Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Even Aaron Forsythe wasn’t expecting to be in this position so soon, but seeing the Forest Lake graduate (Class of 2000) become the new boys varsity hockey coach had about as much surprise as a Tiger Woods victory.

Born in Mankato, Forsythe moved to Forest Lake when he was three-years old, where his father Dan would go on to coach the Rangers hockey team for nearly two decades.

With the athletic ability to play collegiately at Minnesota State Mankato, and then earn a spot professionally in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), Aaron begins to suck the air out of the surprise-balloon when he says, “I knew I wanted to be a teacher and a hockey coach as soon as I got out of high school.”

Forsythe would turn down a contract with the San Diego Gulls in order to get his teaching license from the College of St. Scholastica. Conveniently enough, during that year of 2005-06 Forsythe also landed an assistant coaching position for the Forest Lake hockey team.

When former coach Carl Brandt shares how Forsythe was hired because there was hope that Aaron would eventually take over the program, surprise has now left the building and is driving off into the sunset.

“I didn’t expect Carl to resign this year,” Forsythe admits, “but it’s definitely been a blessing the way everything worked out. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Forsythe says that he and Brandt talk about once a week as the recently-retired coach has been a huge help while Forsythe makes the leap from coaching the junior varsity to the varsity.

“He’s made the transition very smooth,” he states.

Brandt is just as nice in his comments, pointing out how Forsythe has been around coaches his entire life.

“I think it’s the best thing that could have happened,” he shares. “He’s young, he’s energetic, he likes to coach, (and) you know he has the experience.”

One final piece to having this plan fall into place has been the support of Forsythe’s wife, Christina. Originally from Shakopee, she and Aaron met while the two were in college, so Forsythe adds, “she knows the hockey thing.”

“She’s been great,” he says. “She’s a good one to have.”

JOB BEGINS NOW

As most high school sports seem to take a year-round approach, Forsythe has been busy working with the area’s hockey players in the Summer Training Program, or STP. The boys — from the Pee-Wees to the Bantams and up to the high school level — had six weeks of on-ice and weight room workouts.

“We had a very productive summer. The kids worked hard on and off the ice so I was very pleased with that,” Forsythe says. “The progress we made from June to the end of July was good, very good.”

With a belief that the Rangers should battle every year for a top spot in the Suburban East Conference while also doing damage in the sections, Forsythe likes what he has in his current and upcoming rosters.

“I’ve been impressed with the Pee-Wees, and the Bantam kids are good kids too,” he says. “We have talent in the younger levels, so that’s encouraging for myself to know that I’ll be working with those kids in the years to come.

“And I’ve been very, very pleased with our high school kids. I’m really excited to get going for the season.”

Those kinds of words provide a small glimpse into how Forsythe likes to coach: he prefers to focus on the positive aspects of a player’s game and thereby boost confidence.

“Because a confident player, whether it’s hockey or golf or whatever you do, if you have confidence you’re going to do it better,” he says.

If all goes according to plan, those self-assured Rangers will entertain Forest Lake fans next winter with their hustle and grit.

“We’re going to be wide open, fast-skating, hard-hitting, (with an) emphasis on making smart plays and just playing tough, blue collar hockey out there,” Forsythe says.

Don’t be surprised when it happens.

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