Steve Pitoscia knows he’s inherited a job with a long legacy and more than a little pressure.
For the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Duluth East will have a new head coach on the bench when its players take to the ice this season.
Former coach Mike Randolph left the program this spring after more than three decades on the job. In fact, Randolph’s tenure — 32 years — was longer than the 28 years the Berlin Wall stood. Randolph led the Greyhounds to two state championships, five trips to the state final in his tenure and several more appearances in the state tournament.
In fact, Pitoscia, a Duluth East graduate,
was a senior on the 1994 squad that finished third in the state.
Pitoscia first began coaching in 1997 as part of the Cloquet Bantam program before Randolph added him to the Greyhound staff four years later.
“I just kind of fell in love with coaching,” Pitoscia said of his time with the Cloquet program.
He eventually went on to take over the Duluth East Bantam program after a year on the Greyhound bench and continued in that role for 17 years. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Duluth Marshall and with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers.
Randolph might not be on the bench any more for Duluth East, but his influence will continue to
guide the program.
“My whole foundation of how hockey is played and how it’s taught, really, comes from him,” Pitoschia said.
Matt Mathias, one of Pitoscia’s assistant coaches and a 1997 Duluth East graduate, said Randolph is largely responsible for where the program is today.
“Mike Randolph did an amazing job with Duluth East,” Mathias said.
“When he came on board in the late 80s, it was a struggling program. Mike Randolph turned that program around and put it where it is today.”
While Pitoscia’s program won’t be a mirror image of Randolph’s, he said they both have the same goal in mind: “developing good people.”
Hermantown
Junior defenseman
Another Minnesota Duluth commit, Hanson is among the top defensive prospects in the area and was the only Hawk defenseman to tally more than 25 points in 2021.
Hermantown
Junior forward
Plante is considered one of the top prospects in the state. The Minnesota Duluth commit led his team in scoring (29 goals, 32 assists, 61 points) and recorded a goal and two assists in the Hawks’ state quarterfinal loss to Dodge County despite the Hawks being forced to field nearly all junior varsity players after the varsity squad had a COVID-19 exposure in a section game when Plante was injured.
From Page 3
“I think that was important to him and that’ll certainly be
JOEY DELGRECO
Grand Rapids
Senior forward
DelGreco was second on the team in assists (17) and third in points (25) last season and recorded a goal and an assist in two section tournament games. DelGreco is the only returning Thunderhawk that scored more than 20 points last season.
important to me,” Pitoscia said. “To do that, I think we teach these kids how to be professionals. It’s not necessarily a professional hockey player, maybe it’s a professional police officer,
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
Senior goaltender
Walsh was 3-4 last season with a 3.47 goalsagainst average and a .907 save percentage, but is widely considered one of the top goalies in the area. Earlier this fall, he fared well in the Upper Midwest Elite League against the top talent in the state.
BRENDAN FRIDAY
Duluth Marshall
Junior forward Friday led his team in goals (10) and assists (18) and will look to head up a Hilltopper attack that returns most of its scoring production from last season.
Rock Ridge at Greenway
7 p.m. Nov. 30
The Wolverines drop the puck on their inaugural season against the Raiders and give fans a look at the future of hockey in the Iron Range Conference. Both teams will look to challenge Hibbing/Chisholm for the conference title.
Grand Rapids at Duluth East
7 p.m. Nov. 30
An early season test for both teams, Grand Rapids is looking to get into the Class AA state tournament for the first time since 2017, while the Greyhounds are trying to find their footing under new coach Steve Pitoscia.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton at Duluth Denfeld
7 p.m. Dec. 9
The Hunters are fresh off a trip to the Section 7A title game, while the Lumberjacks are still smarting from a loss to Grand Rapids in the Section 7AA semifinal. The clash will give each team an indicator of where they stand and how competitive they can be in their respective sections.
Duluth Denfeld at Duluth East
7 p.m. Jan. 18
The Hunters and the Greyhounds tied the last time they faced each other, in the opening game of the 2021 season. A second game between the two city rivals was canceled, and this year the Hunters will face a Duluth East squad without Mike Randolph on the bench for the first time in 32 years.
Hermantown at Grand Rapids
7 p.m. Feb. 15
The regular season finale for both teams, this could be a clash between the eventual Section 7A and 7AA champions and a good indicator for where the Hawks and Thunderhawks are as they look toward the state tournament in March.
a lawyer or whatever. At the end of the day, the things that make successful professionals are attention to detail, hard work, preparation, being of high character and doing things
the right way, even when people aren’t there to see it.”
Mathias, who also played at Minnesota Duluth in college, said their goal as a staff is to continue Randolph’s tradition of helping their players become better people on and off the ice. It’s the tradition and loyalty to the program that brought Pitoscia back to Duluth.
“Steve was in a great situation in Omaha,” Mathias said. “But because of how much he cares about the Duluth East program, he took that opportunity
to come back here.”
The Greyhounds only won six games in 2021, but Pitoscia said there is a lot of talent returning to the program, and while the focus is on improving players as individuals, he hopes to play a style that “continues to develop their hockey ability” for the boys who want to continue playing after high school.
What’s more, in addition to Pitoscia and Mathias, the Duluth East program has turned out coaches in programs around the area. Dylan
Mills, a Greyhound alum and University of Minnesota player, is another assistant for Pitoscia. In addition, former Greyhound Ben Johnson coached at Ely before taking over Rock Ridge this season.
Johnson was thrilled to see Pitoscia take over at Duluth East.
“I’ve known Steve for a long time and I’m happy he got the job,” Johnson said. “He’s been dedicated to the East program for so many years. It’s nice to see him finally take it over.”
Head coach: Shea Walters
Key departures: F Logan Dushkin (13-12—25); F Brayden Tyman (1310—23); D Cade Anderson (8-10—18); F Travis Berg (5-10—15); F Brock House (5-9—14); G Zach Tyman (2.16 GAA, .928 save percentage)
Key returners: Cade Gonsorowski (5-3—8); Dayne Painovich (3-1—4); Patrick Dunaiski (1-3—4); Carter Salo (0-3—3); Lucas Rauner (0-2—2); Jacob Walsh (3.47 GAA, .906 save percentage)
Outlook: The Lumberjacks lost their
top five scorers from last season and will have to replace goaltender Zach Tyman this season.
Fortunately, CEC returns senior Jacob Walsh, who split time with Tyman last season and spent time in the offseason playing in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. Walsh will share goaltending duties with Kyle Abrahamson, who also played in the league, according to coach Shea Walters.
In addition to goaltending, Walters
CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 27 — at Minnetonka, 7 p.m.
Nov. 30 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 — at Bloomington Jefferson, 3 p.m.
Dec. 9 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — PROCTOR, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Duluth East, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Champlin Park, 3 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Holy Angels, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — BLAKE, 2 p.m.
Dec. 29 — CENTENNIAL, 5 p.m.
Jan. 6 — BRAINERD, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 — STILLWATER, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 — ELK RIVER/ZIMMERMAN, 3 p.m.
Jan. 18 — GRAND RAPIDS, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — ROCK RIDGE, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Bemidji, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 31 — at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 — HERMANTOWN, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 — DULUTH EAST, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 — HOLY FAMILY, 3 p.m.
said the Lumberjacks’ strength is depth.
“We will have to play a team game, working and utilizing all three lines,” Walters said. “We have several players that can play many roles.”
The challenge will be the offense with so much of the Lumberjack offense graduating last year.
“Our goaltending is strong and our players can skate and compete, but we
RECORD: 11-8-1
Jan. 14 — GRAND RAPIDS, L, 6-1
Jan. 16 — DULUTH EAST, L, 2-1
Jan. 19 — VIRGINIA/MIB, W, 3-0
Jan. 22 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, W, 9-1
Jan. 26 — at Virginia/MIB, W, 5-1
Jan. 28 — HERMANTOWN, L, 6-0
Feb. 1 — at Duluth East, L, 5-1
Feb. 4 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 6-0
Feb. 9 — DULUTH DENFELD, L, 7-4
Feb. 13 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, W, 4-2
Feb. 16 — at Proctor, W, 8-1
Feb. 18 — EVELETH-GILBERT, W, 8-2
Feb. 27 — DULUTH MARSHALL, W, 3-1
March 2 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, W, 3-0
March 4 — at Duluth East, T, 2-2
March 6 — at Grand Rapids, L, 6-0
March 8 — at Duluth Denfeld, W, 4-3
March 11 — at Hermantown, L, 6-1
March 18 — DULUTH MARSHALL, W, 2-0
March 20 — at Grand Rapids, L, 4-0
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
will have to find scoring by committee,” Walters said.
CEC will have to be ready to play the first game of the season, when they open at 2021 Section 2AA finalist Minnetonka Nov. 27. They will be tested again in December with games against Duluth East and Grand Rapids later in the month.
Head coach: Dale Jago, fifth season
Key departures: F Kade Shea (15-17—32); D Joe Udd (4-6—10); F Cole Olson (3-4—7); G Jacob Snyder (2.92 GAA, .908 save percentage)
Key returners: Sr. F Simon Davidson (14-18—32); sr. F Connor McClure (10-17—27); sr. F Cooper McClure (9-4—13); jr. F Andy Larson (11-16—27); jr. F Kaden Postal (6-6—12); sr. D Nate Larson (1-1—2); jr. D John Bloomquist (0-2—2); sr. D Dominic Brennan (0-4—4)
Outlook: The Hunters have been on an upswing for several years since the arrival of coach Dale Jago.
In 2016-17, the year before Jago took over, the Hunters won just
four games and didn’t even have a junior varsity squad. The next year Denfeld won 10 games and increased their total in each of the following two years, topping out at 21 wins in 2019-20.
The Hunters were 10-6-1 during the COVID-shortened 2021 season, but still advanced to the Section 7A final against Hermantown.
Denfeld fell to the Hawks 7-1, but the Hunters return their top scorer in Simon Davidson as well as forwards Connor McClure and Andy Larson, who each had 27 points last season.
“We’re going to be balanced up front, this is probably the best balanced team we’re ever had,” Jago said. “We’ll be quick, we’ll have playmakers up front and we have a couple of good kids that
were bantam defensemen that are moving up and we have some leadership returning on defense in Nate Larson, John Bloomquist and Dominic Brennan.”
As always for a team playing in the same section as perennial state championship contender Hermantown, the Hunters’ schedule is their biggest challenge.
“We’ve upped our schedule because teams are willing to play us now because we’re competitive again,” Jago said. “The biggest challenge is just going to be getting through the tougher parts of our schedule and being able to stay together as a team, and if you want to talk about the state hockey tournament, we’ve got to go through the team up on the hill.”
Nate Larson (23) of Duluth Denfeld controls the puck near Wyatt Peterson (11) of Duluth East during a game last season at the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Sports Center. Duluth East and Denfeld ended the game in a 4-4 tie.
Clint
Austin / File / News Tribune
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 26 — at Woodbury
Nov. 27 — at W’bury Thanksgiving Tournament, TBD
Dec. 3 — at Gentry Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 — at East Ridge, 3 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at Rock Ridge, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 — PROCTOR, 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — GRAND RAPIDS, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — SPRING LAKE PARK, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 — HERITAGE CLASSIC, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 — HERITAGE CLASSIC, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — DODGE COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — DULUTH EAST, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 — at Warroad, 7:30 p.m
Jan. 25 — at International Falls, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — GENTRY ACADEMY, 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 — SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 — ALEXANDRIA, 2 p.m.
Feb. 10 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.
RECORD: 10-6-1
Jan. 14 — at Duluth East, T, 4-4
Feb. 6 — at North Shore, W, 15-0
Feb. 9 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, W, 7-4
Feb. 11 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 7-1
Feb. 16 — at Hermantown, L, 6-3
Feb. 20 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 7-1
Feb. 23 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, W, 4-2
Feb. 25 — HERMANTOWN, L, 9-3
March 2 — VIRGINIA/MIB, W, 5-0
March 4 — at Proctor, W, 7-1
March 6 — LITTLE FALLS, L, 3-2
March 8 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 4-3
March 13 — GREENWAY, W, 6-0
March 15 — at Grand Rapids, L, 4-1
March 20 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 1-0 (forfeit)
March 23 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, W, 6-1
March 25 — at Hermantown, L, 7-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Duluth East goaltender Zander Ziemski (41) deflects a shot on goal against Denfeld during a game at the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Sports Center last season. Duluth East and Denfeld ended the game in a 4-4 tie.
Head coach: Steve Pitoscia, first season
Key departures:
Coach Mike Randolph; F Zarley Ziemski (2-3—5); D Matthew Locker (0-5— 5); D Garrett Johnson (1-5—6)
Key returners:
Sr. F Kaden Nelson (9-11—20); sr. F Lars Berg (3-2—5); jr. F Cole Christian (4-13—17); soph. F Wyatt Peterson (3-0—3); jr. D Grant Winkley (4-5—9); jr. D Henry Murray (2-1—3); jr. G Zander Ziemski (3.32 GAA, .897 save percentage)
Outlook: For the first time since 1989 — long before any current players were born — the Greyhounds will have a
new coach on the bench this season.
Coach Mike Randolph left the program after 32 seasons this year and Steve Pitoscia was chosen as the successor.
Pitoscia takes over a Duluth East program that won just six games in 2021 but also returns its two leading scorers from last season in Kaden Nelson and Cole Christian.
“We’re going to try to be a possession-based team and hold on to the puck and make our own plays,” Pitoscia said. “We’ll have to be sound defensively in our own end as well. We just want to play an all-around 200foot game.”
Section 7AA won’t
make it any easier on the Greyhounds with powerful contenders.
“We’ve got a pretty tough section — Andover’s going to be dynamite and Grand Rapids is going to be good with 12 or 13 seniors coming back,” Pitsocia said. “But we’ve got some pretty good talent, too, and we’re going to do our best to go out there and make
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 26 — at White Bear Lake
Nov. 27 — at Chaska, 3 p.m.
Nov. 30 — GRAND RAPIDS, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 — BEMIDJI, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 — at Wayzata, 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 — FOREST LAKE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — EDEN PRAIRIE, 2 p.m.
Dec. 16 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Andover, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Brainerd, 7 p.m.
Dec. 31 — at Blaine, 3 p.m.
Jan. 4 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — STILLWATER, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Centennial, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — MINNETONKA, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — MOORHEAD, 2:15 p.m.
Jan. 29 — MOUNDS VIEW, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 — at Elk River/Zimmerman, 3 p.m.
Feb. 7 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 — at Champlin Park, 7 p.m.
anybody we play against earn it against us.”
The Greyhounds will play the Thunderhawks in their third game of the season, but Pitoscia said the only game he’s got circled on the schedule is “the first one” at White Bear Lake Nov. 26.
Feb. 12 — at Rogers, 4 p.m.
Feb. 15 — ST. CLOUD, 7 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS
RECORD: 6-8-2
Jan. 14 — DULUTH DENFELD, T, 4-4
Jan. 16 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, W, 2-1
Jan. 21 — SUPERIOR, W, 5-0
Jan. 28 — at Grand Rapids, L, 3-0
Feb. 1 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, W, 5-1
Feb. 5 — BRAINERD, W, 4-2
Feb. 9 — HERMANTOWN, L, 1-5
Feb. 11 — at Minnetonka, L, 2-4
Feb. 15 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 9-1
Feb. 18 — at Virginia/MIB, W, 2-1
Feb. 23 — at Moorhead, L, 6-0
Feb. 27 — at St. Thomas Academy, L, 7-1
March 2 — GRAND RAPIDS, L, 3-1
March 4 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, T, 2-2
March 6 — ROSEAU, L, 6-3
March 8 — at Hermantown, L, 4-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Jasen Wise, second season
Key departures: D Carson Mehling (3-10—13); F Vance Johnson (5-4—9)
Key returners: Jr. F Brendan Friday (1018—28); soph. D Joe Stauber (3-12—15); jr. F Pierce Gouin (6-7—13)
Outlook: The Hilltoppers are returning three of their top four point scorers in forwards Brendan Friday and Pierce Gouin and defenseman Joe Stauber, but will have to replace top-scoring
defensemen Carson Mehling and Vance Johnson.
Coach Jasen Wise said Duluth Marshall’s trio of senior captains Sam Aamodt, Tucker D’Allaird and Sam Anderson are all looking to have an impact this season.
“Just from the leadership standpoint, we’re going to be in great shape,” Wise said.
Wise said he was impressed with the team during the players’ offseason work when they held
summer skates earlier this year.
“When we skated this summer, everybody looked better,” Wise said. “We’re really excited that our returning players put in the time in the offseason to make sure they were prepared for this coming season.”
The Hilltoppers aren’t as deep as a lot of the other teams in Section 7AA, but he hopes the offensive production of Friday, Gouin and Stauber will keep them competitive this season.
“We’re going to have our hands full with some of the top teams at the AA level, but I do like our schedule,” Wise said. “I think it gives us an opportunity to have a successful season and it gives us an opportunity for our team to continue to improve.”
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 26 — EAST RIDGE
Nov. 29 — at Proctor, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 — GRAND RAPIDS, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — at Mora/Milaca, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL, 3 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, TBD
Dec. 21 — at Chisago Lakes, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — RED LAKE FALLS, 5 p.m.
Dec. 29 — UNIVERSITY MILWAUKEE, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30 — TBD, 3 p.m.
Jan. 4 — PRINCETON, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — PROVIDENCE ACADEMY, 3 p.m.
Jan. 13 — BAGLEY/FOSSTON, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 — DODGE COUNTY, 1 p.m.
Jan. 20 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 — at Bagley/Fosston, 6 p.m.
Jan. 27 — at Ely
Feb. 3 — GREENWAY, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 — at Gentry Academy, TBD
Feb. 10 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 — at Holy Angels, 2 p.m.
Feb. 15 — FOREST LAKE, 7 p.m.
RECORD: 6-9-3
Jan. 14 — PROCTOR, T, 2-2
Jan. 19 — at Grand Rapids, L, 5-0
Jan. 23 — at Greenway, T, 1-1
Jan. 26 — SUPERIOR, L, 2-0
Jan. 28 — MOOSE LAKE AREA, W, 5-1
Feb. 4 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 6-0
Feb. 6 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, T, 3-3
Feb. 9 — ELY, W, 9-0
Feb. 11 — DULUTH DENFELD, L, 7-1
Feb. 15 — DULUTH EAST, L, 9-1
Feb. 18 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, L, 5-2
Feb. 25 — at Proctor, W, 7-3
Feb. 27 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 3-1
March 2 — HERMANTOWN, L, 6-0
March 4 — at North Shore, W, 5-0
March 11 — at Ely, W, 10-0
March 13 — at Moose Lake Area, W, 8-2
March 18 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 2-0
Jamey
Malcomb, News TribuneHead coach: Wade Chiodo, third season
Key departures: D Jack Peart (11-25—35); F Hunter Bischoff (1313—26); F Braeden Holcomb (9-12—21); G Wyatt Pilkenton (1.52 GAA, .920 save percentage)
Key returners: Sr. F Joey DelGreco (8-17— 25); sr. F Garrett Drotts (10-8—18); sr. D Easton Young (4-13—17); sr. F Hayden DeMars (4-12— 16); sr. F Justin Kerr (4-10—14); sr. D Ren Morque (4-5—9); jr. D Kyle Henke (0-0—0); sr. D Sam Sterle (0-8—8); jr. D Will Stauffer (0-1—1)
Outlook: The Thunderhawks lost just two games in 2021, a 5-3 loss to Hermantown and a 3-2 loss to Andover in the Section 7AA
championship game.
The Grand Rapids defense will miss reigning Minnesota Mr. Hockey winner Jack Peart, but coach Wade Chiodo thinks his team will have a strong defense again.
“Obviously, we can’t replace Jack, but let’s be honest, we have a very good defensive corps,” Chiodo said.
The team returns five defenders in Easton Young, Ren Morque, Kyle Henke, Sam Sterle and Will Stauffer.
“They all played a significant role on our team last year and they played a lot of minutes,” Chiodo said. “Between those five and our newcomers that are obviously trying to gain a position or get on the D-corps, I actually think it’ll be the strength
of the team.”
Joey DelGreco, Garrett Drotts and Hayden DeMars are a group of “very solid players” that will lead the attack for Grand Rapids this season, according to Chiodo.
The Thunderhawks will also have to replace goaltender Wyatt Pilkenton, who had a .920 save percentage last year, but Chiodo thinks junior Myles Gunderson is up to the task.
Grand Rapids’ schedule will present a challenge early, with the Thunderhawks opening at home against 2020-21 Iron Range Conference champion Hibbing/Chisholm and then away games at Duluth East and Duluth Marshall to start the season.
Nov. 27 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.
Nov. 30 — at Duluth East, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 — FOREST LAKE, 3 p.m.
Dec. 7 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Roseau, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Warroad, 2:15 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Edina, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 — Eden Prairie (at Edina), 6 p.m.
Dec. 18 — Elk River/Zimmerman (at Edina), 6 p.m.
Dec. 21 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 — at Minnetonka, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 — DULUTH EAST, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Cloquet-EskoCarlton, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 — MOORHEAD, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — HILL-MURRAY, 3 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Brainerd, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 28 — MAPLE GROVE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — WHITE BEAR LAKE, 3 p.m.
Feb. 5 — WAYZATA, 3 p.m.
Feb. 8 — ANDOVER, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — ST. THOMAS ACADEMY, 7 p.m.
Feb. 15 — HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 15-2-1
Jan. 14 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, W, 6-1
Jan. 16 — at Moorhead, W, 3-0
Jan. 19 — DULUTH MARSHALL, W, 5-0
Jan. 23 — at Hill-Murray, W, 2-1
Jan. 28 — DULUTH EAST, W, 3-0
Feb. 5 — at Roseau, W, 5-1
Feb. 9 — BRAINERD, W, 6-2
Grand Rapids’ Blayne Mortenson (3) beats a diving Zarley Ziemski (34), of Duluth East, to a loose puck in the second period of the game at the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Center last season.
Jed Carlson / File / Superior TelegramFeb. 11 — at Hermantown, L, 5-3
Feb. 25 — MOORHEAD, W, 3-1
Feb. 27 — WARROAD, W, 4-3
March 2 — at Duluth East, W, 3-1
March 4 — HERMANTOWN, W, 6-3
March 6 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, W, 6-0
March 13 — at Wayzata, T, 3-3
March 15 — DULUTH DENFELD, W, 4-1
March 20 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, W, 4-0
March 24 — ANDOVER, L, 3-2
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
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Nov. 27 — at Red Lake Falls, 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — MOOSE LAKE AREA, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 — DELANO, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29 — CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI, 7 p.m
Dec. 30 — MOUND WESTONKA, 6 p.m.
Jan. 4 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — NORTHERN LAKES, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Ely, 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Thief River Falls, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — at East Grand Forks, 2 p.m.
Jan. 31 — DULUTH DENFELD, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 — at Duluth Marshall, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 — CROOKSTON, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 7 p.m.
Feb. 15 — at Park Rapids, 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
RECORD: 7-9-3
Jan. 14 — EVELETH-GILBERT, T, 3-3
Jan. 16 — at North Shore, W, 5-2
Jan. 19 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, L, 2-1
Jan. 23 — DULUTH MARSHALL, T, 1-1
Jan. 26 — ELY, W, 10-0
Jan. 28 — at Northern Lakes, L, 5-2
Feb. 4 — at International Falls, W, 4-3
Feb. 11 — VIRGINIA/MIB, L, 3-1
Feb. 12 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, W, 4-3
Feb. 16 — NORTH SHORE, W, 3-2
Feb. 19 — THIEF RIVER FALLS, L, 4-0
Feb. 23 — at Virginia/MIB, L, 5-2
Feb. 27 — at Hermantown, L, 12-0
March 2 — at Proctor, W, 3-1
March 4 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, L, 1-4
March 8 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, W, 2-1
March 11 — at International Falls, T, 0-0
March 13 — at Duluth Denfeld, L, 6-0
March 20 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, L, 4-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Andy Sertich, second season
Key departures: F Ty
Donahue (4-8—12); F
Darric Davidson (5-4—9)
Key returners: Sr. F Aidan Rajala (9-6—15); sr. F Ezra Carlson
(4-5—9); sr. D Bodie
Jorgenson (3-2—5); sr. D Coleman Groshong (3-4—7); sr. G Nathan
Jurgansen (3.17 GAA,
.907 save percentage)
Outlook: The Raiders return two of their
top three scorers, two defenders and their goalie from a season ago. Aidan Rajala and Ezra Carlson combined for 24 total points in the 2020-21 season and coach Andy Sertich hopes
they can increase their offensive production this season.
The strength of the team, however, is on defense, with Greenway returning Bodie Jorgenson and Coleman
Groshong as well as goaltender Nathan Jurgansen. Groshong and Jorgenson both played a lot of minutes for the Raiders and Jurgansen spent all but one period in goal last season.
“We are aiming at being a very good defensive team with depth and strong goaltending,” Sertich said. “We will rely on our senior leadership to guide our team-first mentality.”
Greenway faces a tough section, but Sertich said
playing a “smart, defensefirst game” will give them the best chance to compete in Section 7A.
The Raiders have a difficult slate of games on the schedule. Greenway will face defending section champion Hermantown to open the season followed by a contest against the new Rock Ridge program combining the Virginia/ Mountain Iron-Buhl and Eveleth-Gilbert programs.
HERMANTOWN
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 26 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 — at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 8 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Wayzata, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — ROSEMOUNT, 1 p.m
Dec. 14 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Mahtomedi, 3 p.m.
Dec. 21 — DULUTH DENFELD, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Cretin-Derham Hall, 7:15 p.m.
Dec. 29 — ORONO, TBD
Dec. 30 — DELANO, TBD
Jan. 8 — EDEN PRAIRIE, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 14 — at St. Cloud Cathedral, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 15 — WARROAD, 5 p.m.
Jan. 18 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — MAPLE GROVE, 3:15 p.m.
Feb. 3 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — HOLY FAMILY, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 — ST. THOMAS ACADEMY, 3:15 p.m.
Feb. 15 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 19-2
Jan. 14 — at Superior, W, 8-1
Jan. 16 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, W, 12-1
Jan. 19 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, W, 10-0
Jan. 21 — at Proctor, W, 9-0
Jan. 28 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, W, 6-0
Jan. 30 — ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL, W, 10-1
Feb. 2 — VIRGINIA/MIB, W, 12-0
Feb. 6 — BRAINERD, W, 6-1
Feb. 9 — at Duluth East, W, 5-1
Feb. 11 — GRAND RAPIDS, W, 5-3
Feb. 16 — DULUTH DENFELD, W, 6-3
Feb. 25 — at Duluth Denfeld, W, 9-3
Feb. 27 — GREENWAY, W, 12-0
March 2 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 6-0
March 4 — at Grand Rapids, L, 6-3
March 8 — DULUTH EAST, W, 4-1
March 11 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, W, 6-1
March 20 — PROCTOR, W, 5-0
March 23 — VIRGINIA/MIB, W, 8-0
March 25 — DULUTH DENFELD, W, 7-1
March 30 — Dodge County, L, 7-3
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Patrick Andrews, fifth season
Key departures: F Ethan Lund (17-31—48); F Aaron Pionk (15-25— 40); F Aydyn Dowd (1821—39); F Cole Antcliff (14-23—37); D Joey Pierce (9-12—21)
Key returners: Jr. F Zam Plante (29-32—61); jr. D Ty Hanson (9-20— 29); sr. D Beau Janzig (7-17—24); sr. F Dominic Thomas (7-11—18); sr.
F Gavin Blomdahl (5-9— 14); jr. G Garron Opsahl (1.34 GAA, .907 save percentage)
Outlook: After graduating more 185 points of offense, most high school hockey teams would take a step back. But most teams don’t have two Minnesota Duluth commits returning for their junior
seasons. That is exactly what Hermantown has in forward Zam Plante and defenseman Ty Hanson.
Plante scored 61 points in just 20 games last season and spent his offseason playing for the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
Plante was the Hawks’ only varsity skater to play in the Class A quarterfinal loss to Dodge County last season. The rest of the squad was in quarantine because of a COVID-19 exposure during the section tournament.
“We’re excited and obviously led by Zam, who everybody knows is a sensational talent and was unbelievable in that state tournament game last year,” coach Patrick Andrews said.
Hermantown has the talent to once again
dominate Section 7A, but Andrews said their focus isn’t on their end-ofseason goals.
“You can’t win a state championship next week or next month,” Andrew said. “We really stress we have to get better every single day and enjoy that process of getting better. It’s a journey and you have to enjoy that journey, enjoy that process of becoming a family and working together for a common cause.”
Superior’s Drew Scharte (26) keeps the puck away from a Hibbing-Chisholm defender in the second period of a game at Wessman Arena in Superior two seasons ago.
Jed Carlson / File / Superior Telegram
HIBBING-CHISHOLM 2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 27 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Nov. 30 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 — at International Falls, 10 a.m.
Dec. 3 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — DULUTH DENFELD, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Rochester Mayo, 7:15 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Red Wing, 2 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Duluth Marshall, TBD
Dec. 21 — at Proctor, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — DELANO, 6 p.m.
Dec. 29 — MOUND WESTONKA, TBD
Jan. 6 — GREENWAY, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Moose Lake Area, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Crookston, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — at Thief River Falls, 2 p.m.
Jan. 31 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Feb. 7 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — at St. Paul Johnson, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
RECORD: 11-7-1
Jan. 17 — at North Shore, W, 7-4
Jan. 19 — HERMANTOWN, L, 10-0
Jan. 22 — CLOQUET-ESKOCARLTON, L, 9-1
Jan. 26 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 2-0
Feb. 1 — at Proctor, W, 7-2
Feb. 5 — EVELETH-GILBERT, T, 0-0
Feb. 9 — at Virginia/MIB, W, 4-2
Feb. 12 — GREENWAY, L, 3-4
Feb. 16 — at International Falls, W, 4-3
Feb. 18 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 5-2
Feb. 23 — at Duluth Denfeld, L, 4-2
Feb. 25 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, L, 3-2
March 2 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 3-0
March 4 — at Greenway, W, 4-1
March 8 — PROCTOR, W, 6-2
March 9 — NORTH SHORE, W, 7-1
March 11 — VIRGINIA/MIB, W, 4-3
March 20 — GREENWAY, W, 4-1
March 23 — at Duluth Denfeld, L, 6-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Eric Rewertz, second season
Key departures: F Conner Willard (1314—27); F Joe Allison (8-18—26); F Ethan Lund (9-13—22); D Erick Sanborn (4-6—10); F
Blake Frider (5-4—9); D
Trevor Lehman (1-2—4)
Key returners: Jr. F Beau Frider (6-9—15); sr.
F Kasey Kemp (6-6—12); jr. F Keeghan Fink (3-6— 9); jr. D Tristen Babich (1-5—6); jr. D Drew Kubena (2-3—5); sr. F Mikael Andrican (1-2—3)
Outlook: After winning just seven total games in the two prior seasons, the Bluejackets won 11 games and were crowned Iron Range
Conference champions in coach Eric Rewertz’s first year.
After several years of struggling to pick up victories, Rewertz is looking to change the atmosphere around his team.
“We are trying to change the culture of our program,” he said.
“We don’t have the numbers the big schools have, so what we try to do is create that family environment, that atmosphere where everybody is just as important as the next person.”
Hibbing/Chisholm has 11 players returning this season, but they will need
to replace their top three scorers from last season in Conner Willard, Joe Allison and Ethan Lund.
The top returning scorers for the Bluejackets are junior Beau Frider and senior Kasey Kemp.
“Some of our team strengths this year are going to be our team speed — I think we’re a quick team — and I think we’re hard working,” Rewertz said.
“All those guys are a very hard-working group and they’re starting to develop that winning attitude.”
The biggest challenge for the team this year could be the jump
from the Iron Range Conference to the Lake Superior Conference with traditional powers Hermantown, Grand Rapids and Cloquet-EskoCarlton.
The new schedule will be tough, but Rewertz hopes his team will be better prepared for the section tournament.
“You’re playing some great hockey teams in that conference, and I’m excited about that,” he said. “I think it’s going to prepare us down the stretch for when the games really start to matter.”
2021-22 SCHEDULE:
Nov. 26 — Sibley (at St. Paul), 8 p.m.
Dec. 2 — at Becker/Big Lake, 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 — at Mora/Milaca, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — FREDERIC
Dec. 9 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Ely, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Ashland, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 — at International Falls, 1 p.m.
Dec. 23 — WILLMAR, 6 p.m.
Dec. 28 — TBD (at Proctor), 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 29 — TBD (at Proctor), TBD
Dec. 30 — TBD (at Proctor), TBD
Jan. 6 — MORA/MILACA, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — SAUK RAPIDS/RICE, 5 p.m.
Jan. 11 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — BECKER/BIG LAKE, 7 p.m
Jan. 21 — at Lake of the Woods, 6 p.m.
Jan. 27 — ASHLAND, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 — at Frederic, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — ELY, 6 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS: RECORD: 2-14
Jan. 16 — ASHLAND, L, 4-1
Jan. 19 — at Mora/Milaca, L, 10-3
Jan. 22 — BAGLEY/FOSSTON, L, 5-4
Jan. 28 — at Duluth Marshall, L, 5-1
Jan. 30 — at Bagley/Fosston, L, 8-3
Feb. 2 — MORA/MILACA, L, 8-3
Feb. 6 — at Ely, W, 7-2
Feb. 17 — at St. Paul Highland Park, L, 9-4
Feb. 25 — at North Shore, L, 10-4
Feb. 26 — ELY, W, 6-3
March 2 — at St. Francis, L, 10-0
March 4 — at Willmar, L, 9-3
March 8 — at Two Rivers, L, 12-0
March 11 — NORTH SHORE, L, 4-2
March 13 — DULUTH MARSHALL, L, 8-2
March 16 — at St. Francis, L, 10-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Lee
Costley
Key Departures: F Adam Olson (15-17—32); D Paxton Vogel (3-12— 15); D Jeff Cisar (2-1—3)
Key returners: Sr. F Henry Ribich (9-14—23); jr. F Sam Knezevich (8-12—20); sr. G Henry Dammer (7.67 GAA, .822 save percentage)
Outlook: The Rebels won just two games last season — both over a winless Ely team — but
they return goalie Henry Dammer and forwards Henry Ribich and Sam Knezevich.
Dammer allowed 67 goals in the abbreviated 2021 season, but has a lot of experience in net and if the defense in front of him can improve, he has the ability to keep Moose Lake Area in games and give the team a chance to win.
The Rebels will miss Adam Olson’s 32 points
Head coach: Shawn Lundgren, first season
Key departures: Lucas Stadler (11-11—22), Ryder McMillen (9-13— 22), Carter Zabrocki (7-7—14), Sully Tikkanen (9-4—13)
on offense, but Ribich and Knezevich combined for 17 goals and 43 points last season and will be key in increasing the win total this season. The Rebels have an opportunity to pick up some momentum early with their first two games. Moose Lake Area hosts a Two Rivers team that won four games last season and a six-win North Shore squad to start the season.
Key returners: Sr. F Nate Bilben (7-8—15); sr. D Jacob Marxhausen (1-1—2)
Outlook: Head coach Shawn Lundgren is taking over after serving as an assistant under Andy Fellows the past two seasons.
The Storm graduated eight of its top nine scorers from the 202021 squad that went 6-12 and fell 6-2 at home to Proctor in the Section 7A
play-in game to end the season.
Senior Nate Bilben is the highest-scoring returner for the Storm with seven goals and eight assists. Fellow senior Jacob Marxhausen will anchor the defense for North Shore.
Lundgren said the Storm is going to be integrating 16 new players into the North Shore program this season, but the team has a strong work ethic, commitment and a desire to “play hard for each other.”
“We understand as a collective group that we need to be the hardest-working
team daily,” Lundgren said. “Our success is based on making this commitment.”
North Shore’s depth is always a challenge, but the departure of defending Iron Range Conference champion Hibbing/Chisholm for the Lake Superior Conference will benefit the Storm.
The schedule also gives North Shore an opportunity to build some momentum early with games against Wadena-Deer Creek, Moose Lake Area and Ely, teams that had a combined six wins last season.
STORM: Page 14
STORM: From page 13
NORTH SHORE 2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 27 — WADENA-DEER CREEK (TH), 2 p.m.
Nov. 30 — at Moose Lake, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — ELY (SB), 6 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Duluth Marshall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Cambridge-Isanti, 7 p.m.
Jan. 4 — GREENWAY (SB), 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — PROCTOR (TH), 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM (SB), 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Mora/Milaca, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS (SB), 6 p.m.
Feb. 4 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Feb. 7 — at Ely, 6 p.m.
Feb. 8 — MOOSE LAKE, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 — at Proctor, 7 p.m.
Feb. 15 — at International Falls, 6 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 6-12
Jan. 14 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, L, 7-4
Jan. 16 — GREENWAY, L, 5-2
Jan. 19 — EVELETH-GILBERT, L, 4-0
Jan. 21 — at International Falls, L, 6-4
Feb. 6 — DULUTH DENFELD, L, 15-0
Feb. 9 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 6-5
Feb. 11 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, L, 7-1
Feb. 16 — at Greenway, L, 3-2
Feb. 20 — VIRGINIA/MIB, L, 3-0
Feb. 23 — ELY, W, 11-0
Feb. 25 — MOOSE LAKE, W, 10-4
March 1 — PROCTOR, W, 4-1
March 4 — DULUTH MARSHALL, L, 5-0
March 6 — at Virginia/MIB, L, 9-0
March 9 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, L, 7-1
March 11 — at Moose Lake, W, 4-2
March 12 — PROCTOR, W, 6-4
March 18 — PROCTOR, L, 5-2
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
North Shore’s Nate Bilben fires a shot on goal during a 2021 game against Eveleth-Gilbert. Lisa Malcomb / File / For the Duluth News Tribune
Head coach: Jeff Laspi, second season
Key departures: D Conner Pavlowich (8-9—17); F Ethan Carlson (4-5—9); D Mason Kalnbach (0-4—4)
Key returners: Sr. F Kennan Reyelts (9-10—19); jr. F Brett Bartlam (12-2—14); sr. F Dylan Haala (2-10—12); sr. F Cullen Solem (2-3—5); sr. G Sam Johnson (5.25 GAA, .882 save percentage)
Outlook: The Rails struggled to just three wins last season, but they return three of their top four scorers as well as goalie Sam Johnson.
Brett Bartlam led the team with 12 goals and Kennan Reyelts was tied with Dylan Haala with 10
assists and Reyelts led Proctor with 19 total points.
Sam Johnson allowed more than five goals a game, but spent more than 900 minutes in net for the Rails. With that sort of experience and an improved defense, he could be a formidable netminder for Proctor.
The Rails did pick up a win in the Section 7A tournament, a 5-2 win over North Shore. The Storm beat Proctor in each of the teams’ regular season meetings last year.
The schedule, however, doesn’t do the Rails any favors with early games against Grand Rapids, Cloquet-Esko Carlton, Duluth Denfeld and defending Iron Range Conference champion Hibbing/Chisholm.
Nov. 26 — WADENA-DEER CREEK, 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 — EAST RIDGE, 2 p.m.
Nov. 29 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 — ELY, 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 — at Pine City Area, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Red Wing, 7:15 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Duluth Denfeld, 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 — SOMERSET, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 — MORA/MILACA, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Ely, 6 p.m.
Jan. 13 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — NORTHERN EDGE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Moose Lake Area, 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 — at Northern Edge, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 — PRINCETON, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 3-16-1
Jan. 14 — at Duluth Marshall, T, 2-2
Jan. 16 — VIRGINIA/MIB, L, 7-1
Jan. 19 — PINE CITY AREA, W, 8-4
Jan. 21 — HERMANTOWN, L, 9-0
Jan. 25 — SUPERIOR, L, 5-0
Feb. 1 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, L, 7-2
Feb. 5 — at Virginia/MIB, L, 7-0
Feb. 11 — at Pine City Area, L, 3-2
Feb. 15 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, L, 6-1
Feb. 16 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 8-1
Feb. 25 — DULUTH MARSHALL, L, 7-3
Feb. 27 — at Mora/Milaca, W, 5-2
March 1 — at North Shore, L, 4-1
March 2 — GREENWAY, L, 3-1
March 4 — DULUTH DENFELD, L, 7-1
March 8 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, L, 6-2
March 11 — EVELETH-GILBERT, L, 5-3
March 12 — at North Shore, L, 6-4
March 18 — at North Shore, W, 5-2
March 20 — at Hermantown, L, 5-0
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Head coach: Ben Johnson, first season
Key departures: F Brandon Lind (11-16—27); F Brett Okland (5-6—11); Ryan Scherf (8-15—23)
Key returners: Sr. D Nick Troutwine (1-16—17); sr. F Brennan Peterson (107—17); jr. F Dylan Hedley (6-10—16); sr. D Braden Tiedeman (3-13—16); sr. G Ian Kangas (2.99 GAA; .906 save percentage)
Outlook: It’s difficult to predict how a team will perform before its players have ever taken the ice together.
Rock Ridge is merging the Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl and Eveleth-Gilbert programs before the two school systems consolidate next fall. The oncerival programs are coming together under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Johnson spent the last six seasons coaching Ely, but
Nov. 30 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Warroad, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Lake of the Woods, 1 p.m.
Dec. 14 — DULUTH DENFELD (MECC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 — SUPERIOR (MECC), 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — MOUND WESTONKA (MECC), 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 — at Thief River Falls, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 — Crookston (at TRF), 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 — DULUTH EAST (MECC), 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 — at Bloomington Kennedy, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — at Minneapolis, 3 p.m.
Jan. 11 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS (MECC), 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (Hipp.), 3 p.m.
Jan. 18 — NORTH SHORE (Hipp.), 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — at Princeton, 3 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — SARTELL ST. STEPHEN (Hipp.), 7:15 p.m.
Feb. 8 — HERMANTOWN (MECC), 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 — at Proctor, 7 p.m.
is excited to bring the two programs together under the Wolverines’ banner.
“There’s definitely a rivalry there, but right away the kids have been fine,” Johnson said. “There’s no animosity there — they’ve been getting through the captain’s practices fine and they’re looking like a team already.”
Rock Ridge will depend on senior defenseman Nick Troutwine and forward
Feb. 12 — PINE CITY AREA (Hipp.), 3 p.m.
Brennan Peterson, who each recorded 17 points last season, as well as senior goaltender Ian Kangas.
Johnson said he has watched and coached against several of his new players the last few years and thinks they have the ingredients for a strong team.
“I think we’re going to have a competitive edge to us for sure,” Johnson said. “We’ve got the makings of a good
Feb. 15 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM (Hipp.), 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 — GREENWAY (Hipp.), 7 p.m.
VIRGINIA/MOUNTAIN-IRON BUHL
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 10-9-1
Jan. 16 — at Proctor, W, 7-1
Jan. 19 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 3-0
Jan. 21 — EVELETH-GILBERT, W, 3-0
Jan. 26 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 5-1
Jan. 28 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 7-1
Feb. 2 — at Hermantown, L, 12-0
Feb. 5 — PROCTOR, W, 7-0
Feb. 9 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, L, 4-2
Feb. 11 — at Greenway, W, 3-1
Feb. 18 — DULUTH EAST, L, 2-1
Feb. 20 — at North Shore, W, 3-0
Feb. 23 — GREENWAY, W, 5-2
Feb. 26 — WARROAD, L, 8-0
March 2 — at Duluth Denfeld, L, 5-0
March 4 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, T, 2-2
March 6 — NORTH SHORE, W, 9-0
March 8 — at International Falls, W, 7-1
March 11 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, L, 4-3
recipe, that’s for sure.”
The Wolverines will be tested early with four-straight road games against Greenway, Hibbing/Chisholm, Warroad and Lake of the Woods before opening up at home against Duluth Denfeld. The Dec. 14 meeting with the Hunters will be the first high school boys game at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center, which replaces Virginia’s former Miners Memorial Building.
March 20 — EVELETH-GILBERT, W, 5-4
March 23 — at Hermantown, L, 8-0
EVELETH-GILBERT
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 8-6-4
Jan. 14 — at Greenway, T, 3-3
Jan. 16 — HERMANTOWN, L, 12-1
Jan. 19 — at North Shore, W, 4-0
Jan. 21 — at Virginia/MIB, L, 3-0
Feb. 5 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, T, 0-0
Feb. 6 — DULUTH MARSHALL, T, 3-3
Feb. 11 — NORTH SHORE, W, 7-1
Feb. 13 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, L, 4-2
Feb. 15 — PROCTOR, W, 6-1
Feb. 18 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, L, 8-2
Feb. 23 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 6-3
Feb. 25 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, W, 3-2
March 2 — at International Falls, W, 4-1
March 4 — VIRGINIA/MIB, T, 2-2
March 8 — GREENWAY, L, 2-1
March 9 — ELY, W, 9-0
March 11 — at Proctor, W, 5-3
March 20 — at Virginia/MIB, L, 5-4
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
Nov. 23 — MENOMONIE, 7 p.m.
Nov. 26 — at Eau Claire tournament, 4 p.m.
Nov. 27 — at Eau Claire tournament, 11 a.m.
Dec. 7 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — PROCTOR, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — DULUTH DENFELD, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — at Notre Dame tournament, TBD
Dec. 29 — at Notre Dame tournament, TBD
Dec. 30 — at Notre Dame tournament, TBD
Jan. 4 — HAYWARD, 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 — at Stevens Point, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — GRAND RAPIDS, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — at Baldwin-Woodville, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — at Hudson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Chippewa Falls, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — NORTHLAND PINES, 1 p.m.
Feb. 2 — DULUTH EAST, 7 p.m.
Head coach: Jason Kalin, 22nd season
Key departures: G Jamin Durfee (3.63 GAA,
Feb. 5 — at Eau Claire North, 2 p.m.
Feb. 10 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 11-6
Jan. 5 — EAU CLAIRE NORTH, W, 7-1
Jan. 7 — at Amery, W, 3-0
Jan. 9 — CHIPPEWA FALLS, L, 4-3
Jan. 12 — at Wausau West, W, 3-2
Jan. 14 — HERMANTOWN, L, 8-1
Jan. 16 — NEW RICHMOND, W, 6-2
Jan. 19 — at Hayward, L, 3-1
Jan. 21 — at Duluth East, L, 5-0
Jan. 25 — at Proctor, W, 5-0
Jan. 26 — at Duluth Marshall, W, 2-0
Jan. 30 — BALDWIN-WOODVILLE, W, 5-3
Feb. 2 — at Somerset, W, 2-0
Feb. 5 — WSFLG, W, 9-0
Feb. 9 — New Richmond, W, 4-3
Feb. 12 — at Rice Lake, W, 3-2
Feb. 18 — Lakeland, W, 4-1
Feb. 20 — St. Mary’s Springs, L, 4-1
Jamey Malcomb, News Tribune
.894 save percentage); F Ethan Welch (2-2—4); F
Kaden Olson (1-1—2); F
Drew Scharte (3-2—5); D
Gavin Tetzlaff (0-2—2)
Key returners: jr. F Carson Gotelaere (2-6—8); soph. F Lucas Williams (4-2—6); sr. D George Hansen (2-3—5); sr. F Kell Piggot (3-1—4)
Outlook: The Spartans have high hopes this season after advancing to the Wisconsin Division II state championship game and having 17 seniors returning from last year’s varsity squad.
Coach Jason Kalin said it’s going to be difficult to replace departed goaltender Jamin Durfee, who was the “backbone” of the team during its state tournament run.
The Spartans fell 4-1 to St. Mary Springs in the championship game, the Ledgers’ second-consecutive title.
Early practices will focus on defense, but he thinks the strength
of the team will be its offense.
“We’re going to be an offensive group this year, but we’re also going to be a physical group,” Kalin said. “We have a lot of size — I think I’ve got 10 guys that are 6 feet and bigger. Obviously, we need to stay out of the penalty box and make sure that we take care of ourselves defensively.”
The Spartans are
moving back up to Division I this season and they will face some of the area’s toughest opponents in the regular season, with games against Duluth Marshall and Duluth Denfeld scheduled in the first few weeks of the season.
The Spartans will also host Grand Rapids Jan. 11 and Duluth East Feb. 2 as they move closer to the postseason.
Duluth News Tribune
Proctor-Hermantown senior girls hockey player Abby Pajari grew up playing left wing before she began dabbling as goalie at the U-10 level because her team didn’t have one.
“It was kind of nice because my dad didn’t know a lot about it, so I could get through practice without him yelling at me,” Pajari said, laughing. “Then I kept practicing as a goalie and ended up just loving it.”
And, as it turns out, she was good at it — really good at it.
Pajari led, even carried, Proctor-Hermantown to the Class A title last season with stellar play between the pipes last April. The 5-foot-2 goalie emerged in her second season on varsity, posting gaudy numbers with a 12-0 record, 0.92 goalsagainst average and .954 save percentage.
As good as those numbers are, in five playoff games Pajari was even better, stopping 109 of the 113 shots, good for a .965 save percentage and two shutouts as the Mirage (21-0) won the Class A state title. That was enough for one Northland hockey coach to nominate her for News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year but she had to settle for first-team honors.
Even without graduating 10 seniors, Proctor-Hermantown realizes it’s impossible to match last year. This is a new year, a new team.
“It’s going to be hard,” Pajari said of a potential
repeat. “We have a lot of younger girls coming up in the program, a lot of eighth graders and freshmen and sophomores who are talented, so hopefully we can have a season similar to what we had last year.”
After rolling through the regular season and section playoffs, and then winning a couple of gritty games at the state tournament to complete a perfect season, it took all of one game — one game — for Proctor-Hermantown to suffer a loss this season as the Mirage fell 1-0 at perennial power Warroad in their season opener Saturday, Nov. 13.
It would be impossible to fault Pajari for that one. She finished with 43 saves, with the one goal she gave up not exactly being clean, bouncing off her back and rolling in.
“Abby is in there for a reason. Tonight, she was absolutely phenomenal,” third-year coach Emma Stauber said on the ride home after the game.
“She’s so quick. She can not only make that first save, but the second and third one as well. She sees the puck, she tracks it, she covers it, we’re just excited to have her back this year. She’s going to be a big piece of our success this year.”
Pajari split time with senior Vivi Helquist last year as both goalies were deserving, with Helquist posting a 9-0 record with a 0.64 GAA and .935 save percentage.
This year, Pajari will get the bulk of the time between the pipes as the Mirage are inexperienced
behind her, with freshman Neelah McLeod and eighth-grader Suri Langley.
“That’s not how we typically run our program, because whoever deserves the net is going to get the net, but obviously, last year was different,” Stauber said. “Once it came to the playoffs last year, it was Abby’s dance, and what she showed us in those games was pretty special.”
Pajari said switching back and forth between goalies made it more challenging to stay focused. In addition, the fact the Mirage were blowing out most teams — they outscored opponents by a 7.19 to 0.81 average — made it harder for their goalies to stay into the games as they weren’t seeing as many shots.
That won’t be quite the same this year.
With the COVID-19 pandemic last season, teams kept their schedules tight and stayed closer to home. That’s not the case this year as Proctor-Hermantown hit the road right from the get-go.
The Mirage had a game scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12, at East Grand Forks but that got canceled due to the weather.
“We definitely feel like we have a huge target on our back after last season,” Pajari said. “We know every game is going to be a competition.”
And Pajari isn’t afraid of competition, or of being the goalie.
So while she might be superstitious, to the point where she has to put her gear on the exact same
way, has to have the same person braid her hair and always has to have blue Gatorade, Pajari has found her calling. She was meant to be a goalie.
“Whenever I tell people about all the superstitions I have, they think I’m crazy, but a lot of my teammates don’t even know,” Pajari said, laughing. “I kind of keep it quiet.
“There will be a little bit more pressure this year but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m pretty used to it.”
MERCURY BISCHOFF
Grand RapidsGreenway
Freshman forward
Bischoff was second in the Northland in scoring last year with 31 goals and 25 assists for 56 points, earning All-Area First Team honors.
It’ll be interesting to see what she does this season without star Claire Vekich, now at Bemidji State. “What really separates Mercury from her peers is her tremendous set of instincts for hockey,” Lightning coach Brad Hyduke said. “Her ability to be a play ahead of everyone else on the ice is fun to watch. She has a rare combination of deception and breakaway speed — and she’s only in ninth grade.”
TENLEY STEWART
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Senior defenseman
As a junior, Stewart was the first junior captain in program history, as voted on by her teammates. She had three goals and six assists for nine points in 15 games while helping the Lumberjacks hold opponents to 2.18 goals per game. She will play college hockey next year at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “She is an outstanding leader on and off the ice,” Lumberjacks coach Courtney Olin said. “She works extremely hard and sees the ice very well.”
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9
The one and only meeting between two of the Northland’s top programs takes place in Hermantown. The two meetings between the teams didn’t go well for GRG last season, with the Mirage winning 10-2 and 4-2 en route to a 21-0 season and Class A state title, but a lot can change in a year.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton at Moose Lake Area
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16
This is the second scheduled meeting between the teams, with the first being Nov. 23 in Cloquet, and one team, of course, will be looking for a little payback, while the other will be looking for a regular-season sweep.
Proctor-Hermantown at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21
This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams this season. The Mirage took both meetings 5-1 from CEC
Proctor-Hermantown
Senior goalie
Pajari was stellar last season as the Mirage went 21-0 and captured the Class A state title, posting a 12-0 record, 0.92 goals-against average and .954 save percentage en route to All-Area First Team honors. After splitting time between the pipes in 2020-21, Pajari said she is ready to handle the bulk of the goaltending duties this winter.
Duluth Marshall
Junior forward
Boettcher was already really good as a sophomore last year, notching 17 goals and 22 assists to earn All-Area Second Team honors, and she is only getting better. “Meredith is a strong, two-way forward who can score big goals during big moments,” Hilltoppers coach Amanda Boulier said. “She is a leader on and off the ice. We expect her to play some huge minutes, in every situation.”
last season, exacting a little revenge after the Lumberjacks edged them 3-2 in the 2020 Section 7A finale before a raucous crowd of about 1,500 at St. Luke’s Events Center in Proctor en route to a runner-up finish in Class A. Duluth at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13
This will always be a rivalry, boys hockey, girls hockey, no matter the sport. The teams first square off Dec. 14 in Duluth and have the rematch a month later in Cloquet. The Lumberjacks swept the series 5-2 and 5-1 last season. Andover at Proctor-Hermantown
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28
Last year’s Class AA runner-up (Andover) against last year’s Class champion (Proctor-Hermantown) square off in Hermantown — doesn’t get much better than that for a regular-season matchup and postseason tuneup. Both made Section 7 proud last season. The teams originally looked at playing Jan. 22 but Andover is part of Hockey Day Minnesota that weekend.
Proctor-Hermantown Junior forward
While the Mirage graduated plenty of firepower from their statetitle run last winter, the cupboard isn’t bare. While second-leading scorer Macy Sieger graduated, younger sister and thirdleading scorer Nya Sieger is back after scoring 12 goals and adding 25 assists for 37 points in earning AllArea Second Team honors. Sieger could be used at center and wing. “She’s a phenomenal player, a game-changer, she’s just so dynamic,” Mirage coach Emma Stauber said. “She’s all over the ice. She’s so smart, she can see the ice, and you’re going to get everything out of her, every day. She’s just so determined.”
Coach: Courtney Olin, eighth season
2020-21 record: 9-8
Conference: Lake Superior
Section: Section 7A
Key departures: F Lauren Sertich (2-5—7), Lily Hanson (6-10—16)
Key returners: Sr. D Tenley Stewart (3-6—9; All-Area Second Team), jr. G Araya Kiminski (9-7, 1.96 GAA, .904 save percentage,
three shutouts), sr. F Dana Jones (18-3—21), sr. F Marina Dostal (5-7—12)
New face to watch: So. F Gwen Lilly Outlook: The Lumberjacks expect to be much stronger this season with 17 of 20 varsity players back and strong leadership with eight seniors. Olin said the biggest challenge is playing in an extremely competitive section
that includes the defending Class A state champions in ProctorHermantown and four of the top 15 ranked teams this year. CEC, which finished as state runner-up in 2020, hopes to challenge the Mirage for section supremacy. In addition to Proctor-Hermantown, the Lumberjacks have a tough schedule including South St. Paul, Orono, Chisago Lakes and Duluth Marshall.
CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON 2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 13 — at Anoka
Nov. 19 — SOUTH ST. PAUL
Nov. 20 — ORONO
Nov. 23 — MOOSE LAKE AREA
Nov. 30 — at Grand Rapids-Greenway, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 — CHAMPLIN PARK/COON RAPIDS, 2 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at Duluth, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Sartell/Sauk Rapids, 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 — PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 23 — PINE CITY AREA, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 — at Osseo/Park Center, 3 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — DULUTH, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 — at Northern Tier, 1 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — NORTHERN LAKES, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — CHISAGO LAKES, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 — NORTH SHORE, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 — THIEF RIVER FALLS, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — BEMIDJI, 2 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
Coach: Jamie Plesha, seventh season
2020-21 record: 5-14
Conference: Lake Superior
Section: Section 7AA
Key departures: F Molly Henderson (6-11—17), F Annika Lindgren (4-11—15)
Kevin Rappana
East High School Class of 1991 Realtor ®
218-591-4678 krappana@remax.net Rappana.com
Key returners: Emma Fellman (4-6—10), Alana Moline (2-0—2), Lainey Benson (0-2—2), Kaelin Cochran (3-4—7), Hannah Martin (5-3—8), Jenna Horvat (6-3—9), Bailey Coole (4-1—5), Rylan Lorentz (1-1—2), Ava Patronas (3-1—4), Grace Karakas (1-3—4), Karyssa Clough, Lucy Fellman (2-0—2), G Sophie Mitchell (3.95 GAA, .852 save percentage), G Ella Brisbois (3.63 GAA, .825 save percentage), Kaitlyn MacMillan (0-1—1), Ella
McCarthy (0-2—2), Bianca Lott (0-1—1)
New faces to watch: Gracyn Schipper, Ellie Marciniak, Maddy Frazer, Carys Gerard
DULUTH NORTHERN STARS
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 12 — PRINCETON
Nov. 13 — ROSEVILLE
Nov. 16 — DULUTH MARSHALL
Nov. 20 — EDINA
Nov. 26 — BURNSVILLE
Nov. 27 — HASTINGS, 2 p.m.
Dec. 3 — BRAINERD/LITTLE FALLS, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Proctor/Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 — at Blaine, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29 — at Blaine, TBD
Dec. 30 — at Blaine, TBD
Jan. 4 — MOOSE LAKE AREA, 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 — at Dodge County, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — at Red Wing, 2 p.m.
Jan. 11 — PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Duluth returns 11 seniors and only lost two varsity players from last year. Most of the returners have been on varsity two-plus years, so the Northern Stars are deep and experienced. They know the speed of the game, having competed at the varsity level for multiple years. With 18 returning players combined with the newcomers, Plesha expects the Northern Stars to be very
Jan. 22 — NORTHERN TIER, 2;30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan.
Rapids-Greenway,
competitive. “The biggest challenge will be bouncing back after last season’s COVID year,” Plesha said. “Last year was a hard year off the ice and presented new challenges that we as a team need to bounce back from and come together.”
“Let’s talk hockey, houses, or both!”Clint Austin / File art/ News Tribune Taylor Wick (10) of Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and Jenna Horvat (12) of Duluth chase the puck during a game last season at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet.
1 Rae Anderson G Fr
2 Fianne Makela D Fr
6 Aubrey Johnson F Fr
7 Nina Thorson F Fr
8 Kendra Royer F Sr
9 Hailey Cummins F So. 10 Gianna Smith F Fr
12 Rachel Landsteiner F Fr 14 Laramie Prell D Sr
15 Annie Bachand D/F So. 17 Eva Etter D So.
19 Ilsa Lindaman F So.
21 Annika Lindgren F Sr
22 Emily Etter D Sr
23 Anna Koski F So. 24 Meredith Boettcher F Jr
26 Bianca McGiffert F Jr.
28 Avery Lian D Fr
29 Danica Mark F Jr
31 Chloe Clark G So.
DULUTH MARSHALL HILLTOPPERS
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 13 — BRECK, W 4-2
Nov. 16 — at Duluth
Nov. 19 — EDINA, (Amsoil/DECC)
Nov. 30 — at North Shore, 7 p.m. (Two Harbors)
Dec. 4 — BRAINERD, 3 p.m.
Dec. 7 — HIBBING-CHISHOLM, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 — HUDSON, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 — SUPERIOR, 5 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at Proctor/Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 — PINE CITY AREA, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 — CHISAGO LAKES, 5 p.m.
Jan. 4 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Grand Rapids-Greenway, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.
Coach: Amanda Boulier, second season
2020-21 record: 14-5
Conference: Lake Superior
Section: Section 7A
Key departures: D Maren Friday (22-23—45, All-Area First Team); G Charlesa Prior (13-4, 1.41 GAA .926 save percentage, All-Area Second Team); F Amelia McGiffert (8-5—13)
Key returners: Sr. F Kendra Royer (5-11—16); jr. F Meredith Boettcher (17-22—39, AllArea Second Team); so. F Ilsa Lindaman (14-14—28); fr. F Nina Thorson (6-8—14); jr. F Danica Mark (4-10—14)
New faces to watch: Sr. F Annika Lindgren, so. G Chloe Clark, fr. D Avery Lian
Outlook: The Hilltoppers return their two leading scorers on offense in Boettcher and Lindaman, and with the arrival of Lindgren, who had four goals and 11 assists for the Duluth Northern Stars last winter, the Hilltoppers will rely on their deep offensive group. Boulier called her team “a creative, crafty bunch to watch out for this season.”
Despite graduating a couple of blue chippers — Friday was a three-time All-Area First Team selection, now playing NCAA
Division I hockey at Union College in Schenectady, New York, and Prior is playing at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin — all is not lost. Marshall returns four of its top six players from its defensive corps and Boulier expects them to anchor the Hilltoppers with their strength and experience. Marshall got off to a great start with a seasonopening 4-2 home win over Breck Saturday, Nov. 13; while Breck might not be the same team the Mustangers once were, going 7-12 in 2020-21 against a tough schedule, they won three straight Class A titles from 2018-20.
Jan. 17 — at International Falls, TBD
Jan. 20 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 — GENTRY ACADEMY, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — MOOSE LAKE AREA, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Blake, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 — at Blake, noon
Feb. 4 — at Pine City Area, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 — THIEF RIVER FALLS, 1:30 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
Good luck Golden Bears from everyone at Lundgren’s
900 Old Highway 53 Eveleth, Minnesota 55734
Phone: (218) 744-4821
Fax: (218) 744-5595
www.lundgrenford.com
Coach: Earl Fitzgerald, fourth season
2020-21 record (as Eveleth-Gilbert): 9-9
Conference:
Independent Section: Section 7A
Key departures: Anneka Lundgren (9-10—19), Sydni Richards (2-6—8), Rachel Woods (7-9, 2.91 GAA,
.918 save percentage, three shutouts)
Key returners: Senior co-captains F Kylie Baranzelli (13-13—26) and D Jennie Krause (3-6—9), senior alternate captain F Kaitlyn James; juniors F Katelyn Torrel, D Maggie Koskela, D Sydney Fitzgerald, sophomores D Mylee
Young and G Daisy Andrews (2-0, 2.25 GAA, .922 save percentage) and freshmen F Natalie Bergman (17-6— 23) and D Katie Johnson
New faces to watch: Ayla Troutwine, Haily Huismann, Mattelyn Seppi, Nola Kwiatkowski Outlook: The Rock Ridge Wolverines
represent EvelethGilbert, Virginia, Mesabi East, Mountain IronBuhl and Ely; Fitzgerald said Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia combining schools doesn’t really affect anything as far as girls hockey goes as they’ve been combined for 15 years in that sport. Fitzgerald believes
the Wolverines should be pretty strong defensively. They will compete the entire game and have dual scoring threats in Baranzelli and Bergman. The challenge will be getting the newcomers used to the pace of play but being in Section 7A won’t make things any easier. “Being in
the same section as the state champions (Proctor-Hermantown) is a challenge in itself,” Fitzgerald said. “Along with Duluth Marshall, Cloquet and HibbingChisholm, we feel we’re in a very competitive section.”
ROCK RIDGE: Page 23
ROCK RIDGE: From page 22
ROCK RIDGE
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 12 — TWO RIVERS/ST. PAUL (Hipp.)
Nov. 13 — PRINCETON (Hipp.)
Nov. 16 — at Hibbing/Chisholm
Nov. 19 — MAHTOMEDI (Hipp.)
Nov. 22 — NORTHERN LAKES (Hipp.)
Nov. 30 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 — SUPERIOR (MECC), 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Grand Rapids-Greenway, 5 p.m.
Dec. 10 — CROOKSTON (MECC), 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at Proctor/Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — at International Falls, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 — HOLY ANGELS (Hoyt Lakes), 3 p.m.
Dec. 29 — at Holy Angels, TBD
Dec. 30 — Visitation (at St. Paul), TBD
Jan. 6 — at Duluth Marshall, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM (Hipp.), 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — at Irondale/St. Anthony, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 — at Delano, TBD
Jan. 18 — NORTH SHORE (Hoyt Lakes), 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — at Pine City Area, 2 p.m.
Jan. 25 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON (MECC), 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS (MECC)
Jan. 28 — MINNEHAHA UNITED (MECC), 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
Jazzy Bischoff (A) D Jr.. 24 Hannah LaFrenier D Jr 31 Makenzie Cole (C) G Sr
GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 16 — at Bemidji
Nov. 19 — PRINCETON (Col.)
Nov. 20 — ROGERS (IRA)
Nov. 26 — WHITE BEAR LAKE (IRA)
Nov. 27 — BLAINE (IRA), 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON (IRA), 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 — at Shakopee, 2 p.m.
Dec. 7 — ROCK RIDGE (IRA), 5 p.m.
Dec. 9 — at Proctor-Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — BRAINERD/LITTLE FALLS (IRA), 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 — at Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Duluth, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 — Minnetonka (at Edina), 5 p.m.
Dec. 28 — TBD (at Edina), TBD
Dec. 29 — TBD (at Edina), TBD
Jan. 7 — at Northern Tier, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — ANDOVER, 3 p.m.
Jan. 11 — DULUTH MARSHALL (IRA), 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — at Elk River/Zimmerman, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — at Forest Lake, 2 p.m.
Jan. 18 — SUPERIOR (IRA), 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 — BEMIDJI (IRA), 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 — ANDOVER (IRA), 5 p.m.
Jan. 28 — at Alexandria, 7:15 p.m.
Jan. 31 — DULUTH (IRA),
Grand RapidsGreenway’s Kalle Reed (6) squeezes the puck past Superior goaltender Katrina Casper (1) in the first period of a game in Superior during the 2021 season.
Coach: Brad Hyduke, 12th season
2020-21 record: 14-7
Conference: Lake Superior
Section: Section 7AA
Key departures: F Claire Vekich (32-30—62, All-Area First Team), D Kaisa Reed (1-14—15), F Amber Elich (6-9—15)
Key returners: Jr. F Kalle Reed (9-10—19); soph. F Molly Pierce (4-7—11); fr. F Mercury Bischoff (31-25—56, AllArea First Team); sr. F Justine Carsrud (1-1—2); sr. F Grace Sevigny
(5-3—8); soph. F Taelyn Pomplun (0-1—1); jr. D Jazzy Bischoff (1-12— 13); sr. D Jade Rohloff (0-5—5); soph. D Allie LeClaire (2-8—10); soph. D Cali Madsen (3-5—8); sr. G Makenzie Cole (10-4, 2.12 GAA, .920 save percentage, four shutouts)
New faces to watch: 8th F Kyle DeBay, fr. F Mira Rajala Outlook: The Lightning return strong team speed and goaltending and experience but will miss
Vekich, one of the best all-around athletes the Northland has produced, the area’s leading scorer and a Ms. Hockey finalist. Vekich is now at Bemidji State but Grand RapidsGreenway has plenty to like after finishing as section runner-up last season. Just getting out of the section is always a challenge, however, as section champion Andover made it to the state title game last season. Section 7AA is deep and talented again this season.
Superior’s Brooklyn Burger (12) and Moose Lake’s Jillian Reuille (6) battle for the puck during the Superior Girls Hockey Showdown at Superior Ice Arena during a recent season.
Tyler Schank / File / News Tribune
REBELS SCHEDULE: Page 25
Coach: Co-head coaches Reilly Fawcett, second season, and Chris Gamst, fourth season
2020-21 record: 8-11
Conference: Independent
Section: Section 7A
Key returners: Sr. F Gabby Gamst (8-8—16); fr. F Sandra Ribich (9-5—14); sr. D Raechel Painovich (3-9—12); fr. D Hallie Klavu (4-5—9)
New faces to watch:
7th D Jenna Jusczak; 7th F Autumn Painovich
Outlook: The Rebels only lost three seniors from last year and return all their top scorers and both goalies, so there is plenty of optimism
to go around. In addition to the two seventh graders, the Rebels also gained Adeline Schmidt, who was a familiar face in the program but missed the past couple years due to a snowboarding accident. “We are excited to have these newcomers in our high school program and we look forward to working with them and developing them,” Fawcett said. The program is struggling for numbers, with 22 girls for JV and varsity combined, meaning many varsity players will have to play at least a period of JV. That’s a concern because of the increased risk of injury
and fatigue. “We don’t want them running out of gas during the JV games and then having that affect the varsity games, but this is something that our girls have been doing the past couple of years and are used to,” Fawcett said. Fawcett, the former News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year who went on to play at Bemidji State and professionally, would like to build the Rebels in the mold of her old program, Proctor-Hermantown. While it may have added challenges, she knows what the foundation will be.
“Our team is determined to be the hardest-working
team on the ice,” she said. “We might not be as skilled as other teams, but we take pride in outworking our opponents. We also have a great group of girls and strong leadership throughout each grade level.
“We are very excited about this year. We are excited to have fans back in the stands and being able to play in front of our friends and families again. Our goal is to make it to the section final game and earn a trip to the state tournament. Our mentality that will lead us to this goal is to get better every single day and trust the process.”
Coach: Pete Hyduke, 18th season (22nd overall with girls program)
2020-21 record: 9-6
Conference: Independent
Section: Section 7A
Key departures: D
Maddie Rewertz (0-7—7, All-Area Second Team);
D Courtney Anderson
(4-4—8); F Dorothy Kearney (0-5—5); F McKenna Folstad (1-2—3)
Key returners: Soph. G Addison Hess (9-6, 2.20 GAA, .892 save percentage, five shutouts); sr. F Julia Gherardi (13-9—22); sr. F Megan Bussey (3-8—11); sr. F Annika Lundell (5-4—9); jr. F Claire Rewertz (7-7— 14); jr. D Abigail Sullivan (2-7—9); jr. D Monroe Rewertz (2-1—3); soph. F Aune Boben (9-10—19); soph. F Trista Warmbold
(1-1—2)
New faces to watch: Jr. D Maddie St. George, fr. D Kendal Gustavsson, fr. F Panella Rewertz
Outlook: The Bluejackets return their top six scorers, as well as good goaltending with Hess, so it’s hard to not be optimistic. The veteran Hyduke said strengths of his team are their hard working and positive nature but the biggest challenge will be developing depth.
Nov. 12 — ROSEVILLE
Nov. 16 — ROCK RIDGE
Nov. 20 — MAHTOMEDI
Nov. 23 — NORTH SHORE
Nov. 26 — at Blaine (IRA)
Nov. 27 — at White Bear Lake (IRA), 11 a.m.
Nov. 30 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14 — PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 — GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29-31 — at St. St. Paul Kaposia Tournament
Jan. 4 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 — SUPERIOR, 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 — MOOSE LAKE AREA, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 — NORTH SHORE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — DULUTH, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 — at Grand Rapids-Greenway, 7 p.m.
2020-21 RESULTS • RECORD: 9-6
Jan. 14 — PROCTOR-HERMANTOWN, L, 5-2
Jan. 21 — at Duluth Marshall, L, 4-0
Jan. 26 — at Moose Lake, W, 6-0
Jan. 28 — GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY, L, 6-0
Feb. 2 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, W, 2-0
Feb. 9 — DULUTH, W, 5-1
Feb. 12 — at North Shore, W, 6-1
Feb. 16 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, W, 7-0
Feb. 18 — DULUTH MARSHALL, W, 5-1
Feb. 23 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, W, 2-0
Feb. 25 — at Grand Rapids-Greenway, L, 6-4
March 2 — EVELETH-GILBERT,
March
REBELS: From page 24
Nov. 12 — BRECK
Nov. 16 — HOPKINS/PARK
Dec. 27-29 — at Herb Brooks Holiday Classic, Blaine, Minnesota
Nov. 20 — LITCHFIELD/DASSEL-COKATO
Nov. 23 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
Nov. 30 — ROCK RIDGE, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 — TWO RIVERS/ST. PAUL, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 — at Superior, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Dodge County, 3 p.m.
Dec. 14 — at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 — HIBBING/CHISHOLM, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 — at Duluth, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 — NORTH SHORE, 2 p.m.
Jan. 10 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — PRINCETON, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Northern Lakes, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 — PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Hayward Area, 5 p.m.
Jan. 27 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 — at International Falls, 2 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
Nov. 16 — PRINCETON (TH)
Nov. 18 — INTERNATIONAL FALLS (SB)
Nov. 19 — LITCHFIELD/DASSEL-COKATO
Nov. 23 — at Hibbing/Chisholm
Nov. 30 — DULUTH MARSHALL (TH), 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 — SUPERIOR (SB), 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — CLOQUET-ESKO-CARLTON (TH), 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 — at Hayward, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 — at Pine City Area, 2 p.m.
Dec. 14 — MOOSE LAKE (SB), 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 — at Northern Lakes, 3 p.m.
Nevaeh Nordlund carries the puck into the offensive zone for North Shore during a 2021 game.
Coach: Zach Vieau, third season
2020-21 record: 6-11
Conference:
Independent
Section: Section 7A
Key departures: D Maia Conlan; F Emily Seipke (5-2—7)
Key returners: Sr. D Livia Hoff (10-5—15); jr. F Hope Ernest (6-6—12)
New face to watch:
7th F Berkley Hoff, Livia’s cousin
Outlook: The Storm
has almost everyone back. They’re still young, with most of the team sophomores or younger, but the sophomores are going into their third year of varsity play so they’re more experienced than the roster appears to indicate. Leadership is coming from many familiar faces, including Livia Hoff and Ernest, and this year depth will be a strength, not a weakness. Vieau said the biggest issue with the
larger numbers this year is moving players around and trying to get them into positions that better fit their playing styles. North Shore might take
some lumps early, with veteran players injured and younger players still finding their place, but the Storm expect to be improved.
Dec. 21 — at Duluth Marshall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 — at Armstrong/Cooper, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 — New Hope tournament, TBD
Dec. 31 — New Hope tournament, TBD
Jan. 4 — at Superior, 5 p.m.
Jan. 8 — at Moose Lake, 3 p.m.
Jan. 14 — at International Falls, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Rock Ridge, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 — at Princeton, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 — at Hibbing/Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 — PINE CITY AREA, 6 p.m.
Jan. 29 — MINNEHAHA UNITED (TH), TBD
Jan. 31 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 — ROCK RIDGE, 7 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
2021-22 SCHEDULE
Nov. 12 — at East Grand Forks, canceled
Nov. 13 — at Warroad, L 1-0
Nov. 19 — ORONO, (at Proctor)
Nov. 20 — SOUTH ST. PAUL, (at Proctor)
Nov. 26 — HASTINGS, (at Hermantown)
Nov. 27 — BURNSVILLE, 3:15 p.m. (at Hermantown)
Dec. 3 — CHAMPLIN PARK/COON RAPIDS, 7 p.m. (at Hermantown)
Dec. 7 — DULUTH, 7 p.m. (at Hermantown)
Dec. 9 — GRAND RAPIDS-GREENWAY, 7 p.m. (at Hermantown)
Dec. 14 — at Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 — DULUTH MARSHALL, 7 p.m. (at Proctor)
Dec. 18 — at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 2:15 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27-29 — at Herb Brooks Holiday Classic, Blaine, Minnesota
Jan. 8 — MAHTOMEDI, 2 p.m. (at Proctor)
Jan. 11 — at Duluth, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — CHISAGO LAKES AREA, 7 P.M. (at Proctor)
Jan. 15 — at Breck, 1 p.m.
Jan. 18 — at Edina, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 — at Eden Prairie, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 — at Moose Lake Area, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — ANDOVER, 7 p.m. (at Hermantown)
Feb. 3 — at Superior, 7 p.m.
Jon Nowacki, News Tribune
Proctor-Hermantown’s Izy Fairchild (25) raises her arms after teammate Ella Anick (27) scored her first and the team’s fourth goal in the Section 7A championship game in Proctor on Saturday, March 20, 2021. Fairchild had scored the team’s second goal and Anick went on to score the team’s fifth as ProctorHermantown won 6-0.
Coach: Emma Stauber, third season
2020-21 record: 21-0, Class A champions
Conference: Lake Superior
Section: Section 7A
Key departures: D
Ella Anick (7-21—28, All-Area First Team); D
Kaydee High (2-13—15);
D McKenzie Gunderson (2-6—8); F Alyssa Watkins (24-22—46, All-Area
Player of the Year); F Macy Sieger (14-24—38, All-Area Second Team); F Aurora Opsahl (13-18— 31);
F Michaela Phinney (17-12—29)
Key returners: Jr. F Nya Sieger (12-25—37, All-Area Second Team);
so. F Izy Fairchild (1817—35); so. F Hannah Graves (17-14—31); sr. F Ember Kehtel (6-17—23); sr. F Rylee Gilbertson (4-4—8); jr. D Ava Anick (0-9—9); jr. D Sophie Parendo (1-18—19); sr. G Abby Pajari (12-0, 0.92
GAA, .954 save percentage, All-Area First Team)
Outlook: The Mirage realize what happened last season is about impossible to duplicate but are looking forward to making their own mark. “We have a very positive outlook,” Stauber said. “We knew we had a special team last year and with the depth of our senior class departing, we have some big roles to fill. However, we have a lot of returning talent and experience that will
hopefully serve us well. We are back to a very strong schedule this year and we will definitely be tested by our competition.” While Proctor-Hermantown’s top two scorers graduate, there is plenty of depth and firepower returning. After breezing through the regular season undefeated last year, it took all of one game for the Mirage to lose, falling 1-0 at Warroad Saturday, Nov. 14. Some of the Mirage had almost forgotten what it
was like to lose. “We were talking about that on the bus,” Stauber said after the game. “We haven’t been in this spot for a while, but when you lose, you’ve got to take the positives and learn from some of the situations where we could have been better. After graduating 10 seniors, there are a lot of roles that have to be filled. It’s going to take time, but our team mentality and goals remain the same.”
Jed Carlson / File / Superior Telegram
Superior’s Grace Hansen (9) moves the puck up the ice in the first period of a game in Superior during the 2021 season.
18 — at Grand Rapids/Greenway, 6 p.m.
Jan. 21 — SOMERSET, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 — NORTHLAND PINES, 2 p.m.
Jan. 25 — DULUTH, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 — CHIPPEWA FALLS, 6 p.m.
Feb. 3 — PROCTOR/HERMANTOWN, 7 p.m.
Coach: Doug Trentor, second season
2020-21 record: 2-15
Conference: Lake
Superior
Section: Sectional 1
Key departures:
Arika Trentor (9-8—17); Brooklyn Burger (8-10—
18); Grace Olson, Jillian Reuille, Emma Fernengo and goalies Katrina Casper and Presley Beron
Key returners: Sr. captain Callie Holmlund; so. assistant captain Autumn Cooper (8-3—11); seniors
Keely Morehouse, Lily Walrath, Gabrielle Siers and Emily Berka; juniors include Indigo Fish, Grace Hansen and Brooke Lindbergh, and sophomore goalie Kali Williams
New faces to watch: Freshmen Alivia Visgar, Isabella Thompson, Kenlyn Thimm, Katie Stamper, Kennedy Popplewell, Gabryel Olson, Emma Ferg, Audrah Lambert and goaltender Kaylie Nault Outlook: The Spartans are excited about an influx of young talent,
but the team will be very young and inexperienced. One of the challenges will be preparing the younger players for the speed and rigor of the varsity level. Among the strengths are the team’s collective skating ability, hockey IQ and camaraderie on and off the ice. Trentor said the Spartans have excellent
leadership to help guide the underclassmen.
“These girls are beyond
ready to take the ice and get this season started,” Trentor said.
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