March 17, 2021 at 10:34 a.m.
Wojtusik wins Hodag hockey's Al Baker Award, MVP
Wojtusik wins Hodag hockey's Al Baker Award, MVP
Wojtusik received the Alfred O. Baker Outstanding Hockey Player Award and was also named the team's most valuable player during the event in the RHS commons. Wojtusik attended the banquet remotely, via video conferencing, as he has returned to Montana to finish out the NA3HL hockey season with the Helena Bighorns junior hockey team. Wojtusik's grandfather, Bob, accepted awards on his behalf.
Seniors dominated the awards, decided upon by the team's coaching staff. Jake Losch received the Hobey Baker Character Award as well as the team's Hodag Award, JC Adams received the Blue Line Award as the team's top defenseman and Jared Arno was named the team's most improved player.
Junior Joe Schneider was named the team's Mr. Hustle and also received the Playmaker Award.
But the top honors were saved for Wojtusik who tallied 26 goals and 22 assists this season. He finished second on the team in scoring as he helped lead the Hodags to their first Great Northern Conference title.
The Al Baker Award is presented annually to the team's most outstanding senior. The award is named in honor of Baker, who was the Hodags' head coach from 1949-1961, and has been presented annually since 1990.
"It's a pleasure to give it away to a guy, and we're going to say some of the same things that we've already said, but what a part of our locker room, what an unbelievable player. Every coach that meets him, likes him," coach M.J. Laggis said. "More than Harlan Wojtusik the hockey player, I'm really proud of his character. He's an outstanding kid and he'll forever be one of my favorite players."
Wojtusik was a unanimous first-team All-GNC selection this year and finished runner-up in conference player of the year voting to Northland Pines defenseman Riley McGee. Over the course of his four-year career at RHS, Wojtusik amassed 139 points on 85 goals and 54 assists.
"I would say over the course of a career, I've never seen a guy do more for us in an offensive capacity than Harlan Wojtusik. It's very well-deserved," Laggis said.
Losch received two awards based on his character off the ice. The Hobey Baker Character Award, run by the same organization that presents the award of the same name to the most outstanding collegiate men's hockey player, is given to those who display character.
Each participating high school can select one senior hockey player to receive the award based on the criteria of coach ability, strength of character, integrity, commitment, teamwork, community leadership and outstanding sportsmanship. Laggis said he does not nominate a player for a Hobey Baker every year, and credited's Losch's growth on and off the ice over his four-year career.
"This is a guy I've watched build character through four years," he said. "It's a really cool award. I'm proud that he got it. He's a really smart kid. He's going on to college, I'm not sure where yet, but he's going to do some great things."
Schneider received the lone objective award of the night. He recorded a team-high 25 assists this year to earn the playmaker award. Schneider also had a team-best 32 goals and 57 total points. Laggis credited that to Schneider's motor on the ice and dedication to the sport off the ice, which also tied into Schneider earning the Mr. Hustle Award.
"No matter what the situation is, there's two things you can count on - he's not going to quit and he's not going to get outworked. He's just not. He brought that to our club all year long," Laggis said. "He just brings a motor every single day."
Adams was named a second-team All-GNC defenseman this year and had a total of four goals and seven assists on the season. Laggis said Adams' game took a noticeable step forward, especially during the second half of the season.
"He's been just a wall up for us defensively. He's brought a lot to our team - the confidence, the charisma on the blue line." He said. "I'm very proud of his senior season. That's how you want to end it. He's an incredibly hard-working kid and he's going to be successful in whatever he does. He's one of those guys I can honestly say that you can't replace what he brought to us."
Laggis credited Arno's perseverance in presenting him the most improved player award. After struggling to see much ice time during his first three seasons, Laggis said Arno improved significantly over the offseason and developed into a starting defenseman alongside Adams.
"For a guy to literally really not play much for three years and decide that he was going to end his senior year on his terms, his way, that's exactly what he did," Laggis said. "He was one of our go-to guys all year on penalty kill and one of those guys that day in and day out brought everything he had to the ice sheet. I tell you what, it's a pleasure to give a senior something like that on the way out the door."
In addition to team awards, the Hodags recognized their captains, all-conference recipients and letter winners. Additionally, Laggis mentioned that assistant coach Wil Losch was named Division 2, Sectional 2 assistant coach of the year by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association.
"I think that it's awesome that our section recognizes guys that are working hard and doing a lot for their program. That's definitely him," Laggis said.
Rhinelander went 15-7-0 overall this season, winning the Great Northern Conference tournament to claim a three-way share of the conference title. The Hodags also advanced to the WIAA Division 2 sectional finals before falling to Lakeland.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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