Eighteen girls' hockey players were celebrated at their banquet Thursday, March 16. They were, in no particular order: Kiya Pospisil, Madalyn Benson, Maizee Storey, Kaylee Lawson, Izabela Slechta, Emily Gordon, Madelyn Malecha, Emma Huelsnitz, Ryley Bartz, McKenna Mortensen, Katlyn Schueller, Stevie Johnston, Makayla Forthun, Timmi Volkmer, Cece Huttemier, and Ilamay Draheim. Not pictured but still recognized were Alicia Kellt and Emma Keith.
Best season in 7 years
Waseca Girls Hockey awards night 2023
Waseca Girls Hockey awards night 2023
Thu, 03/30/2023 - 7:56pm
It was a pretty good first season for Waseca girls’ hockey head coach Chas Benson.
At the girls’ hockey end-of-season banquet Thursday, March 16 at the Lakeview Golf Course clubhouse, he shared what his ambitious goals for the team were, which included getting them to a winning record. They ended the regular season 12-11, the team’s best record in seven years. “We worked really hard to get there,” Benson said.
However, Benson’s second goal of winning a section game wasn’t realized; Albert Lea, the defending Section 1A champions, defeated the Lady Jays in the first round of sections.
“We did get a first round bye, though,” he said. “That was huge. And we did give Albert Lea a run for their money in the first two periods.”
Benson said earlier this season that he wanted to build a positive team culture on the ice. “But I’ve talked about how it’s not only how the girls are on the ice; it’s also about how they are off the ice,” he told the crowd of parents. “They showed up at games and other events together as a team, which was great to see.”
Award winners
The awards given out were all voted on by the players and coaches; the only exception was the MVP award, which was a players-only vote.
Eighth-grade goaltender Ilamay Draheim was awarded the MVP, which was well-deserved. Benson claimed that it was a near unanimous selection by the players, and there was no question as to why. Draheim ended the year thirtieth among all goalies in the state in saves with a .922 percentage; she placed twelfth in Class A. “That’s fantastic, especially for an eighth-grader,” he said.
Maizee Storey, another eighth-grader, won the offensive player of the year award, and was also recognized for making it to the Big South All-Conference team. She had a total of 28 points on the season, which included 18 goals and 10 assists. “She knows how to put the puck in the net,” Benson said.
Cece Huttemier was named the defensive player of the year. “We all breathed a sigh of relief when she was on the ice,” Benson shared.
This year, an additional acknowledgment was added: the “Muck and Grind” award. “Coach Anthony Scheid always told the girls between periods, ‘We need to muck and grind,’” Benson explained. “‘We need to get our elbows out and push some girls around.’”
Junior Izabela Slechta was the recipient of that award.
Although Junior Emma Keith was not present for the banquet, she was also recognized for making the Big South Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention list.
Seniors recognized
As Benson called up the letter winners, he started by recognizing the seniors, beginning with goaltender Alicia Kelly. “She came up in clutch for us in many situations, including the section playoff game against Albert Lea,” he shared. “I think one of the hardest things in sports is to be a backup goalie and have to come in cold. She did that a handful of times for us this season.”
Madelyn Malecha was the next senior recognized. “She was the locker room leader. She made everyone laugh and had the best one-liners…some that I can’t say here. But the effect she had in the locker room will be sorely missed.”
Senior Jacqlyn Mathern was also recognized. She was unable to play most of the season due to injuries. “She tried so hard in practice,” she said. “It was a bummer she couldn’t finish the season with us. She gave it her all and was a bright spot for us.”
Cece Huttemier was next to receive recognition. “She was a ‘fourth head coach’ for us,” Benson claimed. “I appreciated having coached her. It was an absolute pleasure all year long. She led the girls on ice, off ice, verbally, and mostly by example.”
Timmi Volkmer was the last senior recognized. A former goaltender for Waseca, she hadn’t played hockey for two years prior to rejoining the team this season as a forward. “I was thoroughly surprised,” Benson admitted. “She was a bit rusty at first, but how quickly she picked it up…you can tell that there was a skill still there. She was always willing to work, such a coachable kid, and had a smile on her face, which I enjoyed.”
At the end of the banquet, Benson announced the captains for next season’s team: Emma Keith, Izabela Slechta, and Kaitlyn Schueller. “We couldn’t pick any better three,” Benson said. “They’ll do an excellent job. I’m looking forward to them leading our team.
“We accomplished a lot this season,” he concluded. “The most important part — which was another goal of ours — is we had fun throughout it all.”
