Soldotna High School’s hockey team was commended at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting for their triumph in February’s Division II state championship — the first such win in the program’s history.
The SoHi Stars defeated Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kale 2-1 on Feb. 4 at the Patty Center Ice Arena in Fairbanks to win the Division II state title and qualify for the Division I state tournament. There, Soldotna lost both games to finish with an overall record of 13-8-3.
The resolution passed Tuesday was co-sponsored by Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox, who represents Soldotna, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche.
Accepting the resolution at Tuesday’s meeting were members of the Soldotna High School hockey team, head coach Anthony Zurfluh and assistant coaches Dagen Walton and Wyatt Medcoff. Assistant coach Lee Green was also recognized in the resolution. Coaches and athletes were given copies of the legislation as well as certificates of achievement.
“The performance of the Soldotna Stars High School Hockey Team for the 2023 hockey season was superb and a credit to their parents, school and community,” the resolution presented Tuesday says.
The win came a couple months after the Alaska School Activities Association formally selected Soldotna to hold the Division II state hockey championship in 2024 and 2025 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. That bid, spearheaded by Soldotna High School Athletic Director Phillip Leck, received a major boost last fall, when the City of Soldotna agreed to waive ice and facility use fees at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex for the event.
The championship event would provide an opportunity for Alaska’s other Division II teams to play in Soldotna, including Kenai Central High School and Homer High School on the peninsula. The Homer High School hockey team won the Division II state championship in 2020 and 2021.
Recognized in the resolution are team members Jace Appelhans, Andrew Arthur, Mykah Booth, Blake Bucho, Aiden Burcham, Tanner Clyde, Riley Cronin, Spencer Dahlman, Marshall DeRaeve, Daniel Heath, Kyler Howell, Silas Larsen, Dawson Lockwood, Gehret Medcoff, Liberty Miller, Ezekiel Miller, Jackson Purcell, Aiden Stinnett, Boone Theiler, Peyton Williams and Zack Zurfluh.
The full commending resolution presented to the SoHi hockey team on Tuesday can be found on the borough’s website at kpb.legistar.us.com.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
