2018 | Minnesota | BOYS

Andover | Huskies | BOYS

Sam is the ultimate team player. Hockey did not come easy to him and he had to work much harder than other players to achieve success. He never played on an A or AA team in his youth career but as a sophomore was voted our Junior Varsity MVP. As a junior he got a little varsity time but, with 30 players coming up from bantams, it was not certain that he would make the team as a senior. During our summer program the sophomores saw him doing extra strength and conditioning work and asked if they could join him. These were the same players that wanted to take his spot on the team. It would have been easy for Sam to turn them away, but he embraced the opportunity. Sam worked with these young players every day, became their mentor, their chauffeur, and their friend. Soon he was working with seven or eight sophomores a day — preparing them to possibly take his roster spot. When tryouts came, the sophomores all made the varsity team as did Sam. But, not only did Sam make the team, he was named a captain by the coaching staff and has become a great leader to all of our players. He regularly helps our with our Junior Husky youth program, stays and cleans the locker room after practice, and has the back of every player in our program. It is an honor to nominate Sam Mielke for this award.