By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info
The Dells Ducks junior hockey team took a significant step forward this past season both in terms of success as well as finding Wisconsin-based players.
The Ducks 2022-23 roster included a half dozen Wisconsin based players, perhaps the largest number from the Dairy State in a single season, including RWD product, Cooper Oakes.

With returners and additions that number could grow when the Ducks hit the ice this fall, but Head Coach Anthony Rohde has added a pair of Associate Coaches from the home state.
Introduced at the recent Dells Ducks Showcase event, former Baraboo Thunderbirds’ Head Coach Colin Trulock. A native of Illinois, Trulock has been in Sauk County for the past decade including a few seasons behind the bench with the Baraboo Thunderbirds varsity hockey team.
As a player, Trulock was an effective defenseman with the Texas Tornado in the Tier 2 North American Hockey League (NAHL) in 2001-’02 and 2002-’03 doing a solid job on defense while scoring 10 goals and collecting 31 points over the two seasons. Trulock stepped up to Tier 1 with the River City (now Omaha) Lancers in the United States Hockey League, playing 46 games and collecting eight points with three goals.
Trulock moved on to play three seasons of NCAA Division 3 hockey, first with the Stevens Point Pointers and then the ACHA Division 1 University of Illinois. Trulock coached a few seasons with the Baraboo/Portage squad during a lucrative period and has stayed in the area.
Coach Rohde said he and Trulock (see interview videos) have found chemistry with each other and Trulock will a solid replacement for Mario Lachica who is stepping back from the team after two seasons supporting first Head Coach Shaun Falzone and this past season working with Coach Rohde.
In interview, Trulock said he focused on defense when he coached the Thunderbirds and it appears he will likely focus on that area with the Ducks as well.
Helping out will be Daniel Smolen, a native of Beaver Dam who played parts of the past two seasons with the Ducks as a blue liner.
Coming to the team from the Minnesota Mullets in a trade in 2021-22, Smolen ultimately played 23 games in a Ducks’ uniform before stepping away midway through this past season due to work commitments.
Smolen played with an intensity and focus as a defender and was popular with his teammates despite not being with the Ducks for a long period.
Also RWD Assistant Coach Jeramy Greenwood who filled a scouting role with the team will see his responsibilities increased to Coach/Scout this season. Greenwood who said he was pleased to be a part of the Ducks’ team will remain as RWD Head Coach Neil Mattson’s right hand man and that will be his primary focus. However, with a September start to the USPHL season, he will be involved with the Ducks before and after and with his knowledge of the WIAA he will be perfect as a scout as well.
The April Showcase was beneficial for the Ducks who signed a couple players out of it. There will be another Showcase event in the Milwaukee area in mid July and Rohde is also putting a group of returners and prospects together to play in some other events, including a tournament at the Ponds of Brookfield this weekend.