Mustang Hockey Must Refuel in Tough BRC

By Chad Zutter, Sports Reporter

Time to Refuel! 

The Menomonie hockey team will have to find some new scorers in the 2024-25 hockey calendar. The Mustangs lose a large part of their offensive contributors from a year ago and will need new skaters to put the puck in the back of the net. Coach Matt Ellis said, “Next up mentality” talking about who will fill the skates left a year ago. Ellis added, “role players from a season ago will have to be goal scorers.”  

Back row L-R: Head Coach Matt Ellis, Wren Swaenepoel, Logan Cockeram, Ryder Anderson, Oliver Prechel, Bryekin Leach, Ben Draeger, Blane Anderson, Quin Rabeneck, Jett Lenfant, Ayden Bahr, Ryan Xu, Jaxon Giertz, Kellan Turner, Colten Thatcher, Peter Cimino, Asst. Coach Terry Watkins, Asst. Coach Bob Weir. Front row L-R: mgr. Rylee Hintzman, mgr. Ellie Isenberger, Davin Ellis, Liam Wachewicz, Cooper Marincel, Brock Wilkins, Rex Drout, Hayden Weir, Owen Welch, Mitch Kopaczewski, Bauer Messerschmidt, Carl Rabeneck, Caleb DeVries, mgr. Lexi Isenberger.

Eighth year head coach Matt Ellis commented, “We gotta find scoring this season as we lost almost 100 points in three skaters.” Cody Dahms, Colton Szotkowski and Parker Marincel all graduated and combined for 95 points, including 43 goals. Returning All-BRC honorable mention selection forward, Hayden Weir is the best returning offensive weapon for the Mustangs. Weir ended the 23-24 campaign with 36 points - 18 goals and 18 assists.

Also lost is two year starter Jack Drout, who protected the net and was an honorable mention All-BRC selection for the Mustangs. Who will replace Drout in the net? Early season competition between Davin Ellis and Carl Rabeneck will give us this answer, but it also may be a two-headed tendy for the Mustangs initially. Ellis did mention, “goaltending is our biggest strength coming into the season.” 

Coach Ellis is assisted by Bob Weir and Terry Watkins, both in their fourth season. Watkins, the former UW-Stout Head Hockey coach and member of the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame, brings over 30 years of coaching to the bench. 

View the Menomonie Mustangs Hockey Roster below:

Home Games: at Fanetti Community Center: 620 17th St SE, Menomonie, WI 54751

To view the 2024-25 Mustangs varsity hockey schedule visit the Menomonie Mustangs athletic website.

Livestream games can be viewed on Mustangs TV.

Season Notes:

• Head Coach: Matt Ellis 8th Season (Overall Record 53-126 | Playoff Record 8-6 | BRC Record 11-76)

• 2023-24 Team Stats: BRC Goals Scored 44 | Goals Against 65

• Menomonie has one BRC Conference Title - 2004