EVELETH-GILBERT GOLDEN BEARS

Coach: Jeff Torrel, ninth season

2018-2019 record: 12-12-1

Conference: Iron

Range Section: 7A

Key departures: Josh James (10-11—21), Gavin Maki (6-5—11) and goalies Kodi Intihar and Baylee Grahek

Key returners: Sr. F Elliot Van Orsdel (2121—42), sr. D Will Troutwine (8-20—28), sr. D Nick Beaudette (12-7—19), sr. D Gage Everson (3-12—15), sr. G Noah Shuck (2.98, .888) and G Mack Lautigar (2.80, .899)

Outlook: The Gold-

Schedule

At 7 p.m., unless noted

Nov. 22 — Red Wing

Nov. 23 — Minnehaha Academy

Nov. 26 — at Hermantown, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 29 — International Falls (Hoyt Lakes), 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 — at Chaska

Dec. 7 — at Holy Angels Academy (Richfield), 2 p.m.

Dec. 10 — Ely (Hoyt Lakes)

Dec. 12 — at Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl

Dec. 17 — at Greenway

Dec. 19 — Proctor

Dec. 20 — Breck

Dec. 27-28 — at Thief River Falls Tournament

Jan. 4 — Rochester Mayo, 2 p.m.

Jan. 7 — at Hibbing-Chisholm

Jan. 11 — Princeton, 2 p.m.

Jan. 14 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 — Greenway

Jan. 21 — at North Shore

Jan. 23 — Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl

Jan. 28 — Duluth Denfeld (Hoyt Lakes) en Bears started strong before losing their final seven games of the 2018-19 season, including a triple-overtime playoff loss to Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, to finish .500. But they return plenty of experience, starting with Van Orsdel’s scoring prowess and Troutwine’s two-way ability. A total of 15 seniors and a large junior class should make Eveleth-Gilbert more formidable in the second half of this season. The Golden Bears are especially tough on the blue line, where they boast three players with multiple years of varsity experience. Noah Shuck and Mack Lautigar were among four goalies who saw playing time last year and will battle for the No. 1 spot.

Jan. 30 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

As usual, Hermantown stands in the way of Section 7A contenders, though Greenway’s surprise run to the Class A state title game means teams such as Virginia/ MIB can shoot for the stars. It’s been 21 seasons since the Golden Bears went to the state tournament and pulled off their own surprise by winning Class A.

Rick Weegman, News Tribune

Feb. 6 — Hibbing-Chisholm

Feb. 13 — North Shore

Feb. 14 — St. Thomas Academy, 6 p.m.