It was the first season in what seemed like eons that the Eau Claire North boys hockey team earned double-figure wins. 

Yet coming off the ice after a hard-fought loss in the second round of the WIAA playoffs in February, there were tears, hugs and ultimately silence in the Huskies locker room.

The culture had changed. Eau Claire North is now ready to be a contender.

“Our goal was to re-establish the program again,” second-year coach and former North skater Ryan Parker said.