Northern Lakes hockey
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:36 pm
Just finished up a story on Northern Lakes hockey. It's up on the Hockey Hub and the Breakdown and should be in Let's Play Hockey this week.
Here's a taste...and a link...
It may be cliché to call a former athlete a warrior, but the description fits second-year Northern Lakes coach Shawn Chambers perfectly. Despite more than 20 surgeries on his knees during a 13-year NHL career, Chambers endured long enough to win two Stanley Cups as a hard-nosed, tough defenseman.
After one final injury-interrupted season in Dallas in 1999-2000, Chambers and his battered knees retired to the relative quiet of the deep woods of central Minnesota. But he’s found his way back to the game, teaching a new generation of hockey players how to win with defense and hard work.
One wouldn’t expect his team to have an attitude any different. In an area traditionally known for its basketball programs, Chambers has resurrected hockey. In just under two seasons, the co-operative Northern Lakes Lightning have posted a 31-8-4 record under Chambers – and the rest of the state has begun to take notice.
“He just brings a lot of experience. He knows what we need to do and helps us learn a lot,” said Lightning senior goalie Trey Flesch, a three-year starter. “Worry about the D-zone. Dump and chase. Hustle, hustle, hustle. Get off to a quick start. That’s all we try to get done.”
http://www.mnsportspreview.com/TimKoleh ... nlakes.htm
Here's a taste...and a link...
It may be cliché to call a former athlete a warrior, but the description fits second-year Northern Lakes coach Shawn Chambers perfectly. Despite more than 20 surgeries on his knees during a 13-year NHL career, Chambers endured long enough to win two Stanley Cups as a hard-nosed, tough defenseman.
After one final injury-interrupted season in Dallas in 1999-2000, Chambers and his battered knees retired to the relative quiet of the deep woods of central Minnesota. But he’s found his way back to the game, teaching a new generation of hockey players how to win with defense and hard work.
One wouldn’t expect his team to have an attitude any different. In an area traditionally known for its basketball programs, Chambers has resurrected hockey. In just under two seasons, the co-operative Northern Lakes Lightning have posted a 31-8-4 record under Chambers – and the rest of the state has begun to take notice.
“He just brings a lot of experience. He knows what we need to do and helps us learn a lot,” said Lightning senior goalie Trey Flesch, a three-year starter. “Worry about the D-zone. Dump and chase. Hustle, hustle, hustle. Get off to a quick start. That’s all we try to get done.”
http://www.mnsportspreview.com/TimKoleh ... nlakes.htm
Need I say more? Great team being recognized by the state. 
I don't think so.