Roseau Times-Region - Serving Roseau County for over 100 Years - The Official Roseau County Newspaper

by Jeff Olsen

Anytime two rival hockey communities earn Mr. Hockey honors in consecutive years, it says something about the caliber of hockey in Roseau County.

Marty Mjelleli, the chairman of the Mr. Hockey Award and a member of the Minnesota All Sports Alliance, recently commented that it's an equally amazing accomplishment for two senior players on the same team to sweep the honors last March.

"A year ago, Roseau senior Max Strand was the 2022 Mr. Hockey Minnesota winner," Mr. Mjelleli said by phone a week ago.

Then he turned his attention to the Warroad Warriors, who were the state runners-up last March.

"They took home the individual hardware - the goalie of the year with Hampton Slukynsky and the top senior player of the state with Jayson Shaugabay."

It's a great accomplishment and their efforts and talents have paid off.

"Both kids were drafted into the NHL. We haven't had a drafted goalie in I don't know how long."

And right out of a Class A school that happens to have a long and successful hockey tradition.

"Obviously when an award is announced, articles are written following the tournament."

For the Minnesota All Sports Alliance, it's important to motivate this year's class of talented senior players.

"Loren Feldkamp, the Executive President of the Minnesota All Sports Alliance, and I made the trek up to Warroad on the Marvin plane this past summer," Marty said from the Twin Cities.

They met with the boys and photos were taken by a professional photographer.

"We gave them their trophies together with the broom because they swept the awards. We also presented Jayson with a ring from Jostens, complimentary of that company."

He added that they always release these photos a couple of weeks prior to the high school hockey season.

"It's a final chance to highlight the winners."

He's impressed with their talents and their character.

"Jayson Shaugabay was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Hampton Slukynsky was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. They're both in the USHL right now. Hampton is playing for Fargo and Jayson is playing for Green Bay."

Marty provided his scouting report on the two award winners.

"They are stand-up individuals. You could just tell that they are leaders and carry themselves extremely well. They're proud to represent their community, and they're going to do great things in the hockey world. They're good people."

He also commented on Shaugabay's talents.

"He's pretty normal size but he's phenomenal on the ice, really sees the ice and makes plays and has really good hands and can finish."

He noted that in the fall of 2024 following a year with the USHL, Jayson will be enrolled at UMD while Hampton will be enrolled at Northern Michigan.

"Hampton is very cool and calm back there in the net and is aware of the puck."

He remarked that this upcoming article on these players is to serve notice statewide of what can be gained by good grades and great play on the ice.

"This is basically to dangle a carrot to motivate kids to stay in high school and excel as student athletes. These awards will cap off a great senior season for their communities and their teammates."

He added that the high school hockey season is upon us.

Soon, they'll be dropping the puck at The Gardens in Warroad to officially start the 2023-24 season.

And everywhere else where the game is played at the high school level.

Let's play hockey!