Now a senior Ava Kligora (6), from Milton and an All-Badger Conference First Team forward, and pictured here as a member of the Rock County Fury in 2024-25 will be a significant contributor on the 2025-26 Janesville Bluebirds, who start their regular season tonight at the Mercyhealth Arena in the Woodman’s Center.
Rock County Fury’s Ella Swenson fires a shot up ice during the Fury’s 3-1 victory over Stoughton during the 2024-25 season. Swenson, from Janesville Parker, is a junior on the Janesville Bluebirds’ girls hockey team playing at the Mercyhealth Arena at the Woodman’s Center, including the 2025-26 season opener tonight at 7 p.m.
Now a senior Ava Kligora (6), from Milton and an All-Badger Conference First Team forward, and pictured here as a member of the Rock County Fury in 2024-25 will be a significant contributor on the 2025-26 Janesville Bluebirds, who start their regular season tonight at the Mercyhealth Arena in the Woodman’s Center.
JANESVILLE — Janesville’s girls co-op hockey team is looking to play a relentless brand of hockey this year under new head coach Kurt Buchs.
Formerly the Rock County Fury, the Bluebirds will take the ice for the first time when they host the Fox Cities Stars on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center.
The co-op team features players from 11 different schools, including Beloit Turner, Beloit Memorial, Lincoln Academy, Brodhead, Hononegah, Janesville Craig and Janesville Parker, Edgerton, Milton, Monroe, Belvidere North,
New Janesville Bluebirds' co-op girls head coach Kurt Buchs, center, formerly coached boys hockey at Beloit Memorial High.
“The key word for us is going to be relentless with how we play,” Buchs said. “We’re just going to wear teams down. A lot of girls have a high motor for us. I think our scoring will come, I’m not worried about that. I just want to focus on being a relentless group.”
Milton’s Ava Kligora, a senior forward, Craig senior forward Macy Murphy and Beloit Memorial junior forward Sophia Ferrera are expected to be the leading point scorers.
“They’re our top three returning from last year, so we’ll be counting on them to keep that up and to lead the way for us this year,” Buchs said.
Rock County Fury’s Ella Swenson fires a shot up ice during the Fury’s 3-1 victory over Stoughton during the 2024-25 season. Swenson, from Janesville Parker, is a junior on the Janesville Bluebirds’ girls hockey team playing at the Mercyhealth Arena at the Woodman’s Center, including the 2025-26 season opener tonight at 7 p.m.
CALAHAN STEED/ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP
In the 2024-25 season, the team went 6-18. Kligora secured 16 goals and eight assists. Murphy provided the same number of goals and one less assist and Ferrera provided five goals and four assists.
“That’s going to give us a good start to the season with that kind of experience and scoring coming back,” Buchs said.
The second line will consist of Craig seniors, Anna and Ally Cole, and Parker sophomore Skylar Bierman.
“I think they’re going to give teams a run for their money,” Buchs said. “They are a very relentless group.”
Other wingers will be fighting for time on the ice as well. On defense, the top four defensemen will return.
Parker juniors Ella Swenson and Sophia Young, along with Craig junior Maliya Maurer, will lead the way.
Monroe freshman Micki Andrews has shown promise in the practices so far, according to Buchs.
“I think she’s going to be a big part of our success this year,” Buchs said.
Multiple goalies are expected to see action in the net. Hononegah junior Piper Aaker, Milton junior Jessie Demarasse and Milton sophomore Emma Peck are among the primary goaltenders. Aaker and Peck return from last season, with Aaker posting an 83% save percentage and Peck 78%.
“Aaker has come a long way,” Buchs said. “Last year was her first-ever year playing goalie and same with Emma Peck. She filled in when Piper got hurt last year. They’ve both come a long way since last year. So we’re excited with the improvements they’ve shown.”
Also on the squad are Turner junior forward Madelain Benti, Hononegah senior forward Jayden Lake, Lincoln Academy senior defense Macy Schneider and Brodhead freshman forward Julianna Strommen.
Head coach Buchs led the Beloit Memorial’s boys program from 2013-14 through 2019-20.
