SPORTS WRAP
Let’s fill the Owatonna Eagles Club on Sunday, Oct. 11 to benefit Brayden Spindler. The Owatonna High School junior was seriously injured in a dirt bike accident in August and is currently recovering.
Injuries included broken vertebrae, a pinched spinal cord and fractured arm and kneecap. He is going through physical therapy at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Spindler, who was a varsity hockey letter winner as a sophomore, is reported to be in good spirits with continued positivity but faces a long road back.
Brayden’s Bash fundraiser runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 with a taco lunch, silent auction and bake sale. A meat raffle and merchandise will be available with all proceeds going to his recovery. Pre-sale tickets are available at the Eagles Club.
Donations of money, gift certificates, products and services and gift baskets are welcome. Reach out to Lisa Simon (507-456-8173), Kelly Olson (507-456-1438), or Amber Bahe (507-456-9375) with donations. You can also email spindlerstrong24@gmail.com. More information is available on the Owatonna High School Boys Hockey Facebook page and a CaringBridge page for Spindler.
Hockey void
For the first time in more than 20 years Owatonna won’t be hosting junior hockey games this winter. After nearly 15 years of operation, the Steele County Blades have left town. However, a team from Alaska will call Owatonna their home away from home at times this winter.
I’ll circle back to that.
The junior hockey experience in Owatonna began in 2005-06 when the Southern Minnesota Express came into existence. After three seasons they relocated to Michigan but were immediately replaced by the Owatonna Express who played for three seasons before moving to Odessa, Texas.
More than a few Owatonna and area players paid their dues close to home and advanced to play college hockey, including OHS grads Sean Murphy and James and Joel Gaulrapp who played on the inaugural team.
Those years covering the Express were a highlight of my broadcasting career. The level of play in the North American Hockey League was outstanding with pinpoint passing and blazing speed. In Owatonna we saw many future Division I players and at least one NHL player (Stu Bickel).
I got to know the players through time spent traveling with the team, including two trips to Alaska. Bus rides were a great bonding time. Though I could have done without the 18-hour ride home from Helena, Montana.
Much credit goes to the Owatonna hockey community who came together to bring the Blades into reality. Eventually, the volunteer group stepped aside, and the Blades went through a few owners, including a new one taking over before last season, which turned out to be their final one in Steele County.
I have spoken with several of the regulars who attended games. The team will be missed. As will those nights at the rink, reflecting on a nice win or commiserating over a tough loss.
Part-time junior team
That brings me back to this year. The Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL – the same league the Express played in – are headquartering out of the Four Seasons Centre when they have games in the area.
Head coach Darren Banks spent time as an assistant with the Blades. “There were a number of families that were still looking to host from that group. The facilities here are second to none. So, it was really a no-brainer.
“We were located up in the Cities as our home-away-from-home last year. We felt this was going to be way more of a junior hockey town. A great environment for our players to be in.”
At this time, no games are scheduled in Owatonna. Home games are in Kenai River, Alaska. Their schedule includes teams in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Banks hopes exhibition games could be held at some point.
He says billeting a player is a two-way street. “Giving back to hockey. On our side we want to be a good community member, giving back to the youth hockey side. Any sort of volunteering opportunities that are available for us we want to be involved in.”
And for those who host, “You get the experience of having an impact on that players life. And you don’t have to do it for nine months.”
For more information contact cheath@krbbears.com.
Winning formula
Stated simply, Owatonna High School girls soccer captain Addie Gerdes knows the formula for success. “Good chemistry means good communication. And good communication means winning,” she said.
The senior midfielder believes they can finish at the net. “We have a lot of speed, and our girls know which way to go with the ball. Whether it’s jab one way, go the other, or just a straight shot down the middle, we’re good at finding those runs,” says Gerdes.
Norah Cederstrom is a senior captain and midfielder. “One of our strong suits right now is using the outsides and then cutting back up top. We’ve seen a lot of success with that in the past couple of games.
“We have two sophomore strikers right now (Finley Rolloff and Meela Hartman) and one freshman (Ellana Hellman). A lot of young girls on the team this year,” said Cederstrom.
Junior defender Paige McGrath says familiarity helps. “We have been playing together for a while. We have a decently young team. So, we have more opportunities to advance together as we grow.
“We’re learning how valuable communication is, especially on the back line. If one of us is out of position, it really screws with the whole dynamic,” said McGrath, also a captain.
Senior defender Audrey Dowling says, “This defense has been playing together for a while now. It’s a lot of the older girls. One of my main goals is communicating what (goalkeeper) Emma (Hess) tells me from the net and then bring it up the field and being loud, being a leader, and clearing those balls out in the back.”
Together time is important. “We try to get one (team dinner) once a week. And also, at practices keeping everyone involved. Make sure there’s no one just standing alone. Make sure there’s no separate groups. Connecting with everyone,” Dowling, another captain, says.
Coach Nate Gendron adds, “Everyone is on the same page. Everyone knows their role and knows their team is there to support them. We had to switch formations a few games into the season. However, since we have done that, our defensive structure and organization has looked really good.”
On offense, he “would like to have more of an aggressive-minded attack.” Regarding the tough teams on the schedule, “We have to find a way to recognize that we can compete against them and still play at a high level,” said Gendron.
The Huskies hosted their annual game at Federated Field on Tuesday, facing Faribault. Cederstrom likes it at the high school, “The atmosphere is a lot different, the scoreboard and the lights. It’s nice to have pictures of us up. A lot more seating too.”
The history of their regular home pitch runs deep. McGrath says it was always her dream to play at Lincoln. “When I’m playing there it feels like I’m honoring my childhood self and able to play for the younger girls who are hoping to play there,” said McGrath.
She and her family went often. “We would always cheer for our favorite players and then during halftime we would go kick a ball against the concession stand,” she said.
Gerdes is a member of the homecoming court – along with Cederstrom – and says, “It’s definitely a lot of fun. There’s a lot of work that gets put into it. I’m on student council. So, I see that side of everything too. Getting to represent your team is cool as well, getting to ride in the parade.”
OwatonnaHuskies.com play-by-play
Thursday, Sept. 24
OHS volleyball vs Austin, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25
OHS football at New Prague, 7 p.m. (simulcast on 1170AM/106.3FM)