological University Jordan Harris - Northeastern University Austin Heidemann - Mercyhurst University Billy Jerry - Long Island University Kent Johnson - University of Michigan Jachym Kondelik - University of Connecticut Matthew Kopperud - Arizona State University Philip Lagunov - University of Vermont Devon Levi - Northeastern University Ture Linden - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Andrew Lucas - University of Vermont

Emil Zetterquist - St. Lawrence University

Former Hobey Baker Award winners

Year Winner School Hat trick 2021 Cole Caufield U. of Wisconsin Dryden McKay, Shane Pinto 2020 Scott Perunovich U. of Minnesota-Duluth Jeremy Swayman, Jordan Kawaguchi 2019 Cale Makar UMass-Amherst Adam Fox, Jimmy Schuldt 2018 Adam Gaudette Northeastern University Henrik Borgström, Ryan Donato 2017 Will Butcher U. of Denver Mike Vecchione, Zach Aston-Reese 2016 Jimmy Vesey Harvard University Kyle Connor, Thatcher Demko 2015 Jack Eichel Boston University Jimmy Vesey, Zane McIntyre 2014 Johnny Gaudreau Boston College Greg Carey, Nic Dowd 2013 Drew LeBlanc St. Cloud State Eric Hartzell, Johnny Gadreau 2012 Jack Connolly U. of Minnesota-Duluth Austin Smith, Spencer Abbott 2011 Andy Miele Miami University (Ohio) Cam Atkinson, Matt Frattin 2010 Blake Geoffrion U. of Wisconsin Bobby Butler, Gustav Nyquist 2009 Matt Gilroy Boston University Brad Thiessen, Colin Wilson 2008 Kevin Porter U. of Michigan Nathan Gerbe, Ryan Jones 2007 Ryan Duncan U. of North Dakota David Brown, Eric Ehn 2006 Matt Carle U. of Denver Brian Elliott, Chris Collins 2005 Marty Sertich Colorado College Brett Sterling, David McKee 2004 Junior Lessard U. of Minnesota-Duluth Yann Danis, Zach Parise 2003 Peter Sejna Colorado College Chris Kunitz, Dave LeNeveu 2002 Jordan Leopold U. of Minnesota Darren Haydar, Mark Hartigan 2001 Ryan Miller Michigan State University Brian Gionta 2000 Mike Mottau Boston College Steve Reinprecht 1999 Jason Krog U. of New Hampshire Mike York 1998 Chris Drury Boston University Chad Alban 1997 Brendan Morrison U. of Michigan Chris Drury 1996 Brian Bonin U. of Minnesota Jay Pandolfo 1995 Brian Holzinger Bowling Green State University Chris Imes 1994 Chris Marinucci U. of Minnesota-Duluth Craig Conroy 1993 Paul Kariya U. of Maine Greg Johnson 1992 Scott Pellerin U. of Maine Daniel Laperriere 1991 David Emma Boston College Brad Werenka 1990 Kip Miller Michigan State University Greg Brown 1989 Lane MacDonald Harvard University Robb Stauber 1988 Robb Stauber U. of Minnesota Mark Vermette 1987 Tony Hrkac U. of North Dakota Wayne Gagne 1986 Scott Fusco Harvard University Dan Dorion 1985 Bill Watson U. of Minnesota-Duluth Scott Fusco 1984 Tom Kurvers U. of Minnesota-Duluth Cleon Daskalakis 1983 Mark Fusco Harvard University Randy Velischek 1982 George McPhee Bowling Green State University Ron Scott 1981 Neal Broten U. of Minnesota Steve Ulseth

33rd Annual

MARCH 11-12, 2022

Fan balloting open on-line through March 6

Fan balloting for the 2022 Hobey Baker Award is open through Sunday, March 6, at midnight ET. This year’s nominees include 77 skaters representing 42 NCAA Division I schools. College hockey fans can cast their vote in the tremendously popular fan-voting campaign by visiting www.hobeybaker. com. Award criteria include candidates exhibiting the exceptional character traits of the award’s namesake, Hobey Baker. A legendary American hero, Baker was a World War I fighter pilot and was known as America’s greatest amateur athlete in his day, excelling at hockey and football at Princeton University. Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. The top ten finalists for the 2022 Hobey Baker will be announced on March 16. Voting will be open until March 27 in phase two. The announcement of the final three finalists will take place on March 31, with the winner being announced on April 8.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONSUMER HOCKEY SHOW IS BACK! Come see the latest and greatest in equipment, training, apparel, and more!

Saint Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN

Visit www.letsplayhockeyexpo.com for updates on vendors & Expo events

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

www.stateofhockey.com

Mavericks end 53-game losing streak to Gophers

by Susan Rennie McPherson and Mary Lynn McPherson The Minnesota State University Mankato Women’s hockey team earned a weekend split with the University of Minnesota with a 5-4 overtime win on the road at Ridder Arena breaking a 53-game losing streak to the Gophers. After a 7-2 loss at home on Friday, Jan. 14, the Mavericks came into Ridder Arena on Saturday ready to even the score. The Mavericks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after two goals by Charlotte Akervik at 5:50 (PP, Alexis Paddington, Sydney Langseth assists) and 10:29 (Kelsey King, Taylor Wemple assists). The Gophers answered on a power play goal by Abigail Boreen at 11:29 (Taylor Heise, Crystalyn Hengler assists). MSU went ahead 3-1 in the first period after Kennedy Bobyck put the puck past netminder Lauren Bench at 18:09 (King assist). The second period started with a net change for the Gophers when Makayla Pahl settled in between the pipes. The Gophers controlled the second period with goals by Savannah Norcross (Amy Potomak, Olivia Knowles assists) and Catie Skaja (Ella Huber, Heise assists). The teams traded goals in the third period with Mavericks Jessica Kondas (Madison Mashuga assist) scoring at 7:40 and Gophers Abigail Boreen getting her second goal of the game at 11:33 (Heise, Skaja assists). The Mavericks scored the game winner in a 3-on-3 OT when Kelsey King put the puck in the net at 3:49. Calla Frank was on fire in net for the Mavericks stopping 41 shots on 45 attempts. Gophers Bench stopped 5 shots on 8 attempts and Pahl had 22 saves on 24 attempts.

Charlotte Akervik scored twice for the Mavericks in their 5-4 overtime win over the Gophers, their first in 54 match ups and 15 years. Kelsey King scored in overtime and Calla Frank had 45 saves in the win.

Shakopee Lions 8th Annual

POND HOCKEY

TOURNAMENT Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 8am-4pm Jackson Township Hall 1091 130th St W, Shakopee, MN

•Ice golf •Live music, •Beverages •Grill food • Teams with 4-8 players and must be at least 18 years old. Individuals are allowed and will be put on a team. • 2 Brackets - Gold (competitive) and Silver (recreational) • Cost: $300 per team or $40 per individual. All proceeds are donated locally to those in need. • 1st Place Prizes: Winners receive their team name engraved on a traveling trophy. All players and others in attendance are entered into a drawing and have a chance to win a trip for 2 to Las Vegas (valued at $800) and other cash prizes.

Register online: http://www.rinkscout.com/ shakopee-lions-pond-hockey Contact Tom Wood at 612-867-6281 or email: tom.stokely.wood@gmail.com

Minnesota Wild to host Pride Night March 29

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced the team will host its first-ever Pride Night on Tuesday, March 29 when it hosts the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. The LGBTQ+ community will be highlighted throughout the game, and many of the ingame elements will incorporate the Pride theme: A special Pride Night ticket package is available that includes an exclusive Minnesota Wild Pride Night t-shirt. A portion of each ticket purchased through this special ticket package will support Twins Cities Pride. The mission of Twin Cities Pride is to empower every LGBTQ+ person to live as their true self. We envision a future where all LGBTQ+ people are valued and celebrated for who they are. For more information visit Twin Cities Pride. • Wild players will wear Pride jerseys during on-ice warmups. The custom warmup jerseys will be signed and auctioned off starting March 29 on the Minnesota Wild Foundation Handbid Auction platform. For more information visit www.wild.com/onlineauctions. The auction will end on Thursday, April 7 at 9 p.m. CT. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wild Foundation and Children’s Minnesota Gender Health Program. Children’s Minnesota Gender Health program is an exclusively pediatric, multidisciplinary gender health

program, and includes expert physicians in pediatric and adolescent gender health and endocrinology as well as a behavioral health team of psychologists and clinical social work. The Gender Health program provides compassionate and comprehensive care for transgender and gender-diverse youth to help them grow up happy, healthy, safe and strong. · Pride pucks will be used and players will use Pride tape on their sticks during pre-game warm-ups. Pride pucks used during warm-ups will be donated to Twin Cities Pride. · Twin Cities Pride and You Can Play Project will have information tables on the main concourse. Additionally, pieces from the Twin Cities Pride Community Art Show will be displayed on both concourse levels. • Children’s Minnesota Gender Health Program will be the Split the Pot Raffle beneficiary. • Pride merchandise is available now at the Hockey Lodge. Additional Pride items will be available for purchase in the Hockey Lodge on March 29. Minnesota Wild single-game tickets are on sale now at www.wild.com/ tickets, ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Please visit tickets.wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales Representative by calling or texting 651-222-WILD (9453) for more information on full, partial & flexible season ticket memberships.

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

Six Minnesotans to compete on U.S. Women’s Olympic squad by Michael DeBrule

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

The 2022 U.S. Olympic Women’s hockey team will compete in Beijing, China this February. The 23-player roster was announced during the second intermission of NHL’s Winter Classic in Minneapolis, which was broadcast on TNT. The list of players reads like a who’s who of women’s hockey, with many familiar names and some new ones too. Offense: Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Alex Carpenter, Jesse Compher, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Brianna Decker, Amanda Kessel, Hillary Knight, Abbey Murphy, Kelly Pannek, Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, Grace Zumwinkle Defense: Cayla Barnes, Megan Bozek, Jincy Dunne, Savannah Harmon, Caroline Harvey, Megan Keller, Lee Stecklein Goalies: Alex Cavallini, Nicole Hensley, Maddie Rooney Joel Johnson will be the team’s head coach. Although new to this role, he has served as head coach for St. Thomas and

as an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota. Six players hail from the great State of Hockey: Rooney (Andover), Stecklein (Roseville), Brandt (Vadnais Heights), Cameranesi (Plymouth), Pannek (Plymouth), and Zumwinkle (Excelsior). That’s more than one fourth of the team. Way to go, Minnesota! Three goalies are on the roster, which might seem atypical at first glance. However, given the uncertainty associated with COVID-19, having an extra goalie seems like a smart choice. For team leadership and experience, look to Knight, who is making her fourth Olympic appearance. At 32, she is set to become the oldest athlete to ever play for this team (a record currently held by Julie Chu). In contrast, the two youngest players, Harvey and Murphy, are both 19. Coyne-Schofield, Decker, Kessel, and Stecklein will be returning for their third Olympic appearances. These four veterans, with their lightning-fast speed and unselfish team play, will not disappoint hockey fans. An upcoming player to keep your

Lee Stecklein (Roseville, MN) is one of six Minnesotans on the 2022 Olympic roster.

eye on is Roque, who led the Wisconsin Badgers to a national championship and was named the 2020 WCHA player of the year. A member of the Wahnapitae First Nation, she will be the first indigenous woman to play for this hockey team.

The women’s Olympic hockey tourney will begin on Thursday, Feb. 3 in Beijing, ahead of the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 4.

Minnesota leads Olympic men’s roster with 7 natives USA Hockey announced the final roster for its 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team tonight, a group that includes 15 current NCAA players, eight European pros and two players from the AHL. The squad will represent the United States at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. “We’re excited about the roster we’ve put together,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “The Olympics are the biggest stage in sports and it was fun to hear the enthusiasm our players have to represent their country. We’re fortunate to have a deep talent pool – thanks in part to all the great work of our volunteers in communities across the nation – and with the mix of players who are part of our team, we’re looking forward to competing for a gold medal in Beijing.” Brian O’Neill (Yardley, Pa./Jokerit/ Yale University), who is one of five players from the KHL on the U.S. roster, is the lone returning Olympian after playing for Team USA in the 2018 Games. He is currently third in the KHL with 33 assists and 11th in points with 42. Kenny Agostino (Morristown, N.J./Torpedo/Yale University) is also part of the Team USA roster. He is seventh in the KHL with 20 goals, and his 40 points are 14th in the league. Nathan Smith (Hudson, Fla./Minnesota State University) is the leading point-getter in the NCAA and is one of nine collegiate players on the roster averaging a point or better per game, including Nick Abruzzese (Slate Hill, N.Y./Harvard University), Matty Beniers (Hingham,

Mass./University of Michigan), Brendan Brisson (Manhattan Beach, Calif./University of Michigan), Sean Farrell (Hopkinton, Mass./Harvard University), Matthew Knies (Phoenix, Ariz/University of Minnesota), Marc McLaughlin (North Billerica, Mass./Boston College), Ben Meyers (Delano, Minn./University of Minnesota) and Jake Sanderson (Whitefish, Mont./University of North Dakota). A total of seven players will bring NHL experience to the Team USA lineup, led by Nick Shore (Denver, Colo./ Sibir/University of Denver), who has played 299 regular-season NHL games (18-41—59) and Steven Kampfer (Jackson, Mich./Ak Bars Kazan/University of Michigan) with 231 regular-season NHL contests played (15-24—39). Agostino (86GP, 8-22-30), Aaron Ness (Roseau, Minn./Providence/University of Minnesota/72GP, 1-6—7), David Warsofsky (Marshfield, Mass./ERC Ingolstadt/Boston University/55GP, 2-9—11), O’Neill (22GP, 0-2—2) and Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Torpedo/Miami University/15GP, 0-2—2) have also played in the NHL. Strauss Mann (Greenwich, Conn./ Skelleftea AIK/University of Michigan), who leads the Swedish Hockey League in goals against average (1.77) and save percentage (.930) highlights Team USA’s trio of netminders that also includes Pat Nagle (Bloomfield Township, Mich./ Ferris State University), who is currently playing for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms (2.74, .897) and Boston University’s Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass./2.67, .907), who was part of the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team.

The 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team by the numbers: - 25 players - 14 forwards (Nick Abruzzese, Kenny Agostino, Matty Beniers, Brendan Brisson, Noah Cates, Sean Farrell, Sam Hentges, Matthew Knies, Marc McLaughlin, Ben Meyers, Andy Miele, Brian O’Neill, Nick Shore, Nathan Smith) - 8 defensemen (Brian Cooper, Brock Faber, Drew Helleson, Steven Kampfer, Aaron Ness, Nick Perbix, Jake Sanderson, David Warsofsky) - 3 goaltenders (Drew Commesso, Strauss Mann, Pat Nagle) - 15 Playing NCAA Hockey (Big 10-5/NCHC-4/HEA-3, ECAC Hockey-2, CCHA-1), - 8 Playing Professionally in Europe (5-KHL, 2-SHL, 1-DEL) - 2 Playing Professionally in AHL - 1 Olympian (O’Neill) - 6 with NHL experience (Agostino, Kampfer, Miele, Ness, Shore, Warsofsky) - 13 states represented (Alaska-1, Arizona-1, California-1, Colorado-1, Connecticut-1, Florida-1, Massachusetts-5, Michigan-4, Minnesota-6, Montana-1, New Jersey-1, New York-1, Pennsylvania-1) - 14 NCAA schools represented (Boston College-2, Boston University-2, Ferris State University-1, Harvard University-2, Miami University-1, Minnesota State University-1, St. Cloud State University-2, University of Denver-1, University of Michigan-4, University of Minnesota-4, University of Minnesota Duluth-1, University of North Dakota-1, University of Nebraska-Omaha-1, Yale University-2) - 6-0 – average height - 189 lbs – average weight - 25.1 years – average age (youngest

roster since 1994/22.4) - 19 years – youngest player, Matty Beniers (11/5/2002) - 34 years – oldest player, Pat Nagle (9/21/1987) The 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team opens play on Feb. 10 when it faces host China in its first preliminary round game at 8:10 a.m. ET. NOTES: All 25 players on the U.S. roster have played college hockey in the U.S., including 15 currently playing in the NCAA ... A total of 10 players have spent time with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, which is celebrating its 25th season on the ice in 2021-22 ... The roster features 21 players who have competed in the USHL and one who played in the NAHL ... Of the 25 players, 19 have worn a letter at either the high school, junior, collegiate or professional level ... All 2022 U.S. Olympic Team nominations are subject to U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval ... John Vanbiesbrouck is the general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, with Marc Boxer serving as assistant general manager ... David Quinn is the head coach of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, with assistant coaches Mike Hastings, Brett Larson, Scott Young, and David Lassonde and video coach Alex Dawes ... Additional staff for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team includes team leader Brij Singh; equipment managers Scott Aldrich and Nate LaPoint; athletic trainers Stan Wong, Jason Hodges and Chris Mizer; team physician Dr. Mike Stuart; and media officers Dave Fischer and Michael Reedy.

United States Mens Olympic Roster

No. Name Pos. HT (CM) WT (KG) DOB Shoots Hometown Current Team College Team 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 19 20 21 23 25 26 27 29 31 35 37 39 51 89

Drew Helleson David Warsofsky Nick Perbix Jake Sanderson Matty Beniers Kenny Agostino Sam Hentges Nathan Smith Brock Faber Nick Abruzzese Aaron Ness Brendan Brisson Steven Kampfer Brian O’Neill + Brian Cooper Marc McLaughlin Sean Farrell Noah Cates Drew Commesso Strauss Mann Pat Nagle Nick Shore Ben Meyers Andy Miele Matthew Knies

D D D D F F F F D F D F D F D F F F G G G F F F F

6-3 (191) 204 (93) 5-9 (175) 170 (77) 6-4 (193) 200 (91) 6-2 (188) 189 (86) 6-1 (185) 175 (80) 6-0 (183) 205 (93) 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 6-1 (185) 200 (91) 5-10 (178)174 (79) 5-10 (178) 183 (83) 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 5-11 (180) 198 (90) 5-9 (175) 172 (78) 5-10 (178) 196 (89) 6-0 (183) 202 (92) 5-9 (175) 175 (79) 6-2 (188) 190 (86) 6-2 (188) 181 (82) 6-0 (183) 174 (79) 6-2 (188) 201 (91) 6-1 (185) 194 (88) 5-11 (180) 200 (91) 5-8 (173) 170 (77) 6-3 (191) 212 (96)

2001-03-26 1990-05-30 1998-06-15 2002-07-08 2002-11-05 1992-04-30 1999-07-26 1998-10-18 2002-08-22 1999-06-04 1990-05-18 2001-10-22 1988-09-24 1988-06-01 1993-12-01 1999-07-26 2001-11-02 1999-02-05 2002-07-19 1998-08-18 1987-09-21 1992-09-26 1998-11-15 1988-04-15 2002-10-17

R L R L L L R R R L L L R R L R L L L L L R L L L

Farmington, Minn. Marshfield, Mass. Elk River, Minn. Whitefish, Mont. Hingham, Mass. Morristown, N.J. New Brighton, Minn. Hudson, Fla. Maple Grove, Minn. Slate Hill, N.Y. Roseau, Minn. Manhattan Beach, Calif. Jackson, Mich. Yardley, Pa. Anchorage, Alaska North Billerica, Mass. Hopkinton, Mass. Stillwater, Minn. Norwell, Mass. Greenwich, Conn. Bloomfield Township, Mich. Denver, Colo. Delano, Minn. Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. Phoenix, Ariz.

Boston College (HEA) Boston College (HEA) ERC Ingolstadt (DEL) Boston University (HEA) St. Cloud State University (NCHC) St. Cloud State University (NCHC) University of North Dakota (NCHC) University of North Dakota 10 University of Michigan (Big 10) University of Michigan (Big 10) Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) Yale University (ECAC) St. Cloud State University (NCHC) St. Cloud State University Minnesota State Mankato (CCHA) Minnesota State Mankato (CCHA) University of Minnesota (Big 10) University of Minnesota (Big 10) Harvard University (ECAC) Harvard University (ECAC) Providence Bruins (AHL) University of Minnesota (WCHA) University of Michigan (Big 10) University of Michigan (Big 10) Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) University of Michigan (CCHA) Jokerit (KHL) Yale University (ECAC) IK Oskarshamn (SHL) University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC) Boston College (HEA) Boston College (HEA) Harvard University (ECAC) Harvard University (ECAC) University of Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) University of Minnesota Duluth Boston University (HEA) Boston University (HEA) Skelleftea AIK (SHL) University of Michigan (Big 10) Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) Ferris State University (CCHA) Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL) University of Denver (WCHA) University of Minnesota (Big 10) University of Minnesota (Big 10) Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) Miami University (CCHA) University of Minnesota (Big 10) University of Minnesota (Big 10)

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

From DII program to DI power Former player recalls playing days when DII Mankato State became DI Minnesota State University

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Ryan Rintoul hailed from Winnipeg when he crossed the United States border to suit up for the Mankato State Mavericks in 1994 after playing in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. A couple years later Mankato State would become Minnesota State and make the leap to Division 1 hockey. Rintoul was one of several Canadian-born players who came to the U.S. back then to play hockey – specifically to the small southern Minnesota city with a medium-sized college that was looking to create a respectable Division I program. “Oh, man we were all excited and rearing to go and we were all certainly thankful for the opportunity,” said Rintoul, now 48, and one of several MSU alumni who will be skating in Friday’s alumni game during Hockey Day Minnesota in Mankato. “We were about to set out on a journey into fresh snow, create our own path. It was an exciting time with the new building, new program and immediate support from the Mankato area community.” The team was coached by Don Brose, who had coached at Mankato State when they first started their program in 1969 until the 2000 season, successfully transitioning the school form a Division III school to a Division I program. By the time he retired in 2000 he had amassed 535 wins and winning percentage of .606. “Coach Brose really supported us as student-athletes,” said Rintoul. “He loved the school, cared about its reputation and was laying the groundwork for future Maverick teams.” In their first year in the WCHA the Mavericks won 21 games, very respectable for a team’s first season in the league. “We had a good, experienced team that was mixed in with better talent each

and every year,” noted Rintoul. “And as I think back, we had a little chip on our shoulder for sure.” Those first couple teams and group of coaches did lay the ground work for a program that has become one of the nation’s top winning programs the past five seasons with a 135-38-6 record and four straight WCHA championships. They currently lead the newly-formed CCHA and after spending four straight weeks ranked No. 1 in the country, head into this weekend ranked No. 2. The program continues to churn out top talent as well. Current goaltender Dryden McKay is the all-time NCAA Division I leader in career shutouts and was a Hobey Baker hat trick finalist last season and could vie for the award this season as well as the coveted Mike Richter Award given to college hockey’s top goaltender. Nathan Smith, a product of Florida, currently leads the country in scoring. They have several NHL alumni. Smith is currently on the 2022 Olympic roster. Speaking of scoring, Rintoul ranks fifth all time in points scored in program history with 165. Like many former Mavericks he dabbled in professional hockey for a few years before starting a career and a family. He currently resides in Apple Valley with his wife Bobbi and has two adult children playing college soccer. One thing that sticks out to Rintoul is how close-knit the MSU alumni are. “I’d say we have as tight an alumni in NCAA hockey as any program in the country,” he said. He stays in touch often with his former teammates from those early Division I seasons. For the past 19 years he and former teammates play in a “CanAm Cup,” a Ryder Cup style golf tourney held annually in Mankato. “We gather for family night hockey games at MSU and many of us play “Mav Cup” fantasy hockey,” he said. “And Lord knows there are hundreds of texts flying

Ryan Rintoul played four seasons with the Mavericks, his last two after the program turned Division I. The program is now one of the winningest programs in college hockey the past five seasons. PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOA STATE around daily.” Minnesota State Hockey has had quite a run from those early years of Division I play. Rintoul and fellow alumni hope nothing more than to see the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University, and all those who have pulled on a Maverick sweater see them get to that national championship game (the school did win a Division III national championship in 1980). Last season they made it to the Frozen Four, losing 5-4 in overtime to St. Cloud State. Rintoul said he is somewhat surprised the program has elevated itself to where it is, especially with so many powerful hockey programs in the country. “This is arguably one of the best programs in NCAA,” he said. “That is pretty

mind blowing. We are all now so used to MSU being a perennial top 5 team, we just expect it.” Rintoul praised the current players, coaching staff and administration for the continued growth and ultimate success of the program. “It’s not lucky, it’s by design and hard work,” he said. “Winning helps everything and players want to go where they can develop and win. That place is MSU.” But can they win it all? And is this the year? “Winning a national championship would be incredible and I certainly think it can happen,” he said. “You need a little luck of the draw, some bounces, clutch saves, timely goals…but yeah…why not us?”

Bally Sports North announces comprehensive coverage plans In conjunction with the Minnesota Wild, Bally Sports North announced plans for Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM), presented by UnitedHealthcare, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 22, starting at 9:00 a.m. Highlighted by more than 14 hours of continuous hockey programming, the network will broadcast a variety of Hockey Day content, televise two high school games, one collegiate game, as well as the Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks match-up from Xcel Energy Center during primetime. The day will conclude with the debut of Becoming Wild: Winter Classic. Hockey Day Minnesota programming will be anchored from a Hockey Day set located at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, Minn. Throughout the afternoon, the Bally Sports North team will introduce viewers to numerous special features and reports from across the State of Hockey. Bally Sports North will have an entire team of on-air talent reporting throughout the day, including Ryan Carter, Ben Clymer, Marney Gellner, Kevin Gorg, Anthony LaPanta, Audra Martin, Gigi Marvin, Conner Onion, Mark Parrish, Katie Storm, and Wes Walz. Viewers may also recognize a familiar face when Minnesota-born Jamie Hersch hosts the Hockey Day set in Mankato. Hersch currently hosts NHL Network’s “On The Fly.”

A feature on the Wednesday night girls’ game and a feature on the Friday night boys’ game. • Gigi Marvin Interview with Hannah Brandt and Lee Stecklein Gold Medalist Gigi Marvin sits down with former Team USA members and Minnesota Natives Hannah Brandt and Lee Stecklein. • Hockey is for me-player-Tanner Hill Tanner Hill was introduced to Hockey through the Minnesota Wild’s “Hockey is for Me” program. He’s continuing with a sport he’s grown to love. • Shannon O’Hara Foundation Rochester native Shannon O’Hara was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 12. She passed away nine months later (in 2012). Shannon loved hockey. She lived her life with a positive attitude and focused on being a good friend and teammate. This foundation was started to carry on her legacy. • From Sweaters to Stripes Ryan Carter sits down with the 3 Glassier brothers from Hutchinson to talk about continuing with the sport they love by being referees.

Special Features: • Anthony Ford Story Anthony Ford’s dream was to “Become the next Great One.” Antony passed away in 2006 at just nine years of age. A year later, the Mankato area started the “Anthony Ford Fund,” Its goal is to provide affordable hockey to help grow the culture in the Mankato Area. • Sights and Sounds pieces from earlier in the Week of happening at Mankato

Date Wed., Jan 19 Thur., Jan 20 Thur., Jan 20 Fri., Jan 21 Fri., Jan 21 Sat., Jan 22 Sat., Jan 22 Sat., Jan 22 Sat., Jan 22 Sun., Jan 23

• Minnesota Hockey Essays We will air essays from the three finalists in the Minnesota Hockey Essay Contest and announce the winner. This year’s topic is: Everyone should play Hockey in Minnesota because.... Other: The hockey community is encouraged to join the HDM celebrations by using #HDM2022 – select text and photo content may be incorporated into the broadcast throughout the day. - Single-day and three-day ticket packages for Hockey Day Minnesota 2022 are on sale now at wild. com/HockeyDay or available for purchase on-site at Blakeslee Stadium. - For every goal scored on Hockey Day Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare will donate 1,000 meals to Second Harvest Heartland. - The signature event will be televised regionally on Bally Sports North and via the Bally Sports app. Channel availability: www.ballysports.com/north - Hockey Day Minnesota programming will air on Bally Sports North and stream live on the Bally Sports app and

Hockey Day MN Schedule

Time 7 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 1 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

Match Up Mankato East vs. Mankato West - Girls’ Wounded Warrior Game Southern Minnesota Celebrity Game Mankato East vs. Mankato West - Boys’ Minnesota State University Alumni Game Andover vs. Edina - Girls’ East Grand Forks vs. Prior Lake - Boys’ Minnesota State vs. St. Thomas - Men’s Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks Minnesota State vs. St. Thomas - Women’s

Location Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Blakeslee Field Xcel Energy Center Blakeslee Field

TV No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No

ballysports.com when a consumer authenticates through their pay-TV service. The Bally Sports app is available on mobile and tablet devices, including iOS and Android, and connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku Players and Roku TV, Samsung and LG platforms, and Xbox One. Fans can also download the app for free from the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Amazon App Store, Roku App Store, XBOX One App Store, and Windows App Store Hockey Day Minnesota was originated in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the State of Hockey. It is produced in partnership with Bally Sports North, Minnesota Hockey, and the respective local community that hosts each year. Previous locations include Baudette Bay (2007, 2008), Phalen Park (2009), Hermantown (2010), Moorhead (2011), Minnetonka (2012), Grand Rapids (2013), Elk River (2014), Saint Paul (2015), Duluth, (2016) Stillwater, (2017) St. Cloud, (2018) Bemidji, (2019) Minneapolis, (2020) and John Rose Oval, (2021). For more information, visit the Hockey Day Minnesota page. About Bally Sports North Bally Sports North – a Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned regional sports network – presents more live, local sports programming than any other network or broadcast system in the market. Serving sports fans throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota, the regional network produces over 250 live sporting events every year. Visit www.ballysports. com and follow @BallySportsNOR on Twitter, @BallySportsNorth on Instagram,

and BallySportsNorth on Facebook for more regional sports content.

January 19, 2022

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Chaska/Chanhassen PeeWee A takes third in Edina

Front row (l-r): Blake Bigelbach, Baron Bugucki, Jake Campbell, Noah Reeb, Tyler Hromatka, Griffin Nutter, Johnny Abercrombie, Luca Colombo. Second row (l-r): Assistant Coach Erik Hromatka, Assistant Coach Ryan Krzmarzick, Ella Sharkey, Henryk Krzmarzick, Sean Hokkanen, Dylon Olson, Henry Johnson, Drew Lindell, Assistant Coach Nick Bigelbach, Jayden Reiter, Ryan Colleran, Head Coach Jeff Campbell. Chaska/Chanhassen PeeWee A earned its second tournament trophy of the season, taking third at the 53rd annual Tradition Invitational in Edina on Dec. 28-31. The Stormhawks went 2-1 in pool play, defeating Wayzata 10-5 and Rosemount 5-2 before falling 7-5 to St. Louis Park with the Orioles scoring the game-winning goal in the game’s last minute. In the third-place contest, CC fought back from a pair of two-goal deficits with a four-goal second period to defeat Burnsville/Apple Valley 4-3. For the tournament, every Stormhawk aside from goaltender John Abercrombie tallied at least one point. CC is next in tournament action on Jan. 28-30 in Grand Rapids.

CCHA Squirt C Black wins Squirt Extravaganza

Top row (l-r): Gunnar Flaten, Jack Anderson, Assistant Coach Jerad Payne, Assistant Coach Paul Raukar, Head Coach Jarrett Bowen, Assistant Coach Chad LaGow. Middle row, standing (l-r): Zach Patton, Conner Bowen, Brody Erickson, Alex Bystrzycki. Middle row, kneeling (l-r): Jimmy Payne, Parker LaGow, Zander Houmann, Miles Raucker, Noah Hennagir, Nolan Aulizia. Front row: James Hetzel. Chaska/Chanhassen Squirt C Black captured its first championship of the season, winning the Osseo/Maple Grove Squirt Extravaganza on Dec. 31-Jan. 2. After an opening 4-3 win over eventual consolation champ Osseo/Maple Grove Gold, the Stormhawks defeated Woodbury 7-3 and Osseo/Maple Grove Black 3-1 to claim the tournament title.

January 19, 2022

Chaska/Chanhassen 10U B1 takes third in Blaine

Players: Elizabeth Bloedow, Maya Burque, Clara Friant, Kennedy Herrmann, Alexandra Johnson, Lila Jones, Mia McCoy, Charlotte McCurry, Brezlin Overman, Amelia Popa, Palmer Prosser, Maddie Roberts, Hannah Schancer, Quinn Sween, Olivia Thiele, Eleanor Witheridge. Head Coach: Mike Burque, Assistant Coaches: Sam Bloedow, Nick Friant, Eric Overmann, Kevin Roberts. Chaska/Chanhassen 10U B1 had a great weekend at the Danglefest in Blaine on Dec. 30-Jan. 1. The girls worked hard and finished third in their division. The Stormhawks won games against Andover and Shakopee, but couldn’t find the same magic in the semifinal against eventual champion Woodbury despite some hard work. MVP awards were given to Maddie Roberts, Palmer Prosser and Brezlin Overmann.

CCHA PeeWee C Purple wins Anoka consolation title

Players: Caleb Antonovitch, Andrew Bellefy, William Browne, Lucas Grier, Carson Holthusen, Charles Huppert, Dylan Jackelen, Kade Juliar, Liam O’Reilly, Harvey Perkins, Connor Rydberg, Griffin Stein, Nolan Strand, Cooper Swanson, Shane Willis, Milo Young. Coaches: DJ Bellefy, Zach Perkins. Chaska/Chanhassen PeeWee C Purple captured the consolation championship of the Anoka Classic on Jan. 6-9. After an opening 6-4 loss to Spring Lake Park, the Stormhawks cruised to the consolation title with a 7-1 win over Northern Edge and a 9-0 victory over St. Louis Park. In the final game, Andrew Bellefy notched his first hat trick of the season, while goalie Harvey Perkins earned his first shutout.

Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam B2 Gold takes second in Elk River Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam B2 Gold earned runner-up honors at the John Twaddle Memorial Tournament on Jan. 7-9 in Elk River. After an opening 8-4 victory over Osseo/Maple Grove Crimson, the Stormhawks advanced to the championship game with a 6-3 win over Northfield and 6-4 triumph over White Bear Lake. In the title game, CC Gold faced fellow District 6 team Prior Lake Navy, falling 4-1.

Players: Will Bushey, Sam Copen, Mason Gutowsky, Christian Jackson, Ryan Jirele, Ty Johnson, Bridger Kolesar, Desmond McPhillips, Holden Palmquist, Gavin Schmid, Thomas Toohey, Carson Uhlenkamp, Max Worthington, Coleman Zielinski. Co-Head Coaches: Steve Bushey, Brandon Kolesar.

January 19, 2022

www.stateofhockey.com

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Stillwater wins Albert Lea Squirt A Tourney

Albert Lea runner up at home squirt A tourney

CCHA PeeWee B1 Purple takes third at back-to-back tournaments

Front row: Ethan Rundell. Middle row (l-r): Brooks Conrad, Braden O’Connell, Beckett Eide, Johnny Moore, Ryan Lind. Top row (l-r): Quinn Johnson, Jameson Flannery, Reid McGinn, Finn Johnson, Mitchell Robinson, Wyatt Connors, Casey Becker, James Connors. Not pictured: Aiden Gerding, Coaches Jon Johnson, Tom Becker, Carl Robinson and Ryan Connors. CCHA PeeWee B1 Purple team captured third-place trophies in back-to-back tournaments in December, defeating the home team in each tourney for the hardware. In the Grand Rapids Star of the North Tournament on Dec. 3-5, Purple team defeated Grand Rapids on Sunday after winning 2 out of 3 pool play games, outscoring Minot and Roseau by a total of 16-1. Two weeks later in the PeeWee Showdown in Bloomington, Purple advanced to the third-place game after a 2-1 record in pool play. After losing to a top Woodbury Black team in pool play, the Stormhawks defeated Buffalo and St. Louis Park, outscoring their opponents 13-2. In a thrilling third-place showdown, CC Purple led Jefferson throughout the game and held off a late comeback attempt to win 6-5.

Pemberton Law 12UA Hockey rings in the New Year with a shutout win

PHOTO BY JENNY OLSON

Evelyn Wedll sends a shot on goal against the Fargo Freeze.

by Amy Wedll The Otter Girls’ 12UA Hockey team got back to business after the holidays, hosting the Fargo Freeze 14UB on Jan. 2. Maddie Brimhall put the Otters in front before a minute had ticked away on the clock. One minute later, she did it again, this time assisted by Averie Tonneson and Kynzie Zender. After two quick goals, the third took a bit longer: Anna Rosa Sem scored off a feed from Brinly Shol with just over a minute to go in the first period, for a 3-0 Otter lead. Returning for period two, the Otters had to work a little harder for the glory. Finally, with 3 minutes remaining, Tonneson put up goal #4, with Brimhall providing the assist. This would be the only scoreboard activity of the second, for a score of 4-0 Otters. In the third and final period, the Maroon & Gold again struck quickly, with Sem scoring from Shol and Ella Dirkman in the first minute. Then, making it a 6-pack for the Otters, Evelyn Wedll scored on a juicy rebound from Maggie Greenagel. A third-period penalty looked to threaten the shutout opportunity, but goalie Mia Olson made a sprawling save to keep the goose egg. In the end, she would earn her 4th shutout of the season, with all 24 Freeze shots denied.

CCHA 10UA wins Danglefest championship

Players: Emmy Blahoski, Grace Gerebi, Joey Hartle, Kami Huh, Keely Huh, Dana Madsen, Avery Moe, Audrey Nichols, Leighton O’Leary, Ella Olsen, Ellie Parrington, Ruby Simet, Raeya Svobodny, Ainsley Ward. Co-Head Coaches: Drew Nichols, Justin Olsen. Assistant Coaches: Nick Gerebi, Jae Huh, Patrick O’Leary. Chaska/Chanhassen 10U A captured the championship of the Danglefest on Dec. 30-Jan. 1 in Blaine, posting a 5-0 record to earn the team’s first tournament title of the season. The Stormhawks opened with three straight wins in pool play, defeating Forest Lake 4-2, Centennial 6-2 and Osseo/ Maple Grove 4-1. In the semifinals, CC upended Wayzata 4-1 with Keely Huh and Audrey Nichols each posting multi-point games. Behind a shutout from netminder Ruby Simet, the Stormhawks claimed the tournament crown with a 4-0 blanking of Edina in the championship game.

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

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NA3HL.com

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NA3HL

UPDATE

Morthenson, Johnson are latest to sign NAHL tenders

The Granite City Lumberjacks, proud members of the NA3HL, are pleased to announce that defenseman Kyle Mortenson has signed a North American Hockey League tender agreement with the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL’s Central Division. Mortenson, 19, is in his second season playing in the NA3HL with the Jacks. So far during the 2021-22 season, the 6’0/195 lbs. native of Maple Grove, Minn.,, has recorded 24 points (4 goals, 20 assists) in 29 games played, which ranks 2nd among all Jacks defensemen. Overall in two seasons, Mortenson has played in 51 games where he’s posted 7 goals and 25 assists. He’s also a +45 in those 51 career games. Mortenson was also selected to and played in the 2021 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament. “We are extremely excited for Morty. He came into camp in the best shape this year and his game has really taken off because of it. He’s been a big help on the back end for us this season. He deserves this opportunity with the Wings,” said Associate Head Coach DJ

28THAL ANNU

Vold. The Rochester Grizzlies, proud members of the NA3HL, have announced that forward Adam Johnson has signed an NAHL tender agreement with the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL’s Central Division for the 2022-23 season. In 17 games this season the 6’0/170 lbs. native of Mahtomedi, Minn., has tallied seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points and a +22 rating, and is averaging 1.06 PT/G. “We are grateful for the opportunities our guys have gotten in the past couple of weeks with the Magicians, Wilderness, Minotauros, and Bruins,” stated Head Coach and General Manager, Chris Ratzloff. “It shows how doing things right and working hard creates opportunities. It also shows how team success highlights the talent of individual players.” Johnson played in three games for the Minotauros back in December. He made his NAHL debut during the 202021 season with the Minnesota Magicians.

Adam Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) has signed a tender with the Minot Minotauros.

2021-2022 NA3HL Tenders Granite City Lumberjacks • Kyle Mortenson, D, Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) • Carson Van Zuilen, F, Chippewa Steel (NAHL) Mason City Toros • Carter Newpower, F, North Iowa Bulls

Kyle Mortenson (Maple Grove, Minn.) has signed a NAHL tender with the Aberdeen Wings.

(NAHL) Northeast Generals Tyler Ramm, F, Northeast Generals (NAHL) Rochester Grizzlies Adam Johnson, F, Minot Minotauros (NAHL)

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January 19, 2022

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NOTEBOOK Taking the history outdoors USPHL’s Minnesota Mullets, Steele County Blades first Junior Teams to play at Hockey Day Minnesota by USPHL STAFF

USPHL.com

The Steele County Blades and Minnesota Mullets, members of the United States Premier Hockey League, jointly announced on Aug. 9 that they will be the first-ever Junior Hockey teams to be scheduled to play as part of Hockey Day Minnesota. The teams will face off outdoors at beautiful Blakeslee Field on the campus of Minnesota State University in Mankato on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 4:30 p.m. The matchup will be broadcast live on HockeyTV with coverage leading up to the event provided by Junior Hockey’s Most-Watched Show, The Dan K Show. The Dan K Show’s Dan Kmiechick and Lucas Jones sat down to talk about the news via Zoom with the Blades’ Head Coach Nick Adamek, the Mullets’ Chris Walby and Minnesota Hockey Expert Dan Bradley. Watch the interview at https://youtu.be/DzMEWfo0S7k Nick Adamek, Head Coach of the Blades (located in Owatonna), talked about the opportunity to show the high level of hockey at the USPHL Premier level to prospective future players in the State of Hockey. “I’m a California kid, never got a chance to play outside, and a lot of kids on our team who never got to play outside,” said Adamek, head coach of the Blades since 2014. “Now we get to play outside in arguably the second biggest outdoor event of the year behind the NHL’s [Winter Classic]. We had a pretty good idea that we would be part of it in 2021. Flash forward to the 2022 event, after the pandemic canceled [2021’s event], I hadn’t really thought about it. It wasn’t until three weeks ago, the news came through we’d be considered for it. Being the only southern Minnesota junior hockey team in the USPHL, it made it pretty special – they wanted to make sure they had that connection to southern Minnesota. “There was no one else we wanted to be a part of this with than Chris Walby and the Minnesota Mullets,”

Adamek added. Walby, like Adamek, is not a Minnesota native (he’s from Lodi, Wis.), but he has certainly adopted The State of Hockey as his home. He first began coaching in Minnesota in 2012, and has been coaching the Minneapolis-based Mullets since they were originally the Forest Lake Lakers back in 2016-17. “Moving up here to Minnesota the last 10 years, I’ve dreamed about coaching in this game,” said Walby. “It’s quite a pack that will be there. I’m excited for that, and it couldn’t be a bigger deal for us and our organization. When it was here in Minneapolis, I wanted to make it happen. Logistically, it didn’t happen, but Nick and his crew got it done.” The Blades are celebrating their 10th season in 202122. Adamek sees the steady progression of the Blades continuing in 2021-22, as they’ve moved from ninth to seventh to fifth over the last three campaigns. “It made us all hold our heads a little higher, and feel a little better about what we were doing here, and knowing how much it mattered to those paying the bills,” said Adamek. “Last year, it was Year 2 of our new local ownership group. We went as young as we possibly could, they want to get better every day. Our motto is ‘be better every day.” The Mullets are happy to be able to provide some of their players with not even a first, but in some cases a second or even more chances to play at Hockey Day Minnesota. “The roster that we have this year, we have nine Minnesota players. We have players who played in this game, at the high school level, with Eveleth. With the group that is from Minnesota and knows about the event and the game, they’re absolutely fired up about it. The rest of us from out of state, it’s a dream – I always thought about doing this. I hope we have good weather, as [bad weather] is the only thing that could be a downfall.” Bradley, who was the play-by-play voice of the Mullets the last few years, talked about the wild card of weather in an outdoor game. “If you’re getting too much sunlight, that could mess with your ice quality. You want that cloud cover,” said Bradley. “You’re dealing with temperature changes, you’re seeing things differently. The boards and glass have different glare outside than they would outside. All that can mess with a player and force you to do things a little differently.”

PHOTOS BY BEVERLY BUCHINGER / USPHL Both the Mullets and the Blades are located along Interstate 35, and both teams said this game could be start of a rivalry cup series potentially known as the “I-35 Cup.” Launched in 2007, Hockey Day Minnesota has served as a celebration of the game of hockey throughout the state, similar to Hockey Day Canada. The USPHL congratulates both the Steele County Blades and Minnesota Mullets on becoming the first-ever Junior Hockey teams to participate in this incredible event.

Former Mullets’ Defenseman Jack Fuss off to NCAA by JIM DEN HOLLANDER

USPHL.com

The 2020-21 hockey season was full of challenges and disappointment for many who saw the challenges of a world in pandemic trying to find ways to stay on the ice amid restrictions and precautions. It’s nice to see a successful conclusion on a season like that and for Jack Fuss, it ended up being an amazing campaign as, this time last season, he wasn’t even thinking about playing. Ultimately, he couldn’t give up on the game though. He returned to play for Head Coach Chris Walby and the Minnesota Mullets, and his time there ultimately ended up with him being pursued by the St. Scholastica Saints. As a result, he found himself back at a college campus again last fall, but this time, as a student athlete. Fuss, a 5’9” 180 lbs. defenseman who turned 20 Sept. 8, is a resident of Edina, a hockey player factory on the outskirts of the Twin Cities with a high school team that plays in the annual State Championship tournament regularly. Looking for a little more hockey exposure, Fuss decided to take his act to Wisconsin as a high school junior playing AAA for the Madison Capitols. “We played somewhere around 60 games and it was great for my development,” said Fuss in an email interview. “We played teams like Shattuck and Culver, so it was good competition.

“I went back home to Edina High School for my senior year. I was supposed to play on the varsity team that year, but because of transfer laws in the MSHSL, I was not allowed to play. I ended up having to play for the Junior Gold A team that year.” Fuss dealt with the disappointment, but it was a bit of an unexpected gut punch for the player. “It was a good year,” said Fuss. “But also, it was hard for me because I wanted to play for EHS ever since I watched my brother win a state title there in 2014.” Fuss finished high school and moved on to college in the fall of 2020, temporarily leaving the sport behind. “I started off last year, just going to school at the University of St. Thomas and I wasn’t playing any sports. I was a full-time student, but I stayed in the weight room. With about four weeks left in the first semester there, I realized I didn’t want to go to school and not play hockey, the sport I have been playing all my life. Hockey has been a big part of our family forever and not playing just felt weird.” “I reached out to Coach Walby and asked him if there was still a spot for me on the team or not and thankfully, there was,” said Fuss. “As soon as I found out he had a spot for me, I went down and skated with my dad’s team in Sioux Falls. He coaches the 18U Sioux Falls Power hockey team.” The layoff wasn’t long, but Fuss realized he needed to shake off some rust and he worked hard to prepare. “It was my first time skating in over 10

months, so I stayed out on the ice for a while and just tried to get back into it as fast as I could,” said Fuss. “After about two weeks of skating, I started skating with the Mullets and I was fully a part of the team. After the first two practices I knew I was going to love it. I got along with every single person on that team and really felt at home. “After a few weeks on the team, I started to play with Darren Shykes a lot and he as my D-partner for most of the season. I played 11 games and then sadly, I got a bad ankle injury that took me out for the rest of the season. “I played in the first game of playoffs, and everything went well, but five minutes into the second game I re-injured it taking me out of the game.” The short but exciting experience had Fuss looking forward to returning for another season with the Mullets and Coach Walby looked forward to him being a key player on the defense corps. Showcase tournaments through the season give players like Fuss to get noticed by college and university scouts, but the process got rushed a bit along the way. “I got contacted by the Head Coach at St. Scholastica and they told me they needed a right-handed defenseman, and I was the first person they contacted,” said Fuss. It turns out the Coach had watched a few hours of Mullets film and had a good idea of what the defenseman brought to the table. He just couldn’t pass up a chance to play for the MIAC school that had expressed a need for what he could bring.

“They said they were going to start talking to me this next year on the Mullets to play with them in the 2022-23 season and they were already on the list of schools I wanted to possibly play for. Some things happened and opened the door for me to come in and play a year early. My goal coming back was to play hockey for a Division 3 school and I felt like it was something I just couldn’t walk away from.” But there is another draw that plays an even bigger role. “On top of that, my brother is a senior at the school, playing for the hockey team and I thought it would be cool to play on a team with him. He is four years older than me so it always seemed like it would be impossible to ever play with him.” Fuss has been taking classes at Scholastica and will major in Business Management. His time with the Mullets and Coach Walby may have been brief, but Fuss said it played a huge role in helping him achieve his goal of playing college hockey. “If it wasn’t for Coach Walby, none of this would be happening. He took me and had confidence in me, knowing I had been away from the game for quite a while. “He told me he knew that I would be able to adjust and get back into it the right way. I will never forget what Coach Walby has done for me and I am very thankful.” The Mullets are also thankful for what Fuss brought to the team in the 2020-21 season and wish him luck with both his education and hockey career at St. Scholastica.

www.stateofhockey.com

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January 19, 2022

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January 19, 2022

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Know a youth hockey player who scored three goals or three assists in one game? Let us know for a chance to win gear from Let’s Play Hockey! E-mail the following information to editor@letsplayhockey.com: Player’s name, team name, level of play, opponent, date of game, # of goals/assists, final score, mailing address. Submitted hat tricks/playmakers are below. Two players each week will be randomly chosen to win a Let’s Play Hockey beanie from Northern Lids. PLAYER Madden Brown Madden Brown Owen Atkinson Ayden Althaus Jacob Lieser Joey Noble Austin Hill Luke Cleary Cole Anderson Cole Anderson Ayden Althaus Henry Benson Peyton Willette Max Dorenbos Luke Roehl Connor Hunter Owen Paulson Hoyt Johannes Aidan Lowery Alexis Wagner Alexis Wagner Alexis Wagner Landon Atkinson Oscar Gross Ella Hromatka Mari Tellijohn Kate Johnshoy Mari Tellijohn Addison Collins Ethan Ungelsbee Owen Paulson Landon Atkinson Evan Bretz Cole Pitzl Max Doorenbos Luke Roehl Max Doorenbos Jackson Jacobs Noah Och

TEAM Hopkins Hopkins Sartell North Shore Wayzata Yellow Wayzata Yellow Moorhead Orange Spring Lake Park North Shore North Shore North Shore Eden Prairie Inver Grove Heights Shakopee Wayzata Yellow Inver Grove Heights Monticello Sartell White Sartell White Andover Andover Andover Inver Grove Heights Inver Grove Heights River Valley Stars River Valley Stars River Valley Stars River Valley Stars River Valley Stars Inver Grove Heights Monticello Moose Inver Grove Heights Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Shakopee Wayzata Yellow Eden Prairie Mahtomedi Blue Mahtomedi Blue

LEVEL Peewee A Peewee A Squirt B1 Bantam B Bantam B2 Bantam B2 Bantam B Mites Bantam B Bantam B Bantam B Bantam B1 Squirt C Peewee B2 Bantam B2 Squirt C Squirt C Squirt B1 Squirt B1 12UB 12UB 12uB Squirt C Squirt C 12UB2 12UB2 12UB2 12UB2 12UB2 Bantam B1 Squirt C Squirt C Bantam B1 Bantam B1 Peewee B2 Bantam B2 Peewee B2 Squirt B2 Squirt B2

OPPONENT DATE Waconia 10-31-21 STMA 11-5-21 STMA 11-14-21 Proctor 11-9-21 Rogers 10-14-21 MPLS Grey 12-2-21 West Fargo Black 11-7-21 Cambridge 11-27-21 Monticello 12-4-21 Superior 12-4-21 Superior 12-4-21 New Prague 12-12-21 Two Rivers 12-12-21 Edina Black 12-17-21 MPLS White 12-18-21 Lakeville North 12-19-21 St. Cloud 1-2-22 Elk River 11-21-21 River Lakes 12-4-21 Coon Rapids/Champlin 12-4-21 MPC Blue 11-21-21 Wayzata 11-12-21 Eastview 12-14-21 Eastview 12-14-21 Eden Prairie 11-2-21 Edina 11-17-21 Edina 11-17-21 Bloomington 11-20-21 Minneapolis 11-26-21 Lakeville North 12-30-21 St. Cloud 1-2-22 Eastview 12-28-21 Shakopee 1-14-22 Shakopee 1-14-22 Mankato Black 1-14-22 MPLS White 12-18-21 Edina Black 12-17-21 Cottage Grove Black 12-3-21 Cottage Grove Black 12-3-21

G-A-PTS SCORE 3-0-3 3-1 4-1-5 10-4 3-2-5 5-0 1-5-6 8-1 1-3-4 7-0 0-3-3 6-3 3-1-4 8-1 7-3-10 25-7 1-3-4 7-6 5-1-6 9-3 0-6-6 9-3 3-1-4 7-6 3-1-4 5-5 0-3-3 5-3 0-3-3 5-2 3-0-3 11-0 3-0-3 10-3 3-0-3 5-2 3-0-3 5-1 3-0-3 8-2 3-0-3 5-5 3-0-3 6-1 3-0-3 8-1 3-1-4 8-1 3-1-4 9-0 4-0-4 6-1 0-4-4 8-1 0-3-3 9-2 3-0-3 8-0 3-0-3 4-6 3-0-3 3-10 6-0-6 9-3 3-0-3 6-1 3-2-5 6-1 1-3-4 7-1 0-3-3 6-2 0-3-3 5-3 0-3-3 7-2 0-3-3 7-2

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Know a goalie who posted a shutout? Let us know for a chance to win gear from Carroll Goalie School and Brian’s Custom Sports! E-mail the following information to editor@letsplayhockey.com: Goalie’s name, team name, level, opponent, shutout date, total saves, final score, mailing address Submitted shutouts are below. Goalies will be randomly chosen to win gear from Carroll Goalie School and/or Brian’s. GOALIE Keira Rose Keegan Kelsey Cooper Tate Gabe Burhite Owen Delmonico Grady Cartony Ayden Bednarek Ryan Pellinger Abby Massman Elias Tomaska Ivan Kelly Ivan Kelly Jarrett Servantez Parker Barnes Savannah Goodmanson Kendra Nordick Tanner Edstrom Johnny Abercrombie Abby Massmann Alexa Harrison Keira Rose James Sculthorp James Sculthorp Michael Ludins Kendra Nordick Gabe Burhite Nolan Wurm Nolan Wurm Sam Schoenbauer Abby Massmann Abigail Heisel Drew Otten Drew Otten Drew Otten Logan Abbott Logan Abbott Brogan Beaudette Jacob McCoy Sam Schoenbauer Dane Westrom HenryKong Jarrett Servantez Parker Barnes Henrik Pelto/ Zac Rauschendorfer Lauren Nuernberg Kendra Nordick Nash “Mr. Freeze” Freer Emma Sorenson Jacob Griffin Easton Louden Carter Puente Lance Olstadt Jori Jones Jori Jones Vincent Garofalo Chase Brown Abby Massmann Abby Massmann Abby Massmann Arianna Sakry Arianna Sakry Michael Ludins Keegan Kelsey Logan Avery JJ Ponce Ernie Drury Jack Bayer Lauren Nuernberg Lauren Nuernberg Chase Brown Trygve Golden-Lundquist Trygve Golden-Lundquist Trygve Golden-Lundquistt Britton Kinney Colton Whitney Dane Westom Henry Kong Owen Ungelsbee Gabe Burhite Sebastian Orr Sebastian Orr Sebastian Orr Tanner Edstrom Jona Deeleeuw Tanner Edstrom Blade Bruns Ruby Dekker Ethan Swan Jack Bayer Ruby Engquist Ruby Engquist Ellie Dwinnell

TEAM LEVEL Winona 12UB Prior Lake Squirt B1 Rosemount Peewee AA Cambridge-Isanti Bantam A Eagan Peewee A Mounds View/Irondale Bantam B1 Brainerd Bantam B1 Wayzata Bantam A Sauk Rapids Peewee B1 Woodbury Bantam B2 Apple Valley Squirt A Apple Valley Squirt A Mason City Peewee B STMA Peewee B1 Centennial/SLP 10UB2 Warroad Varsity HS White Bear Lake Orange Bantam B1 Chaska/Chanhassen Peewee A Sauk Rapids Peewee B1 North Shore Bantam B Winona 12UB Blaine Squirt A Blaine Squirt A Mounds View/Irondale Peewee C Warroad Varsity HS Cambridge-Isanti Bantam A Monticello Peewee A Sartell Peewee A Prior Lake Squirt B1 Sauk Rapids Peewee B1 Bloomington 12U Apple Valley/Burnsville Peewee A Apple Valley/Burnsville Peewee A Apple Valley/Burnsville Peewee A IGH/SSP Squirt B2 IGH/SSP Squirt B2 St. Paul Capitals Red Peewee C CCHA Junior Gold B Prior Lake Squirt B1

FINAL OPPONENT DATE SAVES SCORE Dodge County 10-24-21 21 3-0 Eagan 11-6-21 15 7-0 Lakeville South 11-9-21 10 5-0 Northern Edge 11-9-21 18 9-0 South St. Paul 11-10-21 16 5-0 Mahtomedi 11-7-21 27 3-0 Moorhead Orange 11-6-21 14 8-0 Luverne 11-13-21 12 4-0 St. Cloud 11-9-21 18 3-0 Minnetonka 11-12-21 25 0-0 East Metro 10-29-21 21 4-0 Northfield 11-14-21 15 3-0 Ames 10-23-21 19 8-0 St. Cloud 11-13-21 34 5-0 Anoka/Rogers 11-14-21 27 1-0 Proctor/Hermantown 11-13-21 14 1-0 Blaine 11-17-21 10 3-0 Sartell 11-14-21 NA 6-0 Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato 11-28-21 34 5-0 Moose Lake 11-28-21 26 3-0 Owatonna 11-21-21 15 1-0 Anoka 11-21-21 NA 8-0 Orono 11-28-21 NA 12-0 New Richmond 11-14-21 11 1-0 East Grand Forks 11-23-21 12 12-0 Woodbury 11-26-21 32 1-0 River Lakes 11-20-21 18 3-0 Sartell 11-21-21 10 11-0 Mounds View 11-27-21 4 10-0 Willmar 11-27-21 7 11-0 Apple Valley-Southside 11-28-21 7 10-0 Spring lake Park 10-29-21 15 5-0 Sartell AA 11-13-21 17 5-0 Virginia 11-28-21 16 5-0 Eastview 12-10-21 5 6-0 North Metro 12-2-21 6 7-0 Mahtomedi 11-20-21 8 11-0 Sartell 12-12-21 10 8-0 Shakopee 12-12-21 11 6-0

STMA Gold Peewee B2 Mason City Peewee B St. Michael-Albertville Peewee

Hutchinson Chesterfield MO St. Cloud

11-27-21 12-12-21 11-13-21

5/5 16 34

9-0 6-0 5-0

White Bear Lake Black Anoka/Rogers Warroad Mahtomedi Blue North Wright County Wayzata Yellow Pine City New Prague Osseo-Maple Grove Roseville Roseville Farmington Black Inver Grove Heights Sauk Rapids Storm Sauk Rapids Storm Sauk Rapids Storm Riverhawks White Riverhawks White Mounds View/Irondale Prior Lake Shakopee Shakopee Eagan River Lakes Stars Anoka-Rogers Anoka-Rogers Inver Grove Heights Roseville Roseville Roseville Red Wing Blaine

Squirt B1 10UA Varsity HS Squirt B2 10UB Bantam B2 Squirt B1 Varsity HS Squirt B2 Varsity HS Varsity HS Peewee C Squirt C Peewee B1 Peewee B1 Peewee B1 10UB 10UB Peewee C Squirt B1 Peewee A Peewee B2 Peewee A Squirt A 10UA 10UA Squirt C Squirt B2 Squirt B2 Squirt B2 Peewee B2 Squirt B

Dodge County 11-20-21 Blaine 11-28-21 South St. Paul 12-3-21 Alexandria Black 12-5-21 Buffalo 12-5-21 Rogers 12-14-21 St. Louis Park 12-4-21 Faribault 12-11-21 Armstrong/Cooper 12-12-21 Forest Lake 12-1-21 Irondale 12-7-21 Edgecumbe Green 12-12-21 Rosemount Gold 10-11-21 LDC 11-28-21 Buffalo 12-4-21 Willmar 12-19-21 Rosemount 12-4-21 Riverhawks 12-19-21 East Metro Gold 12-16-21 Eden Prairie 12-14-21 Minnetonka 12-15-21 Jefferson White 11-1-21 West St. Paul 12-29-21 Monticello 1-2-22 Elk River 12-8-21 Andover 12-19-21 Lakeville North 12-19-21 Mounds View/Irondale 12-11-21 New Richmond 12-16-21 Mounds View/Irondale Gold 12-19-21 Cottage Grove 12-18-22 Andover 1-2-22

17 11 15 14 12 10 NA 28 NA 22 13 15 24 34 6 12 1 3 18 16 13 NA 18 15 5 10 12 18 15 13 38 21

8-0 3-0 6-0 1-0 3-0 7-0 13-0 6-0 2-0 2-0 10-0 1-0 4-0 5-0 7-0 6-0 6-0 3-0 0-0 3-0 6-0 8-0 2-0 2-0 8-0 2-0 11-0 3-0 2-0 2-0 4-0 8-0

STMA Gold Inver Grove Heights Cambridge-Isanti Edina Green Edina Green Edina Green White Bear Lake Cambridge-Isanti White Bear Lake Rochester White Edina Monticello River Lakes Andover Andover Riverhawks

Peewee B2 Bantam B1 Bantam A Squirt C Squirt C Squirt C Bantam B1 Peewee B1 Bantam B1 Squirt B 10UB Squirt C Squirt A 12UB 12UB 12UA

Hutchinson Sibley Area Northern Edge MVI Green Eden Prairie Red Minnetonka Black Hastings Menomonie (PWA) Black River Falls Des Moines Waconia Sauk Rapids Monticello Proctor/Hermantown Anoka/Rogers Farmington

7 42 12 14 12 6 18 11 4 21 10 16 15 NA 5 21

7-0 2-0 8-0 6-0 4-0 6-0 4-0 5-0 8-0 1-0 3-0 3-0 2-0 6-0 12-0 3-0

1-16-22 12-5-22 1-8-22 1-9-22 11-28-21 12-1-21 1-9-22 1-8-22 1-15-22 12-19-21 1-12-22 1-15-22 1-2-22 11-12-21 12-1-22 11-19-21

www.stateofhockey.com

January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

River Valley 12U B1 takes thirdin Blaine

Chaska/Chanhassen 10U A wins Fargo tournament

For the second straight week, the Chaska/Chanhassen 10U A team is a tournament champion. On Jan. 7-9 in Fargo, the Stormhawks claimed first place at the SCHEELS Girls International, going 5-0 and outscoring their opponents 45-4. CC went 3-0 in pool play, defeating Roseville 8-1, Moorhead 9-1 and Lakeville 9-2. In bracket play, the Stormhawks posted a pair of convincing shutout wins, blanking Blaine 14-0 and Fargo Freeze 5-0 to capture the team’s second championship of the season.

Players: Ellie Brackett, Zoey Charbonneau, Cassie Holie, Sydney Kerkman, Kennedy Malmberg, Jenna Mertz, Sonja Molin, Avin Schumacher, Libbey Shinnick, Ava Simon, Addisyn Stevens, Mari Sullivan, London Thiele, Vera Wright. Head Coach Dan Charbonneau. Assistant Coaches: Al Kerkman, Allison Mertz, Ryan Sullivan.

River Valley 12U B1 (a co-op team from Chaska/Chanhassen and Shakopee) posted a 3-1 record en route to a third-place finish at the Super Rink Spectacular New Year’s Tournament in Blaine on Jan. 7-9. The Stars opened pool play with a 4-2 win over Cottage Grove before a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the St. Paul Capitals. River Valley rebounded the next day with a 3-1 victory over a solid Stillwater Black team to earn the No. 3 seed. In the final game, River Valley shut out the Illinois-based Glenview Stars 4-0 to take home the third-place hardware.

CCHA Squirt B2 Gold wins Grand Forks Classic

CCHA Bantam B2 Purple wins championship in New Ulm

Back row (l-r): Head Coach Mike Erickson, Ethan Carlson, Oliver Pearson, Assistant Coach Sam Rasmusen, Drake Jones, Nolan Young, Nathan Stoa, Assistant Coach Andy Arnold, Assistant Coach Kevin Vetsch. Front row (l-r): Beckett Wigen, Prescott Pierce, Griffin Erickson, Brady Davis, Ben Luehne, Tommy Reichert, Nolan Vetsch, Kyler Rasmusen, Cade Kennedy. Goalies (l-r): Crosby Arnold and Connor Schuettpelz

Front row (l-r): Mikey Parrington, Jon Parrington. Middle row (l-r): Gavin Harvey, Tommy Hawley, Christian Greer, Kieran Kurtt, Sam Swanson. Back row (l-r): Co-Head Coach Mike Mancini, Ryan Spalding, Colby Stewart, Colten Kinneman, Dominic Donato, Parker Mancini, Dawson Perry, James Guillemette, Co-Head Coach Joe Donato, Assistant Coach: Tom Hawley.

Chaska/Chanhassen Squirt B2 Gold took top honors at the Grand Forks Classic Squirt Tournament on Jan. 14-16, out-scoring opponents 24-5 in five games. The Stormhawks were undefeated in the tournament, beating Langdon (ND) 5-2, Bismarck 6-0, Grand Forks White 8-1, Bemidji Red 2-1 and Rosemount 3-1. It was a great all-around effort, with solid performances on offense, defense and goaltending.

33rd Annual

MARCH 11-12, 2022

Chaska/Chanhassen Bantam B2 Purple captured the championship of the New Ulm/Sleepy Eye Hockey Tournament on Jan. 14-16, with a 4-0 record. The Stormhawks cruised in pool play, routing Andover 8-0 and Champlin Park 13-0 before facing stiffer competition in bracket play. In the semis vs. Roseville, Purple rallied with a third period goal by Dawson Perry to tie the game at 1-1 and send it into overtime. After a scoreless extra session, CC prevailed in a seven-round shootout - backstopped by goalie Jon Parrington - to earn a spot in the title game. Against Owatonna, the Stormhawks built a 2-0 lead before the Huskies scored early in the third to make for a tense final 13 minutes. Goalie Mikey Parrington and the CC defense held strong to give Purple their first championship of the season with a 2-1 victory.

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January 19, 2022

www.stateofhockey.com

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.

JANUARY 2022 21-23 Albert Lea, MN: Squirt B & C Tournament. Contact Darcy at dbhauser92@gmail.com. Register at albertlea.pucksystems2.com 21-23 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Hockey Tournament. 15UA & 15UB. Contact Claire Dutton at bigoletournament@gmail.com. Register at www.alexhockey.org 21-23 Bemidji, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org 21-23 Brainerd, MN: 10UB Tournament. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com 21-23 Brookings, SD: Mite A & B Tournament. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 21-23 Cloquet, MN: PeeWee AA-A Tournament. Contact cloquethockey@hotmail.com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 21-23 Cottage Grove, MN: Skating with the Wolves. B2 Squirts, 10B1, 10B2. Contact Sheila Bellinger (651) 295-3408 or tournaments@cghockey. com. Register at CGhockey.com/tournaments 21-23 Duluth, MN: Skate on the Edge Tournament. Squirt B. Register at Duluthhockey.com 21-23 Fairmont, MN: Mites Jamboree. Contact James Draper (605) 251-8704 or jamesdr88@gmail. com. Register at https://fairmont.pucksystems2.com 21-23 Grand Rapids, MN: Squirt A Tournament. Contact Colleen Brennan at grhockey55744@yahoo. com. Register online at grhockey.com 21-23 Hermantown, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Amber Olson (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 21-23 Lakeville, MN: Panther Classic. PeeWee B1. Contact Bob Smith (651) 303-5431 or tournamentdirector@lakevillehockey.org. www.lakevillehockey.org 21-23 Minneapolis, MN: U10B and, U12B, Tournament. Info/registration at www.mplshockey.com 21-23 Monticello, MN: Iceberg Classic. Squirt B & C. Contact Sean Lawrance (612) 290-8547 or email moosehockeytournaments@gmail.com. www.mooseyouthhockey.org 21-23 Mora, MN: Mustang Showdown. Squirt

B2/C. Contact Cristy Thomas at morahockey@yahoo. com or 612-390-5790. Visit www.mayrasports.com. 21-23 New Ulm, MN: Squirt B & Squirt C Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. Register at https://newulm. pucksystems2.com 21-23 Owatonna, MN: Squirt A & B Tournament. Contact Dewey Beckel (507) 676-0369 or tournamentdirector@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 21-23 Proctor, MN: Bantam A Tournament. Contact Carl Burke (218) 393-2220 or pahatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 21-23 Richmond, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact Crystal (320) 309-6419 or riverlakestourneys@gmail.com. Register at www.riverlakeshockey. com 21-23 River Falls, WI: Squirt A(WI)/B(MN) and B(WI)/C(MN) and C(WI or equiv). Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls. pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 21-23 Rochester, MN: Bantam B1 & B2 Tournament. Email Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo. com. Registration opens July 1at RYHA.net 21-23 St. Michael-Albertville, MN: Riverhawks Rumble Girls Tournament. Girls U10B, Girls U12B2. Contact Aaron Levin (763) 412-8874 or tournaments@stmayha.org 21-23 St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Heartbreaker Tournament. Girls 10U A & B, Girls 12U B. Register at StPaulCapitalsHockey.com 21-23 Thief River Falls, MN: Showdown PeeWee B Tournament. Register at www.trfaha.org 21-23 Two Harbors, MN: Girls 10U. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@gmail.com or 218-834-8339. www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org. 21-23 Wayzata, MN: Jr Gold Classic. Junior Gold B, 16U. Contact tournaments@wayzatahockey. org. Register at https://www.wayzatahockey.org/page/ show/424814-tournament-info 21-23 Willmar, MN: PeeWee A & B2 Tournament. Contact Joe Wisocki (559) 213-3683 or jwisocki@pga.com. Register at www.willmarhockey.com 21-23 Worthington, MN: Girls 10U/12U Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 22-23 Brookings, SD: PeeWee A & B Tournament. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 22-23 Greenway, MN. Darrell Leen Memorial Mini Mie Jamboree. Contact Katie Sertich at 218256-5388 or at tournaments@gahamn.org. Register at www.gahamn.org. 22-23 Silver Bay, MN: Termite Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 23 Winona, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Jason Pericak at jpericak@gmail.com. Register at www. winona.pucksystems2.com 28-30 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Hockey Tournament. Squirt A & Squirt C. Contact Claire Dutton at bigoletournament@gmail.com. Register at www.alexhockey.org 28-30 Austin, MN: Chris Fischer Memorial Bantams Tournament. Contact Marty Clennon (319) 2306065 or ayha.tournaments@gmail.com. Register at https://austin.pucksystems2.com 28-30 Bemidji, MN: Squirt B1 & B2 Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org 28-30 Brainerd, MN: 10UB Tournament. Register at www.brainerdhockey.com 28-30 Cloquet, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament. Contact cloquethockey@hotmail.com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 28-30 Detroit Lakes, MN: 10,000 Lakes Invitational. PeeWee B/B2. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 234-9193, (218) 234-5068 or abbypettit80@ gmail.com. https://www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/ show/203545-dlyhatournament-information 28-30 Duluth, MN: Zenith City Invitational. Bantam B2 & PeeWee B2. Register at Duluthhockey.com 28-30 Fairmont, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact James Draper (605) 251-8704 or jamesdr88@ gmail.com. Register at https://fairmont.pucksystems2. com 28-30 Grand Rapids, MN: PeeWee A/AA

Tournament. Contact Colleen Brennan at grhockey55744@yahoo.com. Register online at grhockey. com 28-30 Greenway, MN. Buzz Guyer Memorial Bantam B. Contact Katie Sertich at 218-256-5388 or at tournaments@gahamn.org. Register at www.gahamn.org. 28-30 Hermantown, MN: PeeWee AA Tournament. Contact Amber Olson (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 28-30 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN: PeeWee B2 Tournament. Contact JR Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www. hcyha.org/tournaments 28-30 Hutchinson, MN: Bantam A & B Tournament. Contact Caleb Paulson at (320) 292-4512 or Caleb.M.Paulson@wellsfargo.com. Register at www. hutchhockey.org 28-30 Lakeland, MN: Jim Foley Outdoor Classic. Squirt C. Contact Bob Bohn at rbohn0005@gmail. com or at 651-274-5287. Visit https://www.smphockey.org/page/show/1371310-jim-foley-outdoor-squirtc-classic. 28-30 Mason City, IA. J2K Memorial. Bantam A&B. Contact Ashley at mchockeytournament@ gmail.com,. Register at www.mcmowhawkhockey. com. 28-30 Moorhead, MN: Girls 15UA & 15UB Tournament. Register at www.moorheadyouthhockey. com/tournaments 28-30 Mora, MN: Mustang Showdown. Girls 12UB. Contact Cristy Thomas at morahockey@yahoo.com or 612-390-5790. Visit www.mayrasports. com. 28-30 New Ulm, MN: Girls 10UB/12UB Tournament. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail.com. Register at https://newulm. pucksystems2.com 28-30 New Richmond, WI: Cally Briggs Memorial. Girls 12UB/10UB. Contact Barry Cunningham at tournaments@nryha.net or 651-283-0072. www.nryha.net. 28-30 Paynesville, MN: 12UA Tournament. Contact Crystal (320) 309-6419 or riverlakestourneys@ gmail.com. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com 28-30 Proctor, MN: Squirt A Tournament. Contact Carl Burke (218) 393-2220 or pahatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 28-30 Richmond, MN: 10UA Tournament. Contact Crystal (320) 309-6419 or riverlakestourneys@ gmail.com. Register at www.riverlakeshockey.com 28-30 River Falls, WI: PeeWee C Tournament. Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/ show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 28-30 Rochester, MN: Shannon Cup Girls Weekend Tournament. Girls 10U, 12U, 15U. Email Rob Cothern at robertcothern@yahoo.com. Registration opens July 1at RYHA.net 28-30 Sioux Falls, SD: Sioux Falls Flyers Challenger Tournament Series. PeeWee A & B Tournament. Contact Amanda Smith (605) 359-8354 or amanda.smith@sfflyers.com. Register at www.siouxfallsflyers.com 28-30 Walker, MN: City on the Bay Hockey Tournament. Squirt B2. Contact Mitch Loomis at loomis@ shoresofleechlake.com 28-30 Warroad, MN: PeeWee A Tournament. Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@ gmail.com. Visit warroadhockey.com 28-30 Worthington, MN: Mite/Mini Mite Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 29-30 Silver Bay, MN: Girls 10UB Tournament. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.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

FEBRUARY 2022 3-6 Bloomington, MN: Cupid Classic. 12UB1, 12UB2, 10UA, 10UB1, 10UB2. Email bahatourneys@ gmail.com. Register at www.bloomingtonhockey.com 3-6 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Madness. PeeWee C, Squirt C. Contact Shelly Heggestad at tournaments@ephockey.com. Register at ephockey.com/ tournament 3-6 Edina, MN: Bob O’Connor Tournament. Bantam B2, Bantam C, PeeWee B2, PeeWee C, Squirt B2, Squirt C. Contact tournaments@edinahockey.org. www.edinatourney.com 4-6 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Hockey Tournament. PeeWee A. Contact Claire Dutton at bigoletournament@gmail.com. Register at www.alexhockey.org 4-6 Bemidji, MN: Squirt C Tournament. Register at bemidjiyouthhockey.org 4-6 Brookings, SD: Girls 19U A Tournament. Contact tournamentdirector@brookingsrangers.com. Register at www.brookingsrangers.com 4-6 Cloquet, MN: Girls 12UA & 12UB Tournament. Contact cloquethockey@hotmail.com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 4-6 Detroit Lakes, MN: Polar Fest Freeze Invite. U12B. Contact Troy & Abby Pettit (218) 234-9193, (218) 234-5068 or abbypettit80@gmail.com. https:// www.dlyouthhockey.com/page/show/203545-dlyhatournament-information 4-6 Duluth, MN: Duluth Jr. Gold B Tournament. Register at Duluthhockey.com 4-6 Eveleth, MN: 11th Annual “U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame” Squirt Tournament. Contact egyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.evelethyouthhockey.com 4-6 Grand Rapids, MN: Squirt B2 Tournament. Contact Colleen Brennan at grhockey55744@ yahoo.com. Register online at grhockey.com 4-6 Hermantown, MN: Bantam B2 Tournament. Contact Amber Olson (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 4-6 Hibbing-Chisholm, MN: Mite Jamboree (Half Ice) and Mini-Mite Jamboree. Contact JR Albrecht at hibbingchisholmyouthhockey@gmail.com. Register at www.hcyha.org/tournaments 4-6 Inver Grove Heights, MN: Squirts B1/C Tournament. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www.ighha.org 4-6 Lakeville, MN: Cougar Classic. Bantam B1. Contact Bob Smith (651) 303-5431 or tournamentdirector@lakevillehockey.org. www.lakevillehockey.org 4-6 Mankato, MN: Squirt C Tournament. Contact Jenny Pierskalla at mankatotcr58@gmail.com. Register at www.mankatohockey.com 4-6 Marshall, MN: Squadron Classic. Squirt A & B. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 248-4445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register at https://marshall. pucksystems2.com 4-6 Moorhead, MN: Girls 12UA & PeeWee AA Tournament. Register at www.moorheadyouthhockey. com/tournaments 4-6 New Hope, MN: 35th Annual New Hope Invitational. Peewee A & Bantam A. Contact Susie Melynchuk at smelynchuk@comcast.net. www.armstrongcooperhockey.org 4-6 Proctor, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Carl Burke (218) 393-2220 or pahatournaments@ gmail.com. Register at www.proctorhockey.com 4-6 Thief River Falls, MN: Girls 10UB Meltdown and Girls 12UB T.R. Freezeout Tournament. Register at www.trfaha.org 4-6 Two Harbors, MN: Peewee B1. Contact Jesse Lundgren at thyouthhockey@gmail.com or 218-834-8339. www.twoharborsyouthhockey.org. 4-6 Virginia, MN: Iron Range Classic. PeeWee A. Contact Chrissy Bartovich at cbartovich@ hotmail.com. Register at virginiabluedevilhockey.com 4-6 Warroad, MN: Squirt A Tournament. Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@ gmail.com. Visit warroadhockey.com 4-6 Willmar, MN: Squirt A & B2 Tournament. Contact Joe Wisocki (559) 213-3683 or jwisocki@ pga.com. Register at www.willmarhockey.com

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January 19, 2022

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR powered by America ’s No. 1 Hockey Newspaper! 4-6 Winona, MN: PeeWee B Tournament. Contact Jason Pericak at jpericak@gmail.com. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2.com 4-6 Worthington, MN: PeeWee A/B Tournament. Contact Charley Ahlers (507) 360-7183 or cahlers727@hotmail.com. Register at www.worthingtonhockey.com 5-6 Silver Bay, MN: Squirt B Tournament. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 5-6 New Ulm, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Alissa Griebel (507) 276-5612 or bagriebel12@gmail. com. Register at https://newulm.pucksystems2.com 11-12 Hermantown, MN: Mite I Jamboree. Contact Amber Olson (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@ isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 11-13 Duluth, MN: Blades of Steel Tournament. Squirt B. Register at Duluthhockey.com 11-13 Moorhead, MN: Bantam B & Junior Gold B Tournament. Register at www.moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 11-13 River Falls, WI: Bantam B(WI)/C(MN) Tournament. Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail. com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/ page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 11-13 Warroad, MN: Girls 10UA Tournament. Contact Robin Marvin (218) 452-0185 or rmarvin05@ gmail.com. Visit warroadhockey.com 13-14 Cloquet, MN: Mite 1 & Mite 2 Jamboree. Contact cloquethockey@hotmail.com. Register at www.cloquethockey.org 17-20 Eden Prairie, MN: Prairie Meltdown. 10U A, 10U B2. Contact Shelly Heggestad at tournaments@ephockey.com. Register at ephockey.com/ tournament 18-20 Alexandria, MN: Big Ole Hockey Tournament. Mite Jamboree. For questions and registration contact Matt Anderson at mattwanderson.16@gmail. com 18-20 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 18-20 Duluth, MN: DAHA Mite 1 Jamboree. Register at Duluthhockey.com

18-20 Eveleth, MN: 26th Annual “Nick Vincent Memorial” Mite Jamboree. Contact egyouthhockey@ gmail.com. Register at www.evelethyouthhockey.com 18-20 Grand Rapids, MN: 10U B2 Tournament. Contact Colleen Brennan at grhockey55744@yahoo. com. Register online at grhockey.com 18-20 Hermantown, MN: Mite II Jamboree. Contact Amber Olson (218) 729-5493 or hawkdome@ isd700.org. www.hermantownhockey.com 18-20 River Falls, WI: Bantam A(WI)/B(MN) Tournament. Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail. com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/ page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 18-20 Somerset, WI: Somerset International Invitational Jr. Gold. Jr. Gold 16 Midget/Jr. Gold B. Email tournamentdirector@somersethockey.com. Register at www.somersethockey.com 18-20 Virginia, MN: Erik Marwick Tourney. Squirt B. Contact Chrissy Bartovich at cbartovich@hotmail. com. Register at virginiabluedevilhockey.com 18-20 Winona, MN: PeeWee C Tournament. Contact Jason Pericak at jpericak@gmail.com. Register at www.winona.pucksystems2.com 19-20 New Richmond, WI: Mite/Mini Mite Invitational. Contact Anna Bankoski at mnitehockey_nr@ yahoo.com. Visit www.nryha.net.

25-27 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 25-27 Moorhead, MN: Bantam C & PeeWee Tournament. Register at www.moorheadyouthhockey.com/tournaments 25-27 Owatonna, MN: Squirt C & PeeWee C Tournament. Contact Dewey Beckel (507) 676-0369 or tournamentdirector@owatonnahockey.com. Register at www.owatonnahockey.com 26-27 Greenway, MN. Mite Jamboree. Contact Katie Sertich at 218-256-5388 or at tournaments@gahamn.org. Register at www.

gahamn.org. 26-27 Inver Grove Heights, MN: U8 Jamboree. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www. ighha.org

at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/ show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 25-27 Somerset, WI: Senior Men’s No Check.Contact dgilkerson@somersethockey. com April 2022

MARCH 2022 4-6 Marshall, MN: Tiger Classic. Mites & Mini-Mites. Contact Christian Guenther (573) 248-4445 or guenthercg@gmail.com. Register at https://marshall.pucksystems2.com 5-6 Inver Grove Heights, MN: Mite Jamboree. Contact Kari Miller (612) 309-1923 or ighhatourney@gmail.com. Register at www. ighha.org 5-6 Silver Bay, MN: Mite 1 Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www. silverbayhockey.com 11-13 Barron, WI. Squirt B: – 4A/3A/2B/1C. MN - C (or equivalent). Contact Mark Bell at bellmc78@hotmail.com or 715-205-7903. 11-13 River Falls, WI: Mites Shamrock Shootout. Levels 3 and 4. Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register at https://riverfalls.pucksystems.com/page/show/31208-rfyha-tournament-information 12-13 Silver Bay, MN: Mite 2 Full-Ice Jamboree. Contact Lisa (218) 226-8570. Register at www.silverbayhockey.com 25-27 River Falls, WI: Bantam A(WI)/ B(MN) and B(WI)/C(MN) Tournament. Email: rfyha.tournament.reg@gmail.com. Register

August 12-14, 2022

22-24 St. Paul, MN (Tria Rink): Elite Hockey Player Invite. Boys 16U, Boys 2008, Boys 2009, Boys 2010, Boys 2011, Boys 2012, Boys 2013. Contaft Dipen Mehta at tournaments@elitehockeyplayer.com or 612-842-1372. Visit www.elitehockleyplayer.com.

August 2022 12-14 Southwest Metro - Victoria/Chaska: Buck Opener. AAA Boys 2008, Boys 2009, Boys 2010, Boys 2011, Boys 2012, Boys 2013. Girls U10/ U8. Registr at www.breakawayhockey.net/page/ show/807407-tournaments 12-14 Fargo, ND (Scheel’s Arena): Elite Hockey Player Invite. Boys 16U, Boys 2008, Boys 2009, Boys 2010, Boys 2011, Boys 2012, Boys 2013. Contaft Dipen Mehta at tournaments@elitehockeyplayer.com or 612-842-1372. Visit www.elitehockleyplayer.com.

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

SouthWest Metro

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January 19, 2022

Let’s Play Hockey

When nobody wins

by DAN BAUER

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

It happens every season in rinks all across the nation; it is the blowout, the lopsided victory, the mismatch that should not have been scheduled. Angry and embarrassed coaches meet at center ice and exchange hostile remarks instead of respectful handshakes. I have been firmly on both sides of these debacles in my career and quite frankly I don’t enjoy either. “How could you do this, I hope your happy with your win, what goes around comes around,” are some of the more common ventings I have heard and considered myself. While I don’t expect any coach to be happy following one of these defeats, I do expect them to recognize when a team has called off the dogs and when a team has poured it on. Painting every double digit loss with the same brush is inexcusable. Coaches need to develop their own personal philosophy when it comes to these titanic mismatches. Former SPASH head coach Jack Stoskopf would seldom rein in the horses based on his philosophy that his best players shouldn’t be penalized for being good. Legendary football coach Lou Holtz tells the story of getting routed by his friend Bobby Bowden, 41-7, with the starters putting up the final touchdown. After the game Holtz expressed his great disappointment to his friend Bowden for scoring that final touchdown. Bowden’s reply, “Lou, it’s your job to keep the score down, not mine. You can only coach one team and that’s yours. You can’t coach yours and mine. If you don’t want to get beat badly, get better athletes, coach better, or change the schedule.” At the collegiate or professional level Bowden’s assessment is right on the mark. At the high school or youth ranks there is a vastly different set of circumstances, but the fact remains that these inequitable contests are unavoidable. The debate really centers on what is the sportsmanlike way to beat an undeniably inferior opponent? Some-

times holding the score down can be as challenging as trying to score is for the other team. The question then becomes, are attempts to keep the score down more or less embarrassing than the actual score? I have watched as teams were strictly instructed to not shoot and have witnessed teams dumping the puck in, retrieving it, passing it back to the neutral zone and repeating the process again and again. When the talent gap is enormous I will argue that there is no humane solution – other than to not play the game. As a coach it is difficult to tell 3rd or 4th line players not to score. These are often players who might get limited ice time in close games and now when they have a chance to play they are instructed to lay back. I have watched teams not celebrate after they score, intentionally lose face-offs and back in to let opponents get a scoring chance. In nearly all situations, winning coaches are berated and chastised for their strategy, no matter what it is. Starring up at a skewed scoreboard brings out the worst in nearly all of us. It is truly a no-win situation. Sometimes these types of games can be predicted; sometimes they come as a surprise. I remember one of the surprise variety and after doing what I thought was a good job of holding the score down, I was ripped following the game by the opposing coaches. I

was caught completely off guard by their comments and perception of what had just transpired. I love the handshake tradition that is engrained in the hockey culture. Watching the NHL teams sincerely exchange handshakes is one of professional sport’s greatest moments. It is a stark contrast to the NFL and the past escapades of the likes of Richard Sherman or the recent fly-by handshake between Matt LaFleur and his friend Kyle Shanahan. Poor (make that bad) sportsmanship should never be rationalized at any level of play. Regrettably I have had my own disappointing outbursts, mostly as a young coach too worried about his win-loss record. After forty-plus years of watching and participating in those handshake lines as a youth and high school coach I often wonder if that tradition should be reserved for those teams of more experience and maturity. While its intent at the amateur level is honorable, it is often the spark plug of unpleasant exchanges between coaches and disrespectful comments between players. Dragging your gloves past each other isn’t a handshake or a meaningful gesture of mutual respect. To me it is a waste of time and an unintended insult to the tradition. We all would like solutions for the things that ail our sports. Perhaps opposing coaches should

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meet following the end of the first period, when the obvious mismatch has been established and decide on the preferred strategy for finishing the game. It is irresponsible as a head coach to have an unbridled approach to this situation. The recent 92-4 score in a girls’ basketball game in Connecticut is a prime example. While I don’t believe humiliating defeats will scar us for life, they do nothing to support the sportsmanship and respect for opponents we speak so highly of in athletics. Not even a political strategist can spin these debacles into a positive. I think we have all experienced that moment when our best wasn’t nearly good enough. It is a humbling and frustrating moment that is difficult to embrace. Faulting and blaming someone for being good, for excelling at their craft, seems to be the wrong response no matter what the circumstance. Some will argue there is benefit to getting your lunch handed to you via a blowout and with more mature players that may be true. For those youngsters still trying to decide if this game is fun or not I think it can be an unproductive and deflating experience. Ice cream usually helps. Every amateur coach will find himself in this predicament at some point in their career. It is paramount that you have a strategy to hold down the score – humiliation is not a lesson you want to orchestrate. I am sorry to say that I have been the lamentable engineer of some cakewalks. And when your team is on the wrong end, chalk it up to fate and hold your tongue in the handshake line. Emotionally charged comments in the heat of battle are always regrettable and swallowing your pride tastes better than the lingering bitterness of a regretful comment. One team will skate away with a win, but when the scoreboard reads 10-0, nobody wins. Dan Bauer is a free-lance writer, retired teacher & hockey coach in Wausau, WI. You can contact him at drbauer13@gmail.com

Governance, Officiating, DEI Highlight USA Hockey Winter Meeting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Governance, officiating, and diversity, equity and inclusion were among the prominent topics at USA Hockey’s Winter Meeting, which took place over four days last week in Orlando and virtually via Zoom. “It was great to have our volunteer leaders from around the country and our staff back together for what was our first major in-person meeting in two years,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “We covered a lot of ground and it was encouraging to see that our participation numbers have recovered more quickly than we had anticipated from pre-pandemic numbers.” Kelleher noted that as of the Winter Meeting, overall participation numbers were down by approximately four percent from 2019-20 numbers and he was hopeful that gap would continue to close throughout the rest of the 2021-22 season.

GOVERNANCE The overall governance of USA Hockey was a significant topic of con-

versation as USA Hockey moves forward in modifying its structure to comply with requirements from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. “Through the work of our governance reform task force, and the input of those across our organization, we’ve made significant progress in moving to a governance structure that meets the requirements of the USOPC and ensures the involvement of the broad constituency that has helped make USA Hockey the world-leading organization it is,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. “This has been an enormous undertaking, and at our Annual Congress in June, our Board will formalize a final way forward.” OFFICIATING A blue-ribbon task force appointed by Trimboli and chaired by Keith Barrett, vice president of USA Hockey and chair of the organization’s Youth Council, was appointed earlier this season and has been meeting weekly to discuss significant issues around officiating, particularly related to the lack of necessary officials overall

nationally. The task force presented an update to Winter Meeting attendees and discussed opportunities to help turn the tide on diminishing numbers. “We’re at the outset of this effort, but some good work has been done already,” said Trimboli. “I’m encouraged by some of the ideas brought forward. The issues we’re facing relative to officiating are similar to many other youth sports and this will continue to be a focus for us.” DEI

On-going efforts related to diversity, equity and inclusion were prominent among discussions throughout USA Hockey councils, committees and sections. A panel on the importance of race relations was part of a Town Hall session that included Bill Proudman, CEO of White Men as Full Diversity Partners; Stephanie Jackson, USA Hockey’s director of diversity and inclusion; Kelleher; and Donna Guariglia, chair of USA Hockey’s diversity and inclusion committee and treasurer of USA Hockey.

“We’re continuing to take intentional steps to help us all better understand differences and build an overall more welcoming and inclusive environment in our sport,” said Kelleher. “Ultimately, we all want hockey to be the best sports opportunity for families in every community in our country.” NOTES: Trimboli presented President’s Awards to Bill McCall (Crown Point, Ind.) from the coaching education section; Donna Guariglia (Morristown, N.J.), treasurer of USA Hockey; Madison Brown (Niagara Falls, N.Y.), USA Hockey’s manager of events; and Kelly Mahncke (Colorado Springs, Colo.), assistant executive director of finance for USA Hockey ... With the 2022 Olympics and Paralympics coming in February and March, Mike “Doc” Emrick moderated a discussion with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic general managers Katie Million (women), John Vanbiesbrouck (men) and Dan Brennan (Paralympic sled).

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January 19, 2022

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January 19, 2022

Rankings presented by

Rankings are conducted by polling high school coaches

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CLASS AA TEAM 1. Andover 2. Cretin-Derham Hall 3. Roseau 4. Hill-Murray 5. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 6. Edina 7. Centennial 8. Moorhead 9. Grand Rapids 10. Lakeville South 11. Maple Grove 12. Wayzata 13. St. Thomas Academy 14. Eden Prairie 15. Minnetonka 16. Lakeville North 17. Chaska 18. Rogers 19. Stillwater 20. Rosemount

RECORD 13-2-1 14-3-0 13-2-0 12-3-0 10-4-0 10-5-0 11-2-0 13-5-0 13-3-0 10-3-0 9-5-1 9-5-1 10-7-0 9-6-0 8-5-1 11-2-0 9-5-0 10-6-1 10-5-0 9-5-0

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

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CLASS A TEAM 1. Hermantown 2. Warroad 3. Mahtomedi 4. Duluth Denfeld 5. Little Falls 6. Minneapolis 7. Delano/Rockford 8. Alexandria 9. Fergus Falls 10. Detroit Lakes 11. Simley 12. Providence Academy 13. St. Cloud Cathedral 14. East Grand Forks 15. Orono 16. Southwest Christian/Richfield 17. Chisago Lakes 18. Albert Lea 19. Mankato East/Loyola 20. Cambridge-Isanti

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RECORD 14-1-0 15-1-0 7-7-1 12-4-0 15-1-0 11-3-1 10-5-0 8-5-1 10-5-0 10-4-0 11-6-0 13-3-1 9-7-0 5-9-0 7-9-1 8-6-1 10-3-1 10-3-0 10-5-0 12-2-0

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

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CLASS AA TEAM 1. Andover 2. Edina 3. Lakeville South 4. Minnetonka 5. Holy Family 6. Maple Grove 7. Rogers 8. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 9. Wayzata 10. Rosemount 11. Hill-Murray 12. Cretin-Derham Hall 13. Blake 14. Gentry Academy 15. Roseville Area 16. Centennial/Spring Lake Park 17. North Wright County 18. Alexandria 19. Blaine 20. Brainerd/Little Falls

RECORD 18-0-0 17-1-0 18-1-0 15-4-0 15-3-1 12-5-2 14-4-2 11-5-1 13-6-1 13-4-0 12-8-0 13-4-2 9-7-0 12-6-0 14-7-2 12-7-1 12-7-1 8-7-1 9-8-1 12-8-0

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

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CLASS A TEAM 1. Warroad 2. Orono 3. Proctor/Hermantown 4. Mound Westonka 5. Academy of Holy Angels 6. Simley 7. Fergus Falls 8. Duluth Marshall 9. Luverne 10. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 11. Moose Lake Area 12. South St. Paul 13. New Ulm 14. Chisago Lakes Area 15. Minnehaha United 16. Two Rivers/St. Paul 17. Delano/Rockford 18. Mankato East/Loyola 19. River Lakes 20. Crookston

RECORD 15-2-1 15-2-0 13-5-1 15-4-0 15-3-1 14-4-2 13-3-2 11-3-0 19-1-0 12-6-1 13-4-1 10-9-1 15-3-0 10-9-1 13-6-0 11-8-0 8-8-1 14-5-0 11-9-0 8-5-1

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

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January 19, 2022

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Let's Play Hockey Jan. 19, 2022

Articles inside

Coming together for Tucker

Ness: Skills for the Elite Skater

Carbone’s Youth Hockey Report...pages

Remembering the 1980 Mankato Miracle

PHF gets big financial boost

Hockey Day MN