By Jim den Hollander
Editor/Publisher
Saukhockey.info
The four Sauk County WIAA varsity team players have been preparing at captain’s practices for a while now and officially began preparation for the 2023-24 varsity season Monday (Nov. 6).
The RWD varsity team held a get together at Bobbers Island Grill Friday to reunite and go over some details
At the meeting, it was confirmed that the team and Lake Delton Ice Arena will be he new host site for the annual Seniors tournament March 15-17, 2024.
Previously the tournament was held in Waupun but last season the tournament was not held at all. Seeing an opportunity to bring a big event to Lake Delton, create a great fundraising opportuninty for the team’s Blue Line Club and give local fans a chance to see some of the best young talent in the state, the trio went to work and brought the event to Sauk County.
For all but two teams in Wisconsin, the WIAA Boys Hockey season will end suddenly with reluctant handshakes, heads hung and, in most cases, a few tears. This event will give local fans a last chance to see the seniors in action in a competitive, but fun event before they move on to spring sports and possibly junior teams of all levels.
That is months away with a whole season and playoffs coming up beforehand.
All teams began on Monday and opening games will take place as early as Nov. 16.
All three county teams will open their respective seasons on Nov. 21, the Reedsburg/Dells/Mauston squad in Wisconsin Rapids against the Red Raiders, Baraboo/Portage at Waupun and Sauk Prairie Eagles at Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center (SPARC) against Onalaska Hilltoppers.
Ice Chips — According to the information on wisconsinprephockey.net the three local teams will see a slight alteration for their conference for the second time in less than five years.
The Badger North and South was changed to the Badger East and West and now it appears RWD, Sauk Prairie and Baraboo/Portage will all compete in the Badger ‘Small’ Conference. Oregon Panthers will move to the Badger ‘Large’ conference while Stoughton Vikings and McFarland Spartans will join the three locals along with Monroe Cheesemakers in the Badger ‘Small’ which is now a seven -team conference.
— Another interesting change will see the former DeForest Norskies changing its name and logo to the South-Central Navigators. The likely reason for that is growing representation from area communities Lodi, Poynette, Waterloo and Lake Mills.
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