GREENWAY RAIDERS

Coach: Andy Sertich, first season

2019-20 record: 13-13-1

Conference: Iron Range

Section: 7A

Key departures: F Ben Troumbly (18-31—49); D Christian Miller (9-21—30); F Micah Gernander (15-14—29); D Brock Trboyevich (8-17—25); F Mitch Vekich (15-8— 23); G Logan Wright (3.06 GAA, .909 save percentage)

Key returners: Sr. D Ty Donahue (6-7—13); soph. F Ezra Carlson; F Aiden Rajala; sr. F Darric Davidson; jr. D Bodie Jorgenson

Outlook: Raiders alum Sertich steps into a high-profile position without anywhere near the firepower the team had the past couple of seasons. Gone are the top five scorers, including Troumbly and Miller — who both committed to Division I St. Cloud State — and the starting goaltender in Wright.

Still, even with those talented players, Greenway started 6-13 and 5-11 the past two seasons. The Raiders rebounded both years to reach the 2019 Class A state championship game and the 7A semifinals last year, however with a much younger group whose season was delayed several weeks it might be difficult to hit the ice running.

“We have a young team with senior leadership that I will rely on to help bring the younger players into the fold,” Sertich said. “We hope to be a disciplined, hard-working team.”

Rick Weegman, News Tribune

Coach: Patrick Andrews, fourth season

2019-20 record: 23-4-4

Conference: Lake Superior

Section: 7A

Key departures: F Blake Biondi (47-48—95); F Zach Kilen (27-45—72); D Zach Carson; D Indio Dowd

Lund (17-39—56); sr. F Aaron

Pionk (12-22—34); sr. F Aydyn

Dowd (17-9—26); sr. F Cole Antcliff (7-15—22); jr. D Beau Janzig (4-7—11)

Outlook: After a one-year absence, the Hawks returned to their usual perch atop Section 7A and back in the Class A state title game. Unfortunately,

Pierce, another Mr. Hockey candidate and UMD commit, heads up those coming back. Up front, the Hawks have tremendous depth and experience despite losing their career scoring leader and Kilen’s 72 points. Lund, Pionk, Dowd and Antcliff possess lots of speed and puck savvy while sophomore Zam Plante looks to make an immediate impact after playing in the Elite League. Two juniors and two sophomores are competing for the top spot in goal.

“Joey is an elite playmaker and leader,” Andrews said. “Joey has an endless motor which leads to incredible energy and intensity on the ice. Joey plays with a nasty edge to his game, often breaking opponents in half if they cross the redline with their head down, which is equally as effective in demoralizing the opposition as his playmaking and goal-scoring ability.

“Joey will look to (join Biondi) as the first back-to-back players from the same school to win the prestigious Mr. Hockey Award, something that is well within his reach considering his ability to single-handedly take games over.”

Rick Weegman, News Tribune

Schedule

Jan. 14 — at Superior

Jan. 16 — at Eveleth-Gilbert

Jan. 19 — at Hibbing-Chisholm

Jan. 21 — at Proctor

Jan. 28 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 — St. Cloud Cathedral, 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 — Brainerd, 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 9 — at Duluth East, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 — Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 — Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 — at Duluth Denfeld (Heritage Center), 7 p.m.

Feb. 27 — Greenway, 3:15 p.m.

Mar. 2 — at Duluth Marshall, 7 p.m.

Mar. 4 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.

Mar. 6 — St. Cloud State, 3:15 p.m.

Mar. 9 — Duluth East, 7 p.m.

Mar. 11 — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7 p.m.

Roster

Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com

Hermantown forward Aaron Pionk (11) skates down ice in the second period of the Class A boys state hockey semifinals Friday, March 6, 2020, Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Schedule

Jan. 14 — at North Shore

Jan. 19 — Hermantown

Jan. 22 — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

Jan. 26 — International Falls

Jan. 28 — at Duluth Denfeld (Heritage Center), 7 p.m.

Feb. 1 — at Proctor, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Greenway, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Eveleth-Gilbert, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 — at Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 — at Duluth Marshall, 6 p.m.

Feb. 25 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, 7 p.m.

Mar. 2 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7 p.m.

Mar. 4 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.

Mar. 11 — Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, 7 p.m.

Mar. 15 — at Duluth East (Heritage Center), 7 p.m.

Mar. 16 — Proctor, 7 p.m.

Mar. 18 — North Shore, 7 p.m.