Lukowitz takes over as new Chippewa Falls hockey coach

New Chippewa Falls boys hockey coach Matt Lukowitz needs no introduction to the history of the Cardinals program.

Lukowitz was announced as the new Chippewa Falls head coach late Tuesday evening and brings an extensive resume to the position in taking over after Scott Parker retired following 37 seasons leading the program.

As a player and coach with the Cardinals, and more recently a coach in the Chippewa Youth Hockey Association, Lukowitz’s roots run deep within the program he is now excited to lead.

“I’ve been coaching youth hockey here in Chippewa for the last 10 years. I’m part of the program, part of the community,” Lukowitz said. “I played for coach Parker for four, I coached with him as a volunteer coach for three so I’ve got 17 years of investment in this program.

“I love these kids, I love these families and it’s a great group of people to work with and we really are a family.”

Lukowitz played as a defenseman for Parker from 1992-96, helping the program reach the state tournament on two occasions in 1993 and 1994. A veteran of 90 career games on defense, Lukowitz is fifth in program history for scoring by a defenseman (56 points) with 21 goals and 35 assists. Parker said Lukowitz understands the history of the program and is a good fit.

“He’s a Chippewa guy, coached at the youth hockey level and paid his dues and he’ll do great,” Parker said.

As a longtime youth coach in the CYHA, Lukowitz has familiarity with the players and families that he feels will help make for a smooth transition.

“I’ve been able to see these kids grow and develop,” Lukowitz said. “I’ve had them all at that right-before-high-school level so I can see the growth trajectory they’re on. I know some of their strengths, some of the weaknesses and I can see them and their progression.”

Parker posted a 461-378-30 record in 37 seasons with Chippewa Falls, leading the Cardinals to the state tournament seven times including this past winter when the Cards reached the Division 1 state semifinals. Lukowitz stayed in steady contact with Parker during his time as a youth coach, noting Parker had an open door policy with his former players. In the past Lukowitz and former Chippewa Falls assistant coach Scott Sikkink collaborated on a hockey playbook with a youth and high school version to help bridge the gap between the two levels.

“The success we’ve seen, the changes that we implemented with the youth back 10 years ago, all those fruits are starting to be seen – coordinating with the high school coaches and keeping those friendships alive,” Lukowitz said. “That’s all been part of what the success has been.”

The new head coach is in the process of putting together his coaching staff and is hoping to have it in place by the time the Cardinals begin summer contact days on July 22. Last year the Cardinals won the program’s first Big Rivers Conference championship since 1989 and Lukowitz knows the battle for wins will be tough within the league and out.

“The ‘Hustle, Discipline, Desire’ (motto) that was coach’s mantra,” Lukowitz said. “Those tenants are still going to be our core. We’re still going to go hard, we’re going to be competitive. We want to continue to be one of the best programs in the state and in my opinion we’re part of the best conference in the state. You always have top talent, top teams coming out of this conference and not only that the rivalries are so deep and the rivalries go back so far. That’s what makes this conference so fun to play in.”

The first day of boys hockey practice is Nov. 11 and the Cardinals are scheduled to open the season with back-to-back home games against Verona on Nov. 29 and Madison Edgewood on Nov. 30.

“I like where the program’s at,” Lukowitz said. “I’ve already been able to coach these guys so there is that familiarity and that family feel we have. I love this program, I love these kids and this is my excitement and I love the game of hockey.”