14 March 2013

Boys Hockey: Youth is served

Jack Erickson All-Missota Conference (photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers fielded one of their youngest squads ever in 2012-13 and the youth movement paid big dividends in just about every category.

For openers, coach Keith Revels' team almost doubled its win total from last year, improving to 13-13-1 after finishing 7-17-2 a year ago. Goal production (91 from 70) was up and goals allowed were down (92 to 75).

In addition, the Tigers received their best-ever seed for the Section 1AA tournament and hosted a post-season game for the first time since being classified as a Class AA school.

"It was a solid season," Revels said. " A .500 record and a few bad breaks away from being even better. We improved as the year went on and responded well to challenges throughout the season.  

"We had very balanced scoring. Last season seven goals led the team'. This year we had seven players meet or exceed that mark. Our 2.78 goals allowed per game is the best since I have been here and I think well before that...With the exception of our first game (a 6-2 loss to Hastings), we were in every game."

Revels and his staff awarded 23 varsity letters to team members for their efforts during the 2012-13 campaign at Wednesday night's post-season banquet. Leading the list were five seniors: tri-captains Kevin Olund, Jordan Logowski and Grant Hauswirth, Zach Colaw and John Donnelly.

Juniors letterwinners included Landon Nielson, Corey Rudrud, Alex Aubrecht, Tanner Grubb, Jack Erickson, Dan Block, Chris Fitzgibbons, Nick Schoening and Dallas Tucker.


Underclassmen receiving varsity monograms were sophomores Benton Olson, Justin Novak, Gage Overby, Jutin Hyytinen and John Seurer and freshmen Erik Holmstrom, Devin Bernu, Grady Hauswirth and John Siebenaler.

Student managers Marcus Dubois and Jake Manning and statisticians Allison Jette, Rachel Markuson, Lauren Jette and Jessica Singewald also received letters.



Hobey Baker Award winner Kevin Olund (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Novak (30 points) and Erickson (28 points) each landed a berth on the all-Missota Conference team. Olund (21 points) and Grant Hauswirth (19 points) received all-Missota honorable mention. Olund was also named the recipient of the team's Hobey Baker Award.

Revels said the season just completed came with few disappointments although he added a couple of shaky finishes prevented his team from doing even better.

"We had trouble closing out games in the third period," he said. "We lost some leads that could have really improved our record."

With no less than 18 returnees expected to return for the 2013-14 season, Revels said the outlook for his program is bright.

"We were able to perform better than a year ago with a pretty young lineup," he said. "We're poised to continue moving in the right direction and expect some very competitive tryouts in the fall. 

"Off-season work will be a must for returning players. There is loads of talent returning and some promising players hoping to join the program next fall."

Justin Novak-All-Missota Conference