Head Coach: Bill Hauswirth and Mike Palkanen, Co-head coaches.
Assistant Coaches: Jeremy Leach, Cody Krasowski.
2016/17 Record: 8-14-2 overall, 1-7-0 conference.
2016/17 Post Season: Win over Rhinelander, 3-2 OT; Loss to Wausau West, 11-1.
Key Returners: Forwards – Ivan DeBroux, Christian Matson, Max Geiger, James Pawlicki, Ian Raddatz; Defensemen- Brandon Root, Adam Detert, Jon Euting,
Key Losses: Leading scorer Austin Burgener, Key Blueliners Ben Brown and Steve Martell; lost two senior goaltenders, Bryce Broeking and Austin Jensen.
Key Newcomers: Blake Raddatz, Brennan Harsh, Jonathon Kopella, Jerod Heller, Patrick O’Malley, Reid Hojan, Vanya Thorson, Gavin Appleyard; Goaltenders Eli Moe, Caleb McCorkle. Not newcomers but will be counted on more this year: Forwards Phil Peacy, Mitch Cammack; Defensemen Jack Piskula, Greg Glovinski, Joe Boutain.
2016/17 Recap: “It was the first year as a coop with Wausau East. Overall the year went well,” coach Hauswirth says. “We lost some close games that could have went either way. The highlight of the season was the overtime win in the first round of the playoffs beating Rhinelander 3-2 in overtime.”
2016/17 Outlook: “The BlueJacks are entering their second year as a co-op hockey team,” Hauswirth states. “Things are off to a much better start already with having a season to work through dynamics of combining two teams into one behind us, and have high expectations for the upperclassmen to fill the voids left from last year’s graduating seniors. Especially at the goaltending position. We lost a two-time WVC All Conference honorable mention goaltender in Bryce Broeking, and a steady tender in Austin Jensen. Eli Moe and Caleb McCorkle will be battling out for the starting job. This year’s seniors, Jon Euting, Max Geiger, Ivan Debroux, and Adam Detert, bring experience and leadership to the team which will be counted on heavily this year.”
A Final Word from The Coach: “The WVC is a tough conference to play in, with some very good teams. Our non-conference schedule is also going to be tough. We have to be ready compete in every game.”
Merrill/Wausau East Bluejacks Hockey Schedule 2017-18
Tuesday, Nov 21, 2017 – vs. Pacelli, Marathon Park Ice Arena, 7 pm
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 – vs Tomahawk, Marathon Park Ice Arena, 7 pm
Saturday, Dec 2, 2017 – vs. Lakeland, MARC, 7 pm
Tuesday, Dec 5, 2017 – @ Green Bay East, Cornerstone Community Center, TBD
Thursday, Dec 7, 2017 – @ D.C. Everest, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec 9, 2017 – vs. TBD, 5:30 pm
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2017 – vs. TBD, 7 pm
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 – vs. Ashland, MARC, 6 pm
Tuesday, Dec 19, 2017 – @ Marshfield, 7 pm
Thursday, Dec 21, 2017 – vs. SPASH, MARC, 7 pm
Friday, Dec 22, 2017 – vs. Altoona, Marathon Park Ice Arena, 7 pm
Thursday, Jan 4, 2018 – @ Wisconsin Rapids, 7 pm
Tuesday, Jan 9, 2018 – @ Tomahawk, 7 pm
Thursday, Jan 11, 2018 – @ D.C. Everest, 7 pm
Friday, Jan 12, 2018 – @ Ashwaubenon, TBD
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2018 – @ Shawano, 7 pm
Friday, Jan 19, 2018 – Tournament, MARC, 6 pm & 8 pm
Saturday, Jan 20, 2018 – Tournament, MARC, 11 am & 1 pm
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2018 – @ Wausau West, Marathon Park Ice Arena, 7:15 pm
Thursday, Jan 25, 2018 – vs. Marshfield, MARC, 7 pm
Tuesday, Jan 30, 2018 – @ Chequamegon, 7 pm
Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 – @ SPASH, 7 pm
Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018 – vs. Wisconsin Rapids, Marathon Park Ice Arena, 7 pm
Thursday, Feb 8, 2018 – @ Rhinelander, 7 pm