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Expectations high for Cougars boys’ hockey this season

Devon Fischbach, of the Aberdeen Cougars, left, shoots the puck past Yankton goalie Keenan Wagner, right, as the Bucks’ Ashton Renken, left, looks on during a game last season at the Odde Ice Center. Photo by John Davis taken 1/15/2023

The puck is ready to drop for the Aberdeen Cougars boys’ hockey team.

The squad opens its campaign by hosting two games against Sioux Center this weekend and Cougars coach Jeremey Backous said that season expectations are high for his squad.

“I think we have a very realistic possibility to be a top three, top four seed,” Backous said. “For the season, obviously, we have some work to do and there’s going to be some good teams, but I think we have the talent and the depth to be a top four team.”

Backous said the team has already been preparing for another season by working hard during the offseason.

“We have some multi-sport athletes, so they’ve been working out,” Backous said. “So, spending some time in the weight room and just working on getting stronger.”

The Cougars return several players to their lineup this season, including all six forwards from their top two lines. Those players include Brady Huff, Lleyton Kleffman, and Devon Fischbach, who were last season’s leading scorers, on the top line, as well as Quincy Madsen, Micah Kranzler, and Lance Siefken.

Lleyton Kleffman, of the Aberdeen Cougars, center, moves with the puck ahead of Mylan Evans, of the Watertown Lakers, back left, during a game last season at the Odde Ice Center. Photo by John Davis taken 2/17/2023

“On top of that, we return our top (defensive) pair from last year too in Aiden Posthumus and Jaxon Danielson,” Backous added.

Backous also said the goaltending position, led by Colton Townsend, will be key for the team to have success this season.

“We’re looking for strong play out of our goaltenders,” Backous said. “Colton Townsend is returning from last year’s varsity, and Ben Bradley will be joining him. Both are capable net minders, and we’ll need them backing us up.”

While the team returns several key players from last season, there will still be some players that will see the ice more this season, including Drake Witte.

“I think he had a little bit of varsity playing time last year, not a lot, but he’s shown a lot of potential early in the year,” Backous said. “He’s going to be playing on our third line and some special teams for us. He’s a big, strong kid and competes really hard.”

Backous also said he expects Talan Dutenhoeffer, Jack Podoll, and Levi Little to play significant roles this season.

Aberdeen Cougar goalie Colton Townsend blocks a shot on goal during a game last season against the Sioux Falls Flyers at the Odde Ice Center. Photo by John Davis taken 12/3/2022

When it comes to the Cougars schedule, Backous says the team cannot look past anyone, but noted a trio of teams that will be on the squad’s radar throughout the season.

“Sioux Falls, Rushmore, and Brookings are always, always good,” Backous said. “We look to those teams to gauge our success and see where we’re at amongst them.”

Another team Backous has his eyes on is Pierre, a team that the Cougars have had their ups and downs with through the years.

“Pierre is a team that we compete really well with, just have not been able to get over that mental hurdle and come out victorious,” Backous said. “But I know that’s a game that the kids are looking forward to this year as well and want to prevail in.”

While the Cougars are looking to prevail in the win column, the team will also be competing for another reason this season. The team is dedicating its season to Greg Swanson, a former Aberdeen Cougar hockey player who recently passed away from cancer in October, and a member of the 1992 Aberdeen Cougars state hockey championship team.

“He was a pretty big player in the Aberdeen Hockey Association back in the 90’s, and just by all accounts a real good guy” Backous said. “He was really well known within Aberdeen hockey and the community. Just a good kid and a good hockey player.”

The Cougars will wear special stickers on their helmets this season in honor of Swanson.

Aberdeen starts its season at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Odde Ice Center. The Cougars and Sioux Center also play again at 4 p.m. Sunday.

While Backous is looking forward to several things this season, one thing sticks out the most.

“Just having this group of seniors,” Backous said, “we’ve introduced them to a lot of new stuff over the last three years, and just watching their growth, seeing what they’re able to accomplish.”

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