Stearns' intensity earns him 100th career point for W-DC
WADENA -- Andrew Stearns has two personalities: one for hockey and another for life.
On the ice Stearns is an intense scoring machine for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' hockey team. He has 29 goals, which puts him eighth in the state. His 33 assists place him sixth. With 62 total points Stearns is ranked fourth in the state in scoring behind teammates Jason Merickel, who's first with 70 points, and Josh Schumacher, whose 65 points put him third.
"It's fun because they're all good," Stearns said about his linemates. "We pass the puck a lot. I don't think we could have all gotten 100 (points) if we weren't together."
Last week against Little Falls, Stearns scored his 100th career point.
"It really was no different than any other," Stearns said about his 100th point. "Merickel took a shot and the rebound was sitting five feet out with a wide open net.
"At the end of the period they gave me the puck, which was nice."
On Saturday he also had a hat trick against Sauk Centre.
"It's quite an accomplishment," Wolverines head coach Brad Shelstad said about Stearns' 100th point. "He's just gotten better every year and he really stepped it up this year. He's been quite a force.
"He's a very strong skater. His skating is much improved, in terms of his speed, power and his agility. He gets up a head of speed and he's tough to slow down.
"He's very strong on the puck. It's not easy to shake him loose from the puck."
As a junior Stearns has teamed up with seniors Merickel and Schumacher, who also reached the 100 points in a career mark this year, to complete the highest scoring line in the state.
"It's kind of neat that all three have reached that plateau," said Shelstad. "It's the third year for each of them, but it's the first year for them as a complete line. They've played with each other in pairs but never as a whole line."
Stearns' career all started with a little begging to his parents.
"I was up in the community center watching people skate and I liked it," said Stearns. "I went home and begged my parents to let me try."
The begging worked, but Stearns' hard work in the off-season has helped. Stearns lifts weights, runs and plays hockey all year long. He's a big reason Wadena-Deer Creek is 15-8 this season.
"When he's on the ice he's a very intense player," said Shelstad. "He's a very competitive player who's worked very hard on his game over the year. He works on it all year long. He puts a lot of time into hockey during the season and the off-season."
Off the ice Stearns would be described exactly the opposite.
"Off the ice he's very carefree and easy going," said Shelstad. "He can be really serious but has a non-serious side as well."
Stearns has had five hat tricks, two games with four assists and seven games with four or more total points. His high game was against Morris where he had a hat trick and four assists for seven points.
Last year as a sophomore he was All-Mid State Conference and All Section 4A honorable mention.
After high school Stearns plans to play juniors and from there go to college. He hopes to go as far as hockey will let him.
Other notable performances:
Hockey -- Crosby-Ironton-Aitkin's Nick Stueven recorded a hat trick in win over Sauk Centre.
Wadena-Deer Creek's Schumacher picked up a hat trick against Sauk Centre. Teammate Merickel had seven assists.
Basketball -- Nate Miller of Little Falls racked up 30 points in a win over Brainerd.
Pine River-Backus' Justin Kelley knocked in 22 points in a win over Sebeka. Teammate Micah Johnson added 20 for the Tigers.
Pillager's Dan Goeritz scored 24 points in a losing cause.