Submitted by Angie Hoff and Tina Goutermont, S.K.A.T.E. Coordinators, Silver Bay Blue Line Club
Thirty Storm hockey players recognized for academic achievement during the 2025–26 season
The Silver Bay Blue Line Club is celebrating a milestone this season as it marks 20 years of participation in the S.K.A.T.E. program, an initiative that recognizes youth hockey players for their dedication to academic success while balancing the demands of playing hockey.
S.K.A.T.E., which stands for Skaters Keep Achieving Through Education, is an academic recognition program designed to encourage youth hockey players to strive for excellence in the classroom during the busy hockey season. The program reinforces the importance of maintaining strong academic habits while pursuing the sport they love.
This season, 30 hockey players from the Silver Bay Blue Line Club Hockey Association qualified for the program by achieving a minimum grade point average of 3.0 during the hockey season. All Storm student athletes from the 10U through Bantam levels are eligible to participate.
Qualifying players were recognized during the annual S.K.A.T.E. event held on Monday, March 9, in the William Kelley School Galley. The event was organized by S.K.A.T.E. coordinators Angie Hoff and Tina Goutermont and brought together players and their families to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.
Special guest speakers included Blue Line Club president Gus Engstrom and varsity student-athlete Berkley Hoff, who spoke about the importance of commitment, discipline, and balancing academics with athletics. Hoff emphasized the value of character both on and off the ice, saying, “Being a player of character means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. It means respecting your coaches, your teammates, your opponents, and the officials. It means representing your school, your team, and your community the right way both on and off the ice.” Engstrom highlighted the connection between hockey and academic success, telling the students, “Everyone loves the sport of hockey, and hockey teaches a lot: discipline, resilience, teamwork, grit. But what each of you has shown is that these qualities don’t just belong in the rink. You’ve carried them into your classrooms, your study sessions, your late nights finishing assignments after long practices. You’ve proven that being a student athlete isn’t about splitting yourself in two, it’s about bringing the same determination to every part of your life.”
Dinner was served, certificates and prizes were awarded, and the evening concluded with a mini floor hockey tournament. The tournament featured plenty of friendly competition and also highlighted strong sportsmanship among the players, including a moment when a Bantam player shook his opponent’s hand after a hard-fought game and said, “Good game.”
This year’s rewards included a $50 gift card to Stewart’s in Duluth, a Bauer Mystery Mini floor hockey stick, hockey tape, and an additional $10 gift card to various other local businesses. In past years, qualifying players have also received items such as hockey bags, gloves, sweatshirts, and jackets.
Much like the cheers players hear for goals, assists, and hustle on the ice, recognition for academic success provides encouragement and motivation for students to continue working hard in the classroom. The program also helps build habits that will benefit players as they move into their high school athletic careers, where maintaining strong grades is required in order to remain eligible to play.
While hockey is a game many players enjoy for a lifetime, the Silver Bay Blue Line Club continues to emphasize that education is the foundation for future success.
S.K.A.T.E. coordinators Angie Hoff and Tina Goutermont would like to thank the Blue Line Club for its continued belief in and financial support of the program. They also extend their appreciation to the many area businesses and individuals whose donations helped make the event and its rewards possible this year.
Those donors include Patty Schumacher, Roger Koster (memorial gift sent in by Gary Zinter), BriEsa’s Convenience Store, North Shore Federal Credit Union, D&D Services, VanHouse Construction, Virginia Palmer of Coldwell Banker North Shore, Industrial Lubricant Company, Zup’s of Silver Bay, Norshore Agency Inc. – Scott Thun, Ziegler Companies, Black Beach Inn by GrandStay, Amy Jordahl, Adam’s Automotive, Homestead Family Dental, Julie’s True Value, Gary Zinter of Thrivent Financial, and Malachi Haugen Construction.
Through the continued support of the community, the S.K.A.T.E. program remains a meaningful way to recognize the commitment these young athletes show both on the ice and in the classroom.
2025–26 S.K.A.T.E. Program Qualifying Players
10U
Annabelle Choi, Mia Klemmer, Harper Rea
Squirts
Jonah Belanger, Jeff Osburnsen, Zach McQuatters-Spangle, Rory Pearson, Gage VanHouse, Jaxson Alvarez, Gannon Fergon, Gibson LaVigne, George Summerfield, Anders Timm, Jesse Ylatupa
12U
Holly Belanger, Addilyn Cook, Alyssa Engstrom, Sophia Engstrom, Averie Ernest, Everlie Ernest, Brooklyn Goutermont
Peewees
Parker Montgomery, Jeffrey Timm
Bantams
Brayden Cates, Gordon Goutermont, Barron Hoff, Breckon Hoff, Max Klemmer, Nico Tersteeg, Max Haugen
If you would like to donate to the S.K.A.T.E. program, donations can be sent to:
Silver Bay Blue Line Club / S.K.A.T.E.
P.O. Box 147
Silver Bay, MN 55614
