Interview with Moorhead Spuds head hockey coach Jon Ammerman
(ST PAUL, MINN) — The accolades continue to come in for the Moorhead Spuds boys hockey team.
After winning the Class AA state championship Saturday night, two Spuds have received awards.
Head coach Jon Ammerman won the Coach of the Year award. The Spuds finished 28-2-1 and defeated Stillwater 7-6 at the Xcel Energy Center. Ammerman, in his 12th year as head coach, led the Spuds to their first state championship.
He says it’s much more than a singular award.
“I would actually argue a little bit that it shows how quality of a staff we had this year,” he said. “A group of guys that worked really hard to set guys up for success, really proud of how everybody was able find a role and work together.”
He was named the Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches.
“It means a little bit more when it comes from your peers,” Ammerman said. “That they recognize some of the hard work and it means a lot. (I’m) really honored to be recognized.”
Mason Kraft received the Mr. Hockey award, for the state’s best player. He was one of 10 nominees.
“It’s a true honor to be named Mr. Hockey with all these players,” Kraft said.
The senior finished with 95 points, including 11 in the state tournament.
Ammerman gave Kraft praise.
“Mason deserves every single award and the attention that he’s getting,” Coach Ammerman said. “He really put in a ton of work the last eight to nine months to really elevate his game and he was rewarded for it. He had a historic season and I’m glad people were able to recognize that.”
