By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Bay Port High School senior Jack “Chilly” Chilson is a forward on the boys’ hockey team.
He was born in Wausau but moved to Green Bay when he was young.
With a love of downhill skiing, fishing, boating and the outdoors, Chilson will head west this fall for college.
“A couple of times in the past few years, my family has gone skiing in Bozeman, Montana,” said Chilson, whose parents are Amy and Don Chilson. “I loved the area, so I applied to Montana State to see what would happen. I was accepted, got a decent academic scholarship and won’t play hockey. I’ll be studying environmental science or engineering.”
Hockey and sports are in the Chilson’s genes.
His sophomore sister Ella plays for the Bay Area Ice Bears, a Green Bay area co-op team consisting of 28 girls from eight different high schools.
“My dad grew up in Chicago and played lots of outdoor pond hockey growing up,” Chilson said. “He also played football in high school. My mom was a cheerleader and is from Appleton. My younger sister Elise plays softball and does the piano and guitar.”
The Pirates ended the regular season with a 10-14 record and lost six games by a single goal.
Bay Port earned the No. 4 seed in the upcoming WIAA Division 1 playoffs and will host a regional final game Feb. 20 at the Cornerstone Community Ice Center.
“It’s been a fun season, and the guys have been working hard,” said Chilson. “We don’t have the greatest record, but we play a tough schedule. I’m hopeful we can make some noise in the postseason.”
Chilson said he respects Bay Port head coach Mike Buchan.
“Coach is a nice guy,” he said. “He loosens up during practice quite a bit, but otherwise he is serious and all business.”
When asked which teammate would make for a good reality television show, Chilson was quick to answer.
“Carl Cano is chaotic, and you never know what he’s going to say or do,” he said. “I’d name the show, ‘The Life of Carl.’ On the other side, senior Trevor Jenquin is the quietest teammate. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it’s funny.”
Chilson has only played hockey at Bay Port, but lacrosse appealed to him, too.
“Lots of the guys on the team also play lacrosse in the spring,” he said. “It’s similar with the eye-hand coordination.”
Chilson, who described himself as fun, easy-going and energetic, said he wants to be remembered at Bay Port as someone who was easy to get along with.
His most memorable hockey moment dates back to when he was 10.
“When I was playing squirts, my team won the Cheese Cup in the spring in Green Bay,” Chilson said. “Sometime after that, my most embarrassing moment occurred when I put a goal into my own net.”
Chilson broke the same arm twice during a two-year span in middle and high school.
“The first time, I was up against the boards and my arm was sticking out and got caught between the ledge and where the glass is,” said Chilson. “The second time, I cracked the growth plate and missed the last bit of the season.”
Chilson’s favorites include New York strip steak, chocolate ice cream, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, hockey player Sydney Crosby and the Chicago Blackhawks.