Hudson Crusaders

With the advancement of our players being our top priority, the Hudson Crusaders have moved on the most players in our 4 years of being a member of the MNJHL.  In 4 years we have moved on 29 players to a higher level of hockey with more commitments being finalized.

During my career with the Hudson Crusaders, I developed the skills needed to take my life to the next level. I gained the experience of being on my own with still having the security of others around to offer support. The Crusader organization, the families who offer their homes to young men, and the community of Hudson all work well together to make the hockey players feel at home. Hudson is a growing town that has most of what anyone could need. I found many activities to do with teammates during my stay. The Team gives players ample free time during the day to let the players decide how to spend their time. Some players go to school, even if it’s just for a few credits, and others get local jobs to stay busy. The crusaders have a great facility with a wonderful staff. Almost every time we wanted to skate during the day, someone was there to let us. Other teams don’t have that privilege. The coaching staff offers their own experiences about the league and life. All coaches played Junior hockey at one point in time and do a great job of guiding new players through the long season. The host families in Hudson were better than I could of imagined. Even families that I visited were kind and welcoming. You really feel like part of the family, but also they respect your individuality. Being able to be away from my family for months at a time got me ready for college. Not only did my hockey skills develop, but my social skills as well. The Hudson Crusaders was a choice I made when I had the option of playing hockey. Even with other teams asking for my commitment during the off season, Hudson was my home and I felt like it was the best fit for me.

-Kyle Romanchuk 07-09

Having broken my leg at the end of my senior year of highschool, the coaching staff of the Hudson Crusaders helped me develop the rest of my game, stick handling vision and shooting, while my leg healed. They are wonderful coaches and have helped be get to where i am today. They've made so many calls to NAHL and college coaches and continue to give advice long after I've left the team. Overall, my junior hockey experience couldn't have been better. I was put with a wonderful family who i am still very close to and have kept in touch often. I suggest this team and coaching staff to whomever is coming out of high school and looking to sharpen their skills for the next level.

-Sean Stewart 08-09

Spring is the time for young hockey players to decide their next move in their playing careers. The choices depend on the players’ talents, abilities and needs. Usually a high school graduate will play up to three years of junior hockey before he is ready to be accepted to play on a college team. Options include trying out for a Tier II spot on the North American Hockey League (NAHL) or if he cannot get a position there, trying out for a Tier III spot in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MNJHL).

            Although a player wants to get to the highest level, he wants to develop his experiences and excel in either Tier before he is accepted on a college level. The main difference between the two Tiers is not only the experience and skill of the player but the cost to play. Tier II teams do not charge to play but acquire their revenue through attendance at games and try-outs. Tier III teams charge a fee anywhere from $3500 to $10,000 to play. MNJHL teams are at the lower end of the scale.

            The Hudson Crusaders are part of the Tier III teams in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. This league focuses on developing a player for the Tier II league and beyond to a college team, the NCAA Division I or III, or the ACHA Division I. So far 20 former Crusaders have moved on to the NAHL, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, and to college level teams at Bethel, Finlandia, Concordia, St. Mary’s University Plattsburgh State, UW Superior, UW Stevens Point, and UM Crookston. Justin Neis, a former Crusader, even went on to the professional ranks and played for the Evansville Iceman this past season.

The Hudson Crusaders have also built a sturdy reputation as a tight-knit group with a close association to the billet families and the small town community of Hudson, WI. The team understands that parents are looking for a team that builds their players on a foundation of teamwork and respect both on and off the ice.

The Crusader logo and code of conduct express the goals of a Crusader player:

Player agrees to embrace the Crusader Hockey Logo at all times and exemplify the chivalric code obligations of loyalty, honesty, bravery, honor, self sacrifice, piety, charity and respect for the church.

The Crusader player also agrees to the Athletic code of conduct:

Player agrees to embrace the personal athletic standard that includes the absence of cigarette smoking, tobacco chewing, alcohol use, mood altering drugs, steroids and performance enhancing drugs.

These two principles kept by the Crusaders makes them stand out as a team that provides more than just an opportunity to move into a higher level.

Tryouts for the Hudson Crusaders are on July 16-17 and August 6-7.

A quick interview with Brad Lukasz gives readers a glimpse of what it was like to be a Crusader and what he learned during his time.

Brad played three years of junior hockey, his last with the Crusaders (2008-09) where he scored 37 goals and 64 points in 48 games.

Brad grew up in East Grand Forks and started his hockey career in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Before he started playing as a Crusader he’d been playing hockey for 14 years. His reasons for trying out for the Crusaders were not only because of the location but he also liked the coaching staff and the training facilities. He hoped to continue his college career in the area as well.

Some of the highlights of Brad’s career as a Crusader included being named team MVP and finishing 8^th in league scoring. He stated that the best things about being a Crusader were the practices, the games, and being with the team. He remembered viewing the Code of Conduct as a new principle in a Junior Hockey Team but soon embraced it and tried his best to show good leadership and to follow the code.

Brad learned a lot as a Crusader and throughout his hockey career. When trying out for the NAHL or the MNJHL he offered solid advice: “Do something to get noticed in every shift you take, but don’t be selfish and play it like a real game.”

When getting mentally prepared for a game he likes to think about basic skill fundamentals, his job in all 3 zones and any situations he might get into that night. He remembers that “it’s not a hard shot that I need, it’s the quick shot”. He believes that the best way to balance the need for speed and agility on the ice without compromising puck handling is to practice them separately as well as together. When training during the off season Brad picks 3 to 5 skills primarily to focus on while working to improve his all-around skills.

Currently Brad is a center for the Concordia Cobbers and finished his freshman year majoring in Natural Science. He plans to play Division III hockey for the next three years. In the upcoming season he wants to work on his speed on the ice. When he’s not having fun in late night scrimmaging with the guys he enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. Good luck next season, Brad!

article by Amanda Marie Liesinger