Thor Zell, son of Lance and Mallory Zell of Garretson and grandson of Dick and Joyce Zell of Woonsocket, just returned to South Dakota after traveling to Lake Placid, N.Y., to play in the Canadian/American squirt hockey tournament. Zell played on a team out of Blaine, Minn. Northland Hockey; his team’s name was Beast. In order to play on the team, Zell had to receive a letter of recommendation from his regular season head coach because Zell is only a 2011 birth year, and this team was made up of mostly 2007/2008 birth year kids, with some 2009/2010 birth year players sprinkled in. Zell was the youngest on the team, but he held his own against some older and extremely stiff competition.

Zell arrived in Lake Placid on Wednesday, May 20, after a 22-hour straight through drive from Garretson. Lake Placid is considered sacred ground for anyone who loves the sport of hockey as it’s where the 1980 Olympic hockey team defeated Russia in order to advance to the gold medal round. “Do you believe in miracles?!” is a phrase that is attached to this game and Lake Placid will forever be known as the place where the Miracle team played. Zell had the opportunity to play on that very rink, the 1980 Olympic rink and also the rink from the 1932 Olympic games, which were also held in Lake Placid. 

Zell’s team went undefeated (5-0) against teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and they brought home the championship. Zell ended the tournament with two assists, some valuable lessons and learning opportunities, life-long friends and, of course, a big, heavy “Gold” medal that he wore the entire 22-hour drive home to South Dakota.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal.