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Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight: Brendan Poshak – Notre Dame Academy hockey

Brendan Poshak
Notre Dame Academy senior Brendan Poshak is a member of the hockey team. He’s committed to play Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Submitted Photo

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


GREEN BAY – Brendan Poshak, a Notre Dame Academy senior, is considered one of the best high school hockey players in the state.

Brendan, the son of Brian and Tondra Poshak, said he’s hoping to cap off his last season with a successful run at state.

“Going to the state tournament twice has been awesome,” said Poshak, who describes himself as hard-working, funny and determined. “I went as a freshman, but we lost to Verona in the opening game. Getting back there last season and losing the state title the way we did (2-1 to Verona in overtime) was heartbreaking, but it gives us the motivation to work harder.”

The 2020 WIAA State Hockey Tournament concluded March 7, mere days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country.

“We got lucky to finish our tournament,” Poshak said. “A few days later, high school sports in the state and schools were shut down.”

He said he’s grateful the administration at Notre Dame is allowing the Tritons sports teams to play this winter.

“Many other schools across the state aren’t getting this opportunity,” said Poshak. “As a senior, I’ll do anything in order to play, including wearing a mask. COVID has ruined lots, so kudos to our administration for giving us a chance.”

Notre Dame is coached by Cory McCracken.

“He pushes every player to be their best,” Poshak said of McCracken. “It’s awesome having him as a coach. I’ve never seen another coach as dedicated as he is. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.”

Poshak tallied 24 goals and 21 assists as a junior and has 118 career points thus far.

Those numbers have him in the discussion for being named “Mr. Hockey” as the state’s best high school player by Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association members.

“That honor would mean lots to me, but my main focus is helping the team win a state championship,” said Poshak.

His stellar stats also led to him committing to Northern Michigan University (NMU), a Division I college in Marquette, entering his sophomore year.

“Both of my parents went to NMU,” Poshak said. “My dad was going to play hockey there, but a knee injury ended his career. It’s not a far drive from Green Bay, and it’s a great place for me. I felt welcomed and will most likely study something in the business field.”

He also was in talks with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University, all Division I schools.

Poshak’s parents both grew up in Michigan.

“My dad is from Calumet, and my mom is from Negaunee,” he said. “I also have an older brother, Bryce, who played hockey and now is a junior in college. My younger sister, Jillian, is a freshman at Notre Dame and plays soccer.”

Poshak was born in Marquette but has also lived in Tampa, Florida, and Peshtigo, Wisconsin.

“My dad made an outdoor rink when we lived in Peshtigo,” he said. “I started skating on that, and he got me involved in the M & M Thunder program.”

Poshak also likes to golf, hunt, fish, the Detroit Red Wings, hockey player Pavel Datsyuk, his grandmother’s meatloaf, vanilla ice cream, cheetahs, science, the phone app TikTok and the restaurant Red Robin.

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