Day: October 14, 2020

Jimmy D’s Notes — Rising from slumber and on with the season

By Jim den Hollander

Publisher/Editor

Saukhockey.info

I thought 2020 was a dreadfully tough year and couldn’t possibly get worse. October spiked the graph to some newly discovered high points though.

After months of mostly hearing and reading about a condition that seemed mostly far away, it was suddenly on my doorstep and banging to get in. It appears I personally staved it off for now, but it is at least a little scary when you know people who have been struck, no matter how minor the affliction.

Its not like I was so busy battling that I couldn’t add anything, but I think I might have gone through a bit of a hockey depression. However, the good news is I am back now and raring to go again…just in time.

The season is now upon us at every level. The ice is either in, or going in, at all four Sauk County facilities (Lake Delton Ice Arena, Reedsburg Area Community Arena, Pierce Park Pavillion and Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center). The junior team, after a rough start on and off the ice, is ready to get on with the season, the four Sauk County varsity hockey teams are in captains practices and now the local youth outfits are also hitting the ice.

A little further behind are the five locals looking to start their respective NCAA Tier 3 campaigns — freshmen Kaylee Engel at Northland Lumberjills; Jordan O’Connor at UW-River Falls Falcons and Mike Lennon, Assistant Coach of the Northland Lumberjacks from the WIAC Conference along with freshmen Julianna Teske with the Augsburg Auggies and Sebastian Frank of Gustavus Adolphus Gusties — both in the MIAC Conference. Both NCAA Tier 3 Colleges announced recently they have delayed the start of their respective seasons until January.

There are a number of Dells Ducks graduates who will also be entering College seasons and at least five have already kicked off their respective seasons on European professional teams.

Most teams have yet to release updated schedules but check here for details on the local hockey scene and the locals playing abroad.

Back from my brief hiatus, it is on with the show now. The regular season awaits.

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Smith notches first professional goal in 5-1 win for EHC Basel

Lucas Smith, 24, a member of the Dells Ducks junior hockey team Bush Cup Championship team in 2013-14 and the USP3HL National Championship team in 2014-15 scored his first professional goal on Tuesday.

Lucas Smith

After graduating from Post University this past spring, Smith signed with EHC Basel in the MSL – a Swiss professional league.

He joined the team for its final six pre-season games and has suited up for six of the team’s eight regular season games so far. After dropping its first three games, Basel has posted a record of 3-1-1 in its past five.

Smith hit the game sheet for the first time Tuesday as the Basel picked up a 5-1 win at EC Chur to snap its latest two-game losing skid.

Smith is one of five former Ducks players currently playing professional hockey on teams in Switzerland, Sweden and Finland.