The Stars and Studs from St. Cloud Cathedral’s Second State Title
Star: Nick Hansen Nick Hansen has two things that no other high school goalie in the state can say they possess both of. First of all, the guy is a state champion, but arguably the more impressive feat was that…
Access all of Prep Hockey
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingStar: Nick Hansen
Nick Hansen has two things that no other high school goalie in the state can say they possess both of. First of all, the guy is a state champion, but arguably the more impressive feat was that he never lost a game all season. The senior went 19-0-1 as a starter in the net, an excellent season that was capped off with a signature performance in the state title over Hermantown. Facing a Hawk attack that averages four goals per game and has multiple lopsided wins on its resume, Hansen was brilliant. He faced eight more shots than his competitor on the other end of the ice, yet even so, Hansen was able to keep his team ahead until the final horn. He saved 28 of the 29 shots that came his way, finishing with a .966 save percentage on the night and a state title. Through three games between the pipes in the state tournament, Hansen’s save percentage did not fall below .900 once, and he toppled excellent attacks like Northfield, Warroad, and of course, Hermantown to win the Class A state tourney.
Star: Andrew Dwinnell
One of the four Crusaders that finished with All-Tournament team honors, Andrew Dwinnell saved arguably his best game of the tournament for last, providing the spark necessary to ignite the Crusaders’ attack and bring them to victory. Hermantown is a team that allows a razor thin 1.90 goals per game, but Dwinnell eclipsed that figure on his own. The senior forward scored two goals and notched an assist to boot, being involved with all three points on the night for the Crusaders. Throughout the tournament, Dwinnell proved to be the focal point of the Crusader attack. He finished with five points on three goals and two assists, a performance that pushed his season point total up to 72. Dwinnell had a great prep career, and he ended it in the best way possible.
Stud: Joey Gillespie
Joey Gillespie may not have been on the All-Tournament team, but considering how integral he was to the Crusaders’ state title, he probably isn’t losing too much sleep over it. The junior forward scored 60 points leading up to the state tournament, but after an excellent two goal game against Northfield, he was held scoreless against Warroad. However, Gillespie more then made up for it in the state title game. He scored three points on a goal and two assists, being involved in every aspect of scoring just like Dwinnell. Gillespie has one more year with the Crusaders, and considering he ended his junior campaign with 65 points and a state title under his belt, his senior season should be a fun one to watch.