Bridge to the Hockey Season

The New Ulm boys hockey team is taking part in what they call a bridge season. It includes twelve practices; however, the league has not got the okay to play games against each other. The league is starting in late October and is planned to go right up to when the regular season starts. In other words, it is a bridge to the regular season, which explains why it is a “bridge season.” The team must still follow MSHSL rules, prohibiting them from having practices held with their normal coach, so they had to hire helpers to run the practices.

Many players are participating in more leagues outside of the bridge season. The other leagues include Black and Red, Jr. Steel, and open hockey at the Civic Center. Red and Black is a league of a couple of teams with players from various parts of Minnesota; however, it is a non-contact league and is meant to prepare skills. There are two players from the team participating in this league. Jr. Steel has teams for a couple of age ranges that play games and tournaments; about five of the high school boys participate in this league. Open hockey is an option at the Civic Center to practice whatever you want, or if there are enough people, you can get a scrimmage going.

The players participate in a couple of leagues to prepare and get ready for a (hopefully) regular season. Player Evan Griebel says, “I hope we have a regular season, and I think this bridge season will help us get ready.” The team is working hard and preparing for a possible upcoming season.

With Minnesota at its’ highest amount of Covid-19 cases yet, many teams are canceling seasons in northern Minnesota. However, New Ulm and most of the teams they will play have plans to continue to a regular season.