Jason Fornwald’s life in hockey seems to dominated by two legends.

One is a Canadian hero, whose status as an icon was cemented by his game-winning-goal in the finals of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and Russia, dubbed the sports moment of the century by the Canadian Press. 

The other is one of the most winningest hockey coaches in Minnesota high school hockey history, who over the span of 44 years totaled 705 victories in a town that isn't exactly considered a hockey hotbed. 

As for Fornwald, he says that he wasn’t even alive to see Paul Henderson’s game-winner, but Henderson remains his favorite player because of the legend that surrounds him and his moment. 

“In 1972 I was nothing but a glint in my father’s eye,” Fornwald said with a laugh. 

“The ’72 Series was lore that was shared with me by my older brothers and sisters,” Fornwald explained, adding that his preferred moments in Canadian hockey include the 1987 Canada Cup team that also vanquished the Russians and Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal in the gold-medal game of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

In regards to the Minnesota mythical figure, Fornwald assumes Roy Nystrom’s position as the head coach of the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team this season and is quick to point out that he is in no way going to supplant the former bench boss. 

“When you look back at the history of Albert Lea hockey, you can’t look anywhere other than Roy Nystrom essentially starting the program and bringing it to where it is today,” Fornwald said. 

“You don’t replace Roy Nystrom,” Fornwald continued. “You just follow him.”

Fornwald is certainly no stranger to the Albert Lea program, having served in various capacities as an assistant and head coach of the girls’ varsity team for non-consecutive seven seasons, taking a break in between to focus on his growing family while main 

“My son was born in December of 2004 and at that time, priorities kind of shifted and (I) decided to hang up the coaching whistle for a few years,” Fornwald explained.

Fornwald credits his time away from the rink as beneficial to his and his family’s comfort and says that his perspective changed for the better after his brief hiatus. 

“It gives some different perspective when you’re a parent versus when you’re a twenty-something that thinks he’s got the world by the tail,” Fornwald said with a knowing chuckle.

In addition to working with the Albert Lea youth program at both the Mite and Peewee levels, and embracing the role of association president for a time, Fornwald has been an Educational Speech/Language Pathologist at Albert Lea High School since 2001. 

His vocation has taught him patience and sharpened his own communication skills, Fornwald said. 

“Whether through expressive language disorder, or stuttering, or even social communication disorders like autism, you learn so much by teaching,” Fornwald said. 

Fornwald also commends the staff and faculty at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame for his commitment to teaching and helping develop young people, acknowledging the boarding school located two hours northwest from his hometown of Lampman, Saskatchewan.

The on-ice performance takes a backseat to personal development in Fornwald’s coaching philosophy.

“If we win twenty-five games, and I’ve got a bunch of knuckleheads that disrespect teachers and the community, that isn’t a successful season,” Fornwald said.  

“My goal at the end of the day when I get done working with these fine young men is for them to be better citizens of the world,” Fornwald continued. 

“I’m here to help them be the best people they can be, not just the best hockey player.”