MONROE — The Monroe co-op hockey team returns to the WIAA this winter after playing club level last year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WIAA hockey season was hit with a slew of uncertainties, and Monroe jumped to the WAHA in order to get games in — and then exceeded the WIAA total by plenty (28 to 21), and a lot of those games were played at home in Monroe due to indoor restrictions in neighboring counties.

The Cheesemakers went 17-9-2 overall, the most wins the program has ever had. However, the team’s top scorers graduated, leaving holes to fill.

Hayden Roth (46G, 44A) and Cade Janecke (31G, 53A), both top-5 scorers in the state, are no longer on the team, nor are Ryan Molitor (20G, 11A) or Cooper Dreyfus (3G, 7A in 14 games). Defensively, Roman Bauer (6G, 25A) and Bryce Montgomery also graduated, as did goalie Jayden Johnson who started every game for Monroe and finished with a .903 save percentage.

Returning for the Cheesemakers are seniors Josh Height (D), Blaze Janecke (F) and juniors Nate Ratke (D), Nolan Bodenstein (D) and Seth Brandt (F), who played for the Capitols AAA team last year and, like Blaze Janecke, is a “high energy player”, according to head coach Barry Einbeck, while Haight is both energetic and strong at the point. Of those returning, Blaze Janecke is the top scorer, with 22 goals and 24 assists. Haight had two goals and 13 assists, while Bodenstein finished with three goals and 13 assists. Grey finished with 12 points on seven goals and five assists.

Six sophomores and a freshman will try to work their way into the mix, including returning backup goalie Xander Obert.

“We are a young team. Just the ability to play against older players might be a challenge for us. I think we have to improve in everything we do,” Einbeck said.

The coach does like his team’s work ethic, and he said the overall depth of the roster is a positive.

“They bring a work ethic that is good to see in the younger players. That is a good set of skills that will work with this team,” Einbeck said. “I think the depth of this team is a strength, and our ability to get everyone involved in the game; the way we compete. We will be a hard-working team.”

He sees Edgewood and Sauk Prairie battling for the Badger West title, as “both teams have some very good players and both teams are very well coached,” Einbeck said. “We would like to win the conference and win a playoff game. Our expectations for the team are to consistently compete every time we skate on the ice — in a game or in practice.”