By Mike Klees
UWRF Sports Information

With the referees calling the games tighter, and an emphasis put on a finesse style of hockey, the Falcons are glad to have the services of Tony Sikich.

The 5- 11, 190-pounder is known as a quality puck handler and an excellent skater. He is also proving himself on special teams this year, scoring two goals and two assists on the power-play. Sikich has also been able to help the team with his versatility and unselfishness by moving from forward to defense last year.

Falcon Coach Steve Freeman said that Sikich is a quiet leader, but he mostly helps the team with his skating ability and his puck handling. He adds to the overall speed of the team and makes everyone better.

Sikich grew up in Apple Valley, Minn., which is the hometown of four current Falcon players, including junior goalie Andy Scanlon. Growing up he was influenced by his older brothers, who eventually went on to play Div. I college hockey. He has many relatives who play hockey including his dad's cousin, Zach Sikich, who is the goalie for St. Thomas, the Falcons opponent last Friday. Sikich attended UW-Stout for a year before going on to play junior hockey in Topeka of the USHL. In 2003, he found his way to UW-RF and made an immediate impact.

"I played at Stout for a year, so I knew that River Falls had a good program," said Sikich. "I knew that we would always be competitive and have a good squad."

Sikich burst on to the scene in 2003, scoring seven goals and dishing out nine assists, despite appearing in just 20 games. In 2004, after moving to defense, he increased his totals to eight goals and 13 assists. He even earned NCHA Player of the Week honors after a four point effort against St. Norbert. He was also named the team's Player of the Week award after scoring two goals against UW-Eau Claire. He returned this year as the second leading scorer from last year and also as one of the four senior leaders on the team. Sikich, and fellow senior Marc-Andre Lalande, lead a talented and experienced defense.
Sikich's goal for the team this year is the same as everyone else on the team; to make the NCAA playoffs and hopefully win a championship. He believes the Falcons have what it takes, especially with the addition of so many college freshmen. He knows that the incoming freshman are older and already have a year or two of junior hockey under their belt.

"The new guys are not only stepping up, but they are producing consistently," said Sikich.

He also thinks that Freeman and his intense attitude toward the game will help the Falcons reach their goals. Sikich says that Freeman, besides knowing a lot about hockey, is always fired up to come to the arena. That attitude rubs off on the players in a positive way.

On a personal level, Sikich hopes to continue to work on the finer points of playing defense, especially his positioning. He doesn't really mind the new strict enforcement of the rules, which is causing a slew of penalties, but does admit that it is slowing down the game. He thinks eventually teams will adjust and the flow of the game will pick back up. The change to defense has been good for Sikich and he says that he enjoys his new position.

"I like how you can kind of sit back and let the game come to you," said Sikich.

Sikich, who is an accounting major, was named to the NCHA All-Academic team in 2004, and he continues to be an excellent student in the class room. During the summer he enjoys playing all kinds of sports, especially golf and softball.

Tony Sikich