3View: Milwaukee Power

August 28, 2019

 

2018-19 Record: 29-15-3 (3rd in Central Division) 

2019 Playoffs: Lost in 1st round

Head Coach: Chase Ernst

2019-20 Division: Central Division

 

In their introductory season to the NA3HL, the Milwaukee Power came out of the gates full steam ahead.  However, as last season drew on, the Power began to lose their force.  They completed the 2018-2019 regular season by clinching a Fraser Cup Playoff position with a third place finish in the Central Division.  Along with having a successful first year as a team, the Power sent ten players to play collegiate hockey for the upcoming 2019-20 season, and Chuck Bay was tendered by the Johnstown Tomahawks of the NAHL.  GM and Head Coach Chase Ernst believes that exposing his players to higher level hockey is one of the best ways to develop the team.

 

“We have scheduled two exhibition preseason games against ACHA college programs inside the Milwaukee area and will focus on developing and advancing our players to the best of our abilities, always placing an emphasis on exposing our players to the next levels,” Ernst said.

 

As GM and Head Coach, Ernst puts forth a great amount of effort into the advancement of his players to higher level leagues. “We heavily promote our players to the NAHL organizations and the NCAA and ACHA programs inside our geographical footprint, in order to ultimately help our Power players find their next home,” Ernst said.

 

From combined growth with opportunity, Ernst keeps in close contact with the different organizations around the Milwaukee area to ensure his players are constantly being scouted. “Our Power players have the opportunities to practice with multiple NAHL organizations throughout the season, and therefore be on their radars for in-season call ups or tender and draft opportunities for next season.”

 

Ernst is always pushing the envelope when it comes to player development, growth, and what he expects of his players.  By establishing a high demand from his players, Ernst has quickly created a winning culture within the first season of the Power’s existence. “As GM and Head Coach of the Milwaukee Power I have set the expectation of us making a legitimate push to win the Central Division championship, to qualify for the Fraser Cup Playoffs for our second consecutive season, and to host our first ever Fraser Cup Playoff game in the city of Milwaukee.” 

 

With that goal in mind, Ernst set out on a quest to find the perfect mix of players for the 2019-20 Power roster. “We purposely recruited and scouted a very select group of players committed to owning and taking pride in playing for the Milwaukee Power.  I feel we have accomplished contracting a group of young men who are all-in, structured, disciplined and accountable,” Ernst said.

 

Along with bringing in some players that Ernst believes will greatly help the Power make a run for the Fraser Cup this year, he also has a core group of veterans that he trusts to lead his team. “We have 4 returners off last season’s roster we will rely heavily on in establishing the culture, attitude, mindset and direction of the team this season.  Those players are Ryan Payne (D, 00); Garrett Alton (F, 00); Nick Roberts (F, 01) and Brady Rossbach (F, 02). I believe they will bring the Milwaukee Power brand of hockey consistently each shift night after night this season: Fast & Direct; Simple & High Percentage; and Heavy & Hard,” said Ernst.

 

Chase Ernst serves as the Head Coach and President for the Power.  As President, Ernst also takes pride in growing the Power’s presence within the community. “I have set the expectation to build on what we started last season here in Milwaukee in regard to building and growing the Power brand throughout the youth hockey and business communities. Being the first Junior team in the history of Milwaukee, we have had to educate the community on what Junior hockey is, and how it fits into the overall landscape relative to what is currently here in Milwaukee,” Ernst said.

 

One of the main ways Ernst goes about increasing the knowledge and fan base around the Power is through philanthropy in the local communities. “We do all kinds of community involvement from Learn to Play sessions with the Power, Skate with the Power, and Adult Hockey Skills Camps with the Power.  We strive to build engaged, deep, partnerships with the 15 youth hockey organizations inside the WAHA Region 5 footprint.  Local Hockey Partners is the name of our holding company that owns the Milwaukee Power. The keyword there is “Local”, meaning, without the local support of the youth hockey community, we will never educate the Milwaukee area on where Junior hockey and the NA3HL falls into the overall landscape of the hockey scene,” Ernst said. 

 

It is clear that Ernst wears his passion for growing the Milwaukee Power’s presence on his sleeve.  Through aiming to gain the full potential of the Milwaukee market, Ernst plans on continuing to exponentially grow his organization over the next few years.   “As a result of our efforts this off season we have seen an increase in partnerships, sponsorships, advertisers, and ticket sales,” Ernst said.

 

On the business side, the goal is for Milwaukee’s market to become one of the best NA3HL markets in the entire league through their involvement in the community.  From a team perspective, Milwaukee also is creating a winning organization that aims to develop its players better than any team in the league.  Overall, the Milwaukee Power will be a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season, although it only being their second season in the league.