In an article written by Denny Gardner, Tom Macho, an elementary school teacher at Washington School was appointed head coach.

Duane Nordin, a hockey team coach for the New Ulm Hockey Association said that he was “very pleased with the results. It has been a long time coming.”

Then Athletic Director Vern Zahn said that the initial start-up costs would be between $9,000 to $9,500.

Including transportation, equipment and ice time (as New Ulm High School ‘home games’ would be played at Don Roberts Ice Arena at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter) would be nearly $12,000.

Special Journal file photo From this Nov. 24, 1975, Journal file photo, several New Ulm hockey players charge the net with the puck as the Hutchinson goalie reached to make a save. The Eagles first varsity game was played in Litchfield against Hutchinson.

Prior to New Ulm starting high school hockey in New Ulm, Nordin said that a high school team was established this year.

“But it was difficult to find games because the high school teams in the area usually don’t want to play the ‘amateur’ teams,” he said.

The board said that New Ulm would be playing teams such as Albert Lea, Litchfield, St. Peter, Hutchinson, Red Wing, Willmar, Austin, Le Sueur, St. Cloud and Owatonna.

“The two Mankato schools are a possibility if hockey is started there,” the article said.

Randy Paa, a member of that 1975 team, remembered that everything was done outside at then-Westside Park (now Harman Park).

“But prior to the season we may have had two hours of practice at Don Roberts,” he said. “We basically practiced outside. And before our first game (in November of 1975) we did not have any outdoor ice because it was not cold enough yet.”

The Eagles first-ever boys varsity game was against Hutchinson at Litchfield.

“Hutchinson also did not have indoor ice,” Paa said. “And we won that game 5-4.”

And when the Eagles played their first home game at Don Roberts Arena in 1975 — it was not the same facility as it is now.

“We played all of our home games there,” Paa said. “And it was pretty interesting because it was not entirely enclosed back then — the first year it was an artificial surface that had a roof over it — and it was open on both sides. It was not enclosed, so it was pretty cold when we played there.”

Paa said that reflecting on the 50 years of Eagles boys hockey, that the standard of excellence is still there.

“When you put that jersey on you expect to win every game,” Paa said. “And I do not think that that has been forgotten since 1975 — 50 years ago.”

The Eagles finished the season with a 17-2 record.

TOP THREE INDIVIDUAL

NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY RECORDS

(Courtesy of Carl “Red” Wyczawski and Mike Peterson)

MOST CAREER POINTS

Austin Uecker 204

Braxten Hoffmann 181

Terry Steinbach 177

MOST POINTS IN A SEASON

Tom Steinbach 88

Austin Uecker 82

Doug Gulden 77

MOST GOALS IN A SEASON

Tom Steinbach 47

Doug Gulden and Dayton Larson 46

Tim Steinbach 45

MOST GOALS IN A CAREER

Terry Steinbach 108

Tom Steinbach 96

Aron Allen 93

MOST ASSISTS IN A SEASON

Tom Steinbach and Austin Uecker 43

Brandon Melhhop 42

Austin Uecker 41

MOST ASSISTS IN CAREER

Austin Uecker 113

Wyatt Peterson 110

Braxten Hoffmann 105

OTHER NOTABLE RECORDS FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE BY NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY PLAYER

• In a game in 1995, John McKenzie tied a state record for assists in a game with seven. McKenzie is also tied for second with eight points in a game.

• Ben Dier and McKenzie are tied for second in the state for most assists in a period with four in 1995.

• Dayton Larson is first in the state for most goals in a period with five set in 1995

• Larson is also tied for second with five points in a period back in 1995.

• There are also some records that are not recorded with the MSHSL.

• In a game against Le Sueur, Doug Gulden recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points.

• In a game against Le Sueur, Tom Steinbach and Tom Hengel each had three goals and six assists for 9 points in a 15-2 win.