YOUTH SPORTS: Team Wisconsin: The next miracle on ice?

“Do you believe in miracles?”

Al Michaels spoke those famous words on February 22, 1980, in describing the U.S.A. hockey team’s startling upset win over the Soviet Union en route to their gold medal during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

Twenty-one years later, that same battle cry is being heard in the Midwest, as Team Wisconsin has advanced to the U.S. Tier I Midget AAA National Championships, which are being held at the Iceline Rinks in Philadelphia April 4-8.

Team Wisconsin is a squad of premier high school hockey players drawn from various prep programs throughout the Badger State. The team started their season last September and played for three months. The players then split up and went back to their respective high school teams and played until early March. The team has been together for the last month and has compiled a sterling record of 21-3-2.

Two weekends ago, Team Wisconsin defeated the Chicago Chill to become Central Region Tier I Midget Champions. That is quite an accomplishment for a program that is only in its second season of existence.

“(We) started the program to give our best high school players the opportunity to compete against the best players from other areas of the country,” said general manager Matt Carey. “Team Wisconsin is giving our kids an opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

Those dreams include the chance to get noticed by junior hockey talent seekers.

“The scouts get a chance to see our high school players compete against some of the highly-regarded midget teams,” said Carey. “Scouts have told us that our program has really opened their eyes up to the players we have in Wisconsin.”

This year’s Wisconsin Mr. Hockey, Evan Salmela of Milwaukee University School, leads Team Wisconsin. Some of the other leading players on the team are forwards Andy Brandt (Wausau West), Joe Pavelski (Stevens Point), Kyle Hilmershausen (Wausau West), John Egge (Wisconsin Rapids), and goalie Bob Berg (Antigo). Brandt and Pavelski have each scored over forty points, and Berg has done a good job in net.

“(Berg) played exceptionally well in Chicago (in the Central Region championship),” said Carey.

The team is coached by Dave Witting, Lee Skille, and M.J. Laggis.

Laggis feels that he has a team of exceptional kids.

“Without a doubt, Team Wisconsin provides some of the most high speed, up-tempo, and highly skilled hockey that you can find at the high school level. I am really fortunate to be a part of this coaching staff and I truly enjoy working with kids that are this highly skilled.”

Team Wisconsin, which is currently ranked 18th in the nation, is going to have to use all their skills as they open against the Eastern Massachusetts Senators, last year’s national champions. The Senators have a record of 27-1-0 and are ranked second in the nation.

Head coach Mike Bonish leads the Senators, and is respectful of the job that Team Wisconsin has done this season. Bonish said, “I really do not know too much about them, but they must have a hell of a team to beat a quality team like the Chicago Chill in the Central Regional final.”

Senior forward Ned Havern, who has tallied 25 goals and 27 assists, leads the Senators. Seniors Rugo Santini and Sean Collins have each scored 39 points for the Sens. Tim Warner and Kevin Galvin split time in net and each have a GAA of less than 1.70 and a save percentage of over 93%, which are both outstanding numbers.

“Our kids are excited to be going back to Nationals,” said Bonish.

Team Wisconsin will then play the Washington Little Capitals on Thursday evening, and finish their preliminary round with a game against Warwick, Rhode Island on Friday night.

If Team Wisconsin does well, they will make it to the quarterfinal round that will begin on Saturday. The semifinals will be played Saturday night, and the championship game will take place on Sunday afternoon.

There will be 12 teams vying for the championship, and they include top-ranked Compuware, Buffalo Saints, Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, Pikes Peak Miners, and hometown favorite Philadelphia Jr. Flyers.

Team Wisconsin knows that they will be facing some tough competition.

“Our athletes know it will be no easy task to play any team in this tournament,” said Team Wisconsin’s Skille. “We know that Eastern Massachusetts is very good but we are hoping to step up to their level and compete.”

Everyone connected with Team Wisconsin is confident, but not to the point of cockiness.

“We look forward to competing against the best (teams),” said Carey. “We aren’t going across the country to play weak teams. This may be our first trip to nationals, but we aren’t going to roll over and say “uncle” to anyone.”

Skille added, “We feel we have a shot (at winning), and if nothing else, we want to put on a great show and come back year after year until we are seen as one of the best teams in the tournament.”