Rock Ridge honors Mike Sertich, Willard Ikola at doubleheader with Hibbing/Chisholm
On Tuesday night in Virginia, Rock Ridge boys and girls hockey honored legendary Northland figures, Mike Sertich and Willard Ikola.
Sertich, who was at the helm of the UMD men’s hockey program from 1982-2000, passed away in August. He was a Virginia High School graduate and multi-letter winner as a Blue Devil.
“I miss him something terrible. He was a friend, he was a good teacher, he was a great coach, but he was really a good friend. I guess his concern for me was something that moved me after we lost Adam,” David Johnson said. Johnson is both a longtime friend of Sertich’s, but also the father of Adam Johnson who lost his life in October, 2023.
Ikola, an eleven time state champion – three as a player with Eveleth, and eight as a coach at Edina – passed away on January 20th. Ikola played at the University of Michigan, where he won two national championships.
Prior to the game, Mike’s daughter, Lori Sertich, and Ikola’s nephew, Randy Babiracki, were part of the ceremonial puck drop.
“I have no words for my pride,” said Sertich. “Just being his daughter was the greatest gift I could have ever received. He was a great guy. He’s very missed. He was very humble, he would’ve hated this. But he would’ve loved it at the same time.”
“Look at the arena tonight. Not much else going on up here. It’s just hockey. It always has been,” said Babiracki.
Both coaches were honored before the Rock Ridge boys hockey game against Hibbing/Chisholm, which the Wolverines won 3-1. Caz Carlson got the Wolverines on the board first in the second quarter, but in the third period, Cole Swanson tied the game up at 1-1. Soon after though, Levi Flatley and Zac Norberg went back to back to give Rock Ridge the lead for good.
Rock Ridge turns to take on Grand Rapids on Thursday at 7 p.m. while Hibbing/Chisholm takes on Superior on February 3rd at 7 p.m.
Rock Ridge girls hockey took on Hibbing/Chisholm beforehand, and Mayme Scott scored the game winning goal in overtime to give the Wolverines the win.
“Even though we’re called Rock Ridge Public Schools, we will forever remember Eveleth, Gilbert, and Virginia High Schools. We’ll have celebrations of life like this, we will have milestones, we will remember classes, class reunions, great teams, great educators, great everything. That’s just something that we want to make sure we do forever at Rock Ridge. Because without our history, we aren’t anything,” Willie Spelts added, the Director of School to Work Engagement.
Click the video box below to hear from Spelts and Johnson.