You know old man winter is on his way when the smooth “shhhhhhh” of blades and sharp “crack” of sticks can be heard from the Waconia Ice Arena. This season is shaping up to be an exciting one for the boys’ and girls' hockey teams as they lace up and skate into action.
Boys varsity team captain, senior, Devon Stifter, says that this year’s team is strong in skill and chemistry. “We work really well together and we’re very close-knit,” he shares. Devon says the team is excited to compete, win, and hopefully go far in sections as they take on new competition in Single A. Varsity head coach Steven Maciosek echoes Devon’s sentiments. “What excites me most about this season is watching the players continue to grow—not only in their skills on the ice, but also in the way they support each other as teammates. Waconia hockey has a bright future, and this group is ready to compete.” This group of young stars squares off against Roseville for their first game of the season on November 20th and hosts their first home game on November 29th against Rock Ridge.
Jordan Gates, head coach of the Waconia girls hockey team, is excited to build the Wildcats into a team that can compete night in and night out and to help the girls grow into the best versions of themselves on and off the ice. “These players have great attitudes and a willingness to work for not just themselves but for their teammates,” he emphasized. Jordan also notes that the plan is to use every game of the regular season as a lesson. “Whether it’s win, lose, or draw, there’s always something we can take from each of these games to reflect and learn from.” The community is in for a treat this month as these determined athletes hit the ice. Their season begins on November 1st in St. Cloud, and their first home game is set for November 7th against New Ulm.
When can you cheer on the Wildcats? You can find their schedules here: