Offseason breakdown No. 145: Austin

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 Austin.

How last season went

Breaking down the Packers’ 2019-20 season in any way is a tough task. Austin won just one game last season while surrendering more than 8 goals per game.

The biggest positive came as a Christmas wish of sorts. On Dec. 26, 2019, the Packers faced off against La Crescent/Hokah. The two teams played a close game that left Austin on the winning side for the first and only time that season as the Packers won 4-3.

From there, Austin found itself on the losing side the rest of the way, including in its lone section tournament game when the Packers lost 5-1 to Winona in the play-in round of the Section 1A tournament.

Who’s back and who’s gone

Kaleb Ree did his best to right the train for Austin with his 22 points as a senior (11 goals, 11 assists). He departed along with the likes of Nick Dunlap (5G, 9A) and Blaine Krueger (6G, 6A). 

As for returners, Garett Schaefer appears to be the most prolific goal-scorer as he tallied 11 goals and 3 assists last season. 

Schaefer is joined by a pair of returning netminders who gained valuable experience last season. Brayden Kapperick posted a .826 save percentage in 18 appearances while Sam Eyre posted a .797 save percentage in 7 appearances. 

What to expect next season 

It appears that the Raiders need a reset of sorts. That could come during the 2020-21 season. Southern Minnesota hockey, especially in Class 1A, has proven to be open for the taking. I’m not saying Austin will come to win a section title next season, but the Raiders certainly have a chance to take some steps forward.