About a dozen years ago, Rice Lake's Kody Novinska was at hockey practice at the Rice Lake Ice Arena working on a cross-ice game at the Mite level. One of his coaches was playing goal and had the misfortune of not wearing shin pads, since he figured his players couldn't 'lift' the puck.
He didn't know Kody Novinska very well.
This was one of Novinska's first hockey memories, and the vision comes back clearly to him, with a chuckle on his lips as he thinks of it.
"(Coach) didn't think that we'd be able to even lift the puck, so what was the point of wearing pads," muses Novinska. "Well, I got a good shot off and smoked the coach right in the shin! He didn't seem to enjoy it too much."
Roll the clock ahead to Leap Day 2012 and Novinska hears his name announced as the American Family Insurance/Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association Player of the Year and all of the hard work was worth it, bruised shins and all.
In his freshman year, Novinska was the leading scorer on his team and led the Warriors to the state tournament for the first time since 1980.
"Going down to state for the first time as a freshman, I didn't completely know what to expect or how big of an impact that our team had on the entire Rice Lake community," says Novinska. "But once we started playing and seeing all the blue and gold in the (Alliant Energy Center), it was fantastic. It gives me chills just thinking about it now."
The Warriors would upset Verona 1-0 in the quarterfinals before losing to Fond du Lac 4-2 on Friday night in the semifinals. Novinska scored one goal in the tournament as one of four freshmen that played key roles.
"I would have to say it was by far the best memory of my high school career and having the group of (nine) seniors to lead us and learn from and look up to was priceless."
Rice Lake would not return to Madison as participants, but Novinska would make a very special trip as a senior to a certain banquet.
When Novinska's name was announced as the winner of this year's Player of the Year award, he was in shock.
"I could not believe it," says Novinska. "I went to put the (finalist) plaque under my arm so that I could clap for the winner and then they announced my name.
"What an honor."
During his senior year, Novinska broke the all-time Rice Lake scoring record held for thirty years by Todd Geisness, who would go out to play at the University of Wisconsin for two seasons in the mid-80s. (Novinska ended his high school career with 228 points on 103 goals and 125 assists.)
The record was nice as far as Novinska was concerned, but for the small community in the northwestern part of the state, it was more than that.
Kody Novinska
kody novinska career stats
| Year | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman (2008-09) | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Sophomore (2009-10) | 29 | 29 | 58 |
| Junior (2010-11) | 25 | 36 | 61 |
| Senior (2011-12) | 29 | 40 | 69 |
| TOTALS | 103 | 125 | 228 |
Kody Novinska
"Breaking Todd's scoring record (111g-104a, 215 pts) was very humbling," says Novinska. "It was more than just me that was celebrating the 216th point; it was the whole Rice Lake hockey community and seeing that was just as rewarding as the record itself because it showed how much support not only I have but our whole team has."
"I was 7, 8 and 9 years old when I watched Todd Geisness play, and his affect on my life was enormous," said Warrior head coach Kori Richter at the time. "Everyone wanted to be like Todd Geisness, and nobody came close to that record until now. I know what a ripple affect a player like this has on our association."
Many young Rice Lake hockey players might want to copy Kody, but it takes more that just wishing to be a top talent to actually get to that point. Novinska is a poster child for the hard work and dedication that it takes to be an All-State hockey player, which he has achieved all four years during his tenure as a Warrior.
On January 24, 2012, Novinska became the top scorer at Rice Lake and in the process had a revelation, one which many players never have.
"It was a moment where I sort of realized that all of the weight room hours, summer hockey, and off-ice training paid off," recalls Novinska. "I hope that the younger players in Rice Lake realize that and are motivated to do the work year-round so that they can and their teams can become successful."
As for his plans to move on in hockey and life, Novinska is realistic but hopeful.
"I am hoping to play juniors and if I am blessed enough to do so, then I hope to play college hockey and go to school and further my education. But if none of that works out for me, I hope to go to school and play baseball while studying physical therapy or something of that nature."
Time will tell, but what would you expect from someone who lives by the following quote:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
For this avid outdoorsman--who includes hunting, fishing, and water-skiing as some of his favorite hobbies--don't expect anything less than success in his future endeavors and greatness as his destiny.
