Dec 26, 2006 - 04:10:25 CST
Bismarck Tribune
By CINDY PETERSON
When Travis Rybchinski brought his hockey team to Bismarck two years ago to play in the "Go For the Gusto" game, his intentions were to do a charitable thing.
Rybchinski's Minot State-Bottineau Lumberjacks played against a Bismarck amateur team. The proceeds went to former Hazen-Beulah coach Jeff Gustafson, who was battling cancer. Gustafson recently died.
Even though Rybchinski's heart was in the right place, he ended up benefitting from the game.
The "Go For The Gusto" game, which ended in a tie, helped him land three Bismarck High School players. Sam Aide, Jared Kopp and Alec Kautzman have all made impacts for the Lumberjacks this season.
"We got a lot of exposure from Bismarck," Rybchinski said. "The arena was packed there. People realized how good of a product we have."
Aide and Kopp are sophomore forwards. Kautzman is a defenseman.
Aide is the Lumberjacks' captain and Kopp is their assistant captain. The pair played on the same line in high school and have been teamed together at MSU-B.
"Without looking, I know where he's going to be if I have the puck," said Aide, a 6-foot, 160-pound sophomore. "He knows where I'm going to be if he has the puck."
Through 12 games, Aide has lit the lamp 11 times and has assisted on seven goals for 18 points.
"He's by far the fastest player we have," Rybchinski said. "His speed makes him a threat on a short-handed situation. He has more confidence in himself this year. Last year he was unsure of himself."
Aide went to the juniors out of high school when he signed with the Bozeman (Mont.) Icedogs. Aide didn't receive a lot of playing time, and he missed his family.
Through the encouragement of Kopp, Aide decided to leave Bozeman and play college hockey at MSU-B. Aide's brother Jack played in Rybchinski's program. Jack now plays at Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wis. His younger brother Will plays for the Bismarck Bobcats.
"He landed on our doorstep," Rybchinski said of Sam Aide. "He knew what our program was about. We were looking to add an impact forward and he fit the bill."
Kopp has scored 10 goals and has handed out seven assists through 12 games for 17 points. Kopp also plays baseball for the 'Jacks.
Kautzman has tallied two assists through 12 games and has remained steady on defense.
Aide believes the 12-3 Lumberjacks have a shot at winning an NJCAA nation title this year. MSU-B will play host to the national tourney March 2-4.
"Home ice is huge,"Aide said. "We have a lot of chemistry on our team. Last year we had problems with cliques. This year we're a team that backs each other up."
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