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November 9, 2017
Let’s Play Hockey
www.letsplayhockey.com
2017-18 Minnesota Girls’ High School Team Previews
ALBERT LEA TIGERS
ALEXANDRIA CARDINALS Last year: 16-13-1 Conference (record): Central Lakes (5-7-0) Section: 6A Home arena: Runestone Community Center Head coach: Molly Arola Years at school: 2 Career record: 16-13-1 Record at school: 16-13-1 Assistant coach: Jeff Doherty Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/8 Top returning forwards: Senior Kristin Trosvig (39 pts.), junior McKenna Ellingson (36) , senior Calley Richardson (23), senior Josie Minnerath (14), junior Alexis Heckert (14) Top returning defensemen: Senior Allison O’Kane (8 pts.), sophomore Mayson Toft (8) The coach says: “The Cardinals are excited for a new season ahead of us. It will be important for our team’s success to have consistent contributions from all returning players.”
ANDOVER HUSKIES Last year: 11-15-1 Conference (record): Northwest Suburban (5-11-0) Section: 7AA Home arena: Andover Community Center Head coach: Melissa Volk Years at school: 5 Career record: 56-53-5 Record at school: 56-53-5 Assistant coaches: Ronnie Druk, Sarah Thedens, Shannon Kangas, Craig Anderson Letterwinners returning/lost: 15/3 Top returning forwards: Senior Claire Butorac, senior Paige Anderson, sophomore Jamie Nelson Top returning defensemen: Senior Grace Halvorson, sophomore Kennedy Little, sophomore Elisebeth Tammi Top returning goaltender: Junior Cassidy Stumo Top newcomers: Gabby Krause, Peyton Hemp, Madison Clough The coach says: “Young dynamic team led by five-year veterans Claire Butorac and Grace Halvorson who have had tremendous impact on our program. ”
Junior forward McKenna Ellingson led Alexandria with 24 goals in 30 games last season.
ANOKA
TORNADOES Last year: 12-13-1 Conference (record): Northwest Suburban (7-8-1) Section: 5AA Home arena: Anoka Area Ice Arena Head coach: Chase Evertz Years at school: First Assistant coaches: Andria Baumann, Brian Mashuga, Jaclyn Daggit, Logan Syvock Top returning forwards: Sophomore Maddie Mashuga (13-12--25), junior Victoria Neumann (15-8--23), senior Jess Steichen (12-10--22), senior Sami Jockisch (7-3-10), senior Cassidy Motter (3-5--8_ Top returning defensemen: Senior Anna Guimont (36--9), senior Emma Terzich (0-2--2) Top returning goaltenders: Junior Abby Johnson (31-0, 3.56, .853), sophomore Kristi Cameron The coach says: “Depth at forwards - eight returning. Good work ethic.”
APPLE VALLEY EAGLES Last year: 12-13-2 Conference (record): South Suburban (4-11-2) Section: 3AA Home arena: Apple Valley Sports Arena Head coach: Don Erdall Years at school: 8 Career record: 69-111-6 Record at school: 69-111-6 Assistant coaches: Liz Hermes, Rachel Goodman, Rob Walsh Top returning forwards: Senior Reagan Roelofs (134--17), sophomore Lily Leong (4-10--14), senior Kealey Jensen (5-8--13), senior Emma Vogelgesang (3-7--10) Top returning defensemen: Senior Sophia Leong (155--20), sophomore Krista Martinson (2-7--9), senior Josie Segar (1-5--6) Top returning goaltenders: Sophomore Keni Allen (1-
0-0, 1.83, .895), junior Abbey Cobb
Last year: 7-17-2 Conference: Metro West (2-4-1) Section: 6AA Home arena: St. Louis Park Rec Center Head coach: Shjon Podein Years at school: First Assistant coaches: Nick Sperides, Gregg Mellang, Katey Cowan Top returning forwards: Junior Maria DeCesare (105--15), senior Amanda Nylander (6-9--15), sophomore Kensie Malone (5-6--11) Top returning defensemen: Senior Megan Truman (31--4), senior Maggie Sexton (2-1--3) Top returning goaltenders: Senior Paige Greeley (3.95), sophomore Rose Beeman (2.62) The coach says: “New coaching staff with a new culture. Too soon to identify strength or weakness. Team with great potential.”
BLAINE BENGALS
AUSTIN PACKERS
Last year: 24-4-2 Conference (record): Northwest Suburban (13-2-1) Section: 5AA Home arena: Fogerty Arena Head coach: Steve Guider Years at school: 16 Career record: 256-135-31 Record at school: 256-135-31 Assistant coaches: Pete McKenzie, Tim Morris, Tim Stickney, Calla Athman Letterwinners returning/lost: 8/10 Top returning forwards: Senior Gabby Rosenthal (2932--61), junior Ramsey Parent (25-30--55), senior Abby Jones (12-7--19), senior DeAnna LeMire (4-11--15), senior Megan McKenzie (4-6--10) Top returning defenseman: Junior Rachel Lentner (24--6) Top returning goaltender: Senior Jaela O’Brien (15-32, 1.09, .932) The coach says: “Lost a lot of high quality talent off of last year’s State runner-up team. Will have to depend on Jaela O’Brien early in goal while our young corps of D develops. Have two very high quality scorers with Gabby Rosenthal and Ramsey Parent. Our third line returns intact and was one of the best in Minnesota last year. Exceptionally hardworking and relentless in their play. Played against most teams’ first lines last season. ”
Last year: 7-19-0 Conference (record): Big 9 (6-13-0) Section: 1A Home arena: Riverside Arena Head coach: Carley Grunewald Years at school: First Letterwinners returning/lost: xxx Top returning forwards: Senior Myia Hoium (10-12-22), junior Jaiden Schuster (10-7--17), junior Lily Holtz (9-7--16), junior Erin Bickler (8-3--11) Top returning defenseman: Sophomore Jordyn McCormack (13-12--25), Top returning goaltender: Junior Faith Sayles
BEMIDJI
LUMBERJACKS Last year: 4-21-0 Conference (record): Greater Minnesota (2-10-0) Section: 8AA Home arenas: Nymore, BREC, BCA Arena Head coach: Casey Reierson Years at school: 2 Career record: 4-21-0 Record at school: 4-21-0 Assistant coaches: Becca Gregg, Laura Carleton, Rob Aitken Top returning forwards: Junior Maggie Marcotte (3-7-10), freshman Alexis Leitner (6-4--10), senior Hannah Eller (3-2--5) Top returning defensemen: Senior Jacie Lalli (3-5--8), senior Kali Kelm (2-1--3), sophomore Maddie Hanson (2-1--3) Top returning goaltenders: Junior Brooklyn Delap, freshman Nettie Kimble
BLAKE BEARS
Photo: Nick Wosika
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Photo: Nick Wosika
Last year: 3-21-1 Conference (record): Big 9 (2-12-1) Section: 1A Home arena: Albert Lea City Arena Head coach: Jason Fornwald Years at school: First Career record: 96-68-13 Assistant coaches: Abby Leach, Laura Wagnen Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/4 Top returning forwards: Senior Maddy Carstens (1920--39), senior Hannah Johnson (15-5--20) Top returning defenseman: Senior Lyrik Blake-Domke (2-11--13) Top returning goaltender: Freshman Maddie Schneider (4.99, .863) Top newcomers: Ester Yoon, Josie Venem, Jaiden Venem, Taylor Stanek, Alli Dulitz The coach says: “Maddy Carstens and Lyrik BlakeDomke are nearing the 100-game club and will hit that mark with this years second and third games, respectively. Maddie Schneider, only a freshman, has already played in 51 varsity games in her young career. The Tigers are returning 75% of their team from last year, with 80% of this years team freshmen or sophomores. With a completely new coaching staff, the Tigers will look to compete with the best this year by using their youth, speed, and great senior leadership.”
BENILDE-ST. MARGARET’S RED KNIGHTS
Last year: 27-2-1 Conference (record): Independent Metro (5-0-0) Section: 6AA Home arena: Blake Ice Arena Head coach: Shawn Reid Years at school: 6 Career record: 171-72-11 Record at school: 124-21-7 Assistant coaches: Alex Ward, Ashley Stenerson, Cody Bishop Letterwinners returning/lost: 14/3 Top returning forwards: Senior Sarah McClanahan (14-20--34), junior Izzy Daniel (17-27--34) Top returning defensemen: Junior Madeline Wethington (11-10--21), senior Sarah Chute (3-16--19), junior Grace Vojta (2-10--12), senior CC Wallin (2-8--10), senior Kyra Willoughby (5-5--10) Top returning goaltender: Senior Anna Kruesel (1510-1, 1.05, .940) The coach says: “Returning 14 players from last year’s Class A state championship team, expectations are again high for Blake. This will be the first year for Blake in Class AA as they have opted up for the next two-year MSHSL cycle. The regular season schedule is basically unchanged, as Blake has always played one of the most difficult schedules in the state. Blake looks to continue to have balanced scoring over three lines with staunch defense and stellar goaltending.”
Senior forward Sarah McClanahan is looking to lead Blake to the state title in the Bears’ first season in Class AA.
F or sstats, tats, sstandings tandings and liv e scoring of Minneso ta girls’ high sc hool hoc k e y , go tto o www .s tat eofhoc k e y .com. live Minnesota school hock www.s .stat tateofhoc eofhock