SHEBOYGAN’S HOCKEY TEAM wraps up its annual outdoor tourney. – Submitted photo

Coach Kevin Collien liked how the hockey season progressed for his Sheboygan Red Raiders.

Not only did they skip the WIAA season to compete in the WAHA, Collien made his debut as a head coach because Bill Sunagel was unable to due to Wisconsin high school rules.

“We got better the whole way, and that’s what you’re looking for,” he said. “We went from a little bit undisciplined to very much disciplined. We turned the corner, and I’m actually pretty excited for what the potential is for this team.”

Sheboygan finished with a 14-6-2 record after winning five of its final six games. However, there were not any playoffs since the team was not in the WIAA.

“This is what we knew we were doing and everybody seemed to be fine with it,” Collien said. “We were still playing games while other teams were done. We went into the season saying we’re playing because we want to get better, so that’s the approach we took: every time we stepped on the ice we were just trying to get better. I know it was disappointing for the seniors not to get that chance, but we were still happy to be playing hockey. Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois weren’t.”

MANY RED RAIDERS were also on the 2016 Pee Wee A State Champion team. – Submitted photo

Junior Will Falconer (Roncalli) finished with a team-high 21 points and ranked second with nine goals and 12 assists.

Sophomore Brock Bulkow (North) led the squad with 11 goals, was second with 20 points and third with nine assists.

Senior goaltender Maclane Schick (Kohler) had a .937 save percentage to go with a 1.68 goals-against average, and he even scored in the final game.

“It was a great group of kids, parents, everything,” Collien said. “I couldn’t have asked for more effort out of them. It was my first season as a head coach and I couldn’t ask for more. It was great as I watched them get better and the progression. “By the end of the year, it was a night and day difference.”