Coaching has been a passion of mine since I thought I was Vince Lombardi organizing my neighborhood gang in the backyard during the sixties. I have grown to love just about everything about coaching and for over two decades USA Hockey allowed me to pass my passion on through their Coaching Development Program. I learned that I loved talking about coaching as much as I loved coaching itself. When I veered away from the USA Hockey company line, I was unceremoniously not asked back. Unlike a good head coach that seeks assistants that will challenge you, they weren’t eager to hear my conflicting ideas. Paul Caufield always told me he loved my “outside the box” thinking about the game, but in the end, USA Hockey did not agree.
Through all my experiences I learned to appreciate really good coaches that go unrecognized because they don’t win enough games. Thanks to Wisconsin Prep Hockey I have a platform where I can bring attention to some of these coaches. So, I created the under-the Radar Awards. I asked parents and players to go to bat for their head coach. I can admit I was underwhelmed by the volume of responses, but not the quality of them. Thank you to those who answered the bell. What I didn’t anticipate was the difficulty in making the final choice, which resulted in me selecting more than one coach. My rules, so I get to do what I want. After much pondering and internal debate, I settled on my choice.
Before I reveal my under-the Radar coaches, I want to congratulate Mike Pogrelec of Beaver Dam for his GWHCA Coach of the Year Award. Mike has helped lead the Golden Beavers program out of the dark and to their best season with 19-7 record, an undefeated Badger Conference Title and the number one seed in their sectional. I don’t always agree with the way the vote goes for this award, but this was a solid choice by the coaches. Beaver Dam was one of the feel-good stories of the season. I also want to go on record in support of making the GWHCA the Mark Johnson Coach of the Year Award.
Chris Lepper, Western Wisconsin Stars
Most coaches, perhaps not all, have experienced a losing streak, or a season or stretch of games where wins are scarce. Whether losing is expected or not, it can chip away at a team’s individual and collective confidence. At some point moral victories of coming close or playing well but not getting the win can frustrate and wear down a team’s morale and sometimes a coach’s resolve.
Coming off a successful season a year ago, including getting to the sectional final, the Western Wisconsin Stars toiled through a very tough stretch to open the 24-25 season. The season opened with a promising 4-3 win over Bloomington Jefferson, followed by a 1-0 loss to eventual state champion Bay Area. Five weeks later, just as the calendar turned to 2025, the Stars lost a 7-2 game to the Storm and their record stood at 2-9-1. It is the kind of start to a season that could cause some teams to pack it in.
For head coach Chris Lepper, he did his best to prepare his team for this exact scenario. The former Woodbury and Burnsville coach knows firsthand the value of the competitive Minnesota high school gauntlet. “I think that one thing that kept them going was that we told them early on that this was going to be an extremely difficult schedule,” said Lepper. “When we were 2-9-1, the girls did not carry themselves like a 2-9-1 team. We had many close losses during that stretch and were competitive in almost all those losses.”
Stealing a page from the highly successful Superior teams in the past, more programs are building tougher regular season schedules to better prepare their teams for the playoffs. It was a philosophy used by Tomahawk that helped lead them to a boys D2 state title this year. “We will continue to try to give the girls the toughest schedule in the state,” Lepper guaranteed. “Having a tough schedule makes you have to realize that the individual is not as important as the team, and that it will take a team to win these tough games.”
Abbie Andert, mother of junior Stars goalie Sierra Andert, sees Lepper’s influence going far beyond just being the team’s coach. “Chris cares deeply about the well-being of each player, both as athletes and as individuals,” she said. “He fosters a positive and inclusive environment where the girls feel supported, encouraged, and respected. His approach instills not only a strong work ethic but also the values of teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. It's clear that he is invested in the success of the girls, not just in terms of their performance on the rink, but in all aspects of their lives.”
Andert went on to praise Lepper and his staff for their tireless efforts in fundraising and working with the youth program. “His involvement at all levels of the program is making a lasting impact on the girls' development and morale,” Andert added, “and it strengthens the program's sense of community.”
Following that January Storm loss, the Stars turned it around, finishing the season with a 10-2 run that included impressive road wins over ECA 5-1 and Superior 5-3. They headed into the playoffs as hot as any team in the state. They earned the number two seed in their section and defeated Coulee Region 3-0
to open the playoffs. Then came the overtime marathon with Eau Claire Area. Addison Gruhlke tied the game late for ECA and five-overtimes and fifty-two saves by Amy Thul later, Western Wisconsin’s season ended. It was a heartbreaking end to a season with many twists and turns.
“The group of girls we had this year had a drive to succeed but also relished the challenges that the schedule put before them,” said Lepper. “There were many up and down points during our early struggles and even in the 11-3 run the girls went on at the end of the season. But in the end it was their determination to continue to get better and improve on the little things that started to make a difference.”
Good head coaches almost always have outstanding assistant coaches alongside them and Lepper’s staff is no different. Timothy Duggan, Lauren Klein and Matt Paige were all integral parts of the Stars success.
“We support each other and discuss different approaches to try to make the team better,” said Lepper. “It is a collaborative where each person is valued.”
“Tim and I have a long history of working together through the HP program in Minnesota and coaching against one another,” said Lepper. “Lauren was a player I had when I was coaching in Burnsville. She then became the captain of Northland College in her Senior year. She has been a great asset. I have known Matt since he was a goalie for New Richmond High School, and I was coaching at Somerset High School. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our goalies.”
“Everyone has input and exercises their talents within the team,” added the head coach.
A 13-12-1 season may slip under the radar, especially when you start the year with two wins in your first twelve games. It takes a strong captain to keep the ship upright when you take on that much water. And it takes a determined crew to bail out from that flood. Chris Lepper and his Western Wisconsin Stars did just that and against a strong field of candidates earned my under-the RADAR Coach of the Year.
Lepper added, “We are very proud of the girls this season and what they accomplished.”
“Their dedication to the girls' hockey program is exceptional” said Andert about Lepper and his staff, “and it extends far beyond just coaching on the ice.”
Honorable Mention:
Brady Mathison, Black River Falls Tigers
“He never failed to push me as hard as I could be pushed without draining me. This season was one of the best hockey seasons I have ever played because of coach Mathison.” –Tiger sophomore Ally Ritter.
Tasha Schmidtfranz, Medford Raiders
“We held two separate JV Triangular’s in Sparta this year on Saturdays, and Medford took the 8-am and Noon slot for both. Had to get on a bus early. Long trip, but she mentioned they have a hard time finding games. She’s all in for her squad, and they play well in structure, they just don’t have the bodies and depth. Their players were super polite and excited each trip.” –Brady Mathison
Paul Severson, Viroqua Blackhawks
“Paul does an amazing job with low numbers every year and creates a great culture on his team that trickles down to the players and you can see that in how they play no matter the score or their record year after year.” –Luke Steurer, Head Coach Rock County
Blake Hackbarth, Fox Cities Stars
“From the moment Blake joined the program, there was an automatic switch. It reminded me of when you’re in a room and the light bulb is almost burnt out but not quite, and then you switch the bulb and realized how bright the room could be. Blake brought energy and passion to our program. He has genuine passion to improve the game and improve his players.” –Peyton Hewitt, Former Stars Player
