Larson gets dream job coaching Tigers

By Dave Newman, Hudson Observer

John Larson has coached in the New Richmond hockey program for 15 years. There was only one head coaching opportunity he would have considered.

That opportunity has arisen. Larson was hired as the varsity coach of the Tiger boys team for the 2021-22 season. Larson takes over for Zach Kier, who resigned following last season. The Tigers had a 12-6 record last season.

The Tigers return a well-balanced core of talent as they make the move into the Big Rivers Conference. The Tigers are well stocked at forward, led by the Unger brothers, Brock and Matthew, Reece Humber and Catcher Langeness. The top returners on defense are Easton Schmit and Ben Hahn. Returning for his third year in goal is junior Blake Milton.

“Blake is one of the better goalies in the area,” Larson said.

Larson, who is a special education teacher at New Richmond High School, said there was only one situation where he would consider becoming a head coach.

“It’s always something I wanted to do and this is the (situation) that I wanted to coach in,” Larson said. He said that following in the footsteps of Kier and Adam Swanda has prepared him for the varsity position. His previous varsity coaching experience came in 2008-09 when he coached the New Richmond girls team (now the Western Wisconsin Stars cooperative team).

Larson, who is a graduate of Rice Lake High School, said he considers the Big Rivers Conference the strongest conference in the state. As the Tigers move into the BRC this season, Larson said his players are excited to face competition of this level in every game. Hudson is the defending WIAA Division 1 state champion and Larson said there are several other top quality opponents in the conference.

“The guys have been positive, so far it’s been fantastic,” Larson said of the team’s pre-season practices. Larson said the test for the Tigers will be how they respond to adversity, because a schedule this loaded will be challenging.