Pair of Aces

Warroad seniors Talya Hendrickson and Kate Johnson hold all the cards as the Warriors get set to defend their state championship

Warroad’s dominant run last season, and a strong core of returning players, makes the Warriors big favorites to rule in Class A again this year. Here’s how we see things stacking up as the new season begins.


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1.Warroad Warriors

The Warroad Warriors celebrate their third state championship after a 6-1 victory over Proctor/Hermantown at XCel Energy Center last season. 

Since their 6-1 rout of Proctor/Hermantown in last season’s state championship game, the question in girls Class A hockey is this: ‘Can anyone knock off Warroad in 22-23?’

Led by Bemidji State commits Talya Hendrickson (35-54–89) and Kate Johnson (48-38–86), the prospects for another championship season look very promising.

As juniors, Hendrickson and Johnson combined for 175 points in leading the Warriors to the 2022 Class A state title. Now the pair have the opportunity to do it again and culminate their prep careers by delivering Warroad a fourth state championship.

Hendrickson and Johnson had plenty of help on the team’s road to a championship, and Warroad’s top five scorers are back, including Abby Chamernick (10-31–41) and state tournament dynamo Lila Lanctot (23-15–38).

The Warriors, who have made seven consecutive state tournament appearances, will need to find a replacement for graduated goaltender Kendra Nordick, and they think they might have found her in Northern Lakes transfer Katherine Stephens (1.87 GAA, .932 SV%).

With only three seniors graduating last year, the Warriors have only a few spots to fill. Transfers Rylee Bartz (St. Thomas) and Alexis Kirkeby are sure to make an impact with the Warriors this year.

Bartz (67-21–88) and Kirkeby (27-19–43) are two highly skilled North Dakota natives who will play their senior seasons in Warroad. Kirkeby was named to the North Dakota All-State team last year. Bartz led the state of North Dakota in scoring.

Warroad has nine games against AA teams on their schedule, including dates with Andover, Edina, Hill-Murray, Benilde, Moorhead and Roseau; top teams Warroad proved were within their reach last season. With Talya, Kate and a strong supporting cast, it will take a fairly big upset to dethrone the powerful Warriors.

2. Proctor/Hermantown Mirage

Proctor/Hermantown's Nya Sieger led the Mirage with 51 points in '21-22.  Photo by Hope Carlson

The Mirage won it all in 2020 with an undefeated (21-0-0) run to the Class A title. Last season was a bit bumpier ride, with a 2-3-1 start and eight losses total (21-8-1). But the Mirage still made it to the championship game and appear to be a team with legit championship aspirations.

Five of the team’s losses last season were to AA teams, and the other three were to Warroad (twice) and Orono. With plenty of key returnees, the Mirage is likely the top threat to prevent a Warroad repeat.

The Mirage also has one of the hardest schedules in Class A as they will be playing teams such as Andover, Edina and Hill-Murray during the regular season.

Senior forward Nya Sieger (21-30–51) led the team in points last season, and recent Bemidji State commits Izy Fairchild (28-14–42) and Hannah Graves (16-12–28) are back for one last go-round. Hailey Jusila (7-9–16) joins the Mirage from Elk River/Zimmerman.

Goaltender Abby Pajari has graduated and so there may be some inexperience between the pipes, but Proctor/Hermantown has the firepower to win it all.

3. Holy Angels Stars

Holy Angels defender Isabella Brama. 

The Stars had an outstanding season last year, winning 22 games. Junior linemates Audrey Garton (30-25–55) and Bella LaMere (23-27–50) give the Stars a one-two punch up front and forward Taylor Lesnar had 17 goals as a freshman.

I asked head coach Ryan LaMere, now in his fourth season, how he expects this season to go; “We are really excited about our program and the next big step we are looking to take this year,” he said. “Our schedule will be more difficult, which will help in preparation for playoffs. We have a group of fantastic families and players. We are anticipating a great season.”

In addition to stand-outs Garton (Mankato State), LaMere and Lesnar, Holy Angels is also led by Harper Poehling and Isabella Brama (College of St. Scholastica).

A pair of two-way defenders will make Holy Angels quick in transition, with sophomore Reagan Loichle (7-16–23) and junior Emilie Anderson (10-12–22) on the blueline.

If Holy Angels can find good goaltending, they will challenge Orono in Section 5A.

4. Orono Spartans

Orono senior goaltender Celia Dahl.  Photo by Mike Lieb

The Spartans made their first-ever trip to the state tournament last February and took home the third place trophy. Orono finished an impressive 26-4-0, and despite some dramatic changes, they still look very tough in Section 5A.

Head coach Sean Fish has moved over to coach the Orono boys team and former Warroad Warrior and Golden Gopher star Larry Olimb takes over the girls squad with plenty of talent to work with.

Replacing graduated senior Iyla Ryskamp’s 90-point season won’t be easy, but sophomore forwards Zoe Lopez (25-28–53) and Macy Rasmussen (14-25–39) will keep Orono dangerous. Another sophomore, Alex Paulson (3-33–36), will be a leader from the blueline. Kali Schmidt (22-15–37) joins Orono after transferring from Delano/Rockford, giving the Spartans another weapon on offense.

Though Orono lost forward Kaeli Koopman, who transferred to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the Spartans still have plenty of returning talent to repeat in Section 5A.

The Spartans will return with goaltender Celia Dahl, who has proven herself to be one of the top goaltenders in the state. Dahl played the majority of the minutes for the Spartans during her junior year, she had a 1.68 GAA as well as a stellar .917 SV%.

I expect the Section 5A final to be a close match between Holy Angels and Orono.

5. Simley Spartans

With a young and talented nucleus, the Spartans enter the season as the favorites in Section 4A. Simley welcomes back their top seven scorers from a year ago, led by senior forwards Ella Tuccitto (10-17–27) Mackaylan McGown (14-9–23) and Abby Jeffers (4-19–23).

Simley doesn’t light up the scoreboard, but they play solid team defense and spread the scoring around evenly; the Spartans had ten players notch at least ten points last season. Also expected to be key contributors are juniors Kelsey Ries (9-11–20) and Taylor Ralston (8-5–13), along with freshman Ella Sanders (12-7–19). Junior Val DuVal is the team’s top returning defender (5-10–15).

In goal, the Spartans lost Mackenzie Gibson to graduation, but will rely on sophomore Sydney Ries (0.66 GAA .959 SV%), who won eight games and had three shutouts as a freshman. The Spartans look primed to improve on their 18-5-3 record from last year.

6. Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers

The Hilltoppers have a solid group back from last year’s 17-8-0 squad, led by leading scorer Ilsa Lindaman (34-21–55) and senior Meredith Boettcher (13-21–34). Rae Anderson (1.73 GAA, .917 SV%) had an excellent season in goal as a freshman and the Hilltoppers will be Proctor/Hermantown’s biggest threat in Section 7A.

7. Dodge County Wildcats

The Wildcats will be a new face in Class A this season. But the Wildcats are not shying away from AA competition. DC will be playing Eden Prairie, Park of Cottage Grove, Simley, and Chaska/Chanhassen this season.

Sophomore forward Nora Carstensen (13-24–37) is the leading returning scorer and classmate Mollie Koch (10-16–26) is also an offensive threat. Sophomore Ida Huber (2.69 GAA, .895 SV%) won 12 games last year and will get the majority of the minutes in the nets.

8. Mound Westonka Whitehawks

The Whitehawks will return with star players Gretta Pioske (21-22-43), Sydney Leonard (27-20-47), and Camryn Hargreaves (14-17-31). The Whitehawks remained in the top 10 in the state for the entire year last year after beating teams such as Woodbury, Dodge County, Cretin-Derham Hall and Blaine. But a shocking, 3-2 loss to Breck in the section playoffs derailed their plans of a trip to state.

Goaltender Ashlyn Roth had an impressive 494 saves last season and held a .900 SV% during her sophomore season. Leonard is considered one of the best forwards in the state of Minnesota and earlier this year she committed to the University of New Hampshire. Pioske will be attending Lindenwood University next fall with her older sister Brooke. Emily Wendorf will also be a key player to watch, she had an impressive 19 assists last year.

9. Crookston Pirates

The Pirates return four of their top five scorers from last year’s 13-9-2 squad. Junior forward Reese Swanson (20-17–37) leads the offense and experienced senior Kailee Magsam (2.73 GAA, .875 SV%) will be the primary goaltender. The Pirates would need to get past Warroad in Section 8A to get to state.

10. South St. Paul Packers

Delaney Norman will be a solid component to the success of the Packers. Norman (1.98 GAA, .917 SV%) had 600 saves during her junior year and 13 victories. Norman has been a huge factor in the Packers’ success the past few years and I expect nothing less for her senior year. Sarah Wincentsen (12-14-26) will be returning for her senior year and will be a key factor in the goal scoring for the Packers. Freshman Lily Pachl (8-16-24) will also be a player to watch.

The next 10:

11. Cloquet Lumberjacks

12. Willmar Cardinals

13. Luverne Cardinals

14. Fergus Falls Otters

15. Moose Lake Area Rebels

16. New Ulm Eagles

17. Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets

18. Two Rivers/St. Paul Riveters

19. Chisago Lakes Wildcats

20. Mankato East Cougars