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2023 WHCA Player of the Year Finalists

By WHCA, 02/26/23, 10:45AM CST

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The Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association has completed the nomination process for the 2023 Player of the Year, and the finalists are below.

Wisconsin Prep Hockey Editorial Note: Academic success and accomplishments are part of the Player of the Year nomination process, but WiPH does not publish that section of the nomination. It is none of our business as fans.

Hunter Bill, Notre Dame, Forward

General Information

Hunter is a three-year varsity player at Notre Dame. One of the most dynamic forwards we have had in our program history. Hunter is a skilled dual threat forward who can play all three positions.  Equally effective at scoring as he is setting up teammates.  Hunter currently has 48 points (19g-29a) on the season in a schedule filled with hard competition.  

Hunter is a two-time 1st team FRCC All-Conference player and a 1st Team All-State player in 2021-2022. Hunter is currently being recruited by several NAHL teams in their tender process and has interest from teams in the BCHL and AJHL for next season.

Equally as important, Hunter is an exceptional teammate.  A leader and a great mentor for my younger players in our program. A great player and a great teammate that leads himself and others daily.

Community

Hunter has served in many ways during is his time at Notre Dame. Hunter gives back as a member of NDA Servers.  NDA Serves is a community outreach program designed to help businesses in need find volunteers.  Hunter has given back to community need based programs.  Paul's Pantry (food bank), Kewaunee public schools and our local youth hockey organization.  Hunter has spent hours on the ice with our youth and giving back to those starting the game of hockey.

Reece Cordray, Verona, Forward

General Information

It’s with great pleasure to nominate Reece Cordray for player of the year. Reece has been a top forward for Verona HS Hockey since his Freshman year. Each year, he has helped his team win; conference championships, 2 state tournament appearances, and the Division 1 State Title in 2020. Reece has been a member of Team Wisconsin all 4 years and plans to play Junior hockey next year. He was unanimously selected as team captain this season in Verona. He has been a first team all-conference and an All State player the last two years. He is currently the all-time leading scorer in Verona hockey history with 198 career points.

Community

Reece is regularly helping at our local ice arena doing maintenance projects and helping our young players take their first strides on the ice and in fitness training. He also volunteered for several community service projects, food pantries in the area and routinely offers to help mentor youth hockey players over the past few years; making him a model high school hockey player and student-athlete.

Sam Lyons, Bay Port, Forward

General Information

Sam is a dynamic player that can play any position when asked, in any situation. Sam is a four year Varsity letter player and a two year captain. He received first team all-conference in the FRCC as well as nominated for All-Conference player of the year. Sam is resilient on and off the ice, providing leadership for his team through is work ethic and constant motivation to become better on the ice, in the classroom and in the community.

Community

Sam carries a part time job at Ace Hardware and Oneida Country club. To go along with his hockey and school being able to juggle two part time jobs says enough about Sam's maturity. Sam also volunteers his time to the Salvation Army and the Green Bay Soup Kitchen.

Blake Milton, New Richmond, Goalie

General Information

Blake has been a four-year starter for the New Richmond High School Varsity hockey team. Blake was an assistant captain during the 2021-2022 season. For this year, Blake was the unanimous selection for team captain receiving a vote from every player. Blake's strongest season has been his senior year. As of 2/3/2023, Blake has a season record of 17-4, with a Goals-Against-Average of 1.79 and a Save Percentage of .920. Blake has recorded 8 shutouts on the season, including 6 of them in Big Rivers Conference play. Blake earned a 36 save shuout against the #4 ranked Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes in a 4-0 victory and his season also included victories over the following ranked teams: Chippewa Falls (22 saves), Superior (27 saves), Hudson-twice (28 and 26 saves). In the two games against Eau Claire Memorial, Blake stopped 66 out of 68 shots.

Community

Blake has been actively involved in our youth hockey program serving as a volunteer on-ice assistant for multiple levels. In observing Blake, he is actively involved with interacting with the kids on the ice. He has built a great rapport with both the players and coaches at the youth level. Blake is also actively involved in supporting his brother Nolan. Nolan Milton is 11 years old. He has battled a rare form of cancer not only once but twice in the last 3 years.Blake has been a huge supporter of his brother and is actively involved in supporting his brother as he was able to return to the ice this year. Blake has also volunteered in the community by helping assist with the annual library fundraiser and Fun Fest community cleanup events. Blake has been a model citizen for our team, both on and off the ice.

Kade Smigaj, SPASH, Forward

General Information

Kade is a stand out individual on and off the ice due to his mature and confident demeanor, selfless, team-focused habits, and positive, all-in attitude. Throughout his time being a SPASH student-athlete, he has shown tremendous amounts of dedication to his peers, coaches, teammates and self through striving for continuous improvement, having a growth mindset and motivating others to work diligently to achieve their set individual or team goals. Kade not only is a high achieving athlete, but is also a great human. Kade does the right things without being prompted, stays true to himself, his values and priorities, while ensuring that each person he interacts with feels valued and respected in his presence. Kade is a 2 time all state winner. Joe Pavelski award winner nominee. All conference 2 times and all conference player of the year. Hobey Baker award winner.

Community

Kade has been, and will continue to be a humble, selfless individual in the Stevens Point Area School District and community. Kade is involved in the community in many ways, but I want to touch on his involvement with the youth and how impactful of an individual he is in that role. As an athlete, Kade spreads his deep hockey knowledge, skill and passion with younger players. He assists them with the mental side of the game, helps to improve their individual skills, and teaches them how to become not only strong hockey players, but strong hockey players who thrive due to their team-first, selfless mentality. Kade also connects with younger students in classroom settings. In these settings, Kade shares advice and lessons through examples of personal experiences, and serves as a strong, positive role model that younger individuals can look up to.

Tyler Steuck, Janesville, Forward

General Information

Tyler is a 4-year Varsity player and 2-year captain for the Janesville Bluebirds, receiving 1st team All Big-8 Conference accolades last year as a junior forward. Last season, Tyler finished with 72 points which led the Big 8 and tied for 6th in the state. This year as a senior captain, Tyler led the Big 8 in scoring with 91 points, which also led the state of Wisconsin as well.

Tyler has been an incredible leader for us on and off the ice over his 4-year Varsity career. His improvement from his freshman season to senior season has truly been a remarkable improvement. His work ethic on a daily basis to better himself as an individual and help his teammates succeed is a direct result of this. Tyler has a bright future ahead of him in the sport of hockey.

Community

Tyler has volunteered for Janesville Youth Baseball, Janesville Youth Hockey, and Janesville Youth Football with summer camps. He has also helped with the JR Jets as a volunteer for his younger brother's teams.