Staff
Dan Bauer
Hockey by Bauer creator Dan Bauer does not possess your
typical hockey resume. He never played in the NHL, the AHL, juniors or even major college hockey. His youth hockey
experience was limited to a place called Kenyon's Pond and his high school career was spent in a fledgling WIAA program in
Rice Lake. While his passion for competition has always burned it was his fascination with coaching that has taken him
where he is today. One look at his home office and the library of books, videos & file cabinets of information will
convince you that this fascination is now a full blown obsession.
Bauer's coaching career began in Rice Lake's youth hockey program at the age of 19. Coaching a midget team and later a
junior varsity team, he established a reputation of building character first, hockey players second. He went on to
Spooner, Wisconsin where he took his first high school head coaching job. The Rails were a 2nd year WIAA team when he
arrived. Under his 11 years as head coach the Rails won 100 games and evolved from prey to predator. In 1999 they came
within one game of the state tournament, and from 1996-2001 went 66-42 including a playoff defeat of 12-time state
champion Superior on their home ice. Bauer was named the section one Coach of the Year in 1999 by his peers.
In 2002 Bauer left Spooner and took over a re-construction project at Wausau East. In his fourth season at East the
Lumberjacks came within a few minutes of trip to Madison, losing to Stevens Point in the sectional final. East won 14
games in 05-06, their first winning season in 13 years. It was only the fourth time in 34 years that the program had 14
or more games. For his work in turning around the East program, the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association (WHCA) selected
Bauer as the Bob Johnson Memorial Coach of the Year. The Lumberjacks also won the Academic All State Award for 2006. He
is currently in his third year at East. Bauer is the current president of the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association, a
position he also held in 2000.
Prior to the development of HbB, he worked for Canadian Professional Hockey Schools & Top Dog Camps and Clinics. He is a
member of the USA Hockey Coaching Certification Program and speaks at numerous clinics across the state. He is the current
president of the WHCA, serving his second consecutive and third overall term. Bauer was also president of the WHCA in
2000.
Theran Bauer
A 2005 graduate of the University of
Minnesota-Crookston, Theran Bauer is currently employed in the Wausau area as a Software Developer with Woods Equipment.
Bauer played four years for the Golden Eagles. During his tenure at Crookston he was part of two MCHA Tournament and one
MCHA regular season championships. In 2003 the Golden Eagles set a school record with an 18-4-3 season. His four years
at Crookston produced 57 wins. Bauer was a three time member of the MCHA All Academic team.
He is a current member of the National Champion Mosinee Papermakers. Last year, his first with the team, he helped lead
the Papermakers to their first championship ever. He is also an assistant coach at Wausau East.
Theran played his high school career for his father in Spooner. As a senior he was selected honorable mention on the 2001
WHCA All State Team. He is the 9th all-time leading scorer in Rails history.
Andy Spangberg
Andy is a 1992 graduate of Wausau East high school. He was a member of the Lumberjacks playing four
years as both a defenseman and a goaltender. In 1992 his East team lost an overtime-sectional final, 6-5 to Mosinee.
He is currently an on-line student with the University of Wisconsin-Superior, pursuing a degree in education. Spangberg
is an assistant coach for Wausau East and a youth coach for the Marathon County Youth Hockey Association in the winter.
Andy works at Goal Line Golf & Hockey.
Matt Tyree
A teammate in Spooner with Theran, Matt is also a 2001
graduate. He was a 1st Team All State Selection in 2001 and is the Rails 3rd All Time Leading scorer. Matt played junior
hockey in both the NAHL and the USHL. He played one season at Bentley College in Massachusetts. He is now a Mankato
State Maverick in the WCHA.
Dan Michalski
Dan is a 2005 graduate of Wausau East. He played three years under Coach Bauer and was captain as both a junior and a
senior. He was awarded the prestigious Denny Overland Memorial Award twice during his Lumberjack career. Dan is
currently attending Michigan Tech University where he continues to play club hockey.