Mark Remme
Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:45 pm

Faribault native Seth Helgeson surveys the ice while playing for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. (Jim Utterback/Musketeers team photographer)

FARIBAULT — Seth Helgeson’s hockey resume got two additions this week — two additions most hockey players can only dream of.

The 18-year-old defenseman, currently playing with the United States Hockey League’s Sioux City Musketeers, won a gold medal playing for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge Sunday in Camrose, Alberta. And today, Helgeson will sign his national letter of intent to join the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team in 2009.

The latter was a dream come true.

“It was every Friday and Saturday night looking forward to watching Gopher hockey games on cable growing up,” Helgeson said. “Growing up in Minnesota, that’s what everyone wants to do: Play hockey and play for the Gophers.”

It was a dream that began in the Faribault youth hockey program.

Three years ago as a freshman for the Faribault High School hockey team, Helgeson sparked the Falcons to the Section 6A championship game. Despite Helgeson’s youth, then-coach Josh Solem said the Falcons thrived on the freshman’s infectious smile and demeanor.

“I can honestly say having him on the team really put the pieces all together,” former Falcons coach Josh Solem said. “He played the role of a top player but also a player who showed everyone what it was like to love the game.”

It was only the beginning.

Following his freshman year at FHS, Helgeson began gaining recognition for his play. Invitations to Gophers hockey games at Mariucci Arena followed, as did a realization of what it takes to make the Division I hockey leap among today’s talent. Though it was tough to leave his hometown, the USHL, a league comprised primarily of elite high school players, was the way to go.


Helgeson’s father, Mark, said family and friends enjoyed watching Seth’s success grow, even though it was difficult having him live away from home at such a young age.

“I’m really excited for him,” said Alex Larson, Helgeson’s longtime best friend and the Falcons’ hockey team captain this season. “I think it’s just really awesome for him to play for one of the best teams in the country, especially the Gophers.”

Even though the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Helgeson is carving his path to a bright future, he looks back at his time in Faribault as his hockey foundation.

Despite Southern Minnesota never gaining a reputation as a “hockey hotbed,” Helgeson said there’s absolutely no reason why others in the Faribault hockey community can’t become standout players.

“Follow your dream,” he said. “You can never forget where you came from, and if you work hard and set your mind to something, you can reach your goal.”

And even though Helgeson left FHS after his sophomore year, Solem said his work ethic lived on.

Solem used Helgeson as an example after the then-sophomore left for Sioux City, helping former Falcons teammates remember how to do different drills in practice correctly.

“I can’t stress how proud I am of Seth,” said Solem, who now coaches in Monticello. “Knowing how much he wanted this, and how exciting it will be not only for him but everyone in Faribault. He’s in the spotlight.”

From FHS standout to future Gophers defenseman, Helgeson gets closer to his goal with each passing day.

“It’s almost like the whole experience is surreal,” Mark Helgeson said. “We watched him develop as a youngster, and he always had this special love for hockey ever since he started playing.”



— Sports Reporter Mark Remme may be reached at 333-3129.