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Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Jared Rosgaard, Havre Ice Hawks

Jared Rosgaard and the Havre Ice Hawks look for a strong finish to the season

Wintertime is hockey time, and in Havre, that means the Havre Ice Hawks. And fans should keep an eye on the Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team which is in the middle of its season.

One player making an impact for the Ice Hawks is senior Jared Rosgaard, who is having a great time in his final season with the club.

"This team has been a lot different than any other I've played on any other year," Rosgaard, and HHS senior said. "A lot of stuff just clicks when we're on the ice and that's when the good stuff happens so it's been great."

Rosgaard did not always play hockey because basketball was his winter sport up until sixth grade. After moving on from basketball, he decided to try hockey because he had been skating at the open skate for the public. While all the other hockey players had been competing since they could walk, Rosgaard believes he learned pretty quickly.

"I caught on pretty fast since I knew how to skate and I started learning and I spent a lot of time on my own just really getting down the basics," Rosgaard said. "Once I had the basics down, I started learning a lot about the game and taking it to the upper level and being able to compete at practice a lot better."

Rosgaard is a defenseman for the Ice Hawks but he has made some offensive plays this season with two goals and an assist for Havre. He also has additional responsibilities as he was elected an assistant captain for the team this season.

Not only has Rosgaard gotten to make friends on the hockey team through the years, but he also gets to play with his twin brother Justin. While they sometimes go at it at practice, Rosgaard relishes the fact that he gets to play competitive hockey alongside his brother.

"Sometimes it's a little rough at practice being with my brother and being against each other," Rosgaard said. "But when we're in games, it's always nice. He's sticking up for me and getting after the other guys when they're picking on me so I really value that time I get to spend with him on the ice."

Outside of hockey, Rosgaard keeps himself busy. This past fall, he completed his senior season for the Havre High football team and this upcoming spring will be his last on the HHS tennis team. Outside of sports, he participates in choir, key club and the HHS student council.

"Jared is a great kid," Havre High tennis coach George Ferguson said. "He's a team-first guy, whether it's tennis or football, and obviously, by being elected an assistant captain for the Ice Hawks, which is a huge honor in hockey, it shows how much of a team player he is and how much his teammates respect him. But it's that way outside of sports, too. It's been a privilege getting to know Jared the last few years, and getting to watch all of the things he does at Havre High School, and in the community. Just like in sports, Jared is always thinking of others. He really sets a great example. I'm very proud of Jared and am very lucky to have been his coach."

After he graduates high school, Rosgaard will attend Montana State University for college. While he majors in wildlife biology, he also plans on singing for the school choir. After college, he hopes to use his degree to work as a wildlife biologist for the federal government or Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Rosgaard and the Havre Ice Hawks will continue their season this weekend with a doubleheader against the Great Falls Americans at the Havre Ice Dome. The Ice Hawks are 6-6 so far this season and have just a few weeks left of the regular season. They should have a chance to pick up some wins this weekend as they swept the Americans in Great Falls earlier this season. The Ice Hawks won those games by scores of 5-2 and 7-1. Havre also hosts the Missoula Bruins Saturday night and Sunday morning.

With just a few weeks left of his senior season left, Rosgaard hopes to make the best of his time. As the Ice Hawks head down the stretch, Rosgaard is confident that his team can make a run to cap off his career.

"I think my biggest goal right now is to be playing on the Sunday for the state championship because I definitely think we have enough talent and our guys work together so well that we have a lot of potential to be able to play in that game," Rosgaard said. "I think we're going to work harder than any other team in the league and we're going to be able to win the state championship."

The first game against the Americans this weekend will start at 8 p.m. Friday night at the Havre Ice Dome.

Before Rosgaard gets back on the ice, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask him five questions.

HDN: What do you love the most about hockey?

Rosgaard: "Definitely the physicality part of hockey. It's probably the best thing about it and being able to play with some of my best friends."

HDN: What are the difficulties of playing defense in hockey?

Rosgaard: "In defense, it's all about being fast and being able to stop the puck when it's getting rushed into our defensive zone and being able to keep the puck in the offensive zone and not getting caught short-handed and leaving our goalies out in an odd-man situation."

HDN: What are the responsibilities of being an assistant captain?

Rosgaard: "I like to bring my teammates up and not coach them up but let them know that it's OK to make mistakes because we're all out there to have fun and if we make mistakes, we're going to learn from them."

HDN: Out of all the sports you play, which one is your favorite?

Rosgaard: "I like tennis because I had just picked it up when I was a freshman and I became pretty good at it and just going through divisionals last year and winning it and scoring points for my team. I didn't make it to state but watching my teammates make it to state and win the state championship was really cool."

HDN: What have you learned from playing hockey alongside your brother?

Rosgaard: "We definitely learned how to become a lot more disciplined with each other and learn off of each other's mistakes. We've been playing the same amount of time so it's good to see how much we've grown."

 

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