Minnesota’s Comprehensive Goalie Guide: Lake Superior Conference
For my second series at Prep Hockey, I have been in the midst of predicting every team’s starting goalie for the 2023-2024 season, and today, the Lake Superior Conference will get the spotlight. This conference may have some smaller schools…
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Continue ReadingFor my second series at Prep Hockey, I have been in the midst of predicting every team’s starting goalie for the 2023-2024 season, and today, the Lake Superior Conference will get the spotlight. This conference may have some smaller schools within its ranks, but make no mistake, these teams can downright play. This list has got some studs, returners, and scrappy newcomers looking for their chance to cement themselves as a brick wall in net. Let’s take a look.
Hermantown: Dane Callaway Dane Callaway 5'9" | Goalie Hermantown | 2024 State MN
The third place finishers in Class A, Hermantown’s incredible 27-3-1 season included many lopsided victories, indicating that both their offense and defense were well polished. In terms of goaltenders, the Hawks also thrived thanks to the double edged sword of Dane Callaway Dane Callaway 5'9" | Goalie Hermantown | 2024 State MN and Garron Opsahl. Together, the dynamic duo put up 27 wins, 545 saves, and eight shutouts, splitting their time evenly in net and both excelling when their number was called. However, now that Opsahl has graduated, it will be Callaway’s turn to man the net solo. He has already showed he can play at a high level against state contending competition, and I expect the kid to rise to the occasion and put up some stellar stats this coming winter.
Grand Rapids: Ryan Kerr
With Myles Gunderson graduated and no other goalies with varsity experience, it will be up to Ryan Kerr to step up and take the starting spot this winter. The two full games Kerr has played thus far tell completely different stories. His varsity debut was excellent, as he saved 16 shots en route to a shutout victory over Duluth Denfeld. However, his second game saw him get shelled, as Kerr allowed eight goals to Maple Grove, who trounced his team. Nonetheless, he has some experience in net, has showed a flash of greatness against inter conference opponents, and has a great opportunity to step up and be the guy for Grand Rapids in 2023-2024.
Hibbing/Chisholm: Tim Urdahl
The 6-foot-2, 170 pound Tim Urdahl sure has a frame fit for a good goaltender, and his 3-0 record as a sophomore on varsity shows he can hang with the older guys. Primarily backing up senior Brayden Boyer during the 2022-2023 season, Urdahl had the unique experience as an underclassmen to adjust to varsity hockey in all of its bizarre glory, which included a game where he only faced four shots during three whole periods in net. It’s hard to say how Urdahl will fare as it stands now, but there will be plenty of room for him to trend upward in both playing time and skill as he prepares to man the net this winter.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton: Logan Sickmann
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton had a tough time finding a go-to-goaltender this past season. Over the course of their 25 game season, the Lumberjacks tried out four goalies in net, none of whom were able to post a save percentage at or above .900, an admittedly concerning statistic. Their goalie carousel consisted of two sophomores and two juniors, with the latter group receiving the brunt of the playing time. Of the juniors, Logan Sickmann is the most experienced and winningest goalie, which means he will likely get the nod to start in the net this coming season. This by no means rules out fellow rising senior Caden Kubis though, as he did in fact post a higher save percentage and tallied more shutouts than Sickmann.
Duluth Denfeld: Connor Doyle
Similar to Cloquet, Duluth Denfeld tried out three different goalies this past season, and none of them could crack a .900 save percentage. Fortunately for Denfeld though, their primary guy from last year, Connor Doyle, still has one more season left in a Hunters uniform. In 21 games for Denfeld, Doyle posted an even record, a solid save percentage, and a handful of shutouts, including a 31 save gem against conference opponent Proctor. For better or for worse, Doyle will be on his own this winter, and Denfeld will continue to build around him and other varsity veterans along the way.
Duluth Marshall: Sam Pollard
After a dismal nine win, 18 loss season in which Duluth Marshall allowed over four goals per game, many fans might try to point their fingers at whose in net, but surprisingly, junior Sam Pollard put up some respectable stats considering his team’s record and the competition he faced. In 20 games for the Hilltoppers, Pollard faced a whopping 747 shots, or an average of 37 a game ripped his way. Most goalies would crumble under that kind of pressure, but not Pollard. He posted a very impressive .901 save percentage considering his circumstances, and even managed to put up a shutout. The craziest part is, this guy is facing some legit competition like Andover and Gentry Academy, two highly ranked programs in Class AA. Pollard’s stats are already impressive, and if he gets just a little more help on the defensive side of things, I bet he puts up some All-Conference numbers during his senior year.
Proctor: AJ Reyelts
Although Proctor finished last in the Lake Superior conference last winter, their problem was certainly not in net. They had two goalies post some solid stats, and AJ Reyelts will be the only one remaining for this coming season. The rising senior had a .926 save percentage and three shutouts last season for the Rails, on top of leading the goalies on his team in minutes played. He was the guy last season, and he’ll be the guy this season, joining a convoy of Railers who have varsity experience under their belt. Four of their five leading scorers from last season are back, and so is their main goalie, meaning this team could make a quick ascent in the Lake Superior Conference if they take a collective stride forward as a team.