As a prep player at Holy Angels High School in Richfield, MN, Kronick was to be a key ingredient on a team primed to make a run for the 2001-02 Minnesota high school class AA title. The 6'3" 195 pound senior forward was certainly the top forward on his team and would give them the leadership, clutch scoring and toughness to be a prime contender. But, Kronick suffered an early season broken leg placing him on the shelf for the majority of the season and it looked to rob him of participating in what was to be a special season for the Stars. It also seemed it would wipe out the opportunity to show college hockey coaches that he was a bonafide Division I hockey recruit.
Thankfully, by March, Kronick mended enough to return for sectional play and although not 100% scored the overtime goal in a sectional win and guided his team to the state high school tournament. Once there, Kronick made the most of this showcase and put on quite a show leading all tournament players in goal scoring with six including four in one game in the semi-finals and one goal in the 4-2 championship win over Hill-Murray High School.
The performance led to being named to the all-tournament team and suddenly, the scouts took notice and were impressed with the lanky forwards toughness, size and ability to score goals from nearly every type of shooting opportunity. This included eventual offers from the Huskies and first-year UMD coach Scott Sandelin who was ready to bring him in as a just-turned 18 year-old freshman. With the Huskies lacking immediate scholarship money and prodding him to play a year in the USHL, Kronick made the choice to join the Bulldogs and begin his WCHA career in the port city.
The typically "tough on freshman" WCHA, only led to two points in 10 games for Kronick during the 2002-03 season proving the difficulty this league can be on first-year players. The 2003-04 season turned nightmarish as a back injury suffered early in the season curtailed his opportunities to four games ultimately leading to a medical redshirt that at least salvaged his eligibility for that season. By seasons end, with only fourteen college hockey games under his belt, some introspective thinking led him to the conclusion that he needed a change. Discussions with the UMD coaching staff followed and he subsequently obtained his release and transferred to the Huskies knowing full well that there were "no guarantees" at SCSU. But, he took comfort in knowing he was where he wanted to be as a player. Rather than play a year in the USHL (even though he was drafted #1 by the Sioux City Musketeers) Kronick decided to commit himself as a practice player during the 2004-05 season. And, although the "transfer season was extremely difficult, I used the time to work on different aspects of my game" said Kronick.
With the mandatory transfer year now over Kronick is concentrating on making an impact as a player on a very young SCSU squad hungry for success. " I work out five days a week with a trainer along with senior defenseman TJ McElroy. I also do Acceleration Minnesota two to three times a week, skating the treadmill, doing plyometrics and shooting the puck at an Eden Prairie rink (with senior forward and fellow Holy Angels alum Billy Hengen). I also skate in a four on four league at nights that includes former Huskies (and NHLers) Joe Motzko, Ryan Malone and Duvie Westcott" said Kronick.
When asked what assets he will bring to the Huskies as a player, the 21 year old Kronick commented that "he'll add size, strength, grit and intensity - hopefully scoring too! I especially try to make an impact in pressure games". But, he may have left out one attribute that could be the key to his success - a strong, accurate, wrist shot with a quick release that may surprise many in the league.
On a personal note, his best memory as a youth player was in AAA hockey playing for the Minnesota Blades and "scoring the winning goal with four seconds left in the championship game in Ottawa, Canada" said Kronick. As a prep player, it was "winning the state championship in 2002 with Holy Angels and being selected to the all-tournament team." he said. He credits many of his coaches over the years and his brother Bob as his biggest hockey influence. "We skated on
a line throughout youth hockey" said Kronick.
His thoughts on the 2005-06 Huskies are optimistic. "Our goaltending should be solid, defense tough and we'll be more mature. We've got a lot of guys back and we have good team chemistry. I'm looking forward to this season".
Kronick will have three years remaining in his college eligibility due to receiving a medical redshirt for the 2003-04 season. He is from Inver Grove Heights, MN and is the son of Greg and Roxie Kronick.
