Prep athletes of the week: Chaska's Mike Koster helps get hockey Hawks back on track

In a three-game tournament in Prior Lake, the senior defenseman helped restore the lofty preseason expectations the Hawks had for themselves before some early-season losses.

Koster, who has committed to play at Minnesota, had a hat trick in a 6-3 victory over Class 2A, No. 6 Eden Prairie last Thursday in the Hockey for Life Classic. After scoring another goal the next day in an 8-0 victory over Prior Lake, Koster assisted on his team's first three goals against No. 2 Edina before scoring a game-deciding power-play goal in the waning minutes of a 4-3 victory on Saturday.

The Hawks, who lost their No. 9 preseason ranking when they dropped five of their previous seven games, are 7-5, with victories over section opponents Prior Lake and Eden Prairie that should help come seeding time, Koster said.

"It's crazy how much we turned it around,'' said Koster, who was an alternate captain for Team USA the past two summers.

Chaska assistant coach Sean Bloomfield lauded Koster's role in helping the team through its early-season struggles. "During the holiday tournament, Mike has embraced the defense-first mentality while maintaining an offensive presence at the right times,'' Bloomfield said. "His playmaking ability helps make those around him better.''

The 5-10 sophomore forward scored 30 points in a 77-48 victory over Lakeville North on Thursday in the Park Center Holiday Showcase and added 17 the next day in a 62-47 victory over Minnetonka. McKenzie is averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three assists per game.

The sophomore stopped 101 of 105 shots as the underdog Raiders defeated South St. Paul, Woodbury and Eagan to win the South St. Paul Premier tournament. "I could not be more proud of Tyler for not only his play but also because of the young man he is becoming,'' Hastings coach Adam Welch said.

The 5-9 junior scored 42 points, topping 1,000 for her career, in a 79-68 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall on Friday in the Park Center Holiday Showcase. Jensen has scored 130 points in her past four games.

The Eagles placed second of 54 teams at the Rumble on the Red on Saturday in Fargo, N.D. The senior captured Apple Valley's lone individual title by defeating Chauncey Dittus of New Salem-Almont (N.D.) with a 13-1 major decision at 145 pounds. Swiggum, who carries a 4.0 GPA, improved his record to 21-1.

DAVID RODDY