Zak Kennett is proud of his small-town hockey background
RED LAKE FALLS, Minn. (BVM) — As all of Minnesota waits for a return to youth and high school sports, Zak Kennett is making sure he as well as his team are ready for the hockey season.
“Just trying to find ice time whenever we can,” Kennett said.
Kennett and the Red Lake Falls Eagles are looking to build upon the success they had last year as well as get the playoff win they believed they should’ve had.
“We want to redeem ourselves from last year,” Kennett said.
Kennett will play an important role in any success the Eagles have this season as he has played great for them ever since he put on a Red Lake Falls jersey.
As a sophomore, Kennett had 40 goals and 19 assists on the season, but the Eagles still struggled, going 5-16. Last year as a junior, Kennett took his play to another level, scoring 42 goals while also leading the state in assists with 56 and points with 98.
Kennett as well as his coach Trevor Page say a big part of the impressive year was his teammates stepping up with him. The addition of Kennett’s brother Ty, a junior this year, and Evan Girdler, a sophomore this year, created a dangerous combination out on the ice.
“We all worked together pretty well,” Kennett said. “I think they just find the areas and I’m able to find them and we create pretty good opportunities when we’re out there together.”.
“The biggest thing though is just a year of experience,” Page said. “Zak learned what Minnesota high school hockey was all about and what it takes to be competitive and successful.”
With Kennett leading the way, the Eagles went 17-8 during the regular season on their way to a playoff matchup against Thief River Falls. Red Lake Falls lost the matchup, but the Eagles are ready to try again this year.
“We have a great core of returning players this year and we expect to be a very competitive team in Section 8A this year,” Page said. “We are one of the smallest programs in the state but we also have some top end talent.”
Kennett is at the top of that talent and after spending two months in the fall, playing the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League. He is more than ready once high school hockey gets the go ahead to return to play.
However, this season is more than just about winning for the Eagles’ star senior. It’s also about being able to play for his hometown team one last time.
“All my life I’ve wanted to wear the Eagles (jersey),” Kennett said. “Just being a part of a small town that loves hockey, you just want to be a part of it.”
Growing up in Red Lake Falls, Kennett got to see first hand how special it is to play high school hockey in a small town in Northern Minnesota.
“It’s really awesome to grow up in a town where everywhere you go people ask about the team and ask about what camps and tryouts I have been at,” Kennett said. “It means a lot to know that people are behind you and will support you to the very end.”
Kennett’s father was the head coach of the Eagles for many years and is now assistant coach for the team. He even coached Page before Page took over as head coach. The town and the team are intertwined and feed off of each other.
“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle,” Page said.
Kennett has aspirations to continue his hockey career well into the future, but one last season playing for his hometown will be something he will never forget.
“I couldn’t thank my coaches, teammates, teachers, and the whole community enough for allowing me to be a part of Eagle Hockey,” Kennett said.
