Hill-Murray forward Ben Bahe was second on the Pioneers in scoring last year with 39 points. He talked briefly about hockey's huge role in his life.

• You just completed your second season in the Fall Elite League. How was that? It was a fun time. I really enjoyed all the guys and the coaches. It was great experience.

• The Elite League is full of great players. Is there competition between teammates? Everybody wants to look good, but in order to do that, you have to jell as a team. The more successful the team, the better you look.

• How old were you when you first skated? I was 2 years old.

• How important is the high school hockey season? It's the experience of playing for your school and with all of your buddies that makes it great. Once you graduate, hockey is run more like a business.

• What is it like to put on the Hill-Murray sweater? There's a lot of tradition and reputation that goes along with it. It gives you a little extra confidence.

• How would your life be without hockey? That would be tough to swallow. I'd say that 80 percent of my days I'm doing something involving hockey. It's my hobby. I really don't know what I would do.

JIM PAULSEN