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 Henry…
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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 Henry Sibley.
How last season went
The Warriors are not known as a high-powered machine when it comes to boys’ hockey. To make matters worse, Henry Sibley plays in the east Metro, which was littered with top talent this past season.
The biggest problem for the Warriors came simply by looking at the final score. They were outscored by more than two goals per game last season. But that fact did not become evident until later in the season.
To open the year, Henry Sibley won two of its first three games. From there, things took a turn for the worse as the Warriors won just three games the rest of the season and none in their final 11 games of the regular season.
At the end of the regular season, Henry Sibley had a 5-18-2 record while posting wins against the likes of St. Paul Highland Park and Providence Academy.
In a topsy-turvy Section 4A, the Warriors were the No. 8 seed. They started strong with a 5-2 win against Red Wing in the play-in round. The next test was a big one against top-seeded and eventual Class 1A state champion Mahtomedi. The Zephyrs cruised and ended Henry Sibley’s season in the quarterfinals.
Who’s back and who’s gone
The Warriors’ problems last season weren’t due to experience. Each of the team’s top five point-getters were graduating seniors. That included Nate Pace (15 goals, 16 assists), Michael Scherer (9G, 18A), Jackson Rohleder (8G, 7A), Kaidden O’Connor (5G, 8A) and Joey Shirk (6G, 7A) all have moved on from the program via graduation.
The one big returner comes at a key position: goaltender. Keaton Woolsey is set to return after posting a .875 save percentage in 26 appearances last season.
What to expect next season
Heading into next season, there will be plenty of new faces taking the ice for Henry Sibley. Though the team won’t have much varsity experience, it may be a chance to hit the reset button and try again.