Plante Named Coach of the Year Kloos Named Mr Hockey

Wes Vork-NSO

Mar 12, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

Capping the first 30 win season in school history, including a perfect regular season and a second place finish in the Class A state tournament, Hermantown Boys Hockey Head Coach Bruce Plante was named Class A coach of the year.

Plante was honored with the John Mariucci coach of the year award at the 28th annual Mr. Hockey

Awards Banquet on Sunday in St. Paul. This marks the fourth time in his 23 seasons as the Hawks Head Coach Plante has received the honor. Plante previously was named the top coach in Class A in 1998, 2006 and 2007.

The Hawks have made a total of nine state tournament appearances under Plante’s guidance; finishing as state runners-up the past three years and winning a state title in 2007.

Justin Kloos of Lakeville South received the 2012 Mr. Hockey award. Kloos tallied 41 goals and 62 assists for a total of 103 points during the 2011-2012 season including a goal and an assist in the quarterfinals of the state tournament to knock off #1 seed Duluth East en-route to a third place finish for the Cougars.

Four of the 10 Mr. Hockey candidates were local athletes with Jared Thomas of Hermantown, Judd Peterson of Duluth Marshall, and Jake Randolph and Dom Toninato of Duluth East all representing the Northland.

Ken Pauly, the coach of 2012 Class AA state champion Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights was named Class AA coach of the year and Moorhead goaltender Michael Bitzer received the Frank Brimsek award, which honors the state’s top goaltender.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com