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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| | Email this article • Print this article | North Branch hockey has record-setting season in 2008-09
BY JEFF NORTON
Sports editor
Playing an independent schedule for the second year in a row, the Viking boys' hockey team (4-15) put together the best season ever in North Branch boys hockey. Despite the success, the contract of head coach Darrell Schulte will not be renewed for next season.
One of the highlights for this season for the Vikings was beating Mora for the first time ever. Tom Toohey's only goal of the year was the game winner in that 3-2 win over Mora. Also, junior forward Jarrett Sachs burst onto the scene and set several team scoring records in the process. The Vikings certainly look forward to having Sachs return for his senior season. Next season, the Vikings will play in the newly-formed Two Rivers Hockey Conference, consisting of Minneapolis East, Minneapolis West, Moose Lake, Mora, Pine City, Meadow Creek, Webster (Wisconsin) and North Branch.
Schulte talked about his final season, just his second as the North Branch head coach. He said "There were 16 individual records broken or tied and nine team records eclipsed. Many of these accomplishments are impressive in any season. Notably, the prior team records for most points and most goals in a single season were beaten during a season where we played in only 19 total games. Those earlier marks were set during a season where we played 26 total games. I think it's safe to say that we'd have blown those numbers out of the water had we been able to schedule season more games this season.
"We reduced our team goals against this season by roughly one goal per game. We also improved our scoring, up over one goal per game as well. That's a two goal per game swing. That's huge and very telling. Only four of our 19 games really got away from us this season. We were more competitive than last season by a significant margin. We were better offensively and better defensively. Still, there's more work to be done and more room for improvement.
"The kids set the bar high for themselves next season. I know they will be eager to get to work, hoping to improve upon the continuing growth of the hockey program from an individual and team standpoint. I am very optimistic about the future of North Branch High School hockey.
"However, on March 17 I was asked to resign by the Activities Director. There were both ups and downs throughout the season, but I felt that lessons could be learned and improvements could be made for next season. So I declined her request to resign and will face a non-renewal of my coaching contract."
We asked North Branch Activities Director Becky Leuer to comment on the non-renewal of Schulte's contract. She said "At the conclusion of the season, the district decided it would be best to go in a new direction. We're appreciative of Coach Schulte's hard work over the past two years and wish him all the best in the future." Leuer also said that the search for a new coach has not yet started.
Listed below are team records and awards for the Vikings for the 2008-2009 season:
TEAM AWARDS
Most Valuable Player - Lane Noyes
Most Improved Player - Josh Anderson
Hardest Worker - Gavin Runberg
Best Defensive Player - Jake Zengerle
Rookie of the Year - Michael SantaBrigida
JV Player of the Year - Josh Anderson
Vikings Hockey Award - Jarrett Sachs
Unsung Hero Award - Gavin Runberg
Hobey Baker Award - Dalton Miska
2009-2010 Captains - Layne Noyes, Jake Zengerle, Gavin Runberg
TEAM RECORDS SET
Most wins - 4
Most points - 122
Most goals - 58
Most goals in one game - 7
Best goals scored per game - 3.05
Best goals against per game - 6.21
Most shorthanded goals - 11
Best power play percentage - 13.4%
Best penalty kill percentage - 78.3%
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS SET
Most career varsity games played - Jake Lenards 86
Longest consecutive games with a point - Jarrett Sachs 10
Most points in one game - Jarrett Sachs 6
Most goal in one season - Jarrett Sachs 24
Most goals in a career - Jarrett Sachs 31
Most assists in one game (tied) Jarrett Sachs 3, Dalton Miska 3
Most assists in one season - Lane Noyes 15
Most assists in a career - Lane Noyes 21
Best plus/minus in a season - Jarrett Sachs +1
Most goalie wins in a season - Nic Miller 4
Best goals against average in a season - Nic Miller 6.16
Best goals against average in a career - Nic Miller 6.16
Most points as a junior - Jarrett Sachs 34
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