Boys Hockey: Up north trip buoys Tiger hopes

Senior forward Grant Hauswirth (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Coming off a 7-17-2 season, Tiger coach Keith Revels wasn't sure to expect from his 2012-13 team when it took off for a pre-season scrimmage against some top-flight competition from northern Minnesota.

But after five quality showings against International Falls, Virginia, Proctor, Eveleth and fellow traveler Richfield last weekend, he feels much better about the outlook for the coming season.

"The weekend went well," Revels said. "The returning players performed very well and the newcomers proved they belong...We appear to be a much more skilled team and less physical than in years past."

The Tigers return 15 players from last winter's hard-luck team that lost eight one-goal games with forwards Grant Hauswirth, John Donnelly and Kevin Olund; defenders Jordan Lugowski and Zach Colaw and goalie Austin Krause representing the senior class.

The other returnees are juniors: forwards Landon Nielson, Tanner Grubb, Jack Erickson, Dan Block, Chris Fitzgibbons and Dallas Tucker and defensemen Alex Aubrecht, Stan Buss and goalie Nick Schoening.

Senior defender Zach Colaw (photo by Jim Lindquist)

The rest of the varsity players will be young and Revels emphatically said they will see their share of of ice time in 2012-13.

Newcomers include sophomore forwards Justin Novak and Justin Hyytinen; sophomore defender Benton Olson; freshmen forwards Grady Hauswirth and John Siebenaler and freshmen defensemen Devin Bernu and Erik Holmstrom.

In early practices, Revels has been impressed with his team's depth, overall speed and puck skills but admits that inexperience and lack of physical size could be an issue, especially in the early going.

Still, the former Tiger said he is optimistic about his team's chances in the season ahead.

"We should be competitive in both the conference and section," he said.

Revels added that perennial Holy Angels should once again rule the Missota Conference roost with Lakeville North and Lakeville South his pre-season picks for Section 1AA honors.

Shawn Anderson and Todd Karich return as assistant coaches with Dan Pickens moving over from the Tigers' girls' program to fill out the varsity coaching staff.

Farmington opens it season this Saturday, Nov. 24, with a matinee contest at Hastings.