Northstar Christian Academy Shines Bright in Alexandria

When proven leaders unite in a vision and have backers from the NHL, PGA and NFL behind it, great things happen.

Rick Randazzo, Executive Director of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)

The Northstar Christian Academy was birthed through the partnership of a few local Alexandria, MN businessmen and FCA Hockey (Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Hockey). Rick Randazzo, Executive Director for FCA Hockey, his wife Shannan, and their five children were nearing the end of powerful 50 State 50 City Tour where they devoted 5 years to investing Christian principles in hockey coaches and athletes all over the country

The 50 State 50 City Tour began in August 2011. Starting in Maine, the Randazzo family spent 30 days in one city per state providing free hockey clinics to those interested. They worked with athletes, coaches, and teams at all levels, and sought to serve physical and spiritual needs of local families. Rick shared, “It’s been remarkable to see how the Lord has used our family to till the soil, get out there, and meet so many people”

In 2015, as the Tour neared its end, they prayed “Lord, now what?” They had a With the vision to create a home for FCA Hockey, a school based on Christian principles, and also a sports complex that could be used for FCA Hockey events, and to impact athletes, coaches, and a local community long-term. They had 5 different cities vying for the home of FCA Hockey to be in their state

In 2016, Alexandria, Minnesota became the home of FCA Hockey, as well as the Northstar Christian Academy (NCA). With local sports heroes like Tom Lehman and Matt Cullen on board early, over 4 million dollars were raised. The school opened adjacent to the Alexandria public High School in 2016.

Soon later, in October 2017, the dream for a sports complex started to become reality. In a large step of faith, the Northstar Group broke ground in October 2017 on the Northstar Sports Complex

Randazzo recalls praying on September 18, 2017, with Gary Steffes, a former pro hockey player who serves full time on staff with FCA Hockey, on flat land. “We prayed for a building, an arena, and a boy’s hockey team here in Alexandria, MN that could be skating inside a new building.

To say this was really something that would require divine help was an understatement. Funds still had to be raised for the Northstar Sports Complex, sanctioning was needed from USA and Minnesota Hockey, acceptance into a league, and a complete team of coaches and players all in less than a year, all committing to play for a team in a league that was unknown and in a rink that was yet to be built

One year later, miraculously, it happened

On October 4th, 2017 the Sports Complex broke ground. Today, over 7 million of the necessary $8.1 million dollars have been raised and the Sports Complex is nearly completely constructed. According to Randazzo, the 70,000-square-foot facility includes a field house, hockey rink and chapel on a 40-acre campus, with space for expansion

PGA Champion and Player of the Year Tom Lehman says, “I am incredibly excited to se the Sports Complex come alive in my hometown of Alexandria, Minnesota as I know it will impact so many Coaches and Athletes across the country. FCA in Alexandria has a special place in my heart and I look forward to being a part of this project for years to come.

Matt Cullen, a multiple time NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Champion, expressed “I am very excited to see the Sports Complex become a reality here in my home state of Minnesota. It will have a huge impact on both players and coaches through the Midwest by providing opportunities in sports, all while promoting the core values of FCA. The thought of having a first-class facility here for kids to grow in their athletics and faith together is really exciting and something I look forward to becoming a part of when my playing days are over”.

During the past year, the NCA Knights Prep Hockey Program was also launched. USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey sanctioned the program in February. The newly formed NAHL Prep League, which calls itself “a premier training ground for the development and exposure of high school, Prep and Academy teams throughout North America” accepted the NCA Knights for the 2018-19 season. John Olver, who has 35 years of professional, collegiate and junior coaching experience, accepted the position as head coach, and a full roster of athletes was finalized.

Miraculously, on September 19, 2018, literally a year to the day, Rick, Gary, and members of the Northstar program stepped onto fresh ice, in the new Northstar Sports Complex, with a team of twenty-two players from eleven different states present to play for the first Northstar Knights Prep Hockey Team.

In an interview with the Echo, local Alexandria Cardinals head coach Ian Resch commented, “I know community members are concerned about the impact the Academy will have on our high school program. Personally, I am not concerned. Players and families are looking for the program that best fits their needs.” Resch took his team all the way to the High School boys’ Class A championship game last year, finishing second, after a loss to Orono.

The vision has become reality. The Northstar Christian Academy and Northstar Sports Complex are established. The facilities will be national headquarters to FCA Hockey and a place for many athletes and coaches at all levels of hockey, football, soccer, softball, baseball, and golf to grow spiritually, and physically.

This October will mark the historic Grand Opening of the Northstar Sports Complex. The Northstar Group and FCA Hockey would love to invite everyone interested to come join us for the celebration. The event will begin at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2018. There are many lodging options in Alexandria, Minnesota. Please contact Gary Steffes at gsteffes@fca.org for questions

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Notes and quotes from Day 2 of the Class A state tournament

No. 2 Mahtomedi vs. No. 3 Orono

Orono advances to the Class A Championship Game in a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over Mahtomedi.

The Orono Spartans looked as if they had this game wrapped up. After senior Thomas Walker secured a hat trick with four minutes to play in the second period, the Spartans seemed to set their speedometer to cruise control.

Yet the Mahtomedi Zephyrs did not quit and made one of the most memorable comebacks in tourney history, before coming up just short on Dane Korsi’s game winner for Orono just 2:26 into overtime.

Orono’s Thomas Walker scored three times in the Spartans’ 5-4 OT Class A semifinal win over Mahtomedi. (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

Epic Comeback

Trailing by four goals, the hope of playing in a championship game appeared slim-to-none for Mahtomedi. After failing to score on their first two power plays, the Zephyrs finally capitalized. Five-seconds into the man advantage, senior Sam Ayd rifled a shot from the point to finally get Mahtomedi on the board. Then in the final minute of play in the second period, Kory Pilarksi made it a two-goal game heading into the second intermission. You could feel the tide start to turn Mahtomedi’s way.

“The coaches were great about keeping our spirits up,” Ayd said. “We knew we were going to pop one and we eventually did and it felt great. We all know what we got to do if we wanted to stay in the game, and we showed that we all came together.”

Despite a layover between periods, the Zephyrs came out with the same fire and seniors Aidan Pearson and Jeff Kneale scored two goals over a 2:05 span and, just like that, a four-goal Orono lead had evaporated.

A Home Run Overtime Winner

After neither team could capture the go-ahead goal in regulation, things had to be settled in overtime. Despite skating on their heels for the majority of the third period, Orono woke up and possessed the puck for the majority of overtime. Two minutes into the overtime, there was a scramble behind the net and defenseman Davey Burns threw a puck towards the crease where Korsi, channeled his inner baseball ability, and knocked the puck out of the air and into the back of the net for the winner.

“I played baseball with Dane,” Walker said of Korsi. “I’ll tell you, he’s a natural athlete; he’s got hand-eye. I mean puck in the air? I’d say he knocks it 10 out of 10 times. I’ve watched him crush baseballs. There’s no reason that he can’t crush a puck into the net.”

Nothing to be Ashamed Of

Although it wasn’t the result they were looking for, Zephrys coach Jeff Poeschel had nothing but positives to say about how his team played.

“Don’t know if there’s many other teams in the state and would’ve been down by four and [not] folded up their tents and packed it in,” Poeschl said. “There’s no way to describe how proud I am.”

No. 1 Hermantown vs. No. 4 Alexandria

Alexandria upsets No. 1 Hermantown to advance to the Class A championship game

For the first time since 2009, the Hermantown Hawks will not be playing in a state championship game, as the Alexandria Cardinals spoiled the improbable streak with a 6-1 victory in the semifinal round.

The Cardinals’ timely goals, including a hat trick by Jack Powell, and goaltender Jackson Boline’s 33 save effort have Alexandria in the state championship game for the first time in school history.

Cardinals senior Jack Powell celebrates after scoring one of his three goals that helped Alexandria advance to the championship game. (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

Grounding the Hawks

Quieting a team like Hermantown is not an easy task but Alexandria made it look easy. Both teams lit the lamp in the first period but the Hawks had just five shots on goal heading into the first intermission. Considering Hermantown averages nearly five goals per game, that’s very impressive.

“We knew we couldn’t turn pucks over in neutral (zone),” Alexandria coach Ian Resch said of trying to slow down Hermantown’s offense. “They’re a quick transition team so we thought if we could get pucks deep, get our forecheck going, stress their D, make their D play in their own zone. They’re a high offensive team, so teams like that typically don’t like to play a lot in their own zone.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ice, Hawks coach Patrick Edwards was a bit dumbfounded on why his team couldn’t find the offense that they’re so accustomed to seeing.

“The second period I thought we took the game over,” Edwards proclaimed. “Totally took the game over, they only had like 4-5 shots the whole period, we had like 17 and we couldn’t have played any better. Couldn’t buy a goal tonight I guess.”

Strong’s goal:

With under three minutes to play in the second period, the Cardinals took a 2-1 lead when sophomore forward Caleb Strong took a pass in the slot and fired a puck just about the glove hand of opposing  goaltender Cole Manahan.

“I just heard Caleb yelling,”Powell said who assisted on the goal. “Threw it to an area and Caleb’s so good he could stick handle in a phone booth. He’s got the best hands and he’s so accurate. I knew he’d find the back of the net.”

Strong’s game-winning goal set the table for a third period where Alexandria would net four goals – two of them empty netters – to secure their win.

The community deserves it

When you have players who are about to play in their first state championship game, it’s not just a joy for them, but for the community as a whole. Which is why win or lose the fact of just being in such a big game means so much for the city of Alexandria.

“I love Alexandria,“ Powell added. “born there, raised there. My parents taught me how to play hockey and they’ve been through so much and I really appreciate them. Without them we wouldn’t be here right now and it’s just good for the community. They’ve been behind us, supporting us, the school, the red line club, parents, friends, family. To give this to them, to the community, is awesome.

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Notes and quotes from Day 1 of the Class A state tournament

No. 2 Mahtomedi vs. Mankato East

A descendant of Herb Brooks leaves his mark at The Tourney

Mahtomedi junior Joe Paradise’s trip to the state tournament is likely a self-fulfilling prophecy.

His grandfather, Herb Brooks – you may have heard of him before – helped St. Paul Johnson to a state championship in 1955. And just like grandfather, he left a lasting impression in the Zephyrs’ 4-2 quarterfinal win over the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars.

Paradise knew from a young age that hockey was going to be the sport he excelled at.

“Since, he was like, a big part of my family, so [I] kind of just got right into it right away,” Paradise said.

Paradise scored two goals in the victory and drew attention with his first-period goal celebration in which he and his teammates posed for a mock selfie with Paradise holding the virtual cell phone.

When asked if it was planned, a big grin drew across the junior’s face and replied, “Yeah, we did.” Both he and teammate Charlie Bartholomew couldn’t help but laugh about the celebration.

Mankato East’s Sam Schulz celebrates his second period goal to lift the Cougars to a 2-1 over Mahtomedi after two periods. (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

Paradise opened the game’s scoring with a slick wrist shot that beat Mankato East goaltender Jack Cusey and he later tied the game for Mahtomedi just 31 seconds into the third period after the Cougars had taken a 2-1 lead into the second intermission on goals by Adam Megard and Sam Schulz.

Furious Finish

The final 10 minutes of play in regulation was quite chaotic, the referees handed out a barrage of penalties, with the highlight being a five-minute major on Layten Liffrig, giving Mahtomedi a five-minute power play. Eventually, Charlie Bartholomew netted the game-winning power-play goal to give Mahtomedi a 3-2 lead. Fifty-eight second later, Kory Pilarski scored another goal, securing the win for the Zephyrs.

Mahtomedi had had only come back once in the regular season when trailing after two.

“This team has shown grit all season, from day one,” Zephyrs coach Jeff Poeschl said. “And as a coach, it’s just a pleasure to be part of. Because on the bench, there’s no quit, there’s no panic. It’s, ok let’s get to work and let’s get this taken care of.”

No. 3 Orono vs. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato

Orono continues to have Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato’s number

Both teams are very familiar with one another but it’s been a one-sided rivalry as Orono has not lost to Litchfield since 2001 and that streak continued in the Spartans 6-1 win over the Dragons.

“It came out that we’d beaten them 30-some times in a row and 2001 (I think) it was the last time they beat us,” Orono coach Will Scholz said. “So it’s always going to be in their heads but we just to try preach it’s not who we play it’s how play.”

Orono defenseman Zach Adams fights off a check from LDC’s Blake Johnson in the Spartans 6-1 Class A state quarterfinal win over the Dragons. (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen Breakdown Sports USA)

Flood gates open:

After a scoreless first, the Spartans caught fire in the second netting two goals that were 27-second apart. First, it was sophomore Lucas Jorgenson scoring, with senior Davey Burns making it a two-goal lead shortly after. Then the Spartans really poured it on, receiving goals from Daniel Eckerline and Jack Kubitz and just like that it was 4-0 after two.

“It was a fun a game,” Kubitz said. “It was definitely nerve racking in the first period but after we put one in, I think we knew we could beat them. Because the past games, we just had to get past the first one and then the floodgates would open.”

Senior mentality

As regulation winded down, the Dragons would finally get on the board via the power play when senior Orrin Grangroth scored his team’s only goal deficit to 5-1.

Grangroth, a senior who played in his last high school game took pride in making sure his team wouldn’t get blanked at the State Tournament.

“To have our team get on the board was big and not get shutout and it feels good to score on the big stage,” said Grangroth.

No. 1 Hermantown vs. Monticello

Moose give Hawks all they can handle

In a rematch from last year’s Class A championship game, the Monticello Moose faced the defending champions, the No. 1 Hermantown Hawks.

Hermantown jumped out to an early lead but Monticello would not go quietly and thanks to the heroic play of an underclassman, Hermantown will be moving on to the semi-finals.

Hermantown sophomore Blake Biondi (27) led the Hawks to a 4-2 Class A state quarterfinal win over Monticello with a hat trick. (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

A Sophomore as the MVP?

Hermantown is no stranger to the state tournament but for a sophomore to register a hat-trick and earn game MVP honors? Now that’s something incredibly. His impressive play this season – and in the quarterfinal win – was something a powerhouse like Hermantown was surprised by.

“The other day, we were looking at old stats and we don’t remember a sophomore with the impact in points that Blake’s had,” Hawks’ first-year coach Blake Andrews said of Biondi. “I don’t know if we’ve ever had a sophomore with the hockey IQ in a total package of a game. So Blake has a lot of attributes to his game that most seniors would love to have.”

A humbled underclassman replied, “Thank you, coach.” after receiving such high praise from his coach.

Knock, knock, knock, guess who?

The Hawks are anchored by their top line of Tyler Watkins, Jacob Herter and Biondi as the trio has combined for 163 points this season. So it’s only natural, that they scored the first three goals. First Biondi snuck a past right under the glove of goaltender Tyler Klatt, with assists going to Watkins and Herter. After Hermantown drew a power play, Herter made it 2-0 with assists going to (guess who?) Biondi and Watkins.

Even when Monticello draped all over Biondi, he somehow outmuscles the opposition and pushed another puck to the back of the net, which gave the Hawks a 3-0 lead.

Miller Time

Monticello’s Matt Miller celebrates one of his two goals against Hermantown in the Moose’s 4-2 Class A state quarterfinal loss to the Hawks. (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

It looked grim for Monticello after Hermantown took a 3-0 lead. Yet 28 seconds later, sophomore forward Matt Miller put on his Superman cape, skated into the offensive zone and blasted a puck from the point and Monticello was on the board. Miller continued to play hero just 2:17 later when the forward streaked in on a breakaway, beating goaltender Cole Manahan for a second time and all of the sudden it was a one-goal game.

“They never said quit,” Monticello coach Eric Nelson said. “They kept going, they kept battling and you know testament to Matt and his shot. He’s got a great shot and a great heart. Just kept getting pucks on net and he was fortunate to get a couple in.”

No. 4 Alexandria vs. No. 5 Thief River Falls

The Cardinals achieved a program first with their victory.

The Alexandria Cardinals and Thief River Falls Prowlers finished off quarter-final play.

In a low scoring affair, the Cardinals pulled through for a 1-0 win; giving the program its first ever state tournament victory.

Alexandria’s Jack Westlund celebrates his game-winning goal in the Cardinals’ 1-0 Class A state quarterfinal win over Thief River Falls. (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

Tic-tac-toe

Alexandria’s top line of Ben Dohert, Caleb Strong and Jack Westlund we’re creating plenty of chances early on. After nearly lighting the lamp on multiple opportunities, Westlund received a beauty of a pass from defenseman Andrew Revering and Westlund buried the puck in the back of net.

“I got to give some credit to where credit is due to the people who assists me,” Westlune said. “Because without them I never score but it just feels great to be the one who scores, but I mean obviously it’s not just me it’s everyone.”

Westlund came into the tournament with 14 goals, which was tied for second on the team.

Prowlers can’t convert

Thief River Falls drew back-to-back power plays but weren’t able to convert either of them. They had a 5-on-4 for 1:43, followed by a 5-on-3 for 17 seconds, and then another 5-on-4 for 1:43. Yet the Prowlers were not able to convert as Alexandria’s penalty kill stood tall.

“The second period is the period I thought we just didn’t show up,” Thief River Falls coach Tim Bergland said. “Credit them for executing and we didn’t.”

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No. 2 Breck vs. Proctor/Hermantown

Breck’s Olivia Mobley (Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

The Breck Mustangs galloped their way to a 6-0 win over the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage on Friday to advance to  Saturday’s Class A Championship Game.

Breck’s depth was too much for the Mirage to handle, as eight different players appeared on the score sheet for the Mustangs.

“Yeah it was nice to see the theme continue,” Breck coach Rhonda Engelhardt said. “I think it helps when we have each line as a threat. We can just keep rolling everybody and everybody can stay fresh and work hard. We started to getting our stride, it was multiple people scoring, we don’t have to rely on one person to help us get those points.”

Breck got off to a fast start. Within the game’s first eight minutes, they fired 10 shots on net – while also not allowing a shot on goal. Eventually their hard work paid off as freshman Emily Zumwinkle netted the game’s first goal, with assists going to Gabby Billing and Olivia Mobley. By the end of the first period, Breck had outshot Proctor/Hermantown 17-1.

After being heavily outplayed in the first period, the Mirage looked like they started to figure things out. They drew a power play 12-seconds into the second period and fired plenty of pucks on net but weren’t able to score. They ended up taking a penalty and the Mustangs capitalized with sophomore Ashley Halverson netting a power-play goal to make it 2-0. Shortly after Halverson’s goal, she fed Zumwinkle to the front of the net and the freshman had her second goal of the game as Breck took a three-goal lead.

“I couldn’t have done those goals without my teammates,” Zumwinkle said following her performance. “They made awesome passes on all of them. It’s an awesome feeling being at the state tournament because it’s our first time in six years and I think we all just worked really hard to get here and it’s an exciting moment.”

As the period winded down, the Mustangs added another to their tally when eighth grader Shae Messner crashed the net and Breck lit the lamp for the fourth time.

They would add two more goals in the final period of regulation, with Mobley and Luci McGlynn finishing the scoring for the Mustangs.

Although Hermantown fell short of their goal of a state championship, senior Kennedy Halverson is extremely proud of her team’s effort.

“Well it was kind of like a dream come true,” Halverson said. “A lot of people underestimated us and didn’t think we’d make it to this point. And I don’t think we played a bad hockey game today, I just don’t think we played our regular game. We worked hard and I’m incredibly proud of our team no matter the outcome.”

No. 1 Warroad vs. Alexandria

Warroad’s Genevieve Hendrickson (Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

The Warroad Warriors are no strangers to the state tournament.

It’s their ninth appearance in the tourney since 2006 and they’ll have a chance to claim their third Class A championship in this decade – but their first since 2011 – after their 7-1 win over the Alexandria Cardinals.

“This group hasn’t played in one,” Warroad coach David Marvin said. “So it’ll be fun and it’s exciting for them; they’ve worked really hard. We know what it’s like to lose the semi-final game the last couple years. The early games on Saturday’s not much fun. Sometimes you got to fail before you succeed, I guess.”

Warroad entered play having recorded shutout in six of their last seven games. Yet that didn’t matter for Alexandria, as they got on the board first when freshman Anna Doherty found the back of the net, with assists going to McKenna Ellingson and Allison O’Kane. But their lead wouldn’t last long as Hannah Corneliusen tied things up for the Warriors. It was Corneliusen’s 39th goal of the season.

It looked like a troublesome situation for Alexandria in the early stages of the second period as they drew two penalties for, too many players and hooking which gave the Warriors a 5-on-3 advantage for two minutes. However, Cardinals netminder Hailee Bailey stood tall making a barrage of saves and the team was able to kill off the penalty.

Shortly after they returned to even strength, freshman Genevieve Hendrickson streaked in a on a breakaway and beat Bailey giving Warroad a 2-1 lead. In the closing minutes of the second frame, the Warriors were able to convert on the power play when defenseman Kaitlyn Kotlowski ripped a shot from the top of the point and Warroad had led 3-1

In the final minute of the period, the Warriors drew another penalty with Corneliusen scoring seven-seconds into the man-advantage for her second goal of the game and the team skated into the second intermission up 4-1.

Despite the time off between periods, Warroad didn’t skip a beat in the third with Hendrickson, Tiffani Foster and Kotlowski netting goals in a five-minute span and securing the win.

Losing to powerhouse like Warroad can sometimes humble a losing team, but Alexandria head coach Molly Arola wasn’t pleased one bit with her team’s play.

“It was just having some issues between our ears tonight and in our heart,” Arola said. “And we weren’t able to bring our “A game” physically or mentally.”

Despite the Warriors nearly averaging six goals per game, Marvin envisions the title game being a more sound hockey game.

“Well I would bet it’d be lower scoring,” predicted Marvin. “Because they got a good goaltender – and actually they got two; I’m not sure who will play for them – and we have a good goaltender. It was lower scoring when we played them earlier in the year which seems like a long time ago now. I think it should be fun, it will be a hard-fought contest.”

With Warroad’s win they’ll meet Breck for the Class A State Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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