Senior forward Ben Illetschko is closing in on a 30-point season in his final year as a member of the Simley boys’ hockey team.

He is tied for second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points.

Simley is 9-12 entering the final two weeks of the regular season. It’s in seventh place in the Classic Suburban Conference.

Illetschko was a member of the football team in the fall and will conclude his high school career on the baseball diamond in the spring.

Here is a closer look at Illetschko:

 

Q: What is the best movie you’ve seen in the last year?

A: “We’re The Millers.”

 

Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …

A: ... “Beachin’ ” by Jake Owen; “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” by Josh Thompson; “Texas Was You” by Jason Aldean.

 

Q: What are your three favorite apps?

A: Candy Crush; ESPN Streak for the Cash; 8 Ball Pool.

 

Q: Who do you like to follow on Twitter, and why?

A: John Buccigross. He’s a big hockey guy for SportsCenter and tweets great hockey pictures and gives back to his fans.

 

Q: What are your goals for the remainder of the hockey season?

A: To try and make a run in sections and play for the Class 1A, Section 4 title.

 

Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …

A: ... excited, but a little nervous to skate and compete with the older guys. After a little while, it became all excitement and the nerves faded.

 

Q: To get focused for a game, I …

A: ... put my headphones in and listen to some rap to get me more excited and ready to play.

 

Q: What is your favorite pregame meal?

A: My favorite pregame meal is big bowl of cereal. I prefer Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Lucky Charms.

 

Q: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete?

A: Scoring a goal against South St. Paul [in a 4-3 loss] last year in our Coaches vs. Cancer game with my aunt in the stands. She recently passed away from cancer.

 

Q: Who is your school’s biggest rival, and why?

A: Probably South St. Paul. We live so close and we know so many kids from over there. It’s always a fun game to be a part of.

 

Q: How do you balance school and sports during the year?

A: To balance school and sports during the year I make sure my homework comes first before sports. I also have a couple of study halls to give me some time during school to get my work done on time.

 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Bow hunting and ice fishing with my family.

 

Q: In 10 years, I hope I’m …

A: ... married with kids and have a good, steady job so I enjoy going to work every day.

 

Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?

A: Enjoy every second of it because it goes by faster than you think and you’re going to miss it.

RON HAGGSTROM