Falls’ Purple and Gold Mighty Mites

Falls’ Purple and Gold Mighty Mite hockey teams were part of the March 3-4 Mighty Mite Jamboree that also had a fund-raiser for two high school hockey players, Jenna Privette and  Jack Jablonski, who were severely injured after being checked from behind this season. Team members include, from left, front row, Ben Glowack, Owen Sether. Second row, Brandon Earnest, Tucker Hell, Paul Harder, Adrion Mannausau, Cooper LaVigne, Mitchell Nemec, Peyton Lucca. Third row, Joe Talmage, Amelila Davis, Cameron Schulz, Parker Sivonen, Jack Maxwell, Carter McBride. Fourth row, Cohlton Schultz, Nathan Lynch, Brady Wicklund, Dale Erickson, Myles Mason, Gavin Loveless, Kya Scholler, Quinn Kostiuk, Pierce Gouin. Back row, coaches Derek Hell, Jacques LaVigne, Bill Mason. Not pictured, coach Jay Schulz and manager Rachel Hasbargen-Glowack.

 Contributed photo

Privette, Jablonski benefit

The International Falls Recreation Hockey Mighty Mites helped raise funds for two severely injured high school hockey players during the Icebox Meltdown Jamboree held the weekend of March 3-4.    

Along with the Purple and Gold teams from the Falls, the nine participating teams also included teams from Emo, Atikokan, two from Baudette and three from Fort Frances. Each team played a total of four games.

Funds were raised for Jenna Privette, 18, from St. Criox Lutheran High School, who plays for the Minnehaha Saints, and Jack Jablonski, 16, of Benilde-St. Margaret. Both were severely injured this past hockey season after being checked from behind into the boards.

During the jamboree, a donation table was set up for both players to raise money to help with medical costs for each player.

The jamboree received a total of $100 in donations. The Falls Recreation Board matched the $100, bringing the total up to $200. Privette and Jablonski are each receiving a card signed by players, fans and the Recreation Board, as well as a picture of the Falls Mighty Mite teams and a check for $100.

Several young children dug into their pockets to find change to donate. The fund-raiser was also a lesson in the importance of safety on the ice.

The jamboree also helps raise funds for Falls’ recreation hockey program. This year the jamboree reported raising record amounts.

Falls’ Purple team was voted the winner of this year’s sportsmanship award. A number of votes had been cast throughout the jamboree from custodians, jamboree staff, referees and all coaches.

The voting was to be done based on the actions from the players first, coaches second and fans third. Teams were judged based upon their performance on and off the ice.