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HOME ICE: Four Seasons Arena DISTRICT: PRESIDENT: Travis Bebee 9 Wildcats NICKNAME: 221 2021-22 REGISTRATION NUMBERS: M H J O N L I N E . C O M | J A N / F E B 2 0 2 2 16 of STATE HOCKEY Dodge County State of Hockey Spotlight WHY THEY'RE AWESOME After the Dodge County boys' high school hockey team returned home from its first-ever State Tournament appearance last March, coach Nick Worden pulled out his phone and opened a text message from Kasson-Mantorville's athletics director. It was a picture of nine kids playing street hockey in the neighborhood. "I think your team has made an impact," the message read. A year ago, Worden would have never expected to see those kids playing out- side on a Sunday evening. But ever since his team took home runner-up honors at Xcel Energy Center, hockey is starting to take a front seat in the community. "Hockey is really growing here," Worden said. "From the boys' hockey side, our success has to do with this group of kids. They really were the pioneers of having success at the Peewee and Bantam levels, and they helped to get other kids to come along and maybe take hockey a little more seriously." The connection between Dodge County's high school and youth programs is as strong as ever, and it's giving the program the momentum it needs to grow. FOSTERING FRIENDSHIPS Dodge County draws hockey players from seven different school districts: Blooming Prairie, Triton, Kasson-Mantorville, Byron, Pine Island, Zumbrota- Mazeppa and Hayfield. The kids skate together during the winter months, but many of them will cheer or play against each other throughout the year in other sports. Photos / Dodge County Youth Hockey Association; Smithography P R E S E N T E D B Y by Elizabeth Boger