Veterans, Rookies Come Together for Steele County

The Steele County Blades hope the momentum built from their recent three-game winning streak hasn't cooled as they prepare to hit the ice Saturday, November 23 for their first games since November 8-10. This weekend's game is in Isanti against Rum River. The Blades next home game at Four Seasons in Owatonna comes on Sunday, December 8. See their full schedule.

Steele County defense man Ethan Tarver is one of the veterans on the team. The Gillette, WY native has made the adjustment to the higher level, "Everyone takes it more seriously. In high school you have high school to worry about and a lot of drama, but in juniors everyone focused on hockey."

He says the message to players fresh from the high school ranks is simple as they adjust to the faster pace, "We just tell them to keep going hard. Keep skating hard and don't give up." Tarver assisted on the game winning goal Sunday, November 10 in a back-and-forth tussle in Rochester against the Vipers. [Click below to hear the full interview.]

Steele County Blades player Ethan Tarver

During their winning streak, Tarver said, "We were going good as a team. Everyone was looking for those victories. After we got them, we are looking forward to playing the Mallards this weekend, hopefully recovering from what happened last time." The Mallards scored a lopsided win over Steele County during a showcase event in Blaine earlier this month.

Mason Wiebusch is in his first year of junior hockey and graduated from Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. "It's a big step up. Over this weekend break, I went back and practiced a couple of times with my high school team and the jump is definitely, but it is a faster pace. I like to a lot more than high school."

Steele County Blades player Mason Wiebusch

Visit the Blades full website for the roster, schedule and team news. Find more player interviews here.