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The 2018-2019 winner, Austin Federici

2019-2020 Adam Burish Award Nominees

By Bill Berg Jr, WiPH Staff, 02/25/20, 1:00PM CST

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Here are the nine nominees for this year's Adam Burish "Unsung Hero" Award.

As usual Wisconsin Prep Hockey is presenting the Adam Burish Award for one "unsung hero." This player, while not grabbing headlines or competing for the Player of the Year Award, shows the skills and dedication to hockey and his team on and off the ice that every coach is looking for.

After a successful high school career Burish played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL before four years at the University of Wisconsin. He was the captain of the Badgers' 2006 national championship team.

He played nine years in the NHL, with the Blackhawks, Stars and Sharks, and was on the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup winning team. The winner of this award was selected by Burish himself after nominations by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association members, and will be announced at the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Awards Ceremony.

Past Winners

  • 2018-2019 - Austin Federici, Wausau West
  • 2017-2018 - Justin Weinberger, Chequamegon/Phillips
  • 2016-2017 - Hunter Ricklefs, Wausau West

Burish hoists the cup he won with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

Adam Burish Award Nominees

The nominees are presented below in alphabetical order. The write-ups were all much longer, but I pulled out one piece to include with each player.

Alex Sternhagen

Northland Pines Eagles

From coach David Cox: We were all devastated and felt terrible for Alex. I expected to find a player that was devastated as well but I was shocked to hear his response and reaction a day later. He handled the situation better than his coaches, team mates, and family. I guess I should not have been surprised knowing him as well as I do. He has always been a team first guy and his first response in a text was, “Thank you coach I appreciate your frustration but I’m just going to have to deal with it (surgery and season over) and help the team by being there for the them and trying to coach them. I just see this as my role on the team has changed, nothing else.”

Alvin Pokel

University School of Milwaukee Wildcats

From coach Jason Woods: Alvin is a senior this year who epitomizes the “never give up” attitude that people love. Realistically, missed his entire Sophomore season with a broken back, spent his entire Junior year coming back basically as a practice player, receiving very little serious game time, followed by a Senior season where he helped anchor an impressive 3rd line. Not flashy, just the hardest working kid on our team.

Dekota Leiker

Marquette University Hilltoppers

From coach Sean Kearney: Dekota grew up playing defense until last year where, as a sophomore, he decided that in the best interest of the team, and program, he would transition to goaltending. This decision was supported by his parents as well as the coaching staff. Not a small feat by any stretch. The cost alone would have been difficult for me as a father of two sons playing hockey to even fathom. Not only did Dekota make the transition he did so seamlessly. Moreover, his energy, work ethic and positive attitude have, quite literally, galvanized our program. In all my years of coaching (31 years) I’ve never seen anything quite like this before.

Fletcher Kjesth

Amery Warriors

From coach Matt Humpal: By looking at Fletcher's stats, it may look like he has too many points to qualify for an award like this. Truth is most of Fletcher's points came when he was on the first line with our two fifty point scorers. Around New Year's, we realized we needed a spark from our other lines. We moved Fletcher to play with a sophomore and a freshman. Fletcher never complained once but embraced his new role. Since then, our team is 8-1 and the timing is no coincidence. Whenever we need a big shift, Fletcher is flying all over the ice. Our bench loves watching his effort on the forecheck and you can feel our team gaining momentum from his energy on the ice.

Kolton Prater

Hudson Raiders

From coach Jake Drewiske: Hockey is his 1B sport because he has a D-1 scholarship to UWGB for soccer. However He absolutely loves hockey and demonstrates it with his compete level. He has blocked multiple shots with his face! He is the 1st guy at the rink and last to leave. He is the vocal leader on the team. He is a senior assistant captain. He plays whatever role that is given to him by me/my coaching staff. He is our best defensive dman and always puts the team before his personal accolades.

Kyle Bengston

Lakeland Thunderbirds

From coach Jake Suter: His whole life he has played defense and started the year back there for us. Due to some injuries and players not being available to us I asked him to play center for us. He not only has never complained, but he has excelled. He is our 2nd line center and our best penalty killer. He only has a handful of points and no goals but that has not changed the fact that he has been one of our best players. For the casual fan watching one of our games they may not notice all that he does, but anyone who knows the game well knows the impact a player like him can make on a team.

Nick Garnell

DeForst Norski Co-op

From coach Brent Richter: Last year Nick racked up a lot of penalties and was not a shoe-in for a Captainship... Through this year he never relented on keeping the team positive and leading us in points and being a solid hockey player. He has maintained a positive attitude and has been a role model for many of the younger kids... The Deforest Athletic Director, Mike McHugh has remarked many times that Nick has taken this opportunity of Captainship to heart and has become a model student and leader in school.

Parker Schlick

Brookfield Stars

From coach Greg Copeland: Unfortunately vs Fond du Lac, he sustained a heavy body check and suffered a type 3 separation. As a senior his season was over, with only 3 weeks left, there is not enough time for him to recover to get back into the lineup. As a team player, he has not let the injury stop him from still being the team spark plug. The team as a whole has felt the hole he has left as he was the most consistent contributor with his effort and go-lucky attitude... It's unfortunate he will not see another rep on the ice this year, but he is still a big part and motivation to the team supporting on the bench.

Tommy Duren

Onalaska/La Crosse Hilltoppers

From coach Tim Franzini: Hard working/physical presence. 200 foot player. Will do or play whatever role is asked of him. Be an exceptional leader for our team and our young players. Plays the game the way it was meant to be played, fast, physical and skillful.