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14U Bantams state champs
bantam state champs
The 2021 Wisconsin Bantam A Hockey State Champion Monroe Avalanche. Back row, from left: Gavin Roth and Carson Buholzer. Middle row, from left: Coach Chris Theorin, Wyatt Janecke, Patrick Alt, Benjamin Erdley, Cole Buholzer, Ethan Rosenstiel, Coaches Lance Altman and Brett Janecke. Front row, from left: Jace Daughenbaugh, Cameron Newcomer, Kyle Theorin, Carter Nemergut, and Brody Goode.

MONROE — The Monroe Youth Hockey Bantam A team finished its season with a state championship win at the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) Bantam Division 3A State Tournament March 7. 

Because COVID-19 altered when and how the high school season would be played, five freshman boys opted to stay with youth hockey for one more year. Monroe was able to compete in 55 match-ups this season, with a record of 45-9-1. While in-person attendance had to be limited, many spectators could watch thanks to Tim Obert and his willingness to air the games live on YouTube. 

The weekend started with a Friday, March 5 night game against Waupaca, with Monroe winning 4-2 after a slow start.  The win placed the Avalanche in the winning bracket for the weekend and would have the team facing Lakeland in the semifinals. In that matchup, with Monroe won 6-3, moving them to the championship game on Sunday afternoon. Monroe ended up playing one of its most complete games on Sunday, controlling the pace of game against Tomah throughout and winning 5-1. It was the first Bantam A State Championship for Monroe since 2005.  

Prior to the tournament, the team was ranked No. 18 in the state of Wisconsin in the 14U division, the highest-ranked Division 3A Bantam team, and ranked above many Division 1 and 2 teams.

Monroe Youth Hockey (MYHA) offers a hockey program for boys and girls in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois area for kids as young as 4-years-old in the Try Hockey/Mite program, through age 14 (Bantam level). Players can go on to play for the Monroe High School Co-op or Fury Hockey teams.  For more information, go to monroeyouthhockey.com.