By Mackenzie Boivin/City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Former Riverking Michael Cichy has committed to UNLV Rebel Hockey in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

As Cichy signed on with the collegiate team, he credited his success to the Riverkings, and the Wisconsin Rapids community, for support he received after coming here at the age of 15.

 “If it wasn’t for the Riverkings players and Coach Marty (Quarters) and Ms. (Anne) Barber along with Mrs.(Ann) Felker at Lincoln High School I would not be where I am in life and hockey today.

“I left home at 15 to go to this team in Wisconsin for the first two years of my junior hockey career and was the youngest player on the team. The boys and staff took me under their wing on the ice and off. They supported me, especially (John) Egge, and helped me recover after serious injuries I incurred in the game.

“I will be forever grateful for the friendships/brotherhood I now have for life with the members of that team. They helped me become the player and man I am today.”

Coach Marty Quarters said that he is amazed by the impact that the Wisconsin Rapids community made on the young hockey player.

 “It’s amazing what a positive impact the Riverkings staff, Lincoln, and the community have had on helping Michael,” Coach Quarters said. “When he first arrived in Rapids we took a chance on Michael being that he was just 15, but also because he didn’t have a lot of focus or success in the classroom, but being a first year team he had to fill our roster. My first discussion with Ann Felker, Lincoln High School counselor for the Riverkings, didn’t look like they could accommodate Michael because he was pretty far behind, but Michael was determined to attend Lincoln.

“Once Mrs. Barber got involved and really went above and beyond with mentoring Michael, through lots of hard work and up and downs he found confidence that he never had when it came to his studies, so much so he even won an award for his writing after his second year.”

Quarters said that Michael’s stamina was also a factor in his success.

“Michael also encountered a serious knee injury at the end of his first year that most players would not be able to recover fully from, but he refused to return home and our trainer John Egge worked tirelessly with him in his recovery which led to amazing results heading into his second season,” Quarters added.

“I’m so very proud of Michael’s commitment to continue playing the game he loves at a major University in his hometown, he has overcome so much and never gave up, when most others would. When they say it takes a village to raise a child this is a true testament to that saying.”