Radetic restarts career with Brown Bears

Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion Christopher Lipe, Luke Radetic, Lucas Carroll and Jonathan Marzec celebrate Radetic's goal in the second period Friday at the Soldotna Regiona Sports Complex.

Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion Christopher Lipe, Luke Radetic, Lucas Carroll and Jonathan Marzec celebrate Radetic's goal in the second period Friday at the Soldotna Regiona Sports Complex.

Luke Radetic thought his hockey career might be over.

Radetic grew up getting coached by one of the best American goal scorers of all time. He spent his childhood playing with a friend who is now in the NHL.

Radetic was on the cover of USA Hockey Magazine in January 2015, put up eight goals and eight assists in 51 games for the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League last season, and then … nothing.

He spent training camp with the Blues, got cut, then also was cut from the Topeka (Kansas) RoadRunners of the NAHL.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I was just sitting at home,” said Radetic, a 19-year-old forward from Chesterfield, Missouri. “I wasn’t even going to play. I was going to school at semester.”

That’s when Radetic’s hockey adviser told Radetic to give Brown Bears head coach Jeff Worlton a call.

Worlton wanted Radetic to travel all the way to the Kenai Peninsula to play for the Brown Bears.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward sought the advice of his parents, Dana and Joe Radetic, and his friends.

“My parents were big,” Radetic said. “They told me I should end my hockey career on my own terms.

“Don’t let a couple of coaches make the decision for you.”

All of Radetic’s friends told him college would always be there, but junior hockey would not. Cole Chatham, who played in the NAHL last season before he was sidelined by a back injury, was particularly influential.

“He told me, ‘If I had the option to play, I’d still give anything to play hockey again,’” Radetic said.

And so one day Radetic was in the store shopping for winter clothes, and the next he was on the plane to Alaska. He would end up in Kasilof with billet parents Lee and Sandra Berzanske.

Radetic made his debut for the Bears on Oct. 21 against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, and has six goals and two assists in 10 games. Four goals have come on the power play, with two coming five-on-three.

Radetic said the goals have come due to his teammates’ playmaking on the power play, and due to his experience.

“It’s my second year in the league,” he said. “Having one year under my belt is a pretty big deal.

“I’m old enough that I can play a leadership role and I don’t have to grip the stick tight. I can just go out there and have fun.”

Worlton said he does not know why Radetic did not stick in Springfield or Topeka. But it did not take the coach long to pinpoint a weakness in the forward’s game.

Radetic was called into Worlton’s office on just his second day with the Bears.

“He told me I had Division I skill, but that I needed to be gritty,” Radetic said. “He said I didn’t touch one person in practice that day.”

Worlton gave Radetic the nickname “Bruiser,” and so far it seems to be working. Wednesday after practice, his face was all scuffed up from battle drills with teammates including Jonas Warmen, who is 6-2 and 218.

“I’ve only had 10 games, but I’m working on it for sure,” Radetic said. “In practice doing battle drills, going against guys like Jonas is definitely good for me.”

Scoring for Radetic has never been the problem.

“One, he has that confidence and that sense of arrogance you need to be able to put the puck in the net,” Worlton said. “He also has a quick release on his shot.”

That’s hardly surprising because Radetic learned from one of the best.

From fifth grade to his sophomore year, Radetic’s assistant coach in the St. Louis Blues AAA program was Keith Tkachuk. Tkachuk wrapped up a 19-year NHL career as one of five American-born players to score at least 500 goals.

Because former NHL players are sticking around and coaching in St. Louis, the area has seen a blossoming of elite talent after not placing a player in the NHL in the 20th century.

This was the focus of USA Hockey Magazine in January 2015, when Radetic was on the cover with Tkachuk and others.

Radetic said he made the cover because some of his more accomplished friends were off doing bigger and better things.

Tkachuk’s son, Matthew, is an 18-year-old rookie for the Calgary Flames.

Also, Luke Kunin is a sophomore captain at the University of Wisconsin and was taken 15th in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.

Radetic said he worked out with both the past summer and that their dedication and talent is incredible.

While Worlton said Radetic has a goal-scoring arrogance, he said Radetic’s arrogance extends no further than that.

“He’s very coachable,” Worlton said. “The kid can put the puck in the net, and some goal scorers can be difficult to deal with.

“But he’s trying to buy in and become a better defensive player and blocking shots.”

Seeing his hockey life flash before his eyes may have been just the thing Radetic needed.

“It made me realize if you really want something, you have to go after it,” he said. “I’ve always been a goal scorer, but what coaches say is I have to add grit to my game to get where I want to be.

“You can’t be soft and play at this level, or at college, too.”

More in Sports

Runners line up at the start for the Seldovia Salmon Shuffle 5K race on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Seldovia, Alaska. Photo courtesy Ecola Collier
255 do the Salmon Shuffle

The 5K race is held annually as part of Seldovia’s 4th of July celebrations.

Nick Varney
Reeling ‘Em In: Hard luck at the fishing hole

The action wasn’t as hot as in the past, but neither was the run.

Seward's Fred Moore stands at the base of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on Monday, June 24, 2019. Moore will run in his 50th consecutive Mount Marathon race on July 4. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
‘It’s been a good run’

Seward’s Moore explains his decision to end his Mount Marathon streak at 54

Matthew Schilling of the American Legion Post 20 Twins slides safely past Eagle River catcher Jack Mullen on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Monday: Twins keep rolling with sweep of Eagle River

The American Legion Post 20 Twins swept Eagle River on Monday at… Continue reading

Sharon Tyone, Dan Aaronson and Jessica Small make the "real life slot machine" work at the Oilers All-Star Family Field Day on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Oilers return to field for All-Star Family Field Day

It was only for a day, but the Peninsula Oilers were able… Continue reading

David Norris, 34, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, wins the men's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Norris goes 6 for 6 in Mount Marathon men’s race; Moore’s streak ends at 54 races

One streak lived while another streak ended during a brilliantly sunny men’s… Continue reading

Anchorage's Klaire Rhodes, 27, wins the women's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Rhodes defends women’s Mount Marathon crown

With Seward stuffed with people for 97th running of the Mount Marathon… Continue reading

The juniors start at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Zuber, Flagstad capture junior Mount Marathon races

Kenai’s Boonstra takes 2nd in junior girls race

tease
Thursday: Twins finish strong road trip by sweeping South

The visiting American Legion Post 20 Twins picked up 10-0 and 18-5… Continue reading

tease
Post 20 Twins enact mercy rule on Eagle River

The visiting American Legion Post 20 Twins defeated Eagle River 11-0 in… Continue reading

tease
Tri Nikiski draws 79 participants

The ninth annual Tri Nikiski was held Saturday starting from the Nikiski… Continue reading

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in