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When junior Cory Lushanko, one of the leading scorers in the state, suffered a season-ending wrist injury just eight games into the season, Wildcat fans may have worried that this season would turn out to be as bad as last year's troubled campaign. But a strong group of seniors, led by captains Tommy Johnson, Tyler Henderson and Matt Petersen, showed great leadership ability by making sure that didn't happen. And junior and assistant captain Andrew Habel stepped up his game to a whole new level. Habel continued to display his incredible playmaking abilities, picking up 36 assists, and also started to put the puck in the net, scoring 20 goals. Johnson and Habel were recognized for their contributions by being named to the North Suburban Conference All-Conference team.

The Wildcat offense should be able to put some pucks in the net next season. Lushanko will be fully healed from his injury and Habel will be back to terrorize defenses. Inscrutable junior Ory Burggraff emerged as one of the team's leading scorers and was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Juniors Riley Doriott and Jeff Sargeant will again contribute their hard-nosed style of play.

Midway through the season, junior goaltender Kyle Buchanan emerged from a three-way competition with fellow junior Ben Bratrud and Brian Hynes. He played consistently well and came up with sterling performances against some of the Wildcats' toughest opponents. Some of those conference opponents must have thought the same thing, as Buchanan was named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

For the most part, the Wildcats will be an experienced team next year, with 14 junior letter winners returning for their senior season. Unfortunately, that experience will not include most of the Wildcat defense. Three of the Wildcats' four starting defensemen - Henderson, Petersen and Derek Edstrom - were seniors this year. The other starter, junior Kyle Hagglund, was clearly one of the Wildcats' most improved players this season. He stepped up all aspects of his game as the season progressed. The Wildcats will have to come up with a solid defensive corps to go along with the top-line scoring and solid goaltending they expect to have.

One of the surprising contributors to emerge late in the season for the Wildcats was sophomore Danny Kimlinger. Kimlinger, the only sophomore to receive a letter this season, opened quite a few eyes among the Wildcat faithful. He played hard, made few mistakes and showed some nice skills when he got the opportunity.

Petersen, Henderson and the Wildcats' leading goal scorer, junior Brett Lizotte, were also named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Season Results

Overall Record: 15-10-2

Conference Record: 6-6-2, Fifth Place

Playoffs: Opening round: Beat St. Paul Academy 2-1 (2 OT); Quarterfinals: Lost to Mahtomedi 9-2

Conference Awards

All-Conference - Tommy Johnson, Andrew Habel

All-Conference Honorable Mention - Matt Petersen, Brett Lizotte, Tyler Henderson, Kyle Buchanan, Ory Burggraff

Team Awards

Most Valuable Player -Offensive - Andrew Habel

Most Valuable Player - Defensive - Matt Petersen

Team Player of the Year - Tyler Henderson

Most Improved Player - Matt McMahon

JV Player of the Year - Sean Vainovskis, Leigh Dehmer

Rookie of the Year - Danny Kimlinger

Hobey Baker Award - Tyler Henderson

Tough Puck Award - Cole DuBose

Captains - Matt Petersen, Tommy Johnson, Tyler Henderson and (Ass't) Andrew Habel

Statistical Leaders

Total Points - Andrew Habel, 56

Goals - Brett Lizotte, 21

Assists - Andrew Habel, 36

Plus/Minus - Andrew Habel, +34

Penalty Minutes - Matt Petersen, 87

Goals Against Average - Kyle Buchanan, 3.25

Save Percentage - Kyle Buchanan, 89.5%

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