‘Why Would You Do That?’ Player Makes Controversial Intro Choice At Minnesota Hockey Tournament

The Minnesota State Boys Hockey Tournament is back and as big as ever. Day one of action on Wednesday saw the smaller schools competing in the Class A quarterfinals.

Besides some incredible hockey, one of the big things that gets talked about each year is the look players and student staff on the bench bring to the game. Hairstyles and facial hair are usually pretty epic.

It isn't just hair (like this epic look from Hibbing/Chisholm's Jace Kampsula) that gets attention.

Student managers have been impressing people as well with their hair and "drip". Take a look at these two in the top image from the Northern Lakes co-op, coached by former Duluth East coach Mike Randolph. Or the guys in the images below. Some flashy looks.

Something else that grabbed the attention of the Internet was what happened during introductions for Hibbing/Chisholm before they started their game against Luverne on Wednesday night.

Now, mind you, TV people are already a little afraid of Hibbing/Chisholm after freshman defenseman Whitaker Rewertz dropped an f-bomb in his postgame interview with Duluth's WDIO TV after scoring the game-winning overtime goal.

Rewertz and his coach did both apologize to WDIO after and in a subsequent interview, Whitaker explained he's normally not one to swear. It just sort of happened. Either way, the Internet generally found it endearing for the excited freshman after scoring a game-winning goal to send his team to State.

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At the tourney, another Hibbing/Chisholm player actually prompted a reaction from the TV cameraman on the ice for introductions. The on-ice camera and live microphone offer a close-up look at each player and an opportunity for them to say hi to family and friends watching at home.

As Hibbing/Chisholm sophomore Jackson Strukel skated toward the camera, he hit the brakes and blasted the camera with a bunch of shaved ice from his skates, spraying a bunch of water onto the camera lens.

You could faintly hear the camera operator ask "Why would you do that?" before they cut away to a different camera not on the ice for the rest of the introductions. It isn't really audible in the clip above, but it definitely was in the live broadcast.

Now, just to be clear, I'm not here to pick on the kid. I'm kind of torn on the subject.

Not to encourage the behavior, but I did find it mildly amusing, and his aim with the snow was pretty impressive. I feel like he was trying to be more memorable than malicious, but I can also respect where the camera guy was coming from.

He likely didn't have something to wipe his lens off with, and it wouldn't be a good idea to do it anyway while live on TV anyway. There's a fine line between acceptable and unacceptable antics, especially in high school athletics. If I had to guess, his coach probably said something to him afterward.

Regardless of how mad the camera guy may have been in the moment, the team put on a clinic, beating Luverne 7-0 to advance to Friday's semifinals against East Grand Forks. That game will be at 1 pm at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The winner will head to the Class A Championship on Saturday at noon.