Few college hockey defensemen were as committed to blocking shots as Mark Osiecki, the senior leader of the 1990 University of Wisconsin national championship team.
There was no denying the physical sacrifice Osiecki made during the Drive for Five, a successful campaign to win his fifth NCAA title, as he put his body on the line to deflect the puck on hard rubber.
No one appreciated his fearless style of play more than goaltender Duane Dirksen. He won a program-record 31 games that year and was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame.
But there was a different side to Osiecki off the ice. From blue line to line, he found peace of mind casting into the waters of Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.
Former Badgers hockey defenseman and men's hockey associate coach Mark Osiecki holds up a muskie he caught on a fishing trip.
More than 30 years later, when he's not scouting players for the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins, he's an avid angler and still gets others hooked on the sport.
But it has become much more than sport and recreation. For Osiecki, 55, helping young people in need has become a mission.
On Saturday, it will host the 6th annual Casting for Kids Fishing Tournament, a photo event of fishing results on Lake Monona, Lake Mendota, Lake Kegonza and Lake Waubesa.
What's most meaningful to Osiecki is that all proceeds from the event will benefit American Family Children's Hospital and the University of California Carbone Cancer Center.
“Hopefully we can raise funds and awareness,” he said. “People keep asking, 'Why are we doing this?' Because it's great to see the smiles on people's faces as they make the event fun.
“And that's what this issue is all about – the people. Our committee, volunteers and guides are phenomenal. And so are the people who are willing to donate.
“It's very fun and low-key. I hope people fish, tell stories, and have fun. I don't fish. But I'm happy to shake hands, say hi, take pictures, etc.” intend to.”
Check-in for guides and anglers is 7 a.m. May 18th. The number of boats is limited to 80, but Osiecki acknowledged that “we're getting pretty close to that, but we'll be flexible if people have their own boats.”
The tournament headquarters is the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The competition (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will be followed by happy hour and dinner (2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and auction (4 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Former Badgers hockey player Joe Pavelski (forward) participates in the 2018 inaugural Casting for Kids Fishing Tournament.
“This year we will be holding a boat raffle. Alumacraft and Don's Marine have been very active participants and have been great partners,” Osiecki said. “Our auctioneer has (worth) the price of admission. Pure entertainment.”
He was referring to 2024 Wisconsin state champion auctioneer Marty Griepentrog. Among Osiecki's former UW teammates, the aforementioned Derksen is also expected to attend.
On the other hand, this tournament is a multi-species tournament: divisions for muskie, northern pike, walleye, bass, crappie, bluegill, and perch. Osiecki said novice fishermen should have no problems.
“It's even more of a reason to move away from just fishing for muskie (in the first year) to being able to fish for bluegill, crappie and perch. It's not as taxing as casting a muskie rod,” he says. said.
It turns out that musky is his favorite fish. It happened when Osiecki was younger and caught a 44-inch musky at Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Park. He was hooked, so to speak.
Growing up in Burnsville, Minnesota, his interest in fishing began with his grandfather, who taught him how to catch walleye on Reef Lake, three hours northwest of the Twin Cities.
Given this background, it's understandable why Osiecki always had one thing in the back of his mind. “I always wanted to host a fishing tournament a long time ago.”
After all, the topic came up after Osiecki appeared on the popular Ultimate Outdoors radio show with co-hosts Wally Banfi and Terry Frey, a veteran outdoorsman couple.
“I didn't back down,” Osiecki recalls. He called several times in a row. As expected, we did it together. ”
The first tournament took place while Osiecki was an associate head coach on Tony Granato's staff at the University of Wisconsin. Granato and his assistants will not stay on in 2023.
Osiecki was out of work for just a few months before taking a job as a scout for the Penguins. His main focus is the Central Division of his American Hockey league.
“I've never minded going on the road,” said Osiecki, the former Ohio State head coach. “But it’s a little different and more challenging because you’re moving from city to city.
“I probably average six days a week, visiting a different city every day.”
Seniors of the 1990 UW men's hockey team (clockwise from left) John Bice, Chris Tunsil, Steve Roerich, Mark Osiecki and Gary Szczuk hoist the NCAA championship trophy at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. , Rob Mendel, Tom Sagisall.
As for a return to coaching, he said, “I haven't really considered it. I had a few opportunities last year. It just wasn't the right fit. I'm taking it day by day.
“You know what I miss? I miss working with the defense. I miss coaching and the BS, especially the transfer portal and the NIL on the college side, coming alive.
“But I do miss the daily interaction with the players.”
That's why the moment you hold a fishing rod in your hand becomes even more soothing. And what better place to do that than Lake Madison? Fishing has never been better, either.
“Lake Madison is an unreal fishery, and every species does very well,” Osiecki said, referring to the Professional Muskie Tournament Trail held here in early June.
“The smallmouth bass are world class. The northern pike in Lake Mendota are unbelievably big. The walleye fishing is great. The musky fishing is world class.”
Of course, he's partial to the latter. He is committed to the ultimate goal of Casting for Kids, reaching out with open arms to children battling cancer.
Mr. Osiecki welcomed former colleague Jeff Sanger as a speaker. Sanger, president and CEO of Retirement Money Experts, coached goalies for the UW men's and women's teams.
Sanger's son, Noah, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 4 years old. After more than three years of extensive chemotherapy, he is now a teenage cancer survivor.
Even if it's not your line, it should tug at your heart strings.
