Hoff, Hilltoppers hope to reach new heights

BY JON NOWACKI Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH — Callie

Hoff was fresh out of college, graduating in May after a stellar fiveyear women’s hockey career at WisconsinRiver Falls, so the 2017 Hermantown High School graduate didn’t get too excited when first hearing that Duluth Marshall had an opening for its girls hockey headcoaching position in early September.

“I wasn’t sure of my plans,” Hoff said. “I just graduated college, so I wasn’t really thinking about being a head coach. I kind of took it lightly at first, but then the more I learned, the more I started getting serious about the opportunity.”

Less than a month later, Hoff was leading the Hilltoppers, replacing Amanda Boulier, who resigned after two seasons. Hoff is one of four new female girls hockey head coaches in the area.

“I always wanted to coach, but it just came quickly,” Hoff said. “I talked to some people in the community and was encouraged to do it. I heard nothing but great things about this program, and I haven’t been disappointed. It’s been nothing but great so far.”

The feeling appears mutual.

“She pushes us really hard, but is just super sweet and cares a lot about us,” Hilltoppers senior captain Meredith Boettcher said. “You can tell. She is always asking us questions and asking for feedback. She just wants what’s best for us.”

With River Falls, Hoff was named the American Hockey Coaches Association Laura Hurd Player of the Year last March, given to the top women’s hockey player in NCAA Division III.

Hoff led the nation with 67 points on 26 goals and 41 assists, breaking the Falcons’ single-season record, and exited as River Falls’ all-time leading scorer.

“It was awesome,” she said.

With that kind of skill, and given her age, only 23, it’s no wonder Hoff loves jumping into drills, and the Hilltoppers often find themselves flat-skated, watching in awe.

“Oh yeah, she’s always hopping into our drills, and we appreciate it because there are times we’re sucking air, we’re so tired,” Boettcher said. “She’s great, and she’s fun to watch, too. She usually scores when she demonstrates.”

Not long after getting the job, Hoff enlisted Shawna Davidison, former Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey assistant, to come on board as associate head coach.

It’s been a sort of match made in Hilltopper heaven.

Davidson knows a lot of the players from her involvement in the Duluth feeder program, the Duluth Icebreakers. She coached some of them. She even coached Hoff.

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