Riverkings’ season opener approaches

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Riverkings will kick off their season with an away game against the Minnesota Mullets this Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., with another game following on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Riverkings, in their 11th year, have accumulated 99 wins in three seasons under Coach Paul Pechmann.
Pechmann said even with the season beginning this weekend, he still hopes to add a few more players to the roster. Hard-working players with character can be hard to find, especially because the league has expanded significantly over the last two years, which has brought the total number of teams in the league to around 75-80 when it was previously about 20-30.
Pechmann expects the first game to be a challenge which will test the team’s preparedness, but he has confidence that his players will rise to the challenge.
“Our division is one of the toughest in the league, consistently,” Pechmann said. “They’re going to give us headaches, and if we’re not prepared for them, they’ll get you when you’re not paying attention. So we’ll be prepared to do the things that we need to do, and to play a good, structured game.”

Pechmann said this year’s returning players will likely make a big impact on the success of the team this season. In particular, goaltender Deakon Shaw; defensemen Olivier Bolduc, Lucas Nelson and Jacob Chevrier-Alexandre and forwards Riley Williams, Mikhail Ilyin, Noa Diamond and Aydan Welch. Returning after their first year, players are more likely to have a sense of the team dynamic and what is expected of them. With their feet under them, Pechmann said his expectations are high.
While the goal is always to make it to nationals, Pechmann said it isn’t the first thing on his mind.
“I really don’t care about banners as much as it’s for the players, it’s for them to see, to reap the rewards of their efforts,” he said.
Pechmann’s passion for hockey and coaching drives him to push his team to the limit and challenge them to step beyond what they may think they are capable of, but he said it’s for the benefit of the players as much as it is for the joy of winning.
“The guys that are aging out, these are the guys that are getting recruited to go to college. So hopefully, doing the right things on a daily basis will create opportunities for them to be recruited to multiple schools, like our guys do every year,” Pechmann said. “And that’s my joy, is their success — our success as a program, and that’s what gives me the greatest feeling, is knowing that these guys have achieved their goals of why they came here in the first place.”
According to Pechmann, the role of the Riverkings is to support and develop the players as much as the community. He said one of the greatest joys of his role as coach is seeing his players grow from boys to men who become husbands and fathers.
“I treat my players like my own kids, and I’ll be the first one to give you a hug when you do something right — and I’ll be the first one to smack you upside the head if you do something stupid,” Pechmann said.
The generational differences create new challenges for Pechmann each year.
“The kids are definitely different than when I started 16 years ago. So you have to find different ways to motivate. You have to remind them why they’re here, how much money and time has been invested in them over the years since they were a little kid to get to this point,” Pechmann said. “So you keep reminding them of their goals, because in the recruiting process, they told me this is what they want.”
Pechmann said as coach the offseason doesn’t provide any kind of break, as the team’s turnover creates a new environment each year.
“You got some guys that don’t want to come back and some guys that you don’t want back. So you’ve got to fill these spots. And every year is a new year, new team and new chemistry. So the offseason is a grind. Hockey coaching is 12 months a year and never ends,” he said.
Despite the intense workload that comes with coaching, Pechmann said it brings him great joy.
“Every year, when it’s time to get back on the ice, it’s like I’m five years old again, and that’s what keeps me young,” Pechmann said.
With the season opener approaching, Pechmann encourages the community to come out and enjoy some hockey.
“We got guys from Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Canada. So there’s a lot of different nationalities here, which is always very exciting. The kids are so excited to meet the community and the fans, and so I would encourage as many people to come out and check us out. It’s always great hockey, and it’s always great kids.”