Mr. Hockey
The Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association is a proud sponsor of the following awards that recognize players, coaches both past and present, teams that excel in the classroom and people in the hockey community that make a difference. These awards include WHCA Player of the Year aka Mr. Hockey, Bob Johnson Memorial Coach of the Year, George Bauman Friends of Hockey Award, First Choice Dental Academic State Champions Award, WHCA Hall of Fame, WCHA All-State Teams & WCHA Assistant Coaches of the Year. Rice Lake Hockey is honored to have had the following players and/or coaches recognized with one of these honors.
2012 MR. HOCKEY KODY NOVINSKA
On February 29, 2012, Rice Lake senior Kody Novinska was named Wisconsin's WHCA Mr. Hockey award winner. The award recognizes the state's most outstanding high school hockey player as voted by Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association members. Novinska was one of eight finalists for the award. Novinska also finished the season as Rice Lake's all-time leader in points with 228. He is also the school's career leader in assists with 125 and is second in career goals with 103.
NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT KODY
Kody with his parents, Gordie & Karen Novinska
All time points leader Kody Novinska
Coach Kori Richter congratulates Kody Novinska as he breaks the record for all time points leader at RLHS
On January 24, 2012, Kody became RLHS's all-time leading scorer with a seven-point effort in an 11-0 victory over Eau Claire North. The performance moved him past Todd Geisness, who held the record of 215 points since 1982.
In his freshman year, Novinska was the leading scorer on his team and led the Warriors to the state tournament for the first time since 1980.
"Going down to state for the first time as a freshman, I didn't completely know what to expect or how big of an impact that our team had on the entire Rice Lake community," says Novinska. "But once we started playing and seeing all the blue and gold in the (Alliant Energy Center), it was fantastic. It gives me chills just thinking about it now."
KODY NOVINSKA CAREER STATS
|
YEAR |
GOALS |
ASSISTS |
POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman (2008-09) | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Sophomore (2009-10) | 29 | 29 | 58 |
| Junior (2010-11) | 25 | 36 | 61 |
| Senior (2011-12) | 29 | 40 | 69 |
| TOTALS | 103 | 125 | 228 |
KODY'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION BY KORY RICHTER
It is Rice Lake’s sincere pleasure to nominate Kody Novinska for WHCA’s Mr. Hockey. In his four years and 3 years as a captain, Kody has exemplified consistent leadership qualities through his modest and unselfish approach toward his team’s goals. Never does he put himself ahead of others. Kody carries a sense of stubborn creativity to our rink daily, elevating his peers as well as causing teams to constantly account for him. His dedication and constantly growing knowledge of the game is demonstrated through his ability to defend and strike on special teams. This rare creativity and his dedicated approach has propelled him to contest Rice Lake’s 30 year old cumulative points record of 215 points, a record that has never been challenged in history. Currently, Kody has accumulated 211 total career points (113assists/98goals), all the while against a demanding strength of schedule.
His growing pains as a freshman were nothing less than impressive. He helped catapult the 2008-2009 Warriors to its first state tournament appearance since 1980, ending with a semi-final effort. His performance earned him 2nd Team All-Tournament Team honors. With his convincing 20 assists and 20 goals, Kody lead this senior dominated team in points. This earned him All-State Honorable Mention and All-Conference Honorable Mention.
During his sophomore campaign, Kody lead by example tallying 29 assists and 29 goals, earning him 1st Team All-State and 2nd Team All-Conference honors. As a junior, Kody propelled his game further by putting up astonishing numbers, ending the season with 25 goals and 36 helpers, again earning a 1st Team All-State and 2nd Team All-Conference selection.
Currently, Kody has helped guide this senior lead squad to a 14-3 record with his 24 goals and 28 assists, leaving him with 211 career points thus far. Furthermore, Kody is carrying a current career plus/minus rating of +127.
Besides the numbers, Kody’s volunteer involvement demonstrates his passion for assisting others and making others around him better. He is a member of the St. Joseph Youth Group (Warriors for Christ) where he regularly ushers during mass. In addition, Kody has spent countless hours assisting with Feed My Starving Children and Salvation Army’s Bells. Finally, Rice Lake Youth Hockey has benefited from his endless hours mentoring our youth Warriors. His involvement and demeanor has heightened the passion and enthusiasm of our younger skaters and overall hockey program.
Academics:
- 3.91 GPA (Rank: 19 out of 172) Honor Roll Each Semester, AP Calculus
- National Honor Society, Nominated to Badger Boys’ Academic Camp, Conservation Club, FBLA, Student Council
Additional Athletics:
Football-3 Year Letter
• 2009-Most Improved Offensive Player
• 2010-Offensive MVP, 1st Team All-Conference, Big Rivers Player of the Year
• 2011-Offensive MVP, 2nd Team All-Conference, Captain
Baseball-2 Year Letter
• 2011-All-Conference Honorable Mention
With his unquestionable appreciation and knowledge of the game, generous community involvement, academic status, and his humble approach to everyday challenges, Kody would certainly be an outstanding and deserving candidate for Mr. Hockey.