GOODLUCK HILLTOPPERS!

Key returners: Sr. F Brendan Friday (9-17— 26); Sr. F Pierce Gouin (6-8—14); Sr. D Luke Schottenbauer (6-5—11); Sr. F Kai Melton; Jr. G Sam Pollard (5.46 GAA, .827 save percentage)

Outlook: The Hilltoppers managed just seven wins last season, but they will have a “strong group of newcomers” to go with the senior leadership of captains Pierce Gouin, Brendan Friday and Luke Schottenbauer, according to first-year coach Shawn Bartlette.

Friday was second on the team in goals with nine and had 17 assists to lead the Hilltoppers in total points.

DULUTH

Nov. 25 — at East Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 1 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.

Dec. 3 — BRECK, 3 p.m.

Dec. 6 — SUPERIOR, 7 p.m.

Dec. 8 — MORA/MILACA, 7 p.m.

Dec. 10 — at St. Cloud Cathedral, 2 p.m.

Dec. 13 — HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 — at Providence Academy, 3 p.m.

2021-22 DULUTH MARSHALL RESULTS

RECORD: 7-18-1

Nov. 26 — EAST RIDGE, T, 2-2

Nov. 29 — at Proctor, L, 1-0

Dec. 2 — GRAND RAPIDS, L, 12-0

Dec. 7 — at Superior, L, 6-2

Dec. 9 — at Mora/Milaca, W, 6-3

Dec. 11 — ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL, L, 6-3

Dec. 14 — at Hermantown, L, 6-0

Dec. 21 — at Chisago Lakes, L, 6-3

Dec. 28 — RED LAKE FALLS, W, 7-1

Dec. 29 — UNIVERSITY MILWAUKEE, L, 2-0

Dec. 30 — MORA/MILACA, L, 4-0

Jan. 4 — PRINCETON, W, 4-3

“The strength of our team will be our senior leadership,” Bartlett said. “Our seniors have developed into excellent leaders who led the team through coaching transitions and continue to be excellent students and positive influences in the Marshall School and Duluth communities.”

Dec. 22 — DULUTH EAST, 7 p.m.

Dec. 29 — SOMERSET, 4 p.m.

Jan. 3 — at Princeton, 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 — at Northern Lakes, 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 — HOLY ANGELS, 3 p.m.

Jan. 23 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 — at Bagley/Fosston, 4 p.m.

Jan. 30 — at North Shore (SB), 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 — at Eagan, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 — DULUTH DENFELD, 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 — at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.

Jan. 8 — PROVIDENCE ACADEMY, L, 6-5

Jan. 13 — BAGLEY/FOSSTON, L, 4-1

Jan. 15 — DODGE COUNTY, L, 5-2

Jan. 17 — NORTH SHORE, W, 5-1

Jan. 20 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 4-2

Jan. 21 — at Bagley/Fosston, L, 3-2

Jan. 24 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, W, 3-0

Jan. 27 — at Ely, W, 5-1

Feb. 3 — GREENWAY, W, 4-3

Feb. 5 — at Gentry Academy, L, 9-0

Feb. 10 — at Duluth Denfeld, L, 3-2

Feb. 12 — at Holy Angels, L, 9-1

Feb. 15 — FOREST LAKE, L, 7-4

Feb. 19 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 3-2

Marshall’s schedule is among the toughest in the area, with traditional powers Grand Rapids, Hermantown and a potentially resurgent Duluth East team all looming for the Hilltoppers.

“We play a challenging schedule that contains some top area teams and teams from around the state,” Bartlette said. “This is a great opportunity for our program to maintain some local rivalries and develop some new ones.” The Hilltoppers will learn how big the hill they need to climb is early on with a date at Grand Rapids on Dec. 1. - Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune

Head coach: Wade Chiodo, fourth season

Key departures: Sr. F Joey DelGreco (25-43—68); D Easton Young (1337—50); F Kaden Nelson (19-30—49); Garrett Drotts (23-25—48); D Ren Morque (8-26—34); F Hayden DeMars (15-18—33); F Henry Sterle (8-12—20)

Returning starters: Sr. G Myles Gunderson (2.19 GAA, .899 save percentage); Sr. D Will Stauffer (6-16— 22); Jr. D Bauer Murphy (3-11—14); Sr. F Kyle Henke (1-5—6); Sr. F Blayne Mortenson (5-10—15); Sr. F Hayden Davis (4-7—11); Jr.

Hayden Davis (21) of Grand Rapids shoots the puck against Duluth East on Nov. 30, 2021, at the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center in Duluth.

Clint Austin

/ Duluth News Tribune