Bluejackets’ Historic State Return Fueled by Legacy
DULUTH, Minn. — The Hibbing-Chisholm High School boys’ hockey team is heading to the Minnesota state tournament. The milestone is not only a victory for the team, but also a celebration for the entire community — all while honoring the memory and legacy of Hibbing’s own #7, Adam Johnson.
These players are sharp, dialed in, and ready to face the best in Minnesota.
“Excited. That’s probably the best way to put it is excited,” said Senior Captain Rex Walli.
The last time Hibbing won the state tournament was 1973. This year’s team is looking to repeat history.
“It’s another game that we’ve got to get the job done, just going into it just like playoffs knowing we’ve got to win,” Senior Captain Jace Kampsula stated.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Aaron Jamnick, this young team has had a standout season—with tough wins over teams like Hermantown and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton.
“It’s been an amazing week here and so much support from the community. It doesn’t feel real still,” said Jamnick.
While this year’s Bluejackets are making their own mark, they carry with them the memory of Adam Johnson.
“This is a perfect healing thing for our community. Because we still are mourning the loss of Adam,” said Owner of Palmer’s Tavern Sandra Rohwer.
Rohwer continued, “He means so much to this community not just hockey-wise. He was a great young man. He was involved with the youth. And this just seems like it’s kind of taking a little bit of the weight off our shoulder.”
A Hibbing native and UMD alum, Johnson was a standout on the 2011 team that made the last state appearance for the Bluejackets.
“Everybody knew Adam was special. Everybody knew it,” Rohwer stated. “He was just an unbelievable skater, and he could shoot the puck.”
“His impact on the team wasn’t just his talent, but the character he brought to the team,” said his former coach Mark DeCenzo.
In October of last year, Johnson tragically passed away while playing the game he loved.
“He’s remembered not just because he was a great hockey player, but because he was a great person,” DeCenzo explained.
His loss is felt deeply in Hibbing, but his story and legacy live on at Palmer’s Tavern and far beyond.
“It was a very hard hit to lose him, but he definitely set the stage and had a ton of young eyes watching him and inspired so many people in this town,” Palmer’s Tavern Manager Brooke Kintner stated.
On the ice and off, these boys are brothers.
“I feel like from the start of the season until now we just built so much chemistry with each other and we just built a family all together,” said Captain Jace Kampsula.
Senior Captain Rex Walli added, “Family is the best word. Everyone’s there for one another, everyone’s there supporting one another.”
And they’re playing for more than just themselves.
“We just want to do it for him, and everyone else in the town, and everyone that’s ever put on a Hibbing jersey,” Kampsula continued. “We just want to do it for them.”
“They’ve worked hard, they’re prepared, you go out and play your best and if you do—whatever happens happens, and I guess with this group of kids—good things are going to happen if they do,” said Former Hibbing Hockey Coach Mark DeCenzo.
Hibbing-Chisholm kicks off their state tournament run on Wednesday at 6 p.m. as the top seed, facing Luverne.
Go get ’em, Bluejackets!
