REGIONAL— Ely’s playoff run in boys high school hockey may have come to a quick end this season, but not before the team notched some significant milestones in the regular season, including notching 14 wins, the most since 2001.
This year’s successes were recognized this past week when the Wolves were honored as the Two Rivers Conference champions, with a 9-8-1 record in conference play. They ended the season 14-12 overall.
Ely senior standout forward Drew Marolt was named conference MVP on the strength of his conference-leading 27 goals and 41 total points this season, while Ely Head Coach Jake Myers was named Coach of the Year.
Six Ely players were tapped for All-Conference honors, including Drew Marolt, senior forward Deegan Richards, junior goalie Ben Leeson, senior defenseman Wes Sandy, junior forward Jace Huntbatch, and freshman forward Owen Marolt. Junior forward Garrett Rohr and sophomore defenseman Jayden Zemke both received honorable mentions.
Ely slew a few dragons this year as well, as they notched their first ever win over International Falls on the Broncos’ home ice. The rivalry, which dates back to the 1940s, has been a lopsided one from the beginning, as Ely had won just once in 69 games against their nemesis coming into the season. But Ely swept the Broncos in both games this season, improving their record against the border city to 3-68.
Ely also notched its first win in school history against Mora, marking another milestone for the team.