"Get To Know Em" - Dells Ducks - Chris Vella

Forward - #11 Chris Vella - Dells Ducks

Last season Chris Vellas played in 25 games for the Dells Ducks. His first MnJHL Season showed a lot of promise as he scored 8 goals and assisted on 5 more. Talking with Head Coach Bill Zaniboni about Vella last year he spoke of how talented Vella was despite being one of the youngest players in the league. This year Vella has picked up where he left off last year and has shown improvement in his all around game. So far this season in 18 games he has scored 10 goals and has 12 assists. Before missing a few games due to injury Vella had shared the league lead in goals scored and surely has the ability to close the gap over the remainder of the year. Both statistics compared to last year show a great growth in production. But what the numbers do not show is the improvement in other areas of his game, such as his physicality. Each Ducks game this year Vella has shown that he's willing to throw his body around and give some great hits to opposing players. Keep an eye on Vella as he continues to improve each time on the ice. 

MnJHL - If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
CV - Pasta

MnJHL - What would you sing at Karaoke night?
CV - Anything by Bobby Schmurda

MnJHL - If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
CV - 1776

MnJHL - What is the one thing that should be taught in school that isn’t already?
CV - Social skills rather than algebra

MnJHL - What motivates you to work hard?
CV - Reward

MnJHL - Aside from food, water, and shelter, what one thing could you not go a day without?
CV - My family and hockey team

MnJHL -What song would you say best sums you up?
CV - Probably anything by Bobby Schmurda

MnJHL - What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
CV - Moving away from home and being independent

MnJHL -Who from your team would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island and why?
CV - Mike Sullivan because he is one of my best friends on the team

MnJHL - If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
CV - American Revolution

Would you rather? 

MnJHL - Visit Europe or Mexico?
CV - Europe

MnJHL -Travel by plane, train, or automobile?
CV - Plane

MnJHL - Go climbing or zip lining?
CV - Zip lining

"Get To Know Em" - Steele Country Blades - Wilson Anderle

Forward - #15 Wilson Anderle - Steele County Blades

Wilson Anderle grew up in Hanover, Minnesota. Played for the Buffalo Bison youth and High School teams. Now with the Steele County Blades, Wilson has played in all of their 18 games scoring 10 goals and 9 assist including 3 game winning goals. His 19 points are good for 3rd on the team. Currently the Blades are playing very well sitting in 3rd in the Mn Division of the MnJHL standings with 26 points. In his first year with the team, Wilson appears to be a key cog in the Blades success so far this season. Keep an eye on both him and the Blades this year as both will continue to improve throughout the season.

MnJHL - What's your favorite type of foreign food?
WA - I really enjoy Thai food.

MnJHL - What makes you laugh the most?
WA - Probably my two fat cats that my billet mom has.  They are both really fat and it makes me laugh just looking at them because they are just so fat.

MnJHL - Who is your hero?
WA - My hero is my older brother Andrew.  I have always looked up to him growing up, he taught me so much about hockey that I owe a lot of what I know to him.  He is always positive and sets goals and goes after them relentlessly which I admire a lot.  I do a lot of what I do to make him and my family proud.

MnJHL - If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
WA - Everyone would be required to watch a hockey game at least once a week.

MnJHL - What band would you camp out all night to get tickets to see?
WA - Kings of Leon.  I love Kings of Leon, I listen to them all day.

MnJHL - What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
WA - One Celebrity that I would love to meet at Starbucks would have to be David Beckham. He seems like a really cool guy and I would ask him how he does his hair because I want to have hair like him.

MnJHL - What motivates you to exercise?
WA - I am easily motivated to exercise because I have a goal of playing college hockey and I know I have to get bigger and stronger if I want to achieve that. So everytime I'm in the weight room I just think of my goal and that drives me to work harder then anyone else.

MnJHL - What Olympic sport would you like to try other than Ice Hockey?
WA - Basketball.  I love hockey but basketball is my real sport, I’m young Kobe on the court.

MnJHL - If you could live in any other country for two years where would you go?
WA - New Zealand, it looks so beautiful there, I would love to just live there and explore.

MnJHL - Who from your team would you trust to date your future daughter and why?
WA - Hmm… that’s a tough one… Probably going to have to go with Wes Morales.  He’s a beaut.

Would you rather?

MnJHL - Choose a free trip or money?
WA -  Free trip.

MnJHL - Swim in a pool or the ocean?
WA - The ocean is nice and all but then you get salt in your mouth and that’s no fun so I’m going to go with a pool.

MnJHL - Go back in time to meet your ancestors, or travel into the future to meet your great grandchildren.
WA - Travel in the future and meet my great grandchildren.  It would be really cool to see what they are up too.

"Get To Know Em" - Minnesota Owls - Branden Riemann

Defense - #12 Branden Riemann - Minnesota Owls 

Branden Riemann comes to the Owls by way of the community of Burnsville, MN. He played youth hockey in the community before going to Spring Lake High School where he played 2 years of varsity hockey before choosing to come to Junior Hockey for the Minnesota Owls. Now in his 3rd season with the Owls, Branden has seen some ups and downs with the club. In 2012-2013 Reimann played in 15 games scoring 4 points with 3 goals. Then in 2013-2014 he played in 42 games scoring 19 points with 7 goals. Now this season in 12 games he has 2 goals and 1 assist. The hybrid player plays all over the ice shifting between Forward and Defense depending on the needs of the team on that given night. As the season progresses the Owls will surely look to players like Riemann for some veteran leadership as we are mid way through the 2nd month of the season.

MnJHL - What’s makes the game of hockey so great?
BR - I've been playing the game since I was 4 years old and both my uncles made it minor league/ pro

MnJHL - Do you have a favorite NHL or NCAA team?
BR - Golden Gophers. They are my favorite team because Doug Woog is one of my huge role models.

MnJHL - What’s your favorite sports movie of all time and why?
BR - Mighty Ducks. Because I've played in the same rink the movie was made in Columbia arena in Columbia heights, Mn.

MnJHL - Who’s the guy in the locker-room that has surprised you the most this year and why?
BR - Justin Nielson, he has surprised me the most by stepping up an showing his leadership! Usually people know him as the goon this year we know him as our leader!

MnJHL - On an off day, what is your idea of a good time?
BR - Hanging out with my team!

MnJHL - You have been banished to an island far away, but you’re allowed to take 3 things with you. What are you taking?
BR - Our team, Our Fans, An our rink!

MnJHL - Do you have a workout routine? What is it?
BR - Dryland with team for 2 hours a day.

MnJHL - What animal would best describe your play on the ice?
BR - Lion!

MnJHL - You wouldn’t be caught dead where?
BR - The Ice

MnJHL - Finish this sentence, the best single word to describe me is _________ ?
BR - Fun

"Get To Know Em" - Ironwood Fighting Yoopers - Zach Schingoethe

Forward - #22 Zach Schingoethe - Ironwood Fighting Yoopers

Zach Schingoethe comes to the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers from the NAPHL Atlanta Fire. Playing their for 2 seasons Zach played in 46 games scoring 11 goals and assisted on 13 others (Zach with Atlanta Fire). Now joining the Yoopers in their inaugural season. Like all the players on the Yoopers Zach knows it will be an uphill battle this season for the club. Thus far the Yoopers have started 0-9, but they have shown improvement at all levels of play and are on the verge of their first team victory any game now. When I asked the Yoopers organization who I should get to know first they did not hesitate in offering up Zach which in a way said a lot about him in an instant. 

MnJHL - What’s makes the game of hockey so great?

ZS - The best part about hockey is going to new places and becoming apart of a family, having the boys on your, have your back.

MnJHL - Do you have a favorite NHL or NCAA team?

ZS - My favorite NHL team is the Chicago Blackhawks, and my favorite NCAA team is the Michigan State Spartans.

MnJHL - What’s your favorite sports movie of all time and why?

ZS - The Replacements because it's hilarious.

MnJHL - Who’s the guy in the locker-room that has surprised you the most this year and why?

ZS - Connor O'Doherty because he's a little guy and he plays like the biggest kid on the team.

MnJHL - On an off day, what is your idea of a good time?

ZS - Going to the Waterfalls.

MnJHL - You have been banished to an island far away, but you’re allowed to take 3 things with you. What are you taking?

ZS - My dog, my phone, and water.

MnJHL - Do you have a workout routine? What is it?

ZS - Bigger Faster Stronger Workout

MnJHL - What animal would best describe your play on the ice?

ZS - Moose

MnJHL - You wouldn’t be caught dead where?

ZS - The corners

MnJHL - Finish this sentence, the best single word to describe me is _________ ?

ZS - Beauty

"Get To Know Em" - Maple Grove Energy - Daniel Sarnecki

Forward - Daniel Sarnecki #9 - Maple Grove Energy 

The Maple Grove Energy have had a bit of a rough start to their season so far in 2014-2015. With just 2 points in 6 games the Energy have an uphill battle as they look into October. Daniel is currently leading the team in points with with 8 by way of 2 goals and 6 assist in 6 games. On a team with no returners it will take some time to jell, but Daniel is confident that the Energy have what it takes.


MnJHL - Where you from, where have you played?

DS - I am from Bensenville,IL. Growing up I played for the Chicago Blues, Chicago Mission, and the Northwest Chargers. This is not my first year playing Junior Hockey, two years ago I played junior hockey back in Chicago. 

MnJHL - How''s the season going so far?

DS - The season has not gone the way I had hoped but we are getting better every day on and off the ice becoming more and more like a family everyday. I am confident in the team we have now we will be turning the season around and getting more wins the board and getting into a better position for playoffs.

MnJHL - What’s makes the game of hockey so great?

DS - The answer to why hockey is so great is simple. Its because almost every hockey player is so passionate about the sport. To some hockey is the most important thing to them.

MnJHL - Do you have a favorite NHL or NCAA team?

DS - My favorite NHL team is definitely the Chicago Blackhawks and my favorite college hockey teams would have to be University of Minnesota, Boston College, and University of North Dakota. 

MnJHL - What’s your favorite sports movie of all time and why?

DS - My favorite sports movie would have to be Miracle because possibility of miracles, not just on ice, but in our own lives. If you work hard enough anything is possible .

MnJHL - Who’s the guy in the locker-room that has surprised you the most this year and why?

DS - Defiantly James VonCanon aka VC because he continues to improve every single day. One of the hardest workers I have ever met.

MnJHL - On an off day, what is your idea of a good time?

DS - On an off day I usually like to hangout with the boys and chill get something to eat with them and go back home and beat them in NHL15.

MnJHL - You have been banished to an island far away, but you’re allowed to take 3 things with you. What are you taking?

DS - I would bring with me a knife, matches, and hockey stick.

MnJHL - Do you have a workout routine? What is it?

DS - Yes, I do have a routine. If I do not have work I usually go to the gym, see what day it is, and go from the workout plan my coach made for me.

MnJHL - What animal would best describe your play on the ice?

DS - Ummm maybe a Shark.

MnJHL - You wouldn’t be caught dead where?

DS - I wouldn't be caught dead at a tennis match...

MnJHL - Finish this sentence, the best single word to describe me is _________ ?

DS - Passionate 

"Get To Know Em" - Hudson Crusader - Justin Ruedebusch

Forward - Justin Ruedebusch #8 - Hudson Crusaders 

Last season Justin Ruedebusch played in 50 games for the Hudson Crusaders having a great 1st year totaling 34 points with 13 goals. 3 of his 13 goals game in the playoffs as the 3rd seed Crusaders marched into the MnJHL's Final Four nearly missing the chance at USA Junior Nationals. This season Justin looks to take a bigger role on the team as many players from the club a year ago are now at the next level. So far he has 4 points in 5 games scoring 2 goals as the Crusaders have jumped out to a (3-1-1) start thus far this season good for 3rd in the Mn Division. With a lot of new names on the team the 2nd year forward will be a player to watch as the Crusaders look to improve on last season.

MnJHL - How old where you when qyou found out that hockey was the sport for you?
JR - I found out when I was about fourteen, because I needed to start working so I only had time for one sport.

MnJHL - What other sports do you enjoy?
JR - I enjoy softball, disc golf, gold, and other sports for fun.

MnJHL - Been a short season thus far, but so far who’s the biggest jokester on the team?
JR - Alex Symseck, no doubt.

MnJHL - Do you have a pre game ritual?
JR - No pre-game rituals for me.

MnJHL - What’s your favorite snack that you can’t resist?
JR - Ice cram will get me any time of they day.

MnJHL - If we were to look through your music files, what would we find most of?
JR - You would find a lot of everything but I'd say mostly country.

MnJHL - Who’s been your biggest mentor during your hockey career?
JR - My biggest mentors have been my parents and my dads two brothers.

MnJHL - Who on the team do you go to for advice?
JR - If I need advice, I usually talk to my great friend Kyle Gonzalez.

MnJHL - What’s something about you that you’d like people to know that they may not already?
JR - Not much I could say about myself, pretty straight forward guy, what you see is what you get.

MnJHL - Finish this sentence, the best single word to describe me is _________ ?
JR - Ambitious

"Get to Know Em" - Dells Ducks - Sandro Aeschlimann

Goalie - Sandro Aeschlimann #35 - Dells Ducks

The Dells Ducks have started the season 6-0 and a big reason for that is the new net minder Sandro Aeschlimann who has started for 3 of their victories only allowing 1 goal over his 180 minutes of play good for a .33 GAA. His last 2 games played were both shutouts including all 20 shots in last weekends Mn Division Game of the Week vs. the Hudson Crusaders in Hudson. The Switzerland native has played very well early on leading all MnJHL goalies with 3 wins. Currently holding a save percentage of .979% good for 2nd in the league behind only his teammate Jared Young who has gone 2-0 with 2 shutouts so far. Once again this year the Ducks have a nice group of goalies and Sandro Aeschlimann appears to be destined for a great season ahead of him. 

MnJHL - How old where you when you found out that hockey was the sport for you?

SA -  When I turned 4 years old.

MnJHL - What other sports do you enjoy?

SA -  Soccer

MnJHL - Been a short season thus far, but so far who’s the biggest jokester on the team?

SA -  Micheal Sullivan

MnJHL - Do you have a pre game ritual?

SA -  Yes, a lot.

MnJHL - What’s your favorite snack that you can’t resist?

SA -  Pasta, salad and hash browns and of course swiss cheese. 

MnJHL - If we were to look through your music files, what would we find most of?
SA -  House music.

MnJHL - Who’s been your biggest mentor during your hockey career?

SA -  My family.

MnJHL - Who on the team do you go to for advice?

SA -  Coach Bill.

MnJHL - What’s something about you that you’d like people to know that they may not already?

SA -  I have an accent, I were white gloves under my catcher, and I hate old movies.

MnJHL - Finish this sentence, the best single word to describe me is _________ ?

SA -  A DUCK! 

Click here for more on Sandro Aeschlimann as he joined the Dells Ducks Coaches Show this week with teammate Jared Young and Coach Bill Zaniboni.