March 8, 2023 at 1:02 p.m.
Northern Edge celebrate season with end-of-year banquet
Northern Edge celebrate season with end-of-year banquet
By By Brett LaBore-
Players and coaches were honored as the co-op of Lakeland, Rhinelander, Antigo, Wabeno and Three Lakes gathered together one more time this season.
This was coach Tom Roeser's final season as head coach of the Edge, having been head coach of the Edge for five years. He said he is thankful for his time coaching and will miss the team.
"We never had locker room problems, (they) all just got along. Even if they didn't necessarily get along, they respected each other," he said. "(There's) ... a lot of great character on that team, including the younger girls. The older girls - they've been that way the four years I've had them. They're gonna be missed."
The team thanked coach Roeser for his time as coach at the end of the banquet.
A total of nine awards were presented to the team.
Lakeland junior Taylor Heleniak won MVP and the most goals award. She had 43 points in just 19 games to lead the team this season. She also led the team with 32 goals - 22 more than the next highest goal scorer. In addition, she had 11 assists as she became a force for the Edge this season.
"Aside from just the goals she puts on the board for us, without Taylor we don't get a few of those wins. She really has a good nose for the net," coach Roeser said. "She brings a lot of energy to the game. (If they're) skating with her, they got to keep up with her. I think she made the people around her better."
Taylor Heleniak's 43 points ranked 12th in the state of Wisconsin.
Rhinelander senior Mardi Roeser won the Leadership Award. She became a vocal leader for the team this season. She had five goals and six assists for 11 points, fourth most on the team.
"In the locker room she's borderline coaching a lot of the time, and she's supportive and probably gets through to the girls a lot better than a bunch of male coaches to be honest with you," coach Roeser said. "(It's) nice to have a female presence in the locker room that has that coaching mentality."
Lakeland senior Maria Gironella was the recipient of the Blue Line award, presented to the team's top defender. It's not the first time Gironella's won the award as she showed her leadership and experience on the ice defensively. She totaled five goals and seven assists for 12 points, third most on the team.
"That might be her third Blue Line Award and that's pretty impressive," coach Roeser said. "She's played with some pretty good defensemen in her years. Just the leadership she brings too. That stuff's hard to replace - just a great personality, always lighthearted, kind of a breath of fresh air."
Rhinelander senior Wyndi Saari won the Playmaker Award. She led the Edge with 13 assists, making the right plays on the ice to help her team. She also had 10 goals and 23 total points, both marks second best on the team.
"She had the most assists on the team, and that means when she's out there she's looking to put pucks on sticks, make smart plays," coach Roeser said. "She's not afraid to give up the puck for the betterment of the team."
Lakeland senior Kristiina Kunelius won the Edge Award. Kunelius stepped up mid-way through the season by moving to goalie. She finished with a record of 5-6 in net with an .806 save percentage.
"We didn't have a goalie coming into the season. Ellie (Stank) - she was still injured from last year. We started Hannah (Mueller), and when we decided to make a change ... Kristiina stepped up and said she'd do it. (She) volunteered to do it, didn't have to ask her. (It's) a pretty big deal for a senior who just put a couple points on the board to step up and say she'll play goalie for the betterment of the team."
Wabeno senior Kassidee Linssen won the Ms. Hustle Award. She was all over the ice this season, and finished with four assists.
"Every time she's on the ice, she's going full speed. She's like a little wrecking ball, she's fearless," coach Roeser said. "I love the way she plays the game and it's full speed all the time."
Maddi Roeser and Gironella also won the Hobie Baker Character Award for their efforts off the ice.
"I knew what they were doing on and off the ice. I knew they were putting time in with the younger groups and running blood drives and things like that. It just shows how unselfish they were with their time," coach Roeser said. "They weren't afraid to give a little or a lot to the community. It's more than just playing hockey for them. It's a lifestyle, and I know there's other girls that are doing things too. Those are just character traits that they're gonna just make the world a better place with."
The five seniors for the Edge - Maddi Roeser, Gironella, Linssen, Saari and Kunelius - have been playing for the Edge co-op for all four years.
"I have had the honor of coaching them their last two years," assistant coach Brian Heleniak said. "All five brought something different to this co-op. Maddi's leadership on and off the ice, Wyndi's love for the game of hockey and to compete, Maria's ability to apologize to another team's player after knocking her over to take the puck, Kristiina's ability to adapt to anything she was asked to do for the team and you can't forget Kassidee - the team would never have known about welding, pigs and Minnie cows."
These five seniors have left a positive mark on the co-op, he noted.
"Without this co-op these girls' paths would have never crossed, and their forever friendships would have never existed. It will be tough to fill all five shoes and skates on the future teams," coach Heleniak said. "All of these girls on this team are coachable, dedicated and have the will to want to be better at this game and in life. This is why I coach."
Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
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