In October, New Ulm boys hockey began their annual preseason captains practice that will continue until November 10. “It is a good opportunity for the fellas to get their legs under them before hell week starts,” Senior defenseman Ian Brudelie said. “It’s also nice for the team to start building chemistry since hockey is a team sport.”

The Boy’s high school hockey team practices twice a week, usually later in the evening. A sizable senior group leads their practices due to compliance with the MSHL rules, as coaches are not allowed to be on the ice or in the rink while they practice.

“It’s fun to run these practices with our other seniors; it’s a great way for the team to bond,” New Ulm Senior Brody Wenner said.

It is a young Eagles team, as 9th graders have moved up due to the lack of numbers this year at the high school level. Because of this there will be no Bantam A team this year for the New Ulm Hockey Association. One of those players is Carsten Haala, who represented team Minnesota in Tier 1, the highest level for his age group.