- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ridgewater Student-Athlete Excels at Hockey and Baseball
Elliot Domagala plays for the Willmar WarHawks junior hockey team while also starting in the outfield for the Ridgewater College baseball team.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Elliot Domagala, a freshman at Ridgewater College, is a rare two-sport athlete, playing forward for the Willmar WarHawks junior hockey team while also starting in the outfield for the Ridgewater baseball team. Domagala, who had a standout high school career in multiple sports, reached out to the WarHawks' head coach and earned a spot on the team, becoming the first Ridgewater athlete to play for both the college's baseball team and the junior hockey squad.
Why it matters
Domagala's ability to balance the demands of two varsity sports at the collegiate level is an impressive feat, highlighting his exceptional work ethic and dedication. His story showcases the opportunities available for student-athletes to pursue their passions in multiple sports, even at the junior and community college levels.
The details
Domagala, a former three-sport athlete in high school, including football, realized he missed playing hockey after watching his younger siblings compete. He reached out to the Willmar WarHawks' head coach, Payton Ruter, and earned a week-long tryout, eventually making the team and playing in 18 games during the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, Domagala also secured a spot on the Ridgewater College baseball team, where he hit .244 with 22 hits, 21 runs, and 19 RBIs in 27 games as a freshman.
- Domagala played in his first game as a WarHawk on January 10, 2025.
- Domagala helped the WarHawks clinch a postseason berth in the final regular-season game of the 2024-25 season.
- Domagala is in his second year playing for the WarHawks in the 2025-26 season.
The players
Elliot Domagala
A freshman at Ridgewater College who plays forward for the Willmar WarHawks junior hockey team and starts in the outfield for the Ridgewater baseball team.
Payton Ruter
The head coach of the Willmar WarHawks junior hockey team.
Tyler Hebrink
The head coach of the Ridgewater College baseball team.
What they’re saying
“Elliot's a really good baseball player. He's crucial to our team.”
— Tyler Hebrink, Ridgewater College baseball head coach (wctrib.com)
“Elliot has a great work ethic. He's very calm, cool, collected. Not a lot gets him worked up or frazzled. Elliot's a guy who puts his nose down to the grindstone and just does the work. He's been an awesome guy for us at Willmar.”
— Payton Ruter, Willmar WarHawks junior hockey head coach (wctrib.com)
What’s next
Domagala plans to attend a four-year institution after his time at Ridgewater, but he is unsure if he will continue playing baseball, hockey, or both at the next level.
The takeaway
Domagala's ability to excel at both hockey and baseball while maintaining a strong academic record at the collegiate level is a testament to his exceptional work ethic and time management skills. His story highlights the opportunities available for student-athletes to pursue their passions in multiple sports, even at the junior and community college levels.
