Bloomington youth hockey player wins $50K for program

BLOOMINGTON — The Bison weren’t the only team to win big on Saturday night at Grossinger Motors Arena. 

Central Illinois youth hockey earned $50,000 from the success of one of its players in Sam Leman Shoot the Puck contest, conducted between the second and third periods.

The contest gives three participants the opportunity to shoot a puck from center ice into one of three holes, with each affording a different prize. 

Kelly Dietsch, 14, hit the target for the $50,000 prize to be awarded to the youth hockey program. She was the first person to emerge victorious in the challenge, which has been held all Bison home games this season. 

Kelly, an eighth grader at Trinity Lutheran School, said she drew on advice from her coach. She plays for the Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association’s Revolution travel hockey team and is in her fourth season with the sport. 

“He said I just need to put a little power into it and just follow through with my shot,” she said. 

Her mother, Gayle Dietsch of Bloomington, was among the thousands cheering Kelly’s win. “I was just hoping she at least got it close,” she said. “When she got it in — that was awesome.” 

Buck Stevens of B104 also hit one of the holes, winning a year membership to Four Seasons Health Club. 

Told of the results later, Bloomington Bison head coach Phillip Barski was also impressed. 

“Wow,” he said. “I don’t know what the odds are on that, but I guess it was a good day to be a Bison.”