Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1457826
23 M A R C H 2 0 2 2 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M Minnesota's Top Hockey Camp for 34 years! • Boys & Girls • Mite-Bantam • Weeklong Full Day Camps • 3-Day Weekend Clinics • AAA Spring/Fall Teams • 5 MN Locations Train where the WILD train, TRIA Rink! Fun—Affordable—Group & Family Discounts trips from 2010-18 which included six-straight runner-up fin- trips from 2010-18 which included six-straight runner-up fin- ishes and then back-to-back titles. ishes and then back-to-back titles. Plante was there watching all of those games. Hermantown Plante was there watching all of those games. Hermantown was the runner-up again in 2020 before making the big dance was the runner-up again in 2020 before making the big dance again last year. But the 2021 state tournament was a different again last year. But the 2021 state tournament was a different animal, taking place during the pandemic with various restric- animal, taking place during the pandemic with various restric- tions in place. tions in place. A COVID-19 exposure during the team's section semifi- A COVID-19 exposure during the team's section semifi- nal meant Hermantown played its junior varsity players—and nal meant Hermantown played its junior varsity players—and Plante, who returned from injury—in the state quarterfinal. Plante, who returned from injury—in the state quarterfinal. Plante played nearly all of the 51 minutes in that game, record- Plante played nearly all of the 51 minutes in that game, record- ing a goal and assist in the 7-3 loss. ing a goal and assist in the 7-3 loss. The outdoor hockey culture in Hermantown is a critical The outdoor hockey culture in Hermantown is a critical component of their long-term success. Plante recalls skating component of their long-term success. Plante recalls skating four to five hours a day on the outdoor rinks after school with four to five hours a day on the outdoor rinks after school with his friends, where everyone is having fun, his friends, where everyone is having fun, playing against older and younger kids, playing against older and younger kids, and trying to push each other to get better and trying to push each other to get better every day. every day. Not only did it build bonds and develop Not only did it build bonds and develop skills, it drove kids to compete on their skills, it drove kids to compete on their own terms. own terms. "I really think what separates us," Plante "I really think what separates us," Plante said. "These guys are really competitive." said. "These guys are really competitive." In many ways, it's like having another coach on the bench. He's seeing things in real time where most players come back to the bench and they're not looking for feedback, because average players don't want to be told what they need to work on. Zam comes back with ideas and is having a conversation." —PAT ANDREWS, HERMANTOWN HEAD COACH Zam collected his 100th career point with Hermantown during a victory against Holy Family on Feb. 11.