Two hockey players honored

Leeson, Huntbatch both make All-Iron Range Conference Team

Ely has returned to the Iron Range Conference in hockey and two Timberwolves were named to this year’s All-IRC Team.

Ben Leeson and Jace Huntbatch, both seniors, were named All-Iron Range Conference as selected by league coaches.

The Wolves were in the back of the standings in the four-team circuit but two players on the all-league team nonetheless.

Leeson closed out a strong career in an Ely uniform with a solid senior campaign, recording a shutout in mid-December, and recording over 40 saves in a 1-0 upset win over IRC foe Greenway. It was the Wolves’ only conference win of the season.

Leeson was the starting goalie in all five Ely victories and finished the season with a 4.09 goals against average and save percentage of almost 90 percent.

Huntbatch was part of the Wolves’ top line, and he assisted on eight Ely goals on the way to 11 points. He was one of only three Wolves to reach double digits in points.

The others received honorable mention to the All-IRC group.

They were sophomore Owen Marolt, Ely’s top point-scorer with 14 points, including 11 goals.

Also gaining honorable mention was Rhett Johnson, a junior. He wound up with seven goals and six assists for 13 points.

• Jake Myers announced at the end of the season that he will not return as Ely’s head coach in 2025-26.

Myers spent the last four years as head coach and was an Ely assistant for several years prior to that.