Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Hockey

It would be foolish to say that this is going to be the last home series of the year...  So we'll just say this is definitely going to be the last "regular season" home series of the year...

The 11-20-0-2 Royales are coming to the South Wood County Recreation Center looking to help the Riverkings spread the love for Fan Appreciation Weekend.

Be sure to bring your loved ones to the games and help us honor our Fans, our Host Families, and our Players' Parents.  And you'll even get yourself a sweet token of our appreciation in return...

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night, and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Stick around for Skate with the Riverkings after Saturday and Sunday's Game, brought to you by TLC Travel.  Admission is Free, and it's only $2 to rent some skates if you left yours at home.

See you at the rink!

Saturday at South Wood County Recreation Center was a special night for Riverkings goalie Ryan Gill and his family. Ryan's grandfather, Doug "Boola" Gill, is a Wisconsin Rapids native and one of greatest athletes ever to walk the halls at Lincoln High School.

Boola was the Captain of the 1951 Lincoln HS State Championship basketball team, and is a member of the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame. Boola also won at State competing in the Pole Vault, in addition to a State Championship in Baseball. Boola went on to play basketball at the University of Marquette, coached by Tex Winter, and lettered three times during his tenure.

On Friday, January 30th, 2015, the Riverkings honored our Team Counselor from Lincoln High School, Ann Felker.  Throughout the year, Ann has shown both her expertise and devotion while spending countless hours assisting and ensuring that Riverkings Players are succeeding to their fullest potential.  The Riverkings organization would like to thank Ann for everything she has done for us and continues to do.  It is support from people like Ann that enables the Riverkings to fulfill our promise of "Building Hockey Up and Down the River".

We're coming down to the home stretch fans!  Be sure to head down to the South Wood County Recreation Center this weekend as the Riverkings take on the St. Louis Frontenacs.

For all you Students out there, this is YOUR weekend.  All students wearing their school's shirt (or a Riverkings one!) will get into the game get for FREE!  And as an added bonus, like you don't get enough of them during the week, all Lincoln High School Teachers and Staff get into the game for just $2.  Why not show your school pride, support the Riverkings, and have a blast all at the same time!

Game times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with the final game's puck drop on Sunday at Noon.

We'll see you all there!

The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings are pleased to announce the addition of two new players, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native Austin Luxford, and Lithuania U20 National member, Simas Gorelis.  Both players are a welcome addition as the Riverkings get ready for an end-of-season push heading into the playoffs. With the recent addition of French player Adrien Sebag, all three will ensure that the Riverkings remain one of the elite teams in the MnJHL.

Welcome to the team, guys!

It's just another example of the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings "Building Hockey Up and Down The River..."

Riverkings players recently participated in the Kiwanis Youth Outdoors Day at Lake Nepco in Wisconsin Rapids.  The boys had a great time joining in on a little bit of pond hockey and broom ball, as well as helping youth learn how to skate.

A thank you goes out to the South Wood County Recreation Center rink manager, Jim Arnold, for helping our boys to connect with this great event!

The Riverkings extended their win streak to six with a 3-game sweep of the St. Louis Frontenacs the weekend of January 9th. This brings their season record to 24-6-0 (.800).  With nine games left on their schedule, each series against teams with a record below .500, the Riverkings look to stay on top of the Central Division Standings.

The successful advancement of league goal leader Tyler Harkins to the BCHL shows the Riverkings have proven they are able to develop players to succeed at higher levels. Harkins accounted for over 25% of the teams goals this season and his 35 goals remains the best in the MnJHL even since his departure.

Congratulations to the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings' Blake Zabinski for being awarded the MnJHL's December Player of the Month.

Blake ranks twelfth on the League points leaderboard, earning thirteen points in eight December games.  With four multiple point efforts, Zabinski logged a point in all but one game this month, including six goals and seven assists, to complete a twelve game point streak.  With 17 goals and 29 assists on the season, including three game winners, Zabinski in his second year in the MnJHL has surpassed his 2013-14 numbers (24gp, 8g, 17 assists, 2gw)  Zabinski ranks first in the league (tie) in short handed goals scored (3) and averages 1.59 points per game. With 46 points on the season, Zabinski has played a part in over 33% of the Riverkings season goals.

Congratulations, Blake!  It's an honor well deserved!

The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings are pleased to announce that leading scorer Tyler Harkins was recently called up to the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. Harkins is a proven goal scorer, able to notch 35 goals in just 31 games. With an even more impressive league record 12 game winning goals, it proves that he is able to score under pressure. Tyler comes from a rich tradition of hockey. His father, Don Harkins, played at Miami (Ohio) University, and is now the head scout for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Two of his uncles are former NHL players, and his cousin, Jansen Harkins, is sure to go as a 1st round draft pick in the NHL this year.

Don Harkins explains, “I sent Tyler to play for Coach Quarters. We have been friends for many years, and I know he is a great coach. I knew he would develop Tyler both on and off the ice, and that was important to me. It's worked out great and has afforded Tyler this new opportunity to further develop as a hockey player and person, and we are grateful to Coach Quarters, the Wilkens (host family), and the entire Riverkings organization and family.”

Coach Quarters is extremely proud and excited for Harkins' new opportunity. When asked about Tyler's accomplishments, Coach Quarters said, “The Riverkings are excited and happy for Tyler's new opportunity. Having known Tyler for almost all his life, we had a good idea of what we needed to work on to get Tyler to the next level. As a coach, I always knew Tyler could score goals and find his way to the front of the net. Playing junior hockey is an opportunity, and Tyler has made the most of his by working on his weaknesses. When he needed to improve on his skating and his strength, he put in extra time at the gym and on the ice to accomplish his goals. The Riverkings organization wants to wish Tyler the best of luck in the BCHL and in following his family’s footsteps of playing college hockey.” 

When we asked some of the players about Harkins moving up, they were both happy and sad.

"Harkins was such a great leader. He never got too high, he never got to low, he was a machine. He was always able to find the back of the net, and I could always count on him to make plays when he had the puck on his stick.” said assistant captain and defenseman Blake Anderson. When asked about what this meant for the team moving forward, he commented, “It's going to be tough moving forward without our leading goal scorer, but we have a great group of guys and I think this has motivated each of us to become a better player. I mean, this is why we came to the Riverkings, to move on to the next level. With Harkins getting this opportunity, it really just makes us all excited for the future.” 

The Riverkings mission is to promote the personal character and athletic development of those players who wish to excel at the highest level of hockey competition. Harkins moving on to the BCHL helps us reach our goal of striving to provide hockey players an opportunity of a lifetime.

Building Hockey Up and Down the River!

The MnJHL Showcase that took place this past weekend at the South Wood County Recreation Center gave hockey fans more than they could have asked for this holiday season.  Over the course of three days, the action was nonstop and we were able to witness to some of the best talent in MnJHL.

The Riverkings showed once again that they have what it takes to bring home the Championship...  They edged the Steele County Blades 6-4 on Saturday, handed it to the Forest Lake Lakers in a 5-2 win on Monday morning, and cleaned up the ice with a 4-1 win against the Hudson Crusaders in the Showcase finale on Monday night.  The only loss of the weekend came on Sunday.  They fought a hard battle, but the Riverkings were unable to come out victorious as they lost 6-7 to the Maple Grove Energy in a game-ending shoot out.  Everything said and done, the Riverkings still took home the best Showcase record in the Central Division with a final tally of 3-0-1. The boys did a great job and they definitely deserve their break!

Thank you to all the fans who made it down to the rink to watch the boys in action.  There's no better feeling than having you all out there cheering the boys on.  Without you, none of this would be possible!

Another big THANK YOU goes out to all of the volunteers who devoted their time and energy to making our half of the MnJHL Showcase first class!  The list is extensive, and it's too long to list here.  But you all know who you are...  Thank you!

- The Riverkings

Sure to be a thriller, this weekend the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (18-6-0-0) play host to the Wooster Oilers (17-8-0-2), and it looks to be a matchup that won't easily be forgotten...  Both teams are looking to take control of the top spot in the MnJHL Central Division.

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the series finale on Sunday at Noon.

In partnership with Toys For Tots, the Riverkings are sponsoring a toy drive this weekend.  On Friday and Saturday night, the first 150 in attendance who donate a toy will receive a cowbell to help cheer on the team.  As a special bonus, everyone who brings a toy will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Riverkings T-Shirt.  Bring those toys people!  We need more cowbell!  A big thank to Visit Wisconsin Rapids for their cowbell donation!

Sunday is Boys & Girls Club Day!  All Boys and Girls Club members who attend the game get in for Free!  All you have to do is bring your Club Membership Card to Sunday's game!  Friends and family of the membership card holder will be required to pay the regular gate fees.

And don't forget to lace up your skates for Skate with the Riverkings on Saturday night when the boys take the ice after the game, brought to you by TLC Travel.  Admission is free, so be sure to join in on the fun!  If you forget your skates, there will be rentals available for only $2 a pair.  And for those Boys and Girls Club membership cardholders attending on Sunday, the Riverkings will take the ice after Sunday's game too.

There's lots of good stuff happening this weekend with the Riverkings... We hope to see you there!

This coming Wednesday, the Riverkings join the Cross Ice Mites and their families for a little bit of pizza and some Christmas fun!

A little bit of glue… Perhaps some google eyes and buttons…  Maybe even a few carrots and a little dab of coal…  Who knows what the kids and the Riverkings will come up with?

It's sure to make the parents walk away with a smile!

Time to think outside the box and truly see the big picture of what's happing in our community…  It's just another glimpse at what the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings are doing to help Build Hockey Up and Down the River…

We hope you all made it down to the South Wood County Recreation Center a few weekends ago and witnessed the Riverkings sweep the Tri City Icehawks in a fantastic 3-game home series.  The boys outscored the Icehawks 14-6 and tore up the ice in Riverkings' winning fashion. This weekend, the Riverkings look to improve their three-game winning streak as they head out on the road to confront the Icehawks once again.  And this time...  It's on the Icehawks' home turf in Bay City, Michigan...  What's that, you say?  You don't feel up to the 9 hour drive, the busted belts, the blown tires, and the deadlocked traffic in Chicago?  Well, save yourself some trouble and catch all of this weekend's action on MSBN!  It looks like it's going to be another good one... 

Hey everyone, a little birdie told me that the Tri City Icehawks are coming to town this weekend!  The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and the series finale face-off is on Sunday at Noon!  Get on down to the South Wood County Recreation Center and make sure you don't miss out on any of this weekend's action!

This weekend, the Riverkings are sponsoring a food drive, and all items we receive will be donated to one of Wisconsin Rapids' finest pantries.  If you are coming to this weekend's games, please set aside a little time before you leave to rummage through your cupboards to see if you have any nonperishable food items you can bring with.  If you bring something to donate, you will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win yourself a Riverkings T-Shirt.  Make sure you bring something each night, because we will have a giveaway at each game...

Also up for grabs are some cool 2014-2015 Magnetic Schedules provided by Quality Plus Printing at 3515 8th Street South in Wisconsin Rapids.  Everyone in attendance gets one!

And don't forget to lace up your skates for Skate with the Riverkings on Saturday night when the boys take the ice after the game, brought to you by TLC Travel.  Admission is free, so be sure to join in on the fun!!!  If you forget your skates, there will be rentals available for only $2 a pair.

Help out your community and win some stuff!  This weekend, The Riverkings!

Building Hockey Up and Down the River!

Don't miss out on the action this weekend as the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings return to MnJHL competition when they host the Illiana Blackbirds.

In case you missed their first match up, you couldn't have asked for more…  The Riverkings out shot the Blackbirds 82-75 with a combined 9.7% shooting to Illiana's 11.8%.  Both teams walked away from the series evenly matched with 9 goals each.  When it was all said and done, the Riverkings took the series 2-1…

Make sure you head down to the SWCRC this weekend and witness what could be billed as the "Rivalry of the Year"!

We've seen how fans act in Indiana…  Let's show them what real Fans are like!  Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday finale at Noon.  All at the SWCRC!  We'll see you there!

It was a hard fought battle this past weekend in Wooster, Ohio, as the Riverkings took on the Oilers in a matchup that would ultimately determine the sole holder of the Central Division.  In the end, the Riverkings took the weekend series 2 games to 1.

On Friday, with his family in attendance, Tyler Harkins scored the Hat Trick as the Riverkings came out on top with a 5-3 win.

Saturday night's game proved to be a gritty battle…  Things didn't work out as planned, and the boys fell 2-1, but their come-from-behind 3-1 win on Sunday elevated them to 1st place in the Central and improved their record to 10-2 overall.

Well, fans, if you didn't get a chance to make it down to the South Wood County Recreation Center for the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings home opener this past weekend, all we can say is "Sorry you didn't..."

Coming off a sweep of the Marquette Royales, the Riverkings came home looking to put a little extra KAPOW! in the BAM!...

Final tally... 8-2 on Friday, 12-0 on Saturday, and 8-1 in the finale!

Nitsche with 2 goals on Friday, Hatfield, Harkins, and Walsh each notched 2 on Saturday, then Landau and Legere finished up with 2 each on Sunday.  All said and done, the Riverkings outscored the Frontenacs 28-3, and they sit perched on top of the MnJHL Central Division after the weekend.

If you weren't able to attend and you missed out on the action, our multimedia galleries are what you're looking for...  Our friends from RCCA Media in Wisconsin Rapids were on hand for our inaugural game, and you can get a replay of all of Friday night's action here.  Or, find some time and take a look at the weekend's game photos, all taken by the Riverkings Photographer, Tammy Scharmer.

Up next, the Riverkings head out on the road to take on the Illiana Blackbirds October 10th, 11th and 12th.  Don't miss out on any of the action! Watch the games here...

The Riverkings are proud to announce our partnership with the United Way of Inner Wisconsin's Reading Mentor Program in an effort to ensure that all children are able to read at the proficient level by the end of third grade. Through this partnership, our players will spend time throughout the week reading to children at Mead Elementary.

In addition, the players will spend time with the children during lunch time recess and help out with other opportunities like morning meetings, school assemblies, and family fun nights.

You may have heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child." It is true now more than ever, and the Riverkings are stepping up to support the Wisconsin Rapids community!

Are you heading down to the Wisconsin Dells this weekend for one last summer hurrah before school starts?  Why not add a little ice time to your agenda?

The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings will be at the Poppy Waterman Arena, the home of The Dells Ducks, showing off their skills in two exhibition games on Saturday, August 30th:

• At 10:30 a.m. the Riverkings take on The Dells Ducks...
• Followed by a match-up against Lewis University at 4:00 p.m.

What better way to put an exclamation point on your last holiday vacation!

Riverkings are ready for the playoffs! 

USPHL Midwest West first Round:

Best of three format.

#2 ranked Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Vs #7 ranked Ironwood Fighting Yoopers

Game One:
Friday February 23rd, 2018 - 7:30pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

Game Two:
Saturday February 24th, 2018 - 7:30pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

Game Three: *if necessary*
Sunday February 25th, 2018 - 7:00pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

Riverkings are ready for the playoffs! 

USPHL Midwest West first Round:

Best of three format.

#2 ranked Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Vs #7 ranked Ironwood Fighting Yoopers

Game One:
Friday February 23rd, 2018 - 7:30pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

Game Two:
Saturday February 24th, 2018 - 7:30pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

Game Three: *if necessary*
Sunday February 25th, 2018 - 7:00pm at South Wood County Recreation Center

The weather kept the Riverkings away from the showcase in Boston Massachusettes.  Therefore, they will be making up the 4 games that they missed.  On Sunday, January 28 at 7:00pm, the Riverkings will be playing against the Dells Ducks at the South Wood County Rec Center in Wisconsin Rapids.  They will take on the Ducks again at the SWCRC on Tuesday, January 30 at 1:00pm.

After another set of home games on February 2 and 3, the Riverkings will travel to Forest Lake Minnesota.  They will take on the Mullets on February 5th at 2:00pm and on the 6th at noon.  Watch them on Hockey TV! 

Having to make up these 4 games comes at the busy time of the schedule as the Riverkings look to make a late season push heading into playoffs. The Riverkings will play a grinding schedule of 8 games in eleven days. However, the Riverkings staff has added several new player in the recent weeks as they are trying to gain home ice in the playoffs. The added depth comes at the perfect time and the addition of Czech import forward Matyas Kacirek (who came from the NAHL) the Riverkings have gone 10-1-1 since his arrival after Thanksgiving break. The Riverkings have also added the two veteran 20 year olds with Power-forward Al McPhee from the Chicago Cougars and an original Riverking Brooks Hatfield who is a skilled center. These additions have added more skill, experience and depth to an already balanced roster.

With just 14 games to play before playoffs the Riverkings feel this is the time of the season when all the hard work with on and off ice training starts to pay off. Coach Quarters said: “This is time of the season when every game means something and because of that we need to be dialed in, and our staff feels good about this teams focus, leadership, and intensity. We have a veteran team that is excited to work hard and get after it”.

The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings hockey club punched their ticket to the USPHL National Tournament  in Boston by defeating the Minnesota Blue Ox Friday night by a score of 4-0. Thursday night saw the Riverkings win a 2-1 contest, and Friday in front of 617 fans at the South Wood County Recreation Center, the Riverkings completed the sweep.

   Al Mcphee opened the scoring for the Riverkings in the 1st period scoring 9:16 into the game with Dylan Nurse and Tom Mcmanus grabbing the assists. Just a few minutes laters goaltender Erik Schuette turned away a breakaway attempt from the Blue Ox and the Riverkings transitioned the other way. Matyas Kacirek buried the shot to put the Riverkings up 2-0 with Schuette picking up the assist. With a little under two minutes left in the 1st period it was Brooks Hatfield making it 3-0 as Kacirek and Ryan Mantz picked up the assists. 

   The 2nd period was a scoreless one as Schuette turned away 12 Blue Ox attempts. In the 3rd period Adam Peterson iced the game with an empty net goal with Raymond Fleming picking up the lone assist. Schuette turned aside 36 shots picking up his second shut-out of the playoffs. The Riverkings penalty-kill was perfect on the night killing all four Blue Ox attempts. 

   By defeating the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers in the 1st round, and the Minnesota Blue Ox in the 2nd round the Riverkings advance to Boston and the USPHL National Tournament for the second consecutive season.  The tournament runs March 7-10th and all Riverking games can be seen on www.fasthockey.com as they continue their quest to becoming USPHL National Champions.

The Riverkings games will also be broadcast at Hoozels, on HWY 54, the old Bull Dogs.  You can get all your Riverkings playoff schedule and updates at www.usphl.com  under premier division playoff Info.