Duluth Northern Stars

Head coach: Ali Randall, first season

2021-22 record: 6-19

Conference: Lake Superior Section: 7AA

Key departures: F Emma Fellman (8-6—14), F Elaine Benson (1-9—10), F/D Hannah Martin (7-4—11)

Key returners: Sr. F Jenna Horvat (5-9—14), Sr. D Bailey Coole (2-4—6), Jr. F Grace Karakas (7-9—16), Sr. F Rylan Lorentz (8-3—11), Jr. D Karyssa Clough (4-2—6), Jr. D Lucy Fellman (8-6—14), Jr. G Ella Brisbois (4.28 GAA, .873 save percentage), So. F Gracyn Schipper (8-8—16)

Newcomers to watch: Fr. F Mae McCall, Jr. F Ellie Marcinak

Outlook: Randall, who was a member of the 2012 Minnetonka (Minn.) High School Class AA state championship team, has been heavily involved with the Duluth Icebreakers, including coaching four seasons with the U-12A team. The Icebreakers finished third at the state tournament in 2019 and some of the girls on that roster are sophomores and juniors for the Northern Stars now.

Hoff

From Page 18

“I have a very good mentor in Shawna,” Hoff said. “I’ve already learned a lot from her, and hopefully the girls learn a lot from both of us.”

Boettcher agreed.

“Honestly, it’s been wonderful,” Boettcher said. “Callie and Shawna, they really balance each other out. Callie, she’s younger, she can relate to us more, and she just played as an All-American at River Falls, so that’s great to have her. And then Shawna, with all of her experience … they just make a great pair.”

And it wasn’t like they were handed the keys to a ’78 Pinto here.

The Hilltoppers are coming off back-to-back appearances in the Section 7A title game and went 17-8 last season.

“Amanda did a great job with the girls and with the team,” Hoff said. “I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just excited to see where this team goes. It’s a new team from what they had last year and we have less players. I’m going to do the best I can and they’re going to do the best they can, and that’s all you can ask for.”

The only team standing in the Hilltoppers’ way the past two seasons has been Hoff’s old team, the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage.

While Duluth Marshall can’t match their depth, the Hilltoppers have plenty of talent.

Duluth Marshall has two very strong lines centered by junior Ilsa Lindaman (34-21—55) and senior Danica Mark (9-11—20), but can’t afford any injuries.

The Hilltoppers will not field a junior varsity for the first time since they reemerged as a Minnesota State High School League program in 2014-15.

“We have a very small team of 17 players — 15 skaters and two goalies,” Hoff said. “Let’s just say these girls will get lots of playing time. They’re ready and excited for it. It’ll be a good test for them.”

The defense is very young but has talent with the likes of freshman Sarah Stauber. Boettcher (13-21—34) has played along the blue line, and can certainly help there if needed, but the plan to start the season, at least, is to keep her up front.

With junior goalie Chloe Clark and sophomore Ray Anderson, the Hilltoppers are solid in net.

“We’re all just trying to learn together,” Hoff said. “I’m trying to learn how they play and they’re trying to learn how I coach, and the systems that I’ve brought in. I don’t think there are any growing pains right now. It’ll be a learning experience one way or another.”

Hoff is getting thrown into the proverbial fire to start the season as the Hilltoppers opened Friday, Nov. 11, against defending state champion Warroad, followed by Breck, Edina and Holy Angels.

That’ll be a test, but there isn’t a test Hoff hasn’t passed.

“Oh, man, I can’t even tell you. Her future’s so bright,” Boettcher said. “This was the perfect opportunity for her to get her feet on the ground and start coaching. It’s special when you’re just starting your coaching career and you get to be the head varsity coach. I think we’re going to help her learn just as much as she helps us. She’s going to be an amazing coach. I hope she stays at Marshall as long as she can, but I think she’s capable of really high levels.”

“There is a lot of excitement and positive energy around this new season for the program,” Randall said. “We are looking forward to making our mark on the conference and growing our program in a positive direction one day at a time.”

- Jon Nowacki, News Tribune

Duluth Northern Stars

2022-23 SCHEDULE

(home games in ALL CAPS)

Nov. 12 — ROSEVILLE/MAHTOMEDI

Nov. 18 — at Anoka

Nov. 19 — at Edina

Nov. 26 — at Hastings, 2 p.m.

Nov. 29 — PRINCETON, 7 p.m.

Dec. 2 — at Brainerd/Little Falls, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 5 — NORTHERN TIER, 7 p.m.

Dec. 10 — at Duluth Marshall, 4 p.m.

Dec. 13 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 20 — at Grand Rapids/Greenway, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 — ELK RIVER/ZIMMERMAN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 31 — Proctor/Hermantown (outdoors), 3 p.m.

Jan. 3 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 — at Burnsville, 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13 — FOREST LAKE, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 — SUPERIOR, 7 p.m.

Jan. 26 — at North St. Paul/Tartan, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28 — DODGE COUNTY, 2 p.m.

Jan. 30 — GRAND RAPIDS/GREENWAY, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 — at Princeton, 7 p.m.

Duluth Northern Stars Roster

2 Carys Gerard F So.

3 Alana Moline D Sr.

4 Nia Kramer F So.

5 Karyssa Clough D Jr.

8 Autumn Turpen D So.

9 Adell Wormuth F Jr.

10 Mae McCall F Fr.

12 Jenne Horvat F Sr.

14 Bailey Coole D Sr.

15 Rylan Lorenz F Sr.

16 Gracyn Schipper F So.

18 Ellie Marciniak F Jr.

20 Lucy Fellman D Jr.

23 Lydia Saxin F Jr.

26 Grace Karakas F Jr.

35 Ella Brisbois G Jr.