Northern Star: Autumn Cooper
Superior senior wants state title before graduation
SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior girls hockey team is well on their way to returning to the state tournament. Team captain Autumn Cooper has had an immeasurable impact on the Spartans’ success, and she’s hoping to do a little bit more before she heads to Bemidji State.
On a Saturday afternoon, the Spartans took the ice on the same day as a youth hockey tournament. for Cooper, that just means more opportunities to meet her young fans.
“It’s kind of cool,” Cooper smiled. “You know, you walk into this rink and all the little kids look up to you, and they love you, and they want you to come and support their games and stuff, so we try to get out and do that much as possible.”
Head coach Doug Trentor has seen Cooper’s impact on young hockey players first-hand. “You can look around this rink, and you can see a lot of 10-year girls, 8-year girls, even 12-year girls walk around, and they come right over to her, and they flock to her like she’s a local hero, which she is.”
Becoming a local hero doesn’t happen overnight. For Cooper, it took becoming one of the best players in Wisconsin and leading the Spartans to the State Championship Game. “Every game, we’ve got to go in and play our best because teams want to beat us, and we’re the team to beat right now.” says Cooper.
“it’s incredible how far she’s come,” commented Trentor. “She’s always been a really good player, but to see how far she’s really advanced has been awesome.”
“What makes her such a good player?” I asked Coach Trentor.
“Her work ethic. Without question. That’s an easy answer. She’s the hardest-working girl out here. She’s always, always, and I mean always the first in and last out.”
Even taking her on-ice accolades into account, Autumn’s greatest quality doesn’t require skates. “Autumn’s just an amazing person in general,” says Makaela Reinke, a linemate of Cooper’s. “She’s a really good leader, so she obviously brings that leadership.”
Coach Trentor agrees. “Like I’ve always said, She’s one of the best players in the state, if not the best player in the state, but she’s a better kid.”
“I guess my favorite thing about hockey is just being able to play with my teammates and being able to make memories with each other not only on the ice but also off the ice,” says Cooper. “You know, it’s cool playing high school hockey that you get to go to school with the girls that you love and then being able to come back at night and practice with them as well.”
