Former Teammates Are Now Rivals in Junior Hockey

Ben Bahe and Willie Faust used to be teammates at Hill Murray High School. But now the Stillwater natives are rivals, playing for different teams in the North American Hockey League's South Division. There are also a half-dozen more Hill Murray alums scattered around the league.

“It's a little weird,” Bahe said. “But it's business on the ice, then you do back to being buddies after the game. It's good to see them again.”

The Hill Murray alums had their first reunion of the year last week at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine. All of the league's teams gather for the annual event, where each team plays four games in four days in front of a slew of college scouts.

Bahe's new coach has been impressed with what he's seen so far.

“Ben has been a pleasant surprise,” Topeka coach Scott Langer said. “His game is starting to flourish, and he's playing (on a line) with some high-skill guys. We like his speed, and his hockey sense is very good.”

Bahe had four points in four games for the RoadRunners.

Faust joined the NAHL last season, after getting cut by the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. He spent last season in Owatonna, but the Express was sold in the off-season and moved to Texas. So Faust now finds himself a member of the Odessa Jackalopes.

“When I first heard the team was sold it was quite a shock,” Faust said. “I've been down in Odessa for three weeks and they've treated us really well. It's going to be fun.”

Faust's new coach also likes having him around.

“Willie is a great kid, works hard, and is a great skater,” Odessa coach Paul Gillis said.

Two other Stillwater natives—Wilson Housley and Tim Shaughnessy—have also earned roster spots in the NAHL this season.

Housley is a familiar name to hockey fans. Wilson is the son of Phil Housley, who spent 23 years in the National Hockey League and is the league's second all-time leading scorer among U.S.-born players.

“I'm not my dad,” Wilson Housley said. “I just have to work on my game.”

Housley is pretty good in his own right. He was the Stillwater High School MVP two years ago, and spend last season in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Now he's in Minot, playing for a first-year expansion team.

“He's a veteran forward and a very skilled player. We're looking for him to get things going offensively,” Minot coach Ben Johnson said.

Goalie Tim Shaughnessy—the St. Paul Pioneer Press Player of the Year last year—is also with Minot this season.

“Obviously he's going to be a big part of our team this year,” Johnson said.

Shaughnessy, though, will be splitting time in goal for the first time in a long time this season.

“It's a different experience when you're used to starting every game, and now you're switching off,” Shaughnessy said. “You have to change your mindset a little bit. It's a new experience.”

The North American Hockey League, now in its 36^th season, is the largest USA Hockey-sanctioned Junior A circuit with 28 teams. Traditionally, the Combat Hockey/NAHL Showcase Tournament attracts over 5,000 people in overall attendance, including more than 200 college and professional scouts.

The Janesville Jets were crowned champions of this year's Showcase. Like Janesville, the Fresno Monsters and Fairbanks Ice Dogs went 4-0 in the tournament, with the Jets winning on tie-breaker criteria.