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November 16, 2017
Let’s Play Hockey
www.letsplayhockey.com
HERMANTOWN HAWKS
HIBBING/CHISHOLM BLUEJACKETS Last year: 18-9-0 Conference (record): Iron Range (7-2-0) Section: 7A State trips: 1952 Champs, 67, 70, 73 Champs, 74, 82, 84, 85, 86, 94, 2003, 04, 11 Home arena: Hibbing Memorial Building Head coach: Justin Tomberlin Career record (years): 18-9-0 (1) Assistant coaches: Aaron Jamnick, Travis Weber, Chris Zubich, Kevin Danielson Top returning forwards: Senior Jarrett Lee (23-28-51), junior Tristan Birdsall (12-11--23), senior Jake Riihinen (7-2--9) Top returning defensemen: Senior Alex Seppala (0-6-6), senior Michael Kubena (1-5--6) Top returning goaltender: Senior Christian Renskers (5-1-0, 1.27, .933)
HUTCHINSON TIGERS
Hermantown senior forward Tyler Watkins is one of 11returning letterwinners from last season’s state champion team.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS BRONCOS
Last year: 10-16-0 Conference (record): Iron Range (2-6-0) Section: 7A State trips: 1950, 56, 57 Champs, 58, 59, 62 Champs, 63, 64 Champs, 65 Champs, 66 Champs, 68, 71, 72 Champs, 73, 83, 89, 95 Champs, 2000, 02 Home arena: Bronco Arena Head coach: George McDonald Assistant coaches: Darren Olson Top returning forwards: Junior Simon Palm (4-11-15), senior Trimble Butler (5-9--14), senior Gust Lorenson (6-5--11), senior Kane Kostiuk (4-6--10) Top returning defensemen: Senior Trevor Becvar (013--13), senior Ethan Alleman (1-5--6) Top returning goaltender: Senior Jake Klow (10-150, 3.51, .871)
KITTSON CTY. CENTRAL BEARCATS Last year: 1-20-2 Conference (record): Northwest (0-4-1) Section: 8A State trips: None Home arena: Hallock Ice Arena Head coach: Robert Carr Career record (years): 63-81-5 (6) Assistant coaches: Mike Sugden, Rod Hennen Top returning forwards: Senior Bradley Stewart (8-6-14), senior Alex Donaldson (8-6--14), junior Trent Peterson (3-7--10) Top returning defensemen: Freshman Hayden Hennen (3-6--9), senior Nick Misson (1-6--7) Top returning goaltender: Senior Ben Sugden
LA CRESCENT LANCERS Last year: 15-10-1 Conference: Independent Section: 1A State trips: None Home arena: La Crescent Community Arena Head coach: Adam Kimball
Career record (years): First season Assistant coaches: Pat Hogan, Ben Tornow Top returning forwards: Junior Alex Boudreau (14-13-27), senior Mason Holzer (4-4--8), senior Jake HallbackKettner (4-1--5) Top returning defenseman: Junior Jacob Hogan (1-4-5) Top returning goaltender: Junior Gavin Christianson (11-3-1, 2.82, .897)
LITCHFIELD/ DASSEL-COKATO DRAGONS Last year: 14-11-1 Conference (record): Wright County (5-6-1) Section: 3A State trips: 1996, 2008, 16 Home arena: Litchfield Civic Arena Head coach: Chris Olson Career record (years): 156-211-14 (14) Assistant coaches: Chuck Wedin, Ty Olson, Craig McKechney, Duane Lundin, Bill Huhner Letterwinners returning/lost: 12/8 Top returning forwards: Junior Brandt Pedersen (1917--36), junior Paul Raisanen (3-10--13), senior Ben Lindquist (2-4--6), junior Dylan Schutz (3-3--6) Top returning defensemen: Senior Orrin Grangroth (9-16--25), senior Filip Haataja (2-7--9), junior Caleb Keith (1-5--6) The coach says: “I think we return some pretty skilled players. We will have a nice core of forwards and our top three defensemen back. We will have some pretty good team speed and the ability to move the puck. We always have guys willing to work hard and pressure teams.”
LAKE OF THE WOODS BEARS Last year: 14-19-1 Conference (record): Northwest (5-0-0) Section: 8A State trips: 1949, 50, 51 (as Williams), 1993 Home arena: Baudette Arena Head coach: Don Krause Career record (years): First season Assistant coach: Darren Olson Letterwinners returning/lost: 14/4 Top returning forwards: Senior Luke Krause (12-15-27), junior Reece Chorney (8-6--14), senior Gabe Johnson (4-6--10), junior Kade Chapman (3-6--9) Top returning defensemen: Senior Nathan Poolman (22-15--37), senior Jarred Sipe (5-11--16), senior Josh Pieper (1-4--5) Top returning goaltender: Senior Lemuel Carradice (15-7-0, 1.92, .906) The coach says: “Lake of the Woods will return a solid core of players at key positions. We will return top scorer Nathan Poolman and solid defenseman Jarred Sipe on the blueline and Lemuel Carradice in the net. Luke Krause is another key player returning from last year’s team and will anchor the forwards. We have always been a hard-working team so I expect that tradition to continue. We will gain 12 players from last year’s Bantam team and will need some younger guys to step into and play some important roles for next year. ”
LITTLE FALLS FLYERS Last year: 15-10-1 Conference: Independent Section: 6A State trips: 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 12 Home arena: Exchange Arena Head coach: Tony Couture Career record (years): 368-267-13 (23) Assistant coaches: Andrew Schouveller, Austin Fenske, Bob Stark, Wesley Waytashek, Jared Festler, Chris Dobis Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/6 Top returning forwards: Senior Ben Sowada (16-11-27), senior Mario Filippi (12-10--22), senior Jake Kapphahn (5-8--13), senior Andrew Marod (2-8--10) Top returning defensemen: Senior Landon Johnson (3-32--35), junior Josh Jennings (3-12--15) Top returning goaltender: Senior Justin Pekula (1510-1, 2.81, .890) The coach says: “The Flyers return 13 players and twoyear starting goalie in Justin Pekula. We look to build on last year’s 15-win season. If the Flyers hope to be a upset team in Section 6A, they will need to learn to score goals and be better on the power play. The Flyers have potential, but need to go toe to toe with the big boys.”
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LIONS Last year: 1-24-1 Conference (record): Two Rivers (1-8-1) Section: 5A
LUVERNE CARDINALS Let’s Play Hockey photo by Mike Thill
Last year: 7-17-3 Conference (record): Wright County (1-11-1) Section: 3A State trips: 1995, 97, 2000, 09 Home arena: Burich Arena Head coach: Matt Telecky Career record (years): 135-194-11 (14) Assistant coaches: Marc Telecky, Nick Nelson, Matt Penner Letterwinners returning/lost: 12/10 Top returning forwards: Junior Lane Glaser (12-13-25), senior Cale Bordson (3-4--7), junior Jacob Caspers (3-3--6) Top returning defensemen: Senior Cass Longie (5-2-7), senior Daniel Lyons (1-0--1) Top returning goaltender: Senior Brooks Telecky (717-3, 3.73, .895) The coach says: “Staying healthy will be important. We are returning a good strong D core and a goaltender that has started the past three seasons. The early part of the season will be a work in progress to develop some scoring depth. Every year, we want to get better every day and be playing our best hockey at the end of the season.”
Photo: Tim Kolehmainen
Last year: 29-1-1 Conference (record): Lake Superior (5-0-0) Section: 7A State trips: 1994, 98, 99, 2001, 06, 07 Champs, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Champs, 17 Champs Home arena: Hermantown Arena Head coach: Patrick Andrews Career record (years): First season Assistant coaches: Daryl Illikainen, Nate Buck, Matt Swanson Letterwinners returning/lost: 11/9 Top returning forwards: Senior Tyler Watkins (22-28-50), senior Jacob Herter (6-12--18), junior Brady Baker (7-4--11) Top returning defensemen: Junior Darian Gotz (3-17-20), junior Elliott Peterson (3-15--18), junior Sam High (3-7--10) Top returning goaltender: Senior Austin Hess The coach says: “After winning Back to Back State Championships, the goal is to three-peat. The key to Hermantown Hockey’s success over the past decade has been a commitment to hard work, a Blue Collar mentality that the boys bring to the rink every day. That will not change, with new coaches and a new season. The road to a third straight title will not be easy as every team brings their best game and Section 7 is getting stronger with good young talent at Greenway and Hibbing. The key to us winning a third straight title will be returning forwards such as senior Captains Tyler Watkins and Jake Herte as well as junior Brady Baker stepping up and putting goals in the net. Hermantown hockey has prided itself on great team D and that will not change this season. In fact, team D will have to be a hallmark if our expectations are to be reached as we will have untested goaltending for the first time in four years. Protecting the net will have to be the strength of the team and Senior Captain Trent Madill and standout juniors Darian Gotz, Elliot Peterson, and Sam High will be called upon to carry the lion share of the ice time on the blue line.”
State trips: None Home arena: Schwan Super Rink Head coach: Dan Olufson Career record (years): First season Assistant coaches: Joe Olufson, Josh Anderson, Tom Zych Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/5 Top returning forwards: Senior Ben Spande (8-2-10), senior Jarvey Hill (5-3--8), senior Noah Hansen (32--5) Top returning defenseman: Senior Zack Anderson (03--3) Top returning goaltender: Senior Noah Myrum The coach says: “Legacy Lion boys hockey celebrated its 10th season during 2016-17! This year’s team is looking to build on this program’s tradition while striving to bring it to new heights as well. The 2017-18 season will prove to be a rebuilding year for the Lions – a season that will test the character of the players and coaches. We believe this team is up for that challenge. The Lions will look to their sound goaltending core and solid returning defensive lineup to lead them into this season. The coaching staff sees this winter as an opportunity for each player to show what they can do and what they can bring to the team.”
With totals of 34-27--61, senior forward Kasyn Kruse is Luverne’s top returning scorer from last season.
Last year: 22-7-1 Conference (record): Big South (14-2-0) Section: 3A State trips: 2014, 17 Home arena: Blue Mound Ice Arena Head coach: Phil Paquette Career record (years): 22-7-1 (1) Assistant coaches: Adam Ossefoort, Paul Erickson Letterwinners returning/lost: 20/5 Top returning forwards: Senior Kasyn Kruse (34-27-
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