The post HDM 2023 Gallery: Zephyrs vs. Hawks appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

New locker room fills Highland Park with sense of pride and optimism

Pat Auran stood on a sheet of synthetic “ice” in a dark concrete room, its walls bearing the black scars of thousands of pucks hurled at them by kids of all sizes. As he looked to his left peering through an open doorway into a brightly lit room awash in red and white, the Highland Park High School Athletic Director’s smile revealed a man bursting with pride.

“This is a beautiful, wonderful space,” he said, his voice partially drowned out, appropriately, by Flo Rida’s “My House” pumping through the sound system on the other side.

The space Auran referred to is the Highland Park boys’ varsity hockey team’s shiny new locker room on the south end of Highland Park arena. With its walls adorned in team colors, hand-crafted wood locker stalls and a 65-inch television, the Scots finally have a place to call their own to meet and bond as a team.

As Auran points out, however, there’s also an added element of personal comfort the players will enjoy.

“You’ve got to realize that these kids were keeping their equipment under the bleachers of the north rink which never warms up,” Auran said. “So by January they’re pretty stinky and I think they’ve gone a couple months without ever drying out. So this will be a nice place for them where they can hang their equipment up and let it dry.”

“This isn’t something that I’m doing. It’s all the parents that have come together and them wanting to make a special for their sons and the community. That’s what’s really special. I’m just riding their coattails; all I’m doing is coaching the hockey team.” – Highland Park Head Coach Mark Prokop

To read more of this article, and many other great stories like it, click HERE to view the January, 2017 issue of our digital magazine and subscribe to have future issues delivered directly to your email inbox. 

The post Home Sweet Home appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Prior Lake debuts, Panthers and Hornets with firm grasps at the top

This week’s MHM Class 2A rankings once again find the top two teams in place. The only other team that maintained their position from last week was the Blaine Bengals. Teams have been dropping like flies in this entertaining season as the parity of high school hockey has never been better. Two teams, Lakeville North and Edina, have separated themselves from the pack but also have the potential to be tripped up on any given night. Prior Lake makes its debut in the MHM top ten this week.

1. Lakeville North (19-0-0, 12-0-0)

Last Week:       vs Burnsville (3-0 W), vs Apple Valley (7-1 W)

This Week:       vs Rosemount (1/29), at Lakeville South (1/31)

The Panthers continue their stronghold at the top spot of the MNHockeyMag Class 2A top ten. It has been a perfect ride so far this year for the talented and deep edition from the South Suburban Conference. Lakeville North has two South conference games this week and one features a Rosemount team that pushed the Panthers to the limit in a 5-3 Lakeville North victory on Dec 18. Rival Lakeville South rounds out this week for the Panthers and it will be the second time the two teams meet this season. The first game resulted in a 4-1 Panther win over Lakeville South on Dec. 20.

2. Edina (16-1-2, 3-0-0)

Last Week:       vs Hopkins (8-4 W), vs Minnetonka (6-2 W)

This Week:      at Eden Prairie (1/29), at Academy of Holy Angels (1/31)

Edina has scored goals in large numbers their last four games averaging over six per game in those wins. Consider that those opponents all have been ranked at some point this season in the MNHockeyMag rankings. Hill-Murray (6-3), Wayzata (6-3), Hopkins (8-4), and Minnetonka (6-2) all succumbed to Edina’s offensive prowess. The Hornets have only allowed four goals once this year and that was last week to Hopkins. They face off with the Edina Hornets at the EP Community Center on Thursday at 7pm with a 13 game streak without a loss (12-0-1) on the line. That game can be heard on Sports Radio 105 the Ticket.

3. St. Thomas Academy (16-2-0, 7-1-0)

Last Week:       vs Totino Grace (10-1 W), vs Simley (9-2 W)

This Week:      vs Cretin-Derham Hall (1/27), at Tartan (1/31)

The No. 3 slot in the MNHockeyMag.com rankings has not been kind to a lot of teams and it has seen its share of clubs make stops at it, only to lose it the following week. Despite the overtime loss on the outdoor sheet to Hill-Murray, the St. Thomas Academy Cadets have the impressive 16-win schedule with their only losses coming to rivaling Hill-Murray and Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Since the Hill-Murray loss, the Cadets responded with a 10-1 win over Totino-Grace and 9-2 wins over Simley. One can say they didn’t take too kindly to losing in responding with authority and that is a mark of a good team. The Cadets square off with Cretin-Derham Hall on Tuesday night. It will go a long way in determining who will have the No. 1 seed in the Section 3AA. The way things are shaking down in the section, it may only indicate which team will wear light and which will wear dark in the section final.

4. Elk River/Zimmerman (15-4-0, 10-1-0)

Last Week:       vs Andover (5-2 W), vs Coon Rapids (6-0 W)

This Week:       vs Centennial (1/29), vs Duluth East (1/31)

The Elks have been slotted in the fourth slot much of the season. They have had an outstanding season and all but wrapped up the Northwest Suburban North Conference title provided they take care of business down the stretch. Elk River has two home games this week. The first is with the always tough to play Centennial Cougars and they will have to safe guard against not looking ahead to their Saturday game with the Duluth East Greyhounds. A win would give the Elks a 5-0 record among Section 7AA teams and a sure fire lock on the Section 7AA top seed. One can argue, they have that top seed already locked up as well.

5. Blaine (12-5-1, 7-3-1)

Last Week:       vs Benilde-St. Margaret’s (5-2 W), vs Champlin Park (3-0 W),

vs Anoka (3-3 T)

This Week:      at Irondale (1/27), at Andover (1/31)

The Bengals are a solid 6-0-1 in their last seven games that included an impressive 5-2 win over the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights last week. They dispatched the Champlin Park Rebels 3-0, and tied Anoka 3-3 on Saturday. The tie is nothing to be ashamed of against a steady Anoka Tornado team (9-7-1) that is making a statement to be the number two seed in the Section 5AA behind Blaine. The Bengals are playing a playoff style of hockey right now and are earning wins against top teams in conference and non-conference play. They are in position to close the season out with a string of wins and have a favorable week to continue that trend.

6. Cretin-Derham Hall (11-4-3, 7-1-3)

Last Week:       vs Stilwater (5-1 W), vs Park of Cottage Grove (7-1 W)

This Week:       at St. Thomas Academy (1/27), vs Woodbury (1/29),

vs Mounds View (1/31)

The Raiders are 9-0-2 in their last 11 games and are on a roll finding themselves one of the top three hottest teams in hockey behind perpetually hot Lakeville North and Edina. The Raiders lead the competitive Suburban East Conference ahead of White Bear Lake, Stillwater, and Roseville. A huge statement game is on the menu this week with the St. Thomas Academy Cadets in non-conference action. Later in the week, it is the Raiders head back to conference play with Woodbury an Mounds View. Defensively, the Raiders have been stout over their 11-game stretch allowing just 16 goals against during their winning streak. A note to watch for in their game with St. Thomas Academy on Tuesday will be if the disciplined defensive structure, neutral zone play, forecheck, and goaltending can hold up against the offensively gifted Cadets who can hang onto the puck for long periods of time and receive steady goaltending.

7. Hill-Murray (13-6-0, 7-1-0)

Last Week:       vs Henry Sibley (7-0 W), vs Mahtomedi (4-0 L)

This Week:      at Simley (1/29), at White Bear Lake (1/31)

A loss at the hands of the impressive Mahtomedi Zephyrs (4-0) cost the Pioneers four slots on the top ten. A game on Thursday with Simley should prepare the Pioneers for a sectional show down with the White Bear Lake Bears scheduled for Saturday. Always a riveting affair when White Bear Lake and Hill-Murray dance, it will take each team a long way in the battle for the top seed in the Section 4AA. All of Hill-Murray’s losses have come to teams that were or are part of the MNHockeyMag.com top ten.

8. Bemidji (16-3-1, 7-1-0)

Last Week:       vs Sauk Rapids-Rice (8-0 W), vs Alexandria (4-0 W)

This Week:       vs Roseau (1/29), at River Lakes (1/31)

After losing two straight games to Class 1A powers East Grand Forks (4-1) and Hermantown (6-1), the Lumberjacks bounced back with two wins last week. They have proven to be the elite of the Section 8AA and are fast tracking their first State Tournament berth since the late George Pelawa year of 1986. Games with Roseau and River Lakes this week are on the slate for Bemidji. Wins over those two teams will further cement their number one seed and status in the section.

9. Prior Lake (11-6-1, 8-3-1)

Last Week:       vs Eagan (3-1 W), vs Burnsville (2-1 W)

This Week:       vs Minnetonka (1/27), at Eastview (1/29), vs Shakopee (1/31)

The Lakers stand in second place of the South Suburban Conference and when the season started, this is a team that was believed in this space to be a potential Section 2AA finalist. They have certainly proven that they are among the top teams playing ranked opponents close with a 2-4 record. Three of their four losses to those opponents were by one goal. The offensive minded Minnetonka Skippers will travel to Dakotah Ice Center for the Lakers lone home game this week. Eastview and Shakopee round out the Laker schedule in conference play this week.

10. White Bear Lake (14-4-0, 8-2-0)

Last Week:       vs Hermantown (4-2 L), vs Grand Rapids (5-0 W)

This Week:       at Sillwater (1/29), vs Hill-Murray (1/31)

One could not ask for a bigger week than the White Bear Lake Bears have before them. Two Section 4AA foes are on deck with the 14-win Stillwater Ponies, last year’s section champion, set to play host to the Bears on Thursday. The week concludes with the annual rivalry game that features the Bears and Hill-Murray at the Vadnais Sports Center on Saturday night at 7:15pm that game can be seen on www.thehornwbl.com. Two White Bear Lake wins could propel them to the top seeding of the Section 4AA. A top spot in section seedings could be critical to advancing to the State Tournament this year. It certainly would make life a lot easier to avoid having to play both Stillwater and Hill-Murray to advance. A Friday night loss to the sizzling Hermantown Hawks, who turned aside the Bears by a score of 4-2 last week, illustrated how impressive the Class A power is. The Bears rebounded with a 5-0 shutout over the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks the following evening which had to make Tim Sager pleased with how his club responded.

Others Receiving Consideration: Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, St. Michael-Albertville, Stillwater, Farmington

The post MHM Boys Class 2A Top Ten – 1/27/2015 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Invalid Displayed Gallery

The post Gallery: Cretin-Derham Hall at White Bear Lake appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

When Brandon Mileski accepted the coaching job at the Coon Rapids high school program, he knew the impending journey would not be an easy one. Mileski inherited a Cardinal feeder system that had modest success, a roster that had lacked necessary depth to compete in a very tough conference, and a demanding section. This was not unfamiliar territory for this Cardinals’ program.

Mileski had coached in the Robbinsdale Cooper hockey program for 10 years previous to accepting the head coaching job at Coon Rapids. He started his coaching career at the Bantam A level, and then moved up the high school level, coaching under long time Cooper head coach Bill Rooney. They had limited success on the rink, but when it comes to developing young men, hockey wins and losses are not always the definitive measuring stick for success.

Coaching players may be the job title, but developing and nurturing young men to become successful in life has always been the ultimate intent. Mileski, as well as others mentored by Rooney, have committed long term to these convictions instilled by the Cooper coach. He has brought this belief and philosophy to the Coon Rapids program. Mileski was also mentored and coached as a player by Bob Maietta at Totino-Grace, who helped mold him into the coach Mileski is today. Brandon referred to Maietta as the best coach he had ever played for, without begrudging others that have coached him along the way.

With the understanding that it takes patience and time to change the culture of a hockey program, especially a program that plays in a very tough conference and section, patience and commitment are a necessity from everyone involved at all levels. Another necessity is the belief that it can happen.

Where did this ingrained optimism come from? Brandon shared a story of his Cooper Bantam A team that faced a Wayzata team that boasted of many great athletes and hockey players. This was a Trojan team that went on to win the Minnesota Bantam State Tournament, and won the National Silver Stick Tournament as well.
On that Trojan roster was: Blake Wheeler (NHL), Tony Lucia (UofM), James Laurinaitis (NFL), Dominique Barber (NFL), Kevin Wehrs (UofM), Kurt Davis (MSU Mankato), and James Tabery (Wayzata star). His Cooper Bantam team, which had won 5 of almost 50 games, was down by 2 goals in the third period and came back to tie the game, despite being outshot 52-4. When the final buzzer sounded, there was no Al Michaels asking if we “believed in miracles,” but on a lesser scale, it was a parallel achievement. This is a memory that still leaves Mileski mystified, but more importantly engrained the belief that what may seem insurmountable can be achieved.

Looking at the recent results, in a result-based sport, there have been more losses than wins in Mileski’s four years at Coon Rapids. That is only on the surface, but if you look deeper, you can see progress.

Mileski has the belief it can happen at Coon Rapids. Many pieces have to fall into place for tangible success on the ice, some factors are in the coaches control, some are not. It seems, perhaps not on the surface, that some components are starting to show that the program is growing, but still has plenty of work in front of this Cardinals system at all levels.

Five talented players left the program before MIleski started coaching for the Cardinals, but he did not waiver in his conviction to get this program’s ‘foundation for success’ in place. It will take time and patience, and Mileski’s make-up and demeanor seems to be a good fit. Beyond the wins and losses, it’s about instilling core values: Respect for the game and opponents, effort and determination, and to be a solid teammate. It is about molding future fathers, future husbands, and contributing members to society. These are the lessons learned when being mentored by coach Rooney that Mileski has infused into his coaching outline. The results have not shown up in the box scores to date, but “you have to walk before you can run” is fitting for a program that has started to take positive steps.

A successful feeder system is necessary for the success in any program. The refinement of this Coon Rapids feeder system is slowly getting some traction, and players that play in the youth program will soon be wearing the Cardinal sweater with pride. The person behind the Cardinal bench has to be a polarizing entity, and Mileski is that presence. He is selfless, and will divert positive attention to his players, but will be accountable for the Cardinal program, for better or worse. The school, the parents, and the players all know that the deep conviction to move forward is there, but it is so much more than the coach. He is the face of this team, but he knows he cannot do it alone.

It starts at home. Brandon shares with us his fortune to have a wife that supports him, which affords him the freedom to make a diverse and demanding schedule workable. Mileski is a producer at KFAN radio for Dan ‘The Common Man’ Cole, and is involved in the over-the-air production of Minnesota Viking football games, amongst other KFAN commitments, along with being the varsity coach for Coon Rapids. Time in the winter months for personal interests is not plentiful, but he has maintained focus on his task at hand and the responsibilities that his commitments entail. He takes with the enthusiasm that may not be outward, but you can see it is there.

Coach Mileski is a noble person that will deflect positive attention to others involved, be very humble about his accomplishments, and continues to respect and acknowledge those that have supported him on his path. The spotlight seems to follow him because of his vocations, and soon it will shine on this Coon Rapids Cardinal program because of his effort, patience, and commitment. If I had a young son in the Coon Rapids program, I would be gratified to have him as a coach. Hockey is important, but the lessons in life will always take priority.

“A good coach make those believe in him, a great coach makes those believe in themselves.”

The post “You Have to Walk Before You Can Run” appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.