People who have followed youth hockey in Cook County know that Alex Murray is a good goal tender. But even Murray, who will be in ninth grade next fall, was surprised to be picked as one of the top 12 goaltenders from across the country to attend the National Development Camp in New York. Murray was the starting varsity goaltender for the Silver Bay-Cook County Mariners team last year as an eighth grader.
Each spring, the very best hockey players from around the state compete for a chance to represent Minnesota at the USA Hockey National Youth Development Camp held at the ESL Centre in Rochester, New York. April 2011 began two grueling months of travel, tryouts and games to select the 19 skaters and two goalies to travel to New York in mid-July to train with top players and coaches from around the country.
This year Alex Murray of Grand Marais will join Chase Perry of Andover as the two elite goaltenders representing The State of Hockey. Alex and Chase were selected from among the state’s top goalies following the weeklong Minnesota High Performance Camp held at St. Cloud State University in early June. They are among only 12 goaltenders from across the country selected to attend the National Development Camp. The Minnesota players will train together in Blaine in early July before traveling to New York.
Alex started 22 games in goal for the Silver Bay-Cook County Mariners varsity last winter as an eighth grader. He will return to the team for the 2011-2012 season.
The Birch Grove Community School PTO recently recognized Iola Wojtysiak for her hard work. Iola made and sold hundreds of colorful potholders, raising $2,000 for the Birch Grove Community School hot breakfast program. Presenting the certificate of appreciation is Iola’s greatgrandson Masen McKeever. Potholders will also be available for purchase at the Tofte 4th of July celebration.
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