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| Scootie Donnelly All-Missota Conference (photo by J. Lindquist) |
The first dozen games didn't provide many goals and only two wins and a tie on the scoreboard. The second half proved to be the mirror opposite as the girls went 10-4-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the Section 1AA tournament.
"I have never seen a group stay as a team as whole-heartedly as this group did," coach Jon Holmes said "To go 2-9-1 at the beginning of the year and finish up like they did is unheard of.
"I got everything I could ask from this team. I really enjoyed the year both on and off the ice. With such hard workers, dedicated team members and good mentors coupled with wonderful parent support it really made the year one for the memory books."
Holmes said one of the keys to the mid-season about face was the leadership of the eight-member senior class that headed the list of 21 varsity letter winners announced at the team's post-season awards banquet.
Included among the senior monograms were Scootie Donnelly, Megan Stivers, Breanna Raske, Brooke Raske, Rachael Welzin, Kaitlyn LaCroix, Maddie Kohlbeck and Shaye Jenrich who missed her final season due to injury.
"They all came to our program as seventh graders, the last of an era where there was no youth hockey to fill the gap between sixth and ninth grade," Holmes said.
"They are very hard workers, very energetic and very charismatic individuals that I will personally miss seeing at the rink every day. Their leadership qualities are truly top notch."
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| Molly Singewald All-Missota Conference (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Team captain Donnelly, Oines (18 points) and goaltender Singewald (11-7-2 record) each landed a spot on the all-Missota Conference team. Stivers (15 points) and Moser (20 points) received all-league honorable mention.
Other awards announced at the awards banquet:
Hegland Award (dedication and hard work): Brooke Raske
Hobey Bake Award: Breanna Raske
Most Improved Player: Sammi Hyytinen
Rookie of the Year: Ellie Moser
Blue Line Award (Defense +/-): Scootie Donnelly and Rachael Welzin
Holmes offered that despite the loss of the strong senior class, next year's cupboard will be far from empty.
"Building off of a year like this one will be easy to do," he said. "The leadership foundation has been set and the girls know exactly what it takes to be successful on the ice.
"Their growth this year has been unparalleled and I can't wait to see what strides they make in the off-season to come back next year at an even higher level."
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| Maddi Oines All-Missota Conference (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
"The girls that will be returning next year will not be able to just show up and expect a spot back without putting in the necessary time and effort to get better," he said. "There will be a large number of hard-working girls coming in who will be hungry to make the team."
