Sports

Reitberger, Rauschnot, Expected to Lead Simley Offense This Year

As the Simley High School boys hockey team gets into full swing, Coach Jim Joseph hopes two of his top offensive players and the bond they share will propel the team forward.

For years, Brandon Reitberger and Ben Rauschnot have been an inseperable pair on the hockey ice.

The two, who are among the leading scorers on the boys hockey team, began playing together in middle school. And in all that time, both say they have developed a 'sixth sense' for each other's playing style, strengths and skills.

The partnership between Reitberger and Rauschnot is one of the most formidable offensive weapons of the Spartans hockey team. Last year, Reitberger scored 19 goals and had 16 assists, while Rauschnot tallied 13 goals and 18 assists. Four games into the season this year, and the pair already have a handful of goals each.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"On the ice, they're certainly leaders for us," said Coach Jim Joseph, who hopes Reitberger and Rauschnot will help propel the team forward this year. "Last year, we won 11 games, which was a huge improvement over the last few years. We’re optimistic in thinking we can win as many if not more games this year."

Reitberger and Rauschnot first starting playing together on the Squirts youth hockey team when they were 11 or 12 years old, Rauschnot said. After playing on the same team and even the same line throughout youth and varsity hockey, and practicing together in the summers during open ice at , the two have developed a strong bond.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“He's probably the fastest guy I’ve ever played with; he always seems to find open ice, and I always know where he's going to be," said Rauschnot, who plays center on the Spartans hockey team. Reitberger's speed and his sense of timing, coupled with Rauschnot's size and passing ability, Rauschnot said, means the two complement each other well on the ice.

"I’ve played with him so long, I just know where he’s going to be, and know the sound of his voice and where he’s coming from, I don’t know how it happens, but it just happens," said Reitberger, who plays right wing for Simley.

Reitberger and Rauschnot are cornerstones for the Simley hockey team, Joseph said. The two read each other very well, Joseph said, and have an instinctual knack for finding open ice and creating 2-1 situations against opponents. Both are also strong power play and penalty players, Joseph said.

Reitberger, who will graduate this year, hopes his team can finish with a .500 record or better, and is aiming this season to earn the Mr. Hockey award—given annually by the Minnesota Minutemen organization to outstanding hockey players in the state.

Rauschnot, a junior, said he hopes to earn a spot as a boys hockey team captain next year. He also wants to see the Spartans make it further in the post-season playoffs this winter.

"Brandon is really competitive athlete—he’s got a great will to win and certainly works hard whenever he can," Joseph said. "Ben is a very well-liked player on the team, he seems to get along with everybody and he’s kind of a leader that way.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Inver Grove Heights