The frequency of games for the Steele County Blades will take an uptick this weekend as they play four times over five days at a showcase event in Blaine. The previous five games for the Owatonna-based junior hockey team came over the last three weekends at their home rink at the Four Seasons Centre.

After the showcase, they play nine games in November and nine more in the first half of December before getting a bit of a holiday break. The Blades have a number of first-year players who are getting up to speed quickly to be ready for the action.

Cody Vittori from Naperville, IL is all in, "At this point hockey is my life. I just love being here and waking up every day and seeing the boys every day." He's making the adjustment, "You've got bigger bodies out there. You've got stronger guys that are faster. They know the game a little bit better. A lot of the systems involved. High school hockey's kind of a scramble."

Vittori's brother played for current Blades' coach Nick Adamek when he coached in Gillette, WY. Hear his full interview below.

Blades player Cody Vittori

Eddie Gustin from Downingtown, PA scored his first junior goal in a recent game against Wisconsin Rapids at the Four Seasons Centre, "I just passed it over the Joey Bunton. He slid me back the puck, back door. Drove the net. It was all kind of a blur...It was great having my parents see that as well."

To handle the ups and downs, Gustin says, "Just stay together as a team. Have a good mindset the whole year. Don't let losing get you down. Bounce back the next game." He looks at junior hockey as his first step to reaching college hockey. Hear more from Gustin with the full interview.

Steele County player Eddie Gustin

Check out interviews with more Blades.

Haunted Hotels In Minnesota + Wisconsin

 

More From KRFO-AM