Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1543763
Photos / Augustana Athletics M H J ON L I N E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 6 22 "The amount of ice time and practice we were able to get from games, practices, open ice, it definitely helped prepare us for the next levels," said Hayden. "My dad (Rod Hennen, who coached the boys at Kittson) harped on us skating all the time. He said if you're not a good skater, you're not going to get any where. At the time, I was 5-foot-6 and didn't want to get hit by the 6-3 kids, so I got good at being elusive. It's also when I started figuring out the vision part of the game, being patient and poised with the puck." Hayden played four years of high school hockey for Kittson, was team captain his junior and senior seasons and helped lead the team to conference championships three years in a row. Tyler played 92 games at Kittson, scoring 309 points, including 123 in his senior season when he was a Minnesota Mr. Hockey Finalist. Tyler also played in the High School Elite League before his senior season with some of the best players in Minnesota. Both brothers also skated on Minnesota Hockey High Performance Teams and spent time with the Anchorage Wolverines of the North American Hockey League, even overlapping in Alaska "for 7-8 games," per Tyler. "For me, living in Minnesota and staying there through high school is what made me as a player," said Hayden. "I have a ton of great memories from my youth hockey days and high school. A ll those times with your buddies are what you remember." For me, living in Minnesota and staying there through high school is what made me as a player. I have a ton of great memories from my youth hockey days and high school. All those times with your buddies are what you remember." HAYDEN HENNEN Hayden Hennen (left) captained Kittson Central High School to three straight conference championships. Tyler Hennen (right) was a Mr. Hockey finalist, tallying 123 points in his senior season.