Senior hockey captain Mitch Reinke is one of the top ranked hockey players in the United States. Last year, as a junior, he was named captain. Being a leader is difficult both on and off the ice, but Reinke is always up for a challenge.

Last year, Reinke led the team to multiple victories. This year instead of being coached by NHL star Phil Housley, the team will be led by head coach Matt Doman. Reinke looks forward to being able to step up and help make a difference with the team this year.

There is one part of the season that all hockey players look forward to, but being his last as a Pony, Reinke cannot wait.

“Playing on Hockey Day Minnesota. We are playing outdoors in Elk River and it is an event that everyone in the state follows,” Reinke said.

Many of Reinke’s teammates look up to him as well. Junior Jack Manning pays attention to the things he does both on and off the ice as do many teammates.

“He’s very focused, which is pretty respectable. And on the ice, I try to pay attention to the little things he does that make him so good,” Manning explained.

Reinke knows that he will be expected to do a lot for the team this year. He plans on standing out in the grade book just as much, if not more, than he does on the ice.

“I definitely need to lead off the ice as well. It is important for me to get good grades and be a good person because it shows other guys what is expected of them,” Reinke said.

Although the team now has a new coach, Reinke doesn’t plan on doing anything differently as a leader on the team.

“I’m not going to change the way I lead at all, just keep leading by example and hopefully guys will buy in,” Reinke explained. “Things will be a little different with a new coach but we will just have to make the small adjustments to be successful.”

He may be one the of best players in the nation, but teammates do not treat him different than anyone else on the team. He deserves the respect on the ice for all the work he has put in to get to where he’s gotten today.

“I don’t think he’s treated that differently. Maybe on the ice, people know they’re going against someone good so they just have to respect that while going up against him,” Said Manning.

Reinke doesn’t think that he gets treated different than anyone else on his team. However, he still expects his teammates to follow his lead and do what they can do to help out the team.

Reinke explained, “I don’t think they treat me different, but I think some guys look up to me. I think they respect all the hard work I have put in and respect me as a player and a person.”

Reinke plans on elevating his game to his highest ability possible to make the biggest impact on the team as he can. Reinke has put a lot of pressure on himself to get Stillwater into the state tournament and out of it with a state title.

“Regardless of a new coach or not I feel like I have to elevate my game even more. It is my goal to lead the team to a state tournament and this is my last year to do that so I need to do what I can to make that happen,” Reinke said.

Throughout his entire hockey career, Reinke has worked his hardest, and it has definitely paid off for him. The defenseman for the Ponies has verbally committed to playing hockey throughout college for Michigan Tech. All SAHS students hope the best for Reinke and cannot wait to hear how college hockey goes for him.