Superior Spartans

Head coach: Doug Trentor, third season

2021-22 record: 8-17

Conference: Lake Superior

Section: Wisconsin Sectional 1

Key departures: Callie Holmlund, Lily Walrath, Emily Berka, Gabrielle Siers, Keely Morehouse

Superior Spartans Roster

Key departures: G Abby Pajari (News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year, 20-8-1, 1.43 GAA, .939 save percentage, six shutouts), F Ember Kehtel (5-17—22), F Rylee Gilbertson (8-18—26)

Key returners: Sr. F Nya Sieger (21-30—50), Jr. F Izy Fairchild

(28-14—42), Jr. F Hannah Graves (16-12—28), Sr. F Reese Heitzman (13-13—26), So. F Jane Eckstom

(8-13—21), Sr. D Sophie Parendo

(1-8—9), Sr. D Ava Anick (2-11—

13), Sr. D Alyssa Yokom (1-4—5)

Outlook: The Mirage are coming off a runner-up finish in Class A, and for most programs, that’d be the pinnacle, but the 2021 state champs have high goals as a program. They were disappointed in last year’s 6-1 loss to Warroad in the Class A title game.

“Our team has a very positive outlook despite our finish last year,” Stauber said. “We have reset and

Key returners: Autumn Cooper, Bella Thompson, Emma Ferg, Kenlyn Thimm, Indigo Fish, Grace Hansen, Brooke Lindberg, Katie Stamper, Kennedy Popplewell, Gabryel Olson, Alivia Visger, Kaylie Nault

Newcomers to watch: So. F Makaela Reinke and Fr. F Addie Benson

Outlook: “The outlook for this year’s squad is extremely positive,” according to coach Trentor. “The

SUPERIOR SPARTANS

(home games in ALL CAPS)

2022-23 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 — NORTHERN TIER

Nov. 22 — CFM SABERS

Dec. 1 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.

Dec. 3 — at Eau Claire Area, 1 p.m.

Dec. 10 — ST. CROIX VALLEY, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13 — NORTH SHORE, 5 P.M.

Dec. 16 — WESTERN WISCONSIN, 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 — SARTELL/SAUK RAPIDS, 1 p.m.

Dec. 20 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 — at Hayward Area, 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 — at Cap City Cougars (Madison Holiday Tourney), 5:15 PM

Dec. 29 — TBD, Madison Holiday Tourney

Dec. 30 — TBD, Madison Holiday Tourney

Jan. 5 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 — MEDFORD, 2 p.m.

Jan. 10 — at Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, 7 p.m.

Jan. 14 — at Hudson, 3 p.m.

Jan. 17 — GRAND RAPIDS/GREENWAY, 7 p.m.

Jan. 20 — NORTHERN EDGE, 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 — NORTHLAND PINES, 2 p.m.

Jan. 24 — at Duluth, 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 — at Western Wisconsin, 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 — at Proctor/Hermantown, 7 p.m.

Feb. 4 — at Central Wisconsin, 2 p.m.

The biggest question will be at goalie, where sophomore Neelah McLeod and freshmen Lillian Clemons and Suri Langley will compete for time between the pipes. They will have plenty of help around them. Proctor/Hermantown only lost three forwards, including two that saw consistent varsity shifts, and no defensemen.

Sieger and Heitzman will serve as captains and Parendo and Anick as assistant captains.

“We have strong depth both offensively and defensively, which hopefully will play to our advantage this season,” Stauber said. “We have a tough schedule lined up, especially into January with many top Class AA teams that we feel will prepare us for playoffs. We are optimistic and look forward to continuing to build on our success of the past few seasons.”

- Jon Nowacki, News Tribune

girls, coaching staff, parents, and community are ready and excited to get this season started.”

The Spartans are bringing back talented leadership to go along with talented and motivated underclassmen. Many play other sports and/or hockey together in the offseason and Trentor sees that as a positive, all the way.

“That allows them to start the season in shape and ready to roll,” he said. “The girls are friends off the ice, so we have a true sense of unity. Our schedule remains difficult, by design, but we feel that’s a part of what makes us better.”

- Jon Nowacki, News Tribune