By Victoria Dahlin

The North Branch boys hockey team held their 2009 Awards Banquet on Monday, March 16 and celebrated the boys record setting season.

The team set a record for the most wins in a season with a 4-15 record. They also set a record for most points in a season with 122 and most goals in a season with 58. Sophomore Nic Miller was the all-time leading goalie in school history by earning four wins with the best goals against average in a season and career (6.16). The Viking boys hockey team set many other new team and individual season and single game records.

Senior Dalton Miska was awarded the Hobey Baker High School Character Award. A player deserving of this award demonstrates traits that include a positive attitude, outstanding sportsmanship, excellent work ethic, unselfish teamwork, coachability, exemplary citizenship and is a great role model. This high school level award is a natural extension of the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Dalton Miska was awarded the Hobey Baker High School Character Award at the North Branch boys hockey awards banquet. Photo supplied.

Junior Jarrett Sachs was awarded the Vikings Hockey Award which recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions, and for superlative levels of determination, courage, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit. Sachs also set many records including most goals in a game (6), most goals in a season (24), most points in a career (41) and longest consecutive point streak record with ten straight games.

Junior Gavin Runberg was awarded Hardest Worker and the Unsung Hero Award. This award is presented by the coaching staff to recognize a player who displays exemplary attitude, character, sportsmanship and team leadership in ways often immeasurable and intangible.

Junior Lanes Noyes was voted Most Valuable Player and set a record for most season (15) and career (22) assists.
Junior Jake Zengerle was awarded Best Defensive Player, and set a record for the most penalty minutes in a career with 200. Rookie of the Year was sophomore Michael SantaBrigida. Sophomore Josh Anderson was awarded JV Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Noyes, Zengerle and Runberg were voted 2009-10 team captains by returning lettermen and the coaching staff. Characteristics of a captain include leadership, sportsmanship, integrity and ability. A captain must be a respected leader by his teammates, coaches, school and members of the North Branch area community.

“This season was the best season (4-15) a team from North Branch has ever put together.” said Coach Darrell Schulte. “The kids set the bar high for themselves next season. I know they will be eager to get to work, hoping to improve upon the continuing growth of the hockey program from an individual and team standpoint. I am very optimistic about the future of North Branch High School hockey.”

Coach Schulte continued, “However, I was asked to resign by the activities director last night. There were both ups and downs throughout the season, but I felt that lessons could be learned and improvements could be made for next season. So I declined her request to resign and will face a non- renewal of my coaching contract.”

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