With the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team we’re breaking down is Minnehaha…
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SubscribeWith the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team we’re breaking down is Minnehaha Academy.
How last season went
Things took a bad turn quickly for the Redhawks. They opened the season 1-10. A hole like that is hard for any team, but especially this squad which ended the year giving up 6.32 goals per game.
Minnehaha Academy found some success in the final 14 contests. The Redhakws posted wins against Rochester Lourdes, St. Paul Academy, Providence Academy and Henry Sibley. That propelled the squad to their 4-21 record.
In the Section 4AA tournament, Minnehaha Academy had a big hill to climb starting with a contest against Irondale in the play-in round. The Knights were too much and won 6-1.
Who’s back and who’s gone
The Redhawks took their lumps last season. But they did so while finding some solid young talent. AJ Beugen and Connor Nelson were the team’s top two point-getters last season as they combined for 43 goals and 49 assists. Both are slate to return for the 2020-21 season.
As for departing players, three stick out. There are Henry Prisell and Jake McClenahan, who finished their final season of high school hockey with a combined 11 goals and 32 assists. Will O’Connor also graduated after playing in net for eight games and finishing with a .834 save percentage.
Patrick Anderson was the one handling the majority of the netminding duties. He’s set to return after posting a .857 save percentage in 18 games. His best performance might have come against St. Paul Academy when he stopped 60 of 64 shots faced in an overtime victory.
What to expect next season
It’s easy to say last season was rough for Minnehaha Academy. But there are some shining lights there with the young returning scorers along with a goaltender that showed the ability to make some big plays in net. There’s quite the hill for the Redhawks to climb. Can they do it?