Milwaukee, WI

These five area high school hockey teams look like state title contenders in 2025

Published

12 months ago

January 23, 2025

These five area high school hockey teams look like state title contenders in 2025

Greater Milwaukee area programs in the field of Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association statewide boys and girls hockey teams are beginning to emerge as state title contenders as the postseason looms in mid-February.

The road to state begins with the start of regional play Feb. 18, sectionals beginning Feb. 25 and concluding with the WIAA state boys and girls hockey tournaments March 6-8 at Bob Suter’s LEGACY20 Arena in Middleton.

Here are five boys and girls programs gearing up for WIAA state runs, along with three sleeper teams to keep an eye on over the latter half of the season.

Arrowhead Warhawks boys hockey

The Arrowhead boys have not reached the WIAA state tournament since 2017, but the Warhawks look like a program that can contend with just about any team they meet on the ice this season. A 13-3 record entering the week speaks to their dominance, but even their losses have come close to some of the best programs in the state. Losses of 8-6 to Brookfield, 4-3 to Fond du Lac Springs and 7-4 to Muskego co-op all were late-breaking wins for the opponent in the third period. Those losses all came on the road, which Arrowhead has improved on over the course of the season. The Warhawks have won five straight on the road as part of an eight-game winning streak dating to Dec. 26. Arrowhead has scored with some of the best teams in the state led by Jack McKenna’s 55 points, but the defense led in goal by Ethan Burkard has also excelled. Seven opponents have been held to one goal or less, including two shutouts. Arrowhead will need that defense to travel should it make a run in the WIAA postseason.

Brookfield Stars boys hockey

The Brookfield-based co-op consisting of Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Wauwatosa East, Wauwatosa West, Menomonee Falls and Sussex Hamilton students reached the WIAA state title game last year, losing 3-1 to Notre Dame in the title game. The 2024-25 team has come back on a mission this year, surging to a 14-2 record through action Wednesday night. It was an undefeated regular season up until a home and away series with Lake Forest Academy (Ill.) on Sunday and Monday, but the Stars have largely dominated in-state competition. Most notable of their 14 wins was a 7-2 rematch of last year’s state title game over Notre Dame, in which Brookfield scored seven unanswered goals to earn the victory. Other quality wins include a 4-2 decision over Madison Edgewood on Jan. 4 and victories over the top three teams trailing them in the Classic 8 Conference (9-3 over West Bend, 7-1 over KMMO and 8-6 over Arrowhead). The Stars are bursting with star potential, featuring two of the state leaders in points in Connor Hillig (55) and Cooper Simon (53) supplemented by the contributions of Adam Sexton (34), Parker Dysart (33) and Jack Templeton (28). This team is loaded with talent and experience, an excellent combo to have for any team looking to make a run in late February or early March.

Lakeshore Lightning girls hockey

Winning and losing have come in spurts for the Lightning this season, but there have been far more good stretches than bad for a team entering the week 12-5-1 on the season. A 3-2 Nov. 29 win over current Badger Conference leader Beaver Dam and knocking off Arrowhead in a 3-1 final Jan. 7 are feathers in the cap of the Lightning, but a couple other matchups with top teams in the state have not gone their way. A Jan. 28 meeting with the Fond du Lac Warbirds (14-4) will be a good test for Lakeshore as it attempts to prove it is in the conversation as a title contender. The Lightning can get scoring from a variety of avenues with seven players accumulating double-digit points, but will rarely find themselves in high-scoring affairs. Elizabeth Bowers (91.2 save percentage) has been a stalwart in goal, shutting out five opponents this season.

Muskego co-op Ice Force boys hockey

Muskego co-op’s three-headed attack of Ben Brown (52 points), Andrew Kunz (43) and Rogan Dewane (30) has led the Ice Force to a 12-5 record as the team chases a program-first state appearance. The Ice Force thrive in high scoring games, going 10-1 this season when scoring six goals or more. On the season, Muskego has hovered around the bottom half of the top 10 in goal-scoring for the state. The Warriors are set to face West Bend on Saturday in a matchup of teams chasing Brookfield for the Classic 8 Conference title. Matchups with Brookfield on Feb. 1 and McFarland on Feb. 7 should also provide a barometer for where this team is at as the postseason looms.

University School of Milwaukee boys hockey

Aside from a 10-1 Jan. 18 loss to SPASH, one of the leading statewide contenders for a WIAA state title, USM has looked the part of another potential contender with an 11-4 record. Another of those four losses came 5-2 to SPASH earlier this year, putting a dent in an otherwise stellar performance this season. The Wildcats are one of just three teams to knock off Neenah/Hortonville/Menasha this year, beating the Rockets 4-3 on Jan. 9. USM also beat another conference leader out of the Big 8 in Middleton on Jan. 17, winning 5-4. This is a young and emerging program, with five of its top six scoring leaders being juniors or younger. That list includes sophomore Everett Waltersdorf (27 points), junior Tyler Cook (25), senior Mateo Nunag (21), junior Henry Bechthold (18), junior Liam Fetherston (13) and junior Davie Moalusi (11).

Sleeper programs to watch

Arrowhead girls hockey, KMMO boys hockey, West Bend boys hockey

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Milwaukee, WI

Pregnant Milwaukee mom of 3-year-old dead after arson fire, police say

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Pregnant Milwaukee mom of 3-year-old dead after arson fire, police say

A 22-year-old pregnant Milwaukee woman was found dead in a house fire that was intentionally set, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter.

The family of Gladys Johnson is heartbroken at their loss. Her death occurred 33 years almost to the day that her brothers died in a fire.

Gladys Johnson was discovered by her mother, Michelle Johnson, following a fire at their residence in the 2800 block of North 26th Street on Jan. 5.

The Milwaukee Police Department said a 21-year-old man has been arrested for arson. Police said the man intentionally brandished a firearm and then started a house on fire.

The man who was arrested is the father of Johnson’s daughter and unborn child, according to Josie Johnson-Smith, Gladys Johnson’s aunt.

Police said Gladys Johnson’s cause of death is officially undetermined and under investigation, but the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.

“He took my niece’s life,” Johnson-Smith said. “He threatened to kill her before. That’s why she ended up back with her mom.”

The Journal Sentinel does not typically name suspects unless they’ve been formally charged with a crime.

Gladys Johnson was five months pregnant with a baby boy, according to Johnson-Smith. “She was so happy, teaching her daughter that she was going to be a big sister,” Johnson-Smith said.

Fire-related death reopens old wounds

Gladys Johnson’s death reopens old wounds for her mother, who lost two sons in a bar fire in Milwaukee in 1992.

Milwaukee Journal reporting from the time recalls Terrance Bizzle-Johnson, 4, and Antonio Bizzle-Johnson, 2, being found dead on New Year’s Eve 1992 from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a family tavern on the north side of the city.

The Journal’s article details a harrowing rescue attempt by family members, including by Josie Johnson-Smith and Michelle Johnson.

Gladys Johnson was the ‘light in our family’

Gladys Johnson was named after her late grandmother.

“She was the most loving person you ever wanted to meet,” Johnson-Smith said. “Her spirit was a light. If you were in a bad mood, she would cheer you up. She was the light in our family.

“Her daughter is 3 years old and can talk, spell, and say her ABCs. She was a good mom.

“We’re just so devastated right now. He’s seemed like a nice man. So many young women have passed away with domestic situations and it’s just overwhelming.

“The only thing I’d ask the community, to the young women out there that are going through situations similar to my niece, speak out. Don’t be ashamed. You have to tell somebody.”

Gladys’ Johnson’s family started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.

Where to find help for domestic violence

Victim advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-4673.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault has a statewide directory of resources at wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers.
The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.
The Milwaukee Women’s Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.
We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.
Kids Matter Inc. provides free legal services and specialized assistance to individuals caring for children impacted by domestic violence and homicide. Kids Matter can be reached at 414-344-1220 and offers free online resources at kidsmatterinc.org.

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Milwaukee, WI

Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89

Published

14 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89

Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.

Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city’s north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.

During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.

Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as “always smiling and always caring.”

“He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.

Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.

A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.

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Milwaukee, WI

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

MILWAUKEE — A police chase that began in West Milwaukee on Sunday morning ended in a fiery crash on Milwaukee’s south side, killing 18-year-old Izack Zavala.

The Medical Examiner’s Office identified Zavala as the passenger who died in the one-car crash at 37th and Mitchell streets. His family said he was a 2025 Milwaukee Public Schools Alexander Hamilton High School graduate who loved soccer and would do anything to help his loved ones.

Provided by family

Izack Zavala

The West Milwaukee Police Department said officers attempted to pull over the driver for a traffic violation near Miller Park Way and Lincoln Avenue, but the driver fled and crossed into Milwaukee.

Roundabout at 37th and Mitchell.png — Roundabout at 37th and Mitchell

About a mile later, police say the fleeing driver hit a roundabout, lost control, and crashed into a tree, ejecting both the driver and passenger.

“If they were trying to avoid one of those, and with the weather being cold and slick, and you hit a patch of ice, and you’re gone. You’re done,” Barbie, who witnessed the aftermath, said.

The loud crash woke up neighbors like Barbie in the middle of the night.

Watch: Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

“Like thunder struck the building. The entire building shook. It was insane,” Barbie said.

Looking out her kitchen window, Barbie saw the devastating scene unfold.

“The whole thing just lit up like a torch,” she said.

Car on fire.png — Car on fire after crash

A day after the flames were extinguished, crash debris still surrounded the tree and Barbie’s backyard.

“The car was right there in the center,” she said.

Zavala’s family said his cousin was driving the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Barbie, who has witnessed crashes before, said seeing this one up close was different.

“I’ve seen plenty of crashes, had people that I care about die in crashes, but to see it up close is something different. I feel bad for the kid’s family,” she said.

The witness hopes the tragedy serves as a warning to others who might consider fleeing police.

“I feel for their family, and I wish to God that that wouldn’t have happened, obviously, but there comes a point, ‘what were you doing’, you know?” Barbie said. “I just think that people need to think before they do, and that’s just not a thing anymore.”

TMJ4 asked the West Milwaukee Police Department if it plans to refer charges for the 19-year-old driver who remains seriously injured at the hospital. The department declined to comment, saying it’s still an active investigation.

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