High School Hockey Team Experiences Team Building with the Military

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
November 18, 2022

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley is hosting the Apple
Valley Boys High School Hockey Team tonight and Saturday to build team cohesion and
experience various aspects of the National Guard.

“Much like the military, in hockey, no single player is greater than the collective group,” said
Army Col. Scott Rohweder, Minnesota National Guard’s Director of Operations, and Apple
Valley Boys High School Hockey Team’s Coach.

Approximately 50 hockey players, grades 10 through 12, will travel to Little Falls today for a
scrimmage game. This evening, the team will stay overnight at Camp Ripley and have a full day
tomorrow learning about the Guard’s role and the opportunities and benefits available to those
who desire to serve. The team will experience Camp Ripley’s leader reaction course and an
indoor, small-arms training simulator.

“Whether playing hockey or serving in the military, both involve working as a team to
accomplish the desired goals and objectives,” said Rohweder. “They require individuals to rely
on their teammates to defend, trust, and help make them successful. Both teach the ability to
leverage creativity and innovation within a system and how to develop situational awareness, an
understanding of the environment, and trust in teammates’ ability allowing for rapid decision
making be it on the ice or on the battlefield.”

Note: Media members are invited to capture the hockey players experiencing the leader reaction
course and small-arms training simulator on Nov. 19, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Camp
Ripley, 15000 Hwy 115, Little Falls, Minn. Media must arrive by 11 a.m. for transportation to
the field. Media should RSVP to Lt. Col. Kristen Augé at 952-913-5979 or
kristen.l.auge.mil@army.mil.

About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than
13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers
and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars,
protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities.
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