The twenty-fourth season of WIAA Girl’s Hockey began on Friday, November 22nd with five games across the state. Superior’s 2-1 victory over ECA opened the new season. Optimism runs high as each team begins their journey that they believe will end in a trip to the state tournament in March. On Tuesday, November 26th the Central Wisconsin Storm will open the season defending their title when they travel to Ice Hawks Arena in Stevens Point to face the Wisconsin Valley Union. The Storm will be looking for their state best sixth championship and to become the fourth team in history to win back-to-back titles. It was last done in 2019 and 2020 by the Fox Cities Stars.
Before I dig into the season ahead, I want to extend a huge thanks to Del Scanlon for his past work covering the girl’s programs. Enjoy your retirement. Secondly, this preview was a rather large venture, and I did my best to fact check and spell, any errors were unintended.
Twelve New Faces
Perhaps the biggest unknown heading into the girl’s season is the twelve new head coaches that will take their place behind the bench. Nearly one half of the twenty-seven programs will be led by a new head coach. Mike Buchan will make the jump from boys to girls as he crosses town from Bay Port to take over for Joe Gerarden at Bay Area. The Ice Bears made it to the championship game a year ago and are loaded with talent. Here is a list of all the new head coaches:
- Jeff Stebbeds – Northland Pines
- Brady Mathison – Black River Falls
- Mikayla Hogan – CFM Sabers
- Bob Stow – ECA Stars
- Jamie Olson – Coulee Region Cyclones
- Mike Buchan – Bay Area Ice Bears
- Dan Wade – Lakeshore Lightning
- Sarah Pearson – USM Wildcats
- Lindsey Lewison – Fond du Lac Warbirds
- Nate Breunig – Badger Lightning
- Rachel Behl – Stoughton Icebergs
- Steve Simpson – Metro Lynx
Gone is long time veteran coach Tom Bernhardt (33 years – State Championship in 2018), and current GWHCA president and Onalaska (Coulee Region) head coach Mark Thorn. The dean of high school coaches, Matt Cranston, returns to guide the Fusion for his 20th season. He has won three state championships, the most of any coach, and the only team/coach to win three consecutive titles—2009, 2010, 2011. Cranston has a career win-loss record of 326-136-15 (68%), has won twelve Big Rivers Championships and has five state tournament appearances. He is also the only four-time GWHCA Coach of the Year. Matt is the brother of the defending Women’s DIII National Champion UW-River Falls Falcons coach, Joe Cranston.
The Trifecta: Cooper, Sundby, Calmes
Unquestionably, three of the best female players to ever step on the WIAA ice in Wisconsin will not be back to lead their respective teams. Autumn Cooper, Superior (107 career goals, 188 career points), reigning Miss Hockey, is now playing for the Beavers of Bemidji State. Cooper has dressed for all twelve games, recording two assists for the 1-10-1 Beavers. The Fusions, Kendall Sundby (125 goals, 193 points) headed East where she has played in all twelve games for the Maine Black Bears. Sundby, who finished third in All-Time scoring for the Fusion, behind Alice Cranston and Maddie Rowe, has a goal for the struggling 2-12 Bears. Both Cooper and Sundby are learning firsthand the giant step between high school and Division I college hockey.
Goaltender Claire Calmes led the Storm to a state title last year allowing a meager 1.42 goals a game. She also helped the Storm to a title as a freshman in 2022. For her career she posted gaudy numbers like a 34-4 record, 1.25 GAA and 94% save percentage. Calmes, who signed to play Softball with the Badgers next fall, has been advised not to play her senior season due to medical reasons related to her concussion during the championship game last March in Madison. It is a huge loss for the Storm and high school hockey in Wisconsin.
In addition, there are many other notable departures who have moved on to play college or AAA hockey: Hudson’s Catt Donna (UW-River Falls) and Avery Martin (Hamline University), USM’s Molly Jex (University of Dubuque) and Charlotte Fetherston (Williams College), ECA’s Hailey Stanek (Salem State University), Lakeshore Lightning’s Jillian Bilsborough (Aurora University), Fox Cities’ Mango Streck (St. Norberts) and Peyton Hewitt (Grand Canyon University), Rock County’s Emma Kilgora (UW-Superior) and Jillian Traver (Marian University), Metro Lynx’ Emma Stebbeds (St. Norbert), CW Storm’s Tristan Wicklund (St. Norbert), Ilsa Brunner (Chicago Mission) and Madi DePuydt (University of Dubuque), Black River Falls’ Sydney Magnuson and Zowie Hunter (Marian), Northland Pines Mallory Schmidt (Marion) and Taylor Heleniak (Concordia Wisconsin), Arrowheads Sara Kopf (MSOE) and Bella Hamel (Chicago Mission).
The Great Divide
At twenty-seven teams, the WIAA girl’s field stays the same as last season. The girls reached a high of thirty-three teams in 2011 but have seen their numbers drop since then. As co-ops continue to absorb other programs and add more schools, the divide between programs widens. Every team except for Hudson is a co-op program. Medford and Superior come close as the only two team co-ops. Brookfield is the largest co-op, by schools, with twenty, and an enrollment of 24,525, followed by Fox Cities (16 / 15,384) and Fond du Lac (15 / 12,180). Bay Area with eleven schools comes in second in enrollment with 13,307 students.
The co-op concept simply has not been effective at its intended purpose. The idea that co-ops would be formed to help individual schools grow into their own programs has not happened. When co-ops grow and their success follows it precludes the desire to split apart. In short, the addictive nature of winning takes hold and the idea of splitting and jeopardizing winning is kicked further down the road. The greater good of girl’s hockey is sacrificed for the selfishness and success of large co-op programs.
A solution might seem simple to some, but it is more complicated than most imagine.
Digging into rosters reveals Lakeshore Lightning with the largest with 39 players. Ten programs have rosters of thirty or more. Eleven teams have between twenty and twenty-nine players. Six programs have less than twenty skaters with Viroqua at the bottom with just thirteen rostered players.
When co-op programs get to that twenty-four plus roster number many believe they should look to split. The best argument against might be the value of programs then being able to play a varsity and junior varsity schedule. Most freshmen players are not ready to step in and contribute at a varsity level. That opportunity to grow their game at the JV can be very meaningful.
When you sift through all the arguments and rhetoric from both sides, the real solution is to simply grow the girl’s game. That requires key youth hockey advocates to expand the girl’s youth hockey footprint in every organization. And that requires squashing old school thinking and prejudice against girls’ participation in hockey.
Paper Champions
When I asked coaches to pick the state champion I got several predictions, a few no comments and one sure fire answer from Hayward’s Emily Stark, “Whoever wins the last game of the season.”
On paper there certainly appears to be several teams poised to be in the hunt for the championship. The unofficial poll of coaches who responded saw Bay Area finish first with nine votes, followed by CWS and Superior, Hayward with three votes each and Fox Cities and the Warbirds with one vote. Many coaches pointed to the north, said one “Whoever comes out of section one will be tough to beat.” Another quipped, “Pick your favorite 10-school co-op from up north and you are likely to have your winner.”
There is a distinctive tone of sarcasm and pessimism from the small programs who see their chances as a David and Goliath match-up. Having been firmly on both ends of that depth chart, I can honestly say that winning and losing has absolutely nothing to do with the value of this journey ahead. Many of my most rewarding experiences as a coach were teams playing the role of David.
Beyond the list of favorites is a stable of capable challengers. Like every season, each team will face adversity through injuries, sickness and the ever present “bad bounces.” How quickly younger players contribute, the strength of the team’s player leadership, adjusting to key teammates that have graduated and the ability of twelve new coaches to implement their systems and develop their culture will be factors in who makes the trip to Madison in March.
Section One I believe will be a dog fight between the Storm, Hayward and Superior. I think the WV Union will also make some noise and have a very successful season. In Section Two I like St. Croix Falls bench experience, Western Wisconsin’s youth and Hudson’s consistency. I believe ECA, with a deep senior class could return to past form. Bay Area is the clear favorite to win it all and will be the top contender in Section Three. The rest of the section could be very balanced, and I won’t be surprised by any of the other teams being in the hunt. Section Four appears to be Cap Cities to defend. Beaver Dam’s goaltending will put them in the conversation.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5—Storm, 3—Fusion, 2—Hudson, Fond du Lac, Hayward, Bay Area, Fox Cities, 1—Superior, Appleton, USM, ECA, CFM.
TEAM by TEAM PREVIEW
Arrowhead WARHAWKS
Head Coach: Jackie Little—4th Year Roster 19 / Seniors 3 Record 14-12
The Warhawks scored 102 goals, third best in the state a season ago. Nearly half of those goals, 48, have graduated in seniors Kendall Danielsson and Alexa Jarvis and the transfer of Bella Hamel to play for the Chicago Mission. Returning defensively for the Warhawks are seniors Emmy Berger (HM Eastern Shores) and Sofia McGinley along with sophomore Rae Lahr. Junior Bri Chmiel will battle sophomore Kennedy Bostrom, who played for the Junior Admirals last season, for the top goalie spot.
Bay Area ICE BEARS
Head Coach: Mike Buchan—1st Year Roster 34 / Seniors 10 Record 22-6
The Ice Bears are literally “loaded for bear.” They will return all ten of their top scorers from a season ago, including a trio of forty-point scorers in Emily Bill, Faye Brunke and Julianne Bradford. The Bears averaged 4.79 goals per game last season, second only to Superior. Defensively they return All Conference selections Addison Dahl and Ava McDonald along with Tiana Stindt. Replacing 14-win goaltender Parker Bartholomaus will be a priority. With ten pre-post players on Team Wisconsin and Wisconsin Selects there will be a bullseye on the Ice Bears. How quickly the Ice Bear players adjust to new head coach Mike Buchan and how quickly he transitions to coaching girls, after his past fourteen years at Bay Port, may be a determining factor for a team loaded with talent and high expectations. Last season’s championship game defeat should serve as a powerful motivator.
Coaches Quote: Our goal will be to build a positive team culture and energy as we look for a return trip to State for the third consecutive year.
Black River Falls TIGERS
Head Coach: Brady Mathison—1st Year Roster 29 / Seniors 7 Record 14-11
The Tigers will be faced with the task of replacing First Team All-State forward Zowie Hunter and goaltender Sydney Magnuson, both now playing at Marian University. Both players were also part of the Wisconsin Selects National Championship team. Few teams lost two more pivotal players. Shelby King (23 points) and Alizah Hayes (15 points) return along with Junior Lexi Moore (2.33 GAA). Junior Marah Noth returns from Badger City on defense along with freshmen Camryn Steele and Piper Mathison who both played for Team Wisconsin.
Coaches Quote: We are optimistic for our season. We have a deep, competitive group. Spots are wide open for the players to take. We need to stay in system and continually work hard to compete night in and night out. I like our chances.
Badger LIGHTNING
Head Coach: Nate Breunig—1st Year Roster 32 / Seniors 8 Record 8-14
The Lightning returns a large senior class led by Kayla Garbacz (26 pts), Ryleigh Bychinsky (15 pts) and Reese Olson. Graduation took top scorer Karsen Nicksic (36 pts) and goaltender Alyssa Gada. Defensemen Paige Othmer and Emma Diehl return. The Lightning have high expectations for incoming freshmen Hadee Meyer, Kjersten Hagen and Kapri Rabine.
Coaches Quote: As for the season outlook, as a new coach, I'm looking forward to getting to know the teams we will be competing against this season. I do foresee some competitive games against Arrowhead and Cap City Cougars.
Beaver Dam GOLDEN BEAVERS
Head Coach: Mike Pogrelec—1st Year Roster 18 / Record 11-12-1
Senior goaltender Emily Smedema leads the Beavers into the new season with impressive stats. She compiled a 2.10 GAA and 93.0 save percentage last season. Sophomores Emerson Damon (19 pts) and Lillian Mansueto (15 pts) both return as the team’s leading scorers.
Brookfield GLACIER
Head Coach: Kevin Armbruster—4th Year Roster 32 / Seniors 9 Record 10-13-2
Brookfield is battle tested following a season where they played in thirteen games that were decided by one goal or ended in a tie. Senior goaltender, 2nd Team All-State selection Macy Blooming’s 93.6% save percentage was a highlight for the team last season. Madeline MacLeod (22 goals), Ella Vranek (25 points) and defenseman Payton Dykstra (HM All-State and Engstrom Award Finalist), with 27 points paced the offense. If the offense can improve and Blooming can repeat her save percentage the class of 2025 should be able to turn those tight games into victories and eclipse their 13-win mark as sophomores.
Capital City COUGARS
Head Coach: Brenna Weber—5th Year Roster 33 / 7 Seniors Record 10-17-1
Last March the Cougars made one of the most spectacular runs to the state tournament that we have ever witnessed. After finishing their regular season with a six-game winless streak, including a 10-0 blowout by the Ice Bears, the Cougars caught fire. They marched through their sectional with three one-goal victories including two in overtime to advance to the state tournament. Freshman goaltender Sophia Martinelli stopped 93 of the 97 shots she faced for a save percentage of .959. Only four seniors are gone leaving a solid core of believers to build off last year’s miraculous run. Seniors Olivia Dull, Teegan Davis, Simone Dunai and junior Lilly Wagner will be counted on to lead the way.
Coaches Quote: We finished last season with a strong run to State. This year, we have a number of returners ready to work for another chance at the state tournament. No game will be easy, but we will keep growing each day to reach our potential.
Central Wisconsin STORM
Head Coach: Jana Wimmer—4th Year Roster 29 / Seniors 8 Record 22-4-1
Defense wins championships and the Storm proved that a year ago posting the stingiest goals per game average of 1.35. Eight Storm seniors will set their sights on winning their third state championship. With five titles, the Storm currently tops the state list. Graduation took leading scorer Tristan Wicklund (24 goals / 42 points / 8 GWG), now playing for St. Norbert College. But nearly all the rest of their offense returns including dynamic goal scorer, senior Gabi Heuser (54 career goals). All State defenseman Ava Rode returns along the blueline along with underrated senior Taylor Freidel. The unexpected departure of Ilsa Brunner (Chicago Mission) and Claire Calmes to injury has left the state’s defending champs goaltending in the hands of freshmen Taylor Simonson and Cami Flohr. It will be big shoes to fill for head coach Jana Wimmer’s self-proclaimed hardest working team in the state.
Coaches Quote: We will be a mix of relying on veterans and seniors to step up and play big roles and also relying on some freshman and younger classmen to step-up and fill roles. We have great upperclassman that I know will be able to lead this team. I expect some bumps in the road this year and hopefully they are all something we can learn and grow from. As the defending State Champions, we know we can expect everyone's best each game and we hope to rise to the challenge. The goal for this year is to learn and grow throughout the year and be playing our best hockey in February and March.
Coulee Region CYCLONES
Head Coach: Jamie Olson—1st Year Roster 27 / Seniors 8 Record 1-22-1
Last season was an anomaly for the highly successful former Onalaska co-op. The Cyclones gave up 145 goals as they struggled to a 1-22-1season. After remarkable freshman and sophomore seasons junior goaltender Diane Hanson, who compiled a 37-9 record her first two seasons played in just eight games. Just two years removed from a trip to the state tournament new head coach Jamie Olson will hope to get Hanson back full-time and get the program back on the winning track.
Coaches Quote: After coming off a one-win season and adding a new coaching staff we are looking to improve how we play each game and hopefully be playing our best hockey at the end of the year.
Chippewa Falls/Menomonie SABERS
Head Coach: Mikayla Hogan—1st Year Roster 21 / Seniors 8 13-12-1
Sabers alumni Mikayla Hogan takes over the CFM program. During her high school career at Chippewa Falls, Hogan was a standout three-sport athlete and led the first-year Chippewa Falls/McDonell co-op to state in 2007 and 2008. Hogan still holds three state tournament records. Addi Buesgen returns as the team’s leading scorer (38 points), but replacing the grit and grind of Paige Steinmetz (30 points) will be difficult. Junior Aubrie Dowd will replace three-year starter Kassie Herr in net. Beusgen and her sister Rhylee along with Ashley Slupe (2nd Team Big Rivers) all play for the Selects.
Coaches Quote: Three head coaches in 3 years can be tough on a program, but that is not indicative of the nature of this team. The locker room culture is tight and ready to come out flying this season. We're ready to compete to be at the top of the BRC once again.
Eau Claire/Altoona STARS
Head Coach: Bob Stow—1st Year Roster 28 / Seniors 11 Record 8-17
Coming off a disappointing 8-17 record, the Eau Claire/Altoona Stars will feature the largest senior class in the state with eleven. New head coach Bob Stow, father to 2018 Miss Hockey Abigail Stow, will welcome back a veteran group led by the goaltending tandem of senior Amy Thul and junior Evie Pritzl. With only the loss of three to graduation, the Stars return top scorers Addison Gruhlke and Molly Wright. Seniors Ava Stow and April Vocke will anchor the blueline for the Stars.
Coaches Quote: With a senior laden team and new coaching staff, the energy is high as we look to build an upward trajectory combined with our experience for a strong season. Our conference and region will provide a strong test for us as we continue our growth and provide an opportunity to see how we will step up to the challenges.
Fond du Lac WARBIRDS
Head Coach: Lindsey Lewison—1st Year Roster 33 / Seniors 6 Record 13-10-1
Leadership will be of monumental importance as the Warbirds welcome in an unheard of seventeen freshmen players. Their top 3 returning scorers are Allison Waara (42 points), sophomore Callie Rottman (33 points), and senior Sydriha Retzlaff (17 points). Head Coach Lewison, a Prior Lake, Minnesota native played goalie at Marian University, and was named captain her senior year.
Coaches Quote: As we look ahead to the upcoming hockey season, our focus is developing these young players. We believe that each game presents an opportunity for growth, and we are committed to guiding these young athletes as they develop their skills and team chemistry.
Fox Cities STARS
Head Coach: Blake Hackbarth—3rd Year Roster 33 / Seniors 6 Record 15-12
Passionate head coach Blake Hackbarth has built a successful team culture around his “pull the rope” mantra. The Stars will look to build off their 15-12 record and tough 4-3 sectional final loss to Bay Area. Gone to St. Norbert College is gritty Mango Streck and defenseman Peyton Hewitt to Grand Canyon University. Twenty-goal scorers Evie Mursau and Marge Thomas return to fuel the state’s top ranked powerplay (30.8%). Mursau led the state with ten powerplay goals. Sophomore Makenna Otto returns in goal following a 10-4 freshman season and 2.08 GAA.
Coaches Quote: Our goal is to cultivate a supportive environment where young women can develop leadership skills and inspire others through the game of hockey. We are committed to fostering positive contributions to our schools and communities while promoting personal growth and teamwork.
Hayward HURRICANES
Head Coach: Emily Stark—6th Year Roster 33 / 8 Seniors Record 16-9
First Team All-State and All-Time leading scorer for the Hurricanes (180 points), Reese Sheehan will lead a veteran team into battle. Seven members of the Hurricanes, including Sheehan, played for the Wisconsin Selects this Fall and two others played for Team Wisconsin. Hayward returns eight of their top nine forwards and welcomes in promising freshmen Zandra Land and Bailey Schuh. Four others: freshman Olivia Holzman, Lainey Duffy and Makenna Cadotte along with sophomore Olivia Webster participated in WEHL. However, the strength of the team likely lies in the return of the goaltending duo of senior, Greta Woebler (Career 42-19 / 2.09 GAA) and junior, Makenna Hutchison, back from last year’s season-ending knee injury. Hutchison went 12-3 with a 1.46 GAA as a freshman.
Hudson RAIDERS
Head Coach; Matt Szypura—9th Year Roster 30 / 4 Seniors Record 15-10-1
The state’s only single school girl’s program has been a model of consistency and success. Under the guidance of head coach Matt Szypura, the Raiders have been to three state tournaments in the past six years. Filling void of departed seniors, First Team All-State selections Averie Martin (Hamline University) and Catt Donna (UW-River Falls) will be a huge task. Hudson had the number one ranked penalty kill (93%) and 4th best goals allowed at 1.79 per game. Junior forward Juliana Calhoon and defenseman Erin Madigan, both honorable mention Big Rivers and Team Wisconsin players, return.
Coaches Quote: This season we are still a young team and are looking to build on our young players' success from last season. We are excited to see many of our returning players step into larger roles on the team. I anticipate our overall team speed to improve so we will try to use this as a foundation of our team play.
Lakeshore LIGHTNING
Head Coach; Dan Wade—1st Year Roster 39 / 6 Seniors Record 11-10-2
Optimism is high as the Lightning returns the core of last year’s team that went 11-10-2 along with nineteen new incoming players. Lakeshore boosts the state’s largest roster with 39 girls. Jillian Bilsborough (123 career pts), 2nd Team All-State, is off to play for Aurora University, and first year head coach Dan Wade will need to find a way to replace her 32 goals. Nine of teams top ten scorers do return headed by Cheyenne Mojica and Olivia Dykema. Team Wisconsin goalie, sophomore Elizabeth Bowers (HM Eastern Shores) returns in goal and TW forward senior Addi Novak joins the team from the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals.
Coaches Quote: Although we lost our top scorer, we have a combination of significant upper classman
talent returning, an experienced defensive unit with one of the top goalies in the State, what could be one of the most explosive offensive lines consisting of 3 sophomore/freshmen, and tremendous depth with 19 new players joining us.
Madison Metro LYNX
Head Coach: Steve Simpson—1st Year Roster 29 / 6 Record 15-12
The Lynx ended last season with a heart-breaking double overtime loss in the sectional finals.
Gone from a year ago is First Team All-State selection Emma Stebbeds (St. Norbert) and her 35 goals. Forwards Paige O’Brien (40 pts) and Brita Lake (19 pts) return. Junior Addy Buzzell (15 wins / 2.71GAA) is back in the Lynx net.
Coaches Quote:
Medford RAIDERS
Head Coach: Tasha Schmidtfranz—2nd Year Roster 16 / 7 Record 5-13
Playing on one the state’s coldest rinks, the Raiders return eight seniors from a year ago. With a single player from Rib Lake, they are as close as you can get to a single school program. Medford is the classic example of how the current co-op system is failing. Large co-ops near them siphon away players that if geographic boundaries existed wouldn’t happen. It is a discussion for a different time. Hats off to the sixteen girls who have stayed loyal to their high school.
Coaches Quote: We are a high school team attempting to compete with large co-ops. We are looking at building the sport of hockey in our community, and giving fans a contest to get excited about when we skate out on the ice.
Northland Pines EAGLES
Head Coach: Jeff Stebbeds—1st Year Roster 24 / Seniors 2 Record 6-12
Staying under the radar and earning their place on the girl’s scene is priority one for new head coach Jeff Stebbeds. In year two of the merger with the Northern Edge, building unity between two former rivals, is according to Stebbeds, “going great.” With only two seniors, and eleven sophomores, the program’s future is exciting. Top scorers Taylor Heleniak (Concordia Wisconsin) and Mallory Schmidt (Marian University) and goaltender Jenna Uhrine are all gone.
Coaches Quote: I can tell you that the group we have are a hard-working group of girls and are setting their goals high. I think they have that mentality that they want to be known as a team rather than individuals for the season. We want to have a successful season, and with the numbers we have coming up over the next few years, hopefully we can be a powerhouse once again for a long time to come.
Rock County FURY
Head Coach: Luke Steurer—8th Year Roster 17 / 2 Record 16-9
One of the best stories of the season may be the emergence of Fury goalie Piper Aaker. The Hononegah High School sophomore from Rockton, Illinois switched to goalie last season to prepare for the graduation of 2nd Team All-State) senior Jill Traver (16 wins / 2.09 GAA / 93.3 save%). Making the ultimate sacrifice for her team, head coach Luke Steurer says, “she has made huge strides in her development.” On offense, Ava Kilgora (42 pts) will try to take over for her graduated sister, Emma Kilgora (130 career pts) who lit the lamp 38 times as a senior and is now playing for UW-Superior.
Coaches Quote: The season is a marathon not a sprint. Continue to work hard, get better and be a team. Great things will come when you put the work in.
St. Croix Valley FUSION
Head Coach: Matt Cranston—20th Year Roster 29 / 6 Seniors Record 20-8
Without question one of the most stable and successful programs in the state. Matt Cranston is the only head coach they have known and he has a single losing season in 19 years, a 12-13 record in 2023. The Fusion will look to win their sixth straight Big Rivers Conference Championship. Replacing First Team All-State defenseman Kendall Sundby will be no easy task, but it is the requirement of a high school coach to find those answers. St. Croix’s fifth ranked offense, 3.96 goals a game, and second ranked powerplay 30.5% will return four of their top six scorers: freshman Jane Volgren (1st Team Big Rivers), Morgan Kivel, Alexes Ralston (1st Team Big Rivers) and Lily Mittl. Senior Anna Woolley will return to the net after winning sixteen games a year ago and compiling a stingy 2.39 GAA.
Coaches Quote: It will be tough to replace Sundby and Walker on D, but we have some younger players that will step up. We return four of our top six scorers and have three solid lines and two good goaltenders.
Stoughton ICEBERGS
Head Coach: Rachel Behl—1st Year Roster 14 / 3 Record 3-19-1
Not unlike an actual Iceberg, Stoughton has a story that runs deeper than what you see. The loss of many players to the Badger City 19U team has left their roster at a meager fourteen players. It is hard to ignore the stat line of Icebergs goaltender Anika Mueller. The Stoughton sophomore registered 1195 saves, tops in the state a season ago coupled with an amazing 92.6 save percentage. She also had three shutouts while facing an average of sixty-one shots a game.
Coaches Quote: Our unofficial theme has been "fresh start". We've got a new coaching staff and a lot of new/young players. We've been making a lot of changes, both on and off the ice, and the players have done great at rolling with these changes. There will be some bumps along the way, but we (the coaching staff) have confidence that our players will continue to grow in the game and we will find some success this season.
Superior SPARTANS
Head Coach: Doug Trentor—6th Year Roster 28 / 9 Seniors Record 21-4-1
The motivation from coming so close the past two seasons should provide the Spartans with a keen edge as life without Autumn Cooper begins. Most teams wouldn’t have a good answer to replace a 35-goal scorer, but the Spartans do in, Makaela Reinke, First Team All-State, a 36-goal scorer with eight of them shorthanded. Add in Adalyn Benson’s 18 goals and 13 by Gabby Olson and the Spartans offense looks strong. They led the state a year ago averaging a gaudy 5.88 goals per game. Honorable Mention All-State goaltender, Kaylee Nault brings a career 46-14-1 record and 2.28 GAA back for her senior season.
Coaches Quote: We are deep with nine seniors. Have an exciting group of incomers with the stability of upperclassman. Our goal remains the state championship! It’s going to be an absolute blast watching this group of girls come together as 1!
University School-Milwaukee WILDCATS
Head Coach: Sarah Pearson—1st Year Roster 28 / 4 Record 19-8
Molly Jex (HM All-State) concludes her USM career with a record of 50-17-2, a 1.48 GAA and 93.8 save percentage. Her classmate Charlotte Fetherston (2nd Team All-State) leaves behind 94 goals and 153 career points. Senior goalie Leia Schaefer and defenseman London Chase (HM Eastern Shores) will lead the effort of the state’s third ranked defense, 1.75 goals allowed per game. As the two Wildcat legends leave, first year head coach Sarah Pearson welcomes in eleven new freshmen. Pearson, played college hockey at Concordia Wisconsin and was a member of the Hayward Hurricanes 2016 state championship team coached by Tom Doig.
Coaches Quote: This season we are looking forward to integrating all of the incoming freshman with the returning girls to build a strong team. The upperclassmen have done an amazing job keeping the foundation and paving the way for the newcomers to be successful. The returning coaches (Ryan Caufield and Rob Haswell) have also been extremely helpful in retaining the structure of the program. There is a lot of returning talent that we are able to build off of as well as a lot of new talent to add to the team. The girls have been working hard in practices and in the off-ice training to ensure success this year. Through all of the moving pieces in the off-season they have remained positive and created an amazing atmosphere to be a part of. I’m proud of the effort and commitment they have shown thus far. It makes me excited for the future of the team and the program.
Viroqua BLACKHAWKS
Head Coach: Paul Severson—7th Year Roster 13 / 5 Record 2-21-1
The Blackhawks will have the shortest bench in the state with just thirteen players. The program’s reputation for producing excellent goaltenders continues. One of the keys for this year’s team will be the return of goaltender Sami Bramstedt from a knee injury. Last season, the junior from Viroqua piled up 931 saves while crafting an impressive 93.1 save percentage. Three new players join the team including Nahia Osoro, an exchange student from Spain. With Viroqua youth girl’s teams at the U10, 12, 14 levels the Blackhawks numbers will soon be rising.
Coaches Quote: Last year was tough as we lost about 90% of the previous year’s scoring talent. We knew it was going to be a year for our players to grow into new roles and more playing time (especially with one of the smallest rosters in the state). We will still have a short bench this year, but I believe we will show some improvement over last season.
Wisconsin Valley UNION
Head Coach: Rachel Graves—2nd Year Roster 27 / Seniors 6 Record 9-16
With the loss of only two seniors, the Union is poised to improve upon last year’s 9-16 record. Second Team All-State defenseman senior Jenna Jones led the team with twenty goals last season. Lily Cichy, Campbell Spees, Jai Dee Menge and Amelia Castleberg lead a strong junior class. Kylin Wright and Issie Wojcik will return in net. Head coach Rachel Graves and company will face a tough road playing in the strong Eastern Shores Conference and the state’s toughest sectional.
Coaches Quote: Returning a good group and having new additions is going to give us momentum early on. WVU has solid leadership, good grit, and we will be tough to play against. The team is ready to make that transition up to the next level this year. We have a group of players putting the team before themselves and willing to work. Good things are happening for the WVU and we look forward to being underestimated this season.
Western Wisconsin STARS
Head Coach: Chris Lepper—2nd Year Roster 30 / 4 Seniors Record 14-12-1
A four-overtime sectional semi-final win over Hudson may have been the highlight of the Stars 23-24 season. They fell short in the final against the Fusion, but that win including two goals by freshman Chloe Julson (2nd Team Big Rivers) and a game winner by sophomore Gabby Thomsen demonstrated the talented youth on this team. Add in top scorer sophomore Izzy Johnson and classmate Ashley Jensen to that list. Defensively the Stars return gritty defenseman Sophie Johnson (HM Big Rivers) and senior Taryn O’Hara. Head coach Chris Lepper, formerly at Burnsville, must find a replacement for the net vacated by senior Emilya Schultz (2.34 GAA). Four goaltenders, none with varsity experience, will audition.
Coaches Quote: The Stars are returning 8 forwards from last years section runner-up team. At defense, it will be a younger core with only one returning defensewoman. Goaltending will be done with a new starter as last years starting goaltender graduated. The Stars have a tough schedule this season that will keep them tested each game.
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