Victor Simones 10-7, .892 save percentage last season
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers lost 11 seniors from their 210-11 squad to graduation, including three double digit scorers, but coach Keith Revels still likes his team's chances this winter.
"We have a returning goaltender, depth at both forward and defense and a physical, hard-working roster, the bulk of which are upperclassmen," he said.
"Even with all of the losses, we look to improve on our 7-7 record in the conference, and we'd like to at least match our first-ever semifinals appearance in the section tournament."
Nine of the returning 13 letterwinners are seniors: forwards Andrew Peterson (captain), Blake Weinand (captain), Michael Giebel, Jake Eldred, Ryan Schoening, Trevor Howard, and Sean Jensen; defenseman Jack Buss and goalie Victor Simones.
Peterson was an all-Missota Conference selection as a junior, scoring 17 goals and assisting on 20 more. Simones started 17 games in net last season, finishing 10-7 with an .892 save percentage.
Underclassmen returnees include juniors Grant Hauswirth (forward), John Donnelly (defense), Kevin Olund (forward) and Jason Thomas (forward). Hauswirth and Olund are alternate captains.
Newcomers expected to battle for varsity ice time include juniors Jordan Lugowski (defense) and Zach Colaw (defense) and sophomores Corey Rudrud (defense), Jack Erickson (forward) and Dan Block (forward).
One of the reasons for Revels' positive outlook for the season ahead is his team's performance at a recent pre-season scrimmage in northern Minnesota against Eveleth, Proctor and Virginia.
"We played very well," Revels said. "We scored some goals and only gave up one against each team."
Revels picked perennial Missota Conference power Holy Angels and Chanhassen as the teams to beat for league honors with Lakeville South the pre-season favorite in Section 1AA.
Veteran Todd Karich, former varsity coach Shawn Anderson, ex-Tiger Ryan Donnelly, and Dean Weasler will serve as assistant coaches this winter.
The first regular season puck drops on Tuesday, Nov. 29, when the Tigers entertain section rival Rochester John Marshall at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
