Northern Star: AJ Reyelts
Finishing high school career with 1,000+ saves
PROCTOR, Minn.- Last week, Proctor’s AJ Reyelts put himself in rare company for high school goaltenders when he recorded his 1,000th save.
“Ever since the Christmas tournament, we’ve been firing,” says Reyelts. “The team feels great. I mean, we’ve been winning a lot, so that’s always fun.”
When Reyelts is in front of the net, life is good for the Proctor Rails. Just ask head coach Jeff Laspi, who’s watched Reyelts take the ice since his time in squirt hockey.
“Just the maturation as a kid to a young man, the way he is now, he puts the work in and lead(s) by example, that’s the best way you can put it.” says Laspi. “He’s doing stuff off the ice all the time, and then once he comes on the ice, he’s as competitive as it gets.”
In youth hockey, kids often shy away from taking on the role of goaltender. For Reyelts, his love for defending the net started at home with his older brother. “We’d play knee hockey a lot,” smiled Reyelts. “He’d always put me in the net just because he’s older. He bossed me around, but I think it’s fun. I think it’s fun being back there and being a leader.”
“There’s some pressure to it,” admits Reyelts. “But the more games you play, the more you’re used to it. You still get nervous before games and stuff, but some people like pressure. I like pressure.”
Reyelts missed the first eight games of the season after suffering a knee injury while training in the summer. “I knew it was going to be kind of a long process,” he said. “I just tried to have the most positive mindset I could.’
Since his return, he’s played some of his best hockey, with Proctor posting a 12-3 record with Reyelts on the ice. “When you’ve got a goalie like AJ back in the net, it gives us confidence that we can beat anybody on any given night.” says Laspi.
Reyelts will soon be headed to Missouri to play for Division I Lindenwood University. While his budding hockey career is only getting started, AJ will have a special place in his heart for the countless memories that were created in Proctor. “It’s all been great. The community’s awesome. I mean, I walk around town and people are like, ‘Hey, I was at the game. You guys are on fire this year.’ I mean, it’s perfect. I love every bit of it.”
Proctor will continue their season on Thursday when they host North Shore.
