Kevin Collien led St. Mary’s Springs to the 2024 WIAA D-2 Championship in his first season as the Ledgers head coach. St. Mary’s Springs defeated New Richmond 6-2 in the championship game with strong goaltending from Brendan Gaertig, stopping 41 of 43 shots, and two goals from Austin Westergaard, plus one goal each from Gabe Braun, Armani Fisher, Isaac Sabel, and Will Stellmacher.

Following a successful coach that is highly regarded by his peers is not easy. But that is what Kevin Collien did. He became head coach at St. Mary’s Springs after John Welsch retired. John Welsch won two WIAA state championships and was runner-up once.

Kevin Collien served as Welsch’s assistant coach for two seasons. During those two seasons Welsch was grooming his successor. Welsch did an excellent job as mentor. Coach Collien and his coaching staff were able to regroup the team from a slow start and put together a special second half of the season capped with a state championship trophy!

“I think Coach Collien puts a big emphasis on defense first and that led our group to be very successful last year. I also think his never quit mentality helped the team fight through ups and downs in our season and ultimately led us to winning.” Gabe Braun

“After we lost 7 out of our first 10 games and our whole team was down, Cherry (Coach Collien) helped us figure out that playing offense was not the only way to win games. We needed to start focusing on the defensive side of the game just as much as the offensive side. And in doing that he also helped us all to buy in and band together to want to win not just for ourselves but for each other.” Austin Westergaard

Let’s meet Kevin Collien!

What memory stands out the most about the 2024 WIAA championship team? There’s so many! It was incredible. It was a special group of kids. Watching them grow together as people was amazing. The senior group was my first group to coach when they were bantams. Seeing the first group I coached win the state championship. At the beginning of the season, we struggled. Then when we went to University School and beat them 1-0 and everyone was happy. The team decided it was ok to win 1-0.

Where did you coach before being named head coach for St. Mary’s Springs? This is my sixth-year coaching. I was a bantam coach, then took a year off for work. Then the Covid year I was head coach at Sheboygan HS. Then I spent two years as an assistant under John Welsch.

What motivated you to become a coach? I always thought when I was younger that I would coach. Helping to give back to the game that gave me so much. A speaker at a group I attended told me I would be a good coach and then not long after that my buddies asked me to help coach bantams. I love coaching. It is so rewarding helping the kids. First and foremost, I want kids to be good people.

Who were your coaching mentors? Arne Ruoho and Brad Byce. I played one season under Bob Suter. I played one season under Wes Bohlin. I also played one season under Paul Caufield. Bill Sunagel got me into coaching high school. Scott Paveglio and John Welsch.

What habits or attributes of your mentors do you try to emulate as a coach? John Welsch showed me how to teach the game. Beyond hockey, John (Welsch) is a model on how to be a good human being. Bill Sunagel taught me the importance of defense first. As a player I learned the most from Brad Byce on the little things to be successful.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Fond du Lac. I started playing hockey when I was 4.

What other sports did you play? I played football, baseball and basketball.

What do you enjoy doing outside of hockey? Spending time with family. I am self-employed and spend most my time either working or coaching!

What advice do you have for a high school player that wants to play at a higher level? The first thing starts with having mental toughness. At the next level they need to be all in. It is more about the person because everyone has the skills. Focusing on the right mentality and being a good person and be willing to put the work in. These are the same things to be successful at life, not just hockey.

Congratulations to the 2024 WIAA D-2 St. Mary’s Springs Championship team!

Yours for hockey,

Matt Carey