HIBBING-CHISHOLM BLUEJACKETS

Coach: Justin Tomberlin, fourth season

2018-2019 record: 4-23

Conference: Iron

Range

Section: 7A

Key departures: D

Skylar Rhodes (5-6— 11); F Nic Cicchi (5-5— 10); F Blace Tomberlin; D Carter Anderson

Key returners: Jr. F

Ethan Lund (9-6—15); jr. F Joe Allison (3-7— 10); jr. F Blake Frider (3-4—7); sr. F Mitchell

Ziemba (0-5—5); jr. D

Erik Sanborn Outlook: It’s been a tough couple of years for the Bluejackets, who have won only 11 games in that span and began last season 0-17. Transfers have hurt team chemistry and continuity, but Hibbing-Chisholm returns three of its top five point-scorers from last season in an effort to regain the respect it had when it played in 10 consecutive section finals. Scoring was a big problem as the Bluejackets averaged a section-low 1.5 goals per game last season. They weren’t much better at keeping the puck out of the net, allowing a section-worst 6.3 goals an outing. Two new goalies and an influx of skilled bantams should complement a core of juniors and seniors who are working toward a better outcome this season.

Schedule

At 7 p.m., unless noted

Nov. 29 — Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl

Dec. 3 — at Proctor, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 — International Falls

Dec. 7 — at Roseau, 3 p.m.

Dec. 10 — at Superior

Dec. 17 — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

Dec. 21 — South St. Paul, 1 p.m.

Dec. 26 — Delano, 6 p.m.

Dec. 27 — Orono

Jan. 2 — Greenway

Jan. 3 — Rochester Mayo

Jan. 7 — Eveleth-Gilbert

Jan. 9 — Two Harbors

Jan. 10 — Hopkins

Jan. 16 — Grand Rapids

Jan. 21 — at Hermantown, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 — Warroad

Jan. 25 — Thief River Falls, 3 p.m.

Jan. 28 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 — Duluth Denfeld

Jan. 31 — at North Shore

Feb. 4 — at Greenway

Feb. 6 — at Eveleth-Gilbert

Feb. 8 — at St. Paul Johnson, 2 p.m.

Feb. 11 — at Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl

Moose Lake Area Rebels

Coach: Lee Costley, fourth season

2018-2019 record: 6-17-1

Conference: Two Rivers

Section: 5A

Key departures: F Tommy Klinski (9-5— 14); D Vern Anderson (14-16—30)

Key returners: Jr. F Jordan Fjosne (21-17—38); jr. F Adam Olson (9-14— 23); soph. F Henry Ribich (7-5—12)

Outlook: For several years, the Rebels have been focused on survival as low roster numbers led to many blowouts. Now, with a growing bantam program starting to impact varsity participation numbers, the future looks brighter. The varsity is expected to have 12-14 players this winter, while the freshman class competes in bantams.

“The program has now moved past survival mode and has started to turn the corner to become a competitive program. Our youth hockey numbers continue to grow. This should be the last season where we have a small roster,” Costley said. “We return a solid group of players from last year’s team. If the returning and incoming player development continues, our program has the potential to surprise a few teams. We may not have a big roster in terms of numbers,