Local Hockey Leaders Highlight Growth and Community Spirit in “A Look at the Lakers”

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Lakers Hockey Association is experiencing a surge in local participation and community engagement, fueled by the state-of-the-art Prairie Lakes Ice Arena.

During the latest segment of “A Look at the Lakers” on Northeast Radio SD, Watertown Hockey Association leaders like volunteer/coach Aaron Schiernbeck shared how the program is expanding its reach while maintaining a deep commitment to volunteerism and community service.

A Culture of Volunteerism and Development

Unlike many school-sanctioned sports, the Watertown Lakers operate as a club sport, meaning the organization is almost entirely dependent on parent volunteers.

Todd Randall, President of the Watertown Lakers, emphasized that the organization is “only as good as our backbone—and that’s our parents.”

·        Lowering Barriers: To make hockey more accessible, the Lakers participate in the NHL/NHLPA “Learn to Play” initiative. This program provides first-time players with a full set of head-to-toe gear and professional coaching, which has helped bring over 50 new players into the fold this season alone.

·        In-House Growth: For families not ready for the full commitment of travel hockey, the new Watertown Area Hockey Club provides a local development program. It focuses on teaching core skills like skating, stick-handling, and teamwork in a non-travel format.

The Rise of the “Kampeska Kraken”

One of the most exciting additions this year is the launch of the Kampeska Kraken, a local AAA summer hockey team.

·        High Interest: Recent tryouts for the team drew an impressive 70 participants, highlighting the growing demand for year-round hockey in the region.

·        Economic Impact: Watertown will also host the “World Cup of Hockey” tournament this year, a major event expected to bring hundreds of youth athletes and their families to local hotels and businesses.

Success on and off the Ice

The Lakers continue to produce high-caliber student-athletes who excel both on the court and in character. Recent individual honors include:

·        Sportsmanship Awards: Carson Kannas and Tucker Dahl (Squirt level) at the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Tournament in Pierre.

·        Player of the Game: Shey Stricherz (Girls Varsity).

Beyond accolades, the association instills a strong sense of civic responsibility. Players at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Bantam levels are required to complete community service hours. Past efforts have included the PAC program and holiday shopping for local families in need.

Upcoming Events

The community is encouraged to visit the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena for several major events:

·        Chris Rieb Memorial Tournament (Jan. 24-25): This massive “Mite” level tournament features 24 teams. It honors former Laker Chris Rieb while raising funds for the Watertown Area Community Foundation.

·        Stick It to Cancer (Feb. 7): Now in its seventh year, this day-long event features raffles, auctions, and honorary puck drops to raise money for the Codington County Cancer Foundation. The event typically raises between $6,000 and $8,000 annually.

For schedules, registration, and more information, residents can visit www.watertownlakers.org or follow the Watertown Lakers on Facebook.