Broncos itching to get back on the ice against the team that ended their season a year ago
The last time International Falls played in a recorded Minnesota State High School League contest, they had only three senior skaters on the ice in a 5-on-3 disadvantage as the horn sounded in a 4-2 loss to Hibbing-Chisholm in the Section 7A tournament.
That same Hibbing-Chisholm team comes to town tonight in the season opener, and it’s a contest that can’t come soon enough for many of the players that experienced last season’s meltdown at the IRC Civic Center in Grand Rapids.
“A lot of seniors would’ve liked a chance last year (to play in another game), but the juniors now have that chance,” said senior captain Willie Corrin, who can’t play tonight because of what transpired against the Bluejackets in last season’s finale.
In a melee that took 10 minutes to sort out late in the third period of the Section 7A contest, Corrin was ejected for fighting, which draws a 1-game suspension from the MSHSL. Matt Youso was hit with a double minor and Jordan Christianson was sent to the penalty box for cross checking.
All three, who finished last season in the penalty box or in the locker room, return for their senior seasons, and will have to unite with seven other seniors to help a team that’s relying heavily on underclassmen.
“We have a lot of young guys,” Corrin said, “but they play like they’ve been there before.”
And they’ll have to for the 2009-10 Broncos to be successful.
Gone are eight graduated seniors that logged a lot of ice time last year, while in their places are inexperienced sophomores and juniors. Four underclassman — Joel Skirten, Jack Bragg, Christian Kittleson and Brett Musich — are making the immediate jump from bantams.
“Our depth is in question,” said head coach John Prettyman, entering his 35th year with the program, and seventh as head coach. “How soon those kids advance will be key.”
The Broncos, averaging just under 19 wins over the past three seasons, have two experienced goalies and some top-end talent to fall back on, especially defensively, but a consistent run will have to included quality play from new players.
“It all depends on how we develop throughout the year,” Prettyman said.
Senior Mike Hart will start in goal tonight, but junior Glenn Walls will also be in the mix if Hart has any early-season struggles. Prettyman said he’ll play the hot hand, which could even include junior Matt Pelowski.
The only other big changes will be on the bench. Long-time assistant coach Steve Johnson stepped down, and another assistant from last season, Jon Austin, moved up to the college level and took a job with the Minnesota State women’s team. Falls High School graduate Marc Glowack joins George McDonald on the coaching staff.
“Everyone wants to get back on (the ice) real quick,” Corrin said.
