New coach, more players spell success

When Tony Bender took over coaching the Moose Lake Area boys hockey team this winter, he had a long list of things he wanted to accomplish. Among the top things on the list was increasing the number of athletes in the program and helping each player to learn the game. After seven games, the Rebels have responded with a 4-3 record and stronger play on the ice. The team's latest win came Monday in a 4-1 home victory over Spooner,

Wisconsin.

"We compete in every game, but there are times where we have lulls that end up costing us," said the first-year coach. "There are times where we'll take a whole period off, so that is something that we are really working on."

The Rebels have struggled in the past with having solid numbers, but this year's version of the team has 22 varsity players.

"We have nine seniors, we have three freshmen and the rest are juniors and sophomores," Bender said.

Senior Joe Olson leads the team with 14 points, freshman Braden Strand is second in scoring with 13 points, while Chase Klavu, a sophomore, has 12 points.

"This group of guys loves to play hockey," Bender said. "They work hard, but we have a lot to teach them."

The Rebels are anchored on defense by senior goalie Eli Gilbertson and a defensive corps led by seniors Henry Wydant, Ethan Dresel and Max Petry.

"I got back into coaching to make a difference in this program," said Bender, a former Barnum baseball coach who is a teacher in Willow River. "I want to create a different environment, and right now the kids are buying in. We are teaching disciplined, smart hockey."

With players from as far away as the East Central and Cromwell school districts, playing hockey for Moose Lake Area takes a commitment from players and coaches alike.

"We do a lot of traveling to play our schedule, but all these guys love the game and they want to be here, and that will make a huge difference as we build this program," Bender said.