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GRAND RAPIDS THUNDERHAWKS
Coach: Wade Chiodo, first season
2018-2019 record: 9-17
Conference: Independent
Section: 7AA
Key departures: F Kobie Koenig (10-15— 25); F Anthony DelGreco (4-3—7); D Kameron
Jaeger
Key returners: Jr. D Jack Peart (8-14—22); jr. F Hunter Bischoff (6-10—16); jr. F Braeden Holcomb (4-12—16); jr. F John Bonner (4-7— 11); jr. F Maccrea Murphy (5-4—9); sr. G Carter Clafton (3.69 GAA, .886 save percentage)
Outlook: It’s been a chaotic time for the Thunderhawks, who won a Class AA state title after the 2016-17 season but lost a lot of topend talent afterward and have totaled only 16 victories in the two seasons since. Then coach Chris Marinucci resigned in late October after being charged with a second-degree DWI. Forced to scramble for a new coach, the school hired Chiodo, who served as Bemidji High School’s boys hockey coach for nine seasons. Despite the frantic nature heading into the season, the cupboard is not bare. Peart, a St. Cloud State commit, has played for USA Hockey teams and is one of the top players in Northeastern Minnesota.
“He’s a high-end hockey player,” Chiodo said. “Everybody (involved in hockey) in the state of Minnesota and maybe the U.S. knows who he is. He has exceptional talent and, obviously, is going to have a long career.”
As Chiodo seeks to mold his lineup in short order, he’s more concerned with getting them ready for the Section 7AA playoffs in a few months.
“They’re focused and driven, it’s a good group of kids. They want to compete and they want to learn,” he said.
“Those are all important parts in getting the team to peak at the right time, which is at the end of the season and right before playoffs. We are striving to be the best team we can be by the middle of February.”
Rick Weegman, News Tribune
Schedule
Nov. 23 — Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Nov. 29 — Minnetonka, 3 p.m.
Dec. 3 — at Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 — at Roseau, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Warroad, 2:15 p.m.
Dec. 13 — at Moorhead, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19-21 — at Edina Tournament
Dec. 27 — Forest Lake, 7 p.m.
Jan. 4 — Holy Family Catholic, 3 p.m.
Jan. 7 — at Hermantown, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 — Duluth East, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 — at Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 — Bemidji, 3 p.m.
Jan. 21 — at Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — Hill-Murray, 3 p.m.
Jan. 29 — at Brainerd, 7:15 p.m.
Feb. 1 — Wayzata, 3 p.m.
Feb. 7 — White Bear Lake Area, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 — Maple Grove, 3 p.m.
Feb. 11 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 — Hermantown, 7 p.m.
