Engebretson anchors Huskies poly to state
Nolan Engebretson keeps his eye on the puck as he guards the net. Engebretson is competing in his first season as the starting goaltender for Owatonna’s silver team. Submitted photo
Owatonna Huskies poly hockey goaltender Nolan Engebretson and his silver team are coming off of a big 2-0 finish last week to punch their ticket to the state finals in early March.
Engrebretson, who previously played as a member of Owatonna High School’s team, began playing the sport in 2016 and has since moved his way up the ranks to play for Owatonna’s silver squad – the town’s highest-level poly hockey team.
“It was so awesome when I found out I was going to be on the silver team,” said Engebretson. “It’s been so fun playing with this team.”
Engebretson earned the call-up to the silver team after having competed for Owatonna’s blue team a season ago.
In total, Owatonna has three teams – silver, blue and black – all of which will compete at the state tournament in Stillwater on March 4.
However, heading into state, Engebretson and his silver team will look to take down the championship after catching fire recently at the regional tournament.
By collecting 2-1 and 4-3 wins in two games at the Breck Schools in Golden Valley, the silver team will enter state with momentum on their side and a couple of first-place ribbons to their name.
“Our defense has been doing its job and we have players that can really score. I think we’re going to have a chance,” said Engebretson on his team’s outlook for the upcoming tournament.
As a lifelong hockey fan, Engebretson had always had interest in the sport and said he was initially drawn to play the goalie position when a coach asked him if he would like to give it a try.
“They asked him to play goalie and he was very excited. It is nerve-racking as a parent to watch your kid play in the net, but he always tries hard and focuses, and it’s so fun to watch,” said Nolan’s mother, Carolyn Engebretson.
Yet, Engebretson’s love for the game doesn’t stop at just being an athlete himself.
He and his family regularly attend Steele County Blades and Austin Bobcats games when the teams are in town, and both have become some of his favorite teams.
Engebretson is truly a hockey guy through and through, and those looking to watch him and the silver team battle for the state title can watch the Huskies at Stillwater High School during the two-day tournament beginning on March 4.
Start times for the state tournament games have not yet been made available.