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Breck Goalie Savoring His Shot At State Tournament

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) -- Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul becomes the sight of a Minnesota jewel starting Wednesday.

The Boys State High School Hockey Tournament starts in Class A with quarterfinals and continues Thursday with Class AA quarterfinals. Sometimes the great story lines aren't the ones of the players who have been starters since they put on skates, but the ones who had to work every day to finally be good enough.

Breck goaltender Stephen Headrick is a prime example of that. He is here because he waited until his senior season to get his shot.

"I was just kind of trying to get better and practice as well as I could every day. Then finally this year became my opportunity," Headrick said.

It is what defines him, being persistent and patient.

"He has exceeded our expectations. He's been great. He's just unflappable. We call him 'Senator Headrick.' He's just cool under pressure," Breck coach Les Larson said.

He's a got a big fan with a football background. His grandfather, Roger, used to be part owner and CEO of the Minnesota Vikings.

"He's a great inspiration. Ever since I was little, he called me 'Shut Out.' That's not always the case sometimes but that's something that I've always kept close to me," Headrick said.

That's just part of the family story for Stephen Headrick because he has four siblings, one two years older and the other three are in his same senior class. That's right, four brothers and sisters in the same class: Quadruplets and to a degree, friends.

"They've kind of shared in my experiences and my successes this year and I've tried to stay humble because they know I'm not very cocky," Headrick said.

They will all be cheering Wednesday when Stephen takes the ice in the ultimate venue: Xcel Energy Center for the state tournament.

"It'll be fun. I mean I just have to be relaxed and be patient, set my sights for each game. It's just kind of one game at a time," Headrick said.

Breck (21-7) faces St. Cloud Apollo (22-4-2) in the No.4 versus No. 5 game in the Class A quarterfinals at 8 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.

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