River Falls Wildcat boys' hockey played their first-ever game as a program in Hunt Arena on the UW-River Falls campus Dec. 3, 1974. The Wildcats lost that game 4-1 to Shattuck-St. Mary's. This past Thursday night (Jan. 16), Wildcat boys' hockey was back in Hunt Arena, as a team, for the first time in 50 years, taking on Menomonie in a Big Rivers Conference showdown.

"We have to keep this tradition," said first-year Head Coach Tim Beres. "It's one of the best barns in college. I still skate there Sunday nights. I absolutely love Hunt Arena."

Beres says he may be a little biased. That's because he played hockey in Hunt Arena for the UW-River Falls Falcons from 1999 to 2003. It was his home ice. Now he calls the Wildcat Center and the city of River Falls his home. Beres, originally from the Milwaukee area, recently moved from Rosemount, Minn., after taking the new gig and he and his family bought some land a few miles outside of River Falls.

While the Fusion girls' co-op hockey team has had one head coach in the last 20 years and three state titles, River Falls boys' hockey has had eight head coaching changes during the same span. Tim Beres has nothing to do with that and he'll tell you if you ask him. Beres is intense. He's cordial and welcoming, but there is an energy and an expectation about him. He has a confident look of determination in his eyes, a quintessential coach's glare.  

"It's always hard when there's a new coach," said Beres. "But I think the boys have responded well. We started off a little slow teaching a different style of hockey. River Falls has always been notoriously known to be in your face and big hits and dog fight-type games. This team is going to be a fast-paced, high-tempo, and an up and down the rink transition team."

Make no mistake about it, the cupboard was not dry. The Wildcats made the state tournament last season, their first trip since 1998.

"I saw there was talent there," continued Beres, "but there were still bad habits they've been doing since squirts. We had some selfish play and some fancy play at the start of the year. We don't have that anymore. They're starting to understand why it's important to play as a team. I have high hopes for this team."

The Wildcats started the season 4-7, but came into last week riding a three-game win streak and ranked fifth in the latest Wisconsin Prep Hockey Division 2 Coaches Poll. In December, they snapped a 17-game losing streak to Chippewa Falls dating back to 2015.

"Coach Beres always tells us it's not how we start, it's how we finish," said senior captain Charlie Friemann.

"I want them to fail in practice, so they feel comfortable in the games," said Beres, "I don't care who scores the goals. I care about who's working their tail off in the corner to get the guys the puck to score goals."

"I like how Coach pushes us and explains every drill," said senior captain Cal Usgaard.

Celebrating 50 years

Hockey is drenched in traditions. Case in point, the "River Falls High School Boys Hockey History" Facebook page lists an all-time career-point list with family names. Keep in mind, this is not the last names of the individual players' names, it's a collection of points from each River Falls’ family that played Wildcat hockey. The Jenkins’ family tops the list, by the way, at 268.

With so many coaching transitions in the last 20 years, traditions can be tough to start. That's one reason Beres believes celebrating 50 years of Wildcat hockey is a big deal.

"It's a big milestone. It's a cool thing and that's why I wanted to celebrate it this year,' said Beres. "Fifty years is a long time."

The Wildcats have a special 50-year anniversary logo, commemorative pucks, and a special warm-up jersey.

"I've had a lot of family members that have played for River Falls," said senior captain Calvin Schrank. "It means a lot to play for the same team as they did. I want to play for my hometown."

50 years later in Hunt Arena

Schrank and the rest of his Wildcat team were back in action hosting Menomonie Thursday night Jan. 16. Back playing in Hunt Arena for the first time in just over 50 years. River Falls took a 1-0 lead into the locker room on a goal by junior forward Chase Rudolph. The Mustangs came out firing in the second period with two goals in the first 2:29 of the period to take the lead. 

“I keep preaching all year, it's a long game,” said Beres. “You just have to win your shift and if you win your shift, good things happen."

The Wildcats won every shift the rest of the game. Junior forward Kovi Prochnow scored his first varsity goal at the 5:43 mark to tie the score, 2-2. Sophomore Nolan Hoepfl scored the first of his two short-handed goals just under seven minutes later.

In the third period, junior defensemen Jake Lien scored his first varsity goal and the floodgates opened. Junior forward Jaxon Flanigan lit the lamp at 3:53. Sophomore forward Chase Weissinger made it 6-2 Wildcats on a power play before Hoepfl finished the scoring at 13:38 with his second short-handed goal on the evening.

A festive and rowdy post-game Wildcat locker room could be heard all the way down the hall after the game.

"That's the kind of locker room I love," said Beres outside in the hallway. "They're starting to understand the process and the game we want to play. I love locker rooms like this. Everybody's buying in. Can you hear it in there? I love it. Big win tonight."

Usgaard dished out two assists and received "The Belt," which resembles a heavyweight boxer's championship belt.

"I guess it's like Coach telling me I'm the MVP of the game," said Usgaard. "I guess I was working hard in the corners and sacrificing my body for the team."

"Nolan (Hoepfl) got the lunch pail award tonight," said Beres. "He did a ton of little things right tonight."

The Wildcats improved to 8-7 on the season and moved their winning streak to four games. They sit at 5-3 in BRC play. Seven is the most conference wins for any Wildcat boys' hockey team in a season, set in 2010-11. River Falls has six conference games remaining on the schedule.

The Wildcats will travel to Chippewa Falls this Thursday, Jan. 23 to take on the Cardinals. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.