News

Andrew Vitalis 2016

Decisions, decisions

The decision was made – he was going. His older brother, Mitch, was skating into his sophomore season at Lake Superior State and he wanted to join him. He wanted to be a Laker.

“He” is Cole Hults, and he remembers almost the exact moment when he decided it was time to leave the USHL for the college game. He also remembers the minutes and hours later, after making the decision, when the 18-year-old defensemen made a veteran decision. Despite wanting to join his older brother and play for a college program on the rise, the Stoughton, Wis., native eventually took a deep breath and recognized that sometimes patience, while difficult, can make the difference between good and great.

A.J. Reid thought the feeling would last for decades, and why not? There he was – a Minnesota high school hockey standout, celebrating the 2011-12 state championship with his fellow St. Thomas Cadets in front of 18,000 screaming hockey fans. He was on top of the high school hockey mountain top.

As a player, Reid flourished his senior season, collecting accolades and attention from across the region. He was named as an all-state performer on the rink. More impressive than that, based on his character on and off the ice, Reid was awarded the prestigious Herb Brooks Award which is an award given to a player who strongly represents the values, characteristics and traits defined by the late Herb Brooks. To say that the Lakeville, Minn., native was enjoying the ride would be an understatement. He had no idea that the other skate was soon going to drop.

Future Badger Mick Messner has already made a name for himself in Wisconsin's captial city.

By Andrew Vitalis

For Mick Messner, it was a no-brainer. Almost as easy as the 17-year-old makes it look when gliding across the ice on skates. He was born in Madison. He lives in Madison. He played high school hockey in Madison. He currently plays USHL hockey in Madison. Get the picture? So when the Wisconsin Badgers came calling during Messner’s sophomore year offering him a scholarship to play college hockey in the Big Ten, Messner didn’t waste any time saying yes.

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 September 2016 10:04

Sometimes ideas come in bunches and all you can do is roll with it. Ryan Taylor, owner of Pathfinder Militaria, experienced that rush of brain dominance last November. While in the process of starting his own company, Taylor, a military historian with a passion for military veterans, was consumed with the idea of spearheading a project that was unique with the overall goal of raising money for our heroes.

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 August 2016 10:24

Sometimes, something just fits. Sometimes, the stars align; the idea simply makes sense. Sometimes, momentum builds like a snowball even though you may start with a speck of snow. To be fair, momentum might be an understatement when trying to sum up the movement behind Minnesota Warriors Hockey

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 March 2016 16:37

It seemed like even from the beginning, every time Erin Connolly put on her skates good things happened. Brian Connolly, Erin’s father, remembers his daughter roaming the net at an early age with an edge of confidence well beyond her years.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 March 2016 14:06

Speechless might be a word to use when discussing the Hayward’ co-op girls hockey program. Dominating may be another. Whatever term one uses, it all fits. The Hurricanes have shown their power in the past, and last weekend at the Wisconsin state girls’ hockey tournament, they did it again by blowing away their competition, skating to their second state title in the last four years. Hayward did so by beating the University School of Milwaukee Wildcats – the very team that beat the Hurricanes in last year’s state title tilt.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 March 2016 15:26

When it comes to winning a championship, often times you look at the final sentence instead of the complete novel. Hudson High School head boys’ hockey coach Brooks Lockwood knows exactly what that means.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 February 2016 10:23

If you watched a Western Wisconsin Stars girls’ hockey game this season, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you. The last name “Klein” appeared early and often. The Stars were blessed with three players – all sisters – by the last name of Klein. Prior to skating into the section playoffs, the Klein family shared their thoughts on hockey, memories made on and off the ice and what it’s like to be a part of what they call “the golden year.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 February 2016 09:42

For the Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes, making it to the state tournament has become old hat. For six straight seasons, they have skated into the state tournament. For six straight seasons, the Old Abes have been the model for teams throughout Section 2. Believe it or not, this year’s version of Eau Claire Memorial might be the best one yet. It’s true, while the section’s No. 1 seed has plenty of work ahead of them, the state’s top-ranked team is playing like it. While definitely not a certainty, lucky No. 7 seems to be right around the corner.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 February 2016 16:40

It’s affectionately called the “Section of Death.” True, maybe coaches and players in and around Section 1 have seen too many horror movies, but then again .... This past Monday, the girls’ hockey section seeds were posted and instantly puck fans from around the state looked at Section 1 and began to salivate with anticipation. The top four seeds are all rated in the top 10 in state, including Hayward and St. Croix Valley who were ranked Nos. 3 and 4, respectively in the latest WiPH state hockey poll. Hayward pulled the No. 1 seed in the section while the Fusion is No. 2.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 January 2016 17:34

If you are a numbers person, the numbers are staggering. Think about this: In 17 overall games this season, the Lakeshore Lightning have allowed one or fewer goals in nine of them. Nine. As a matter of fact the Lightning have only allowed more than three goals twice this season. With that type of defensive display, it should be no surprise that Lakeshore (co-op of Homestead, Cedarburg, West Bend West, Port Washington) averages less than two goals allowed per game.

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2016 11:14

Sure, Andy Richardson has had teams in the past that may have been more talented, but when it comes to a squad truly playing as a “team” – gelling on and off the ice – this year’s squad just might be one of his best. In the land of co-ops, while records are important, coming together as a unit can define a successful season. For the WSFLG (Grantsburg, Webster, Siren, Frederic, Luck) Blizzard, the 2015-16 season has definitely been one to talk about.

Last Updated on Thursday, 21 January 2016 10:02

How impressive was Baldwin-Woodville’s 14-game winning streak earlier this season? Consider this: During that stretch, the Blackhawks outscored their opponents 107-37. Baldwin-Woodville scored seven or more goals in a game nine times and allowed two or less goals eight times. How about this: During the same stretch, leading scorer Brandon Connett tallied 26 goals and 25 assists!

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 January 2016 10:02

It’s a daily catch-22 for Tony Menard. Now in his second season as head coach for the Chippewa Falls/Menomonie (CFM) girls’ hockey team (2-12-0 overall as of Jan. 12), Menard knows that on one hand, success will most likely translate into more numbers within the youth program and one day the co-op may dissolve between the two schools. On the other hand, he has watched the partnership between Chippewa Falls and Menomonie grow into one of the more successful co-op programs in the state. Growth versus chemistry; numbers versus history. It’s an interesting “what if” scenario that Menard and those associated with the program sometimes ponder.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 January 2016 15:39

To be the king of the jungle, one must have the power to assert themselves when needed. One must also need the ability to do that on a consistent basis; to thwart off challengers when they try to take the crown. In the Middle Border Conference, the New Richmond Tigers boys’ hockey teams have roamed their respective jungle for years, and aside from the 2012 and 2013 seasons, the Tigers have pounced on the competition, earning the title as conference champions every year since 2003. It’s no surprise, then, that the Tigers are again the leader of the pack this season.