Hockey season is approaching at OHS. With the start of the season, the Owatonna Boys Hockey team is acquiring a new head coach, Mr. Dennis Will, following the death of former head coach David Fromm.
Coach Will is stepping into this position after the passing of former mentor and head coach Dave Fromm. This tragedy affected not only the players but the whole Owatonna community. Coach Will felt that by taking this position, he might be able to help with the tragedy. Coach Will said he hopes to, “Fill a role that needed to be filled.” By stepping into this role, Coach Will hopes to demonstrate leadership and mentorship for the kids and help them navigate this time.
Coach Will is a science teacher at Owatonna High School who has a long history of coaching and playing. Coach Will played hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in college, where he furthered his experience and knowledge of playing high-level hockey. Coach Will started coaching youth hockey in 1988 which led to pursuing coaching hockey at the high school level a year after that. He was hired as an assistant coach for Owatonna and filled that role for a couple of years. After being the assistant, Coach Will took over the program as head coach when the former head coach stepped away. Coach Will ended up stepping away from the head coach position in 1998 after leading the team to the state tournament.
With the season nearing, Coach Will hopes to get to know the boys and help them adjust to how he runs the team. Coach Will says, “I coach a very high-tempo game. You will see lots of passing and lots of skating.” Coach Will is big on fun, skilled games as well as teamwork and connections with his players. He hopes to build connections with the players in and out of the game.
Coach Will eagerly anticipates the season’s beginning and looks forward to stepping on the ice and being with the players. Coach Will said,”I think I can offer something to these boys because I have coached all the levels and have played at high levels.”
Coach Will hopes to see the players develop and improve on and off the ice. The OHS Boys Hockey Team will begin their season on Nov. 25 at the Owatonna Four Seasons Centre.
