Pete Hyduke  2014 (Coach, Builder)

MGHCA Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Pete Hyduke is a 1975 graduate of Hibbing High School, and played hockey there during his high school days. The fact that he stayed close to home is a testimony to the hockey rich iron range town of Hibbing. Hockey has long been an important part of the community and the iron range area. Pete Hyduke has dedicated 38 of his 57 years to the sport in Hibbing. His contribution to coaching began with the boys youth program in the late ‘70’s, and then the high school ranks in the late ‘80’s. He transitioned to the girl’s game soon after the MSHSL sanctioned the sport in the mid ’90’s. He provided goalie instruction for the girl’s team while still coaching the boys, then joined the girls as an assistant in 1999. He became the head coach in 2001-2002  and led the program to 7 state tournaments in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2013.

Pete is the recipient of numerous coaching awards in boys and girls hockey, including both assistant and head coach of the year from the MGHCA. He ranks high among winning coaches in girls hockey with 188 wins in 14 seasons. His teams finished runner-up on three occasions, and has produced a Ms. Hockey Award winner, Andrea Nichols, in 2003, as well as numerous all-state and college hockey players. Pete’s devotion to the girl’s game included a tireless effort to promote its growth with his, and other youth programs. This encompassed recruiting athletic participants to play the game, battling association dogma, providing affordable equipment, and aligning the youth program with his high school vision. He is an advocate for growing girls hockey and being a resource to area coaches. Pete set up learn to skate programs, and offered introductions to hockey, along with donating equipment to keep the cost a non-factor for young ladies. Pete was also instrumental with helping to develop many of the smaller programs around the Iron Range. To Pete it has always been about the girls, and giving them opportunities to have success.

Pete has always been active within the coaches association, by attending clinics, presenting drills, sharing

ideas, and representing the opinions of outstate programs. Eric Rewertz, an assistant coach in Pete’s program said this about Pete, “ After working with Pete over the last 10 years, it became very apparent to me that Pete was not just a great coach, but a great person. Pete’s personality, passion, and general love for the game and his players, is what truly sets Pete apart.”

Amber Fryklund, a standout Hibbing hockey player, said of Pete, “I never had the opportunity to play for Pete, as he was then coaching in the boys program, but in my working relationship with Pete he has always been a person of character and integrity. I have the most respect for the way he coaches, cares for his athletes, and does what is best for the program as a whole. He has meant so much to the Hibbing Girl’s Hockey Program.”

Pete, welcome to the MGHCA Hall of Fame.