NEWS

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds hit the ice in 2019 looking to regain their position atop the WCCHA after a few years of disappointing finishes. The Blugolds claimed the Carla Berg Cup as WCCHA Champions in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons but haven’t returned to so much as a semifinal since then. Coach Don Loew returns behind the bench to lead a veteran and dangerous Blugold team aiming for their old perch.

UWEC, following an 11-12 campaign last season, beefed up their schedule this year. Included are non-conference games against Marian University, Michigan Tech, and old foe Saint Mary’s University. The Blugolds are also participating in the WCCHA Showcase, where they are slated to take on Bradley, Jamestown, and Finlandia. A strong showing in the showcase, non-conference schedule, and in the WCCHA portion would set up the Blugolds to be in the mix for Regional consideration even before the WCCHA Tournament.

Coach Don Loew makes it very clear what his team’s goal is: “Bringing Carla (Berg Cup) back to Eau Claire is our number one goal. We have the toughest schedule we’ve ever had. With our schedule, we’re looking to be in the top 10 in our region.” The Blugolds return much of their top end forwards from last year, along with an experienced blueline and goaltenders.  It will be on Coach Loew and the leaders of this UWEC team to get over the hump and qualify for Regionals for the first time in school history.

Up front, Jared Konen (Cambridge-Isanti HS-MSHSL / Cambridge, MN) leads the way for the Blugolds. Konen, a junior, has two seasons of at least 30 points under his belt at the ACHA level. “He can score goals and is very willing to dish one off to a teammate,” Loew said. On the receiving end of some of those apples is Tyler Husnick (Antigo High School-WIAA / Antigo, WI). Husnick posted a 30-point campaign himself last year, with eight goals and 22 assists. Filling the net a little less but providing key veteran leadership will be Seth Jaglinski (D.C. Everest High School-WIAA / Wausau, WI). “If there was a stat for the player that leads by example, Seth would dominate it,” Loew said. “When you need to be able to count on someone being in the right place at the right time, Seth is the guy.”

On the back end, the Blugolds will rely on two key defenseman in Casey Esselman (Concordia University-NCAA III / Wisconsin Rapids, WI) and Jake Anderson (Mahtomedi High School-MSHSL / Mahtomedi, MN). Esselman put up 10 goals and seven assists last year. “He’s a solid D that is a huge offensive threat,” Loew said about his sophomore defenseman. “He picks his spots well when moving the puck up the ice and can easily jump in to become the fourth forward before the other team knows what hit them.” Anderson also put up good numbers for a defenseman at four goals and 11 assists. Anderson is serving as UWEC’s president this season.

Between the pipes, UWEC is counting on the continued growth of junior goaltenders Spenser Scholl (Medford High School-WIAA / Medford, WI) and Graydon Skok (New Prague High School-MSHSL / New Prague, MN).

The most direct way for UWEC to advance further than they have in school history is to bring the Carla Berg Cup back to Eau Claire. With a tough nonconference schedule and multiple returning impact players, Loew believes his roster has what it takes to qualify either with Carla in hand or on the merit of their record.