Northern Star: Will Esterbrooks
Senior reached State Tournament in all three years with Hawks
HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Will Esterbrooks of the Hermantown truly put it all on the line in his three years playing for the Hawks’ boys hockey team.
It’s now been over a week since Hermantown suffered a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud Cathedral in the 3-1 Class A State Championship. Following the game, Head Coach Patrick Andrew acknowledged they wouldn’t have made it that far without Esterbrooks.
“We love intelligent people that are warrior competitors and have a huge heart, and that’s Will all day long,” says Andrews.
“It’s kind of an honor to be able to go to a state championship twice in your career,” reflected Esterbrooks.. “And to make it to state three times and place top three all three times, it’s quite the career to have and I’m pretty proud of it.”
Esterbrooks’ time at state nearly ended prematurely after getting hurt in the Hawks’ State Semifinal victory. However, on the following day, Esterbrooks’ was a full-go on Championship Saturday.
“Really hard to take him out of that game yesterday, but it was the right decision,” Coach Andrews explained. “And I know broke his heart to get taken out, but just the competitiveness and the grit to come back today and be able to play and play at a high level today.”
Esterbrooks’ actions at state were in-step with what he said in the days leading up to the tournament. “I want to leave it all on the ice every time I go out there,” he said in regard to how he wants to be remembered by the Hermantown community. “I want everyone to know that I gave it my all and I have nothing to regret.”
With more young talent coming up the ranks, Hermantown will no doubt remain state title contenders for the foreseeable future. But skilled skaters can’t compete for titles without players like Esterbrooks leading them to victory.
“I just tried to play hard and lead by example by playing hard and playing fast because younger kids coming in aren’t used to the fast pace and hard hitting. And I just tried to lead by example by doing that. And I think they’ve all followed pretty well.”
Esterbrooks will continue his playing career in Alaska for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL.
