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Centennial's Ritch Menne named state's Class 2A Coach of the Year

By Legacy Hockey staff, 03/09/24, 6:30PM CST

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Marshall's Michael Weiss voted Class 1A Coach of the Year as winners announced by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association


Centennial's Ritch Menne was named the state Class 2A Coach of the Year on Saturday. Photo by Jeff Lawler, LegacyHockeyPhotography.com


Marshall's Michael Weiss

Centennial's Ritch Menne in Class 2A and Marshall's Michael Weiss in Class 1A were named the state’s coaches of the year on Saturday by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association.

Menne, in his 13th year leading the Cougars, guided Centennial to a 21-8-2 record this season that included a 3-2 victory over Elk River on Saturday in the state Class 2A consolation championship.

Weiss guided Marshall to a 16-12-0 record and appearance in the Section 3A championship game. He has a 165-113-6 record in 11 seasons leading the Tigers.

"First off, I want to congratulate Coach Menne and Coach Weiss on being recognized for their work in leading the young men in their respective schools and communities," Aaron Wilbur, Founder of The Coaches Site, said. "We are extremely proud to support the MHSHCA Coach of the Year Award and everything it represents.

"I also want to acknowledge the fine work that all the High School coaches do across the State of Minnesota in helping their student athletes create memories and learn lessons that will last a lifetime."

Gary Tolkinen of Centennial in Class 2A and Ron Brown of St. Cloud Cathedral were named assistant coaches of the year.

Coaches of the year and assistant coaches of the year were also named in all eight Class 1A and 2A sections by the MHCA.

MHCA 2023-2024 Coaches of the Year

SECTION 1
Class AA Head Coach Matt Erredge Rochester Century/John Marshall
Josh Klingfus Rochester Century/John Marshall
Class AA Assistant Alex Murphy Rochester Century/John Marshall
Class A Head Coach Eriah Hayes La Crescent-Hokah
Class A Assistant Justin Kendall La Crescent-Hokah
SECTION 2
Class AA Head Coach Sean Goldsworthy Minnetonka
Class AA Assistant Zack Friedli Chanhassen
Class A Head Coach Jeff DeGree Mound Westonka
Class A Assistant Dave Shute Minneapolis
SECTION 3
Class AA Head Coach Ricky Saintey Rosemount
Class AA Assistant Tim Hartung Eastview
Class A Head Coach Michael Weiss Marshall
Class A Assistant Cody Kohn New Ulm
Dan Schipper Marshall
SECTION 4
Class AA Head Coach Chris Anderson White Bear Lake
Class AA Assistant Tim Hambly White Bear Lake
Class A Head Coach Zach Palmquist South St. Paul
Class A Assistant Wes Durand Southwest Christian/Richfield
SECTION 5
Class AA Head Coach Ritch Menne Centennial
Class AA Assistant Gary Tolkinen Centennial
Class A Head Coach Joey Hanowski Little Falls
Class A Assistant Ron Brown St. Cloud Cathedral
SECTION 6
Class AA Head Coach Ken Pauly Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Class AA Assistant Casey Maikkula Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Class A Head Coach Adam Wiertzema Breckenridge/Wahpeton
Class A Assistant Howie Borden Northern Lakes
SECTION 7
Class AA Head Coach Grant Clafton Grand Rapids
Class AA Assistant Wade Chiodo Grand Rapids
Class A Head Coach Jeff Laspi Proctor
Class A Assistant Cory Ward Proctor
SECTION 8
Class AA Head Coach Ben Gustafson Elk River/Zimmerman
Class AA Assistant Joel Wesloh Elk River/Zimmerman
Class A Head Coach Tyler Palmiscono East Grand Forks
Class A Assistant Scott Bergland Thief River Falls
Class AA Head Coach: Coach of the Year Ritch Menne Centennial
Class AA Assistant: Coach of the Year Gary Tolkinen Centennial
Class A Head Coach: Coach of the Year Michael Weiss Marshall
Class A Assistant: Coach of the Year Ron Brown St. Cloud Cathedral

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