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With section realignment in Minnesota High School Hockey we are taking a dive into how things will look next season for section 5A.

Becker/Big Lake Boys Hockey: Looking Ahead to the 2025–26 Season

The Becker/Big Lake Bulldogs ended the 2024–25 season with a 9-17-1 record and a first-round playoff win before falling to top-seeded Monticello. With several seniors graduating, the program will shift focus to a talented group of underclassmen who gained valuable experience last season — and they’ll be expected to carry the torch heading into 2025–26.

Graduating Seniors

The Bulldogs will say goodbye to key veterans who contributed leadership and depth across all positions:

  • Thomas Zerwas (G) – The senior netminder played in 16 games and logged over 780 minutes in the crease. His presence will be missed between the pipes.

  • Gunnar Hanson (D) – A steady presence on the blue line, Hanson put up 14 points from the back end.

  • Garrett Marotz (F) – Contributed 8 points and gave the forward corps some extra depth.

  • Nolan O’Neal (F), Elliot Ginter (F), Blayne Varner (D), Gavin Leitold (D), Cooper Peterson (G) – All played supporting roles throughout the season.

While the senior class didn’t have overwhelming point totals, they provided crucial minutes and experience for a rebuilding roster.

Key Returning Players (2025–26)

Despite the departures, Becker/Big Lake returns a strong nucleus of juniors and sophomores that should make the Bulldogs more competitive next winter.

🔥 Top Returning Forwards

  • Tate Spilde (F, 11) – The team’s leading scorer with 36 points (23G, 13A) in 27 games. Spilde will be the offensive focal point as a senior next season.

  • Owen Zahler (F, 9) – A breakout rookie year with 21 points. He’s fast, skilled, and still has three years ahead of him.

  • Raymond Clark (F, 11) – Consistent contributor with 18 points and will be counted on for top-six production.

  • Brant Rusin, Carter Tatge, Tanner Felton – All hit double digits in points and return as experienced upperclassmen.

🛡️ On Defense

  • Ethan Grafnitz (D, 11) – Solid two-way defenseman who chipped in 21 points. He’ll anchor the blue line next year.

  • Jack Schwartz, Hayden Kipka, Ashdon Draeger – These returners round out a defensive core with size and experience.

🧤 In Goal

  • Elliott Grafnitz (G, 11) – Played nearly 600 minutes last season and posted a respectable .874 save percentage. He’s the likely starter moving forward and could see a big step up with more consistency.

The Outlook

With Spilde leading the way offensively and Grafnitz in goal, Becker/Big Lake has a solid spine to build around. Younger players like Zahler and Grafnitz bring upside, while depth returners offer stability. If they can tighten up defensively and improve special teams play, this group could push for a mid-tier seed in Section 5A.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Middle-of-the-pack finisher with potential to pull off an upset if the younger core develops quickly.

Litchfield Dassel-Cokato Hockey: 2025–26 Season Preview

The Dragons enter the 2025–26 season with a clean slate and some momentum coming from below. While LDC finished last season with a 9–17–0 record and an early playoff exit in a tough section 2A, the future looks brighter thanks to a strong returning core and a District 5 Champion Bantam team sending reinforcements.  This could be the strongest team LDC has put together in a few years if goaltending can hold up.

Saying Goodbye: Seniors Who’ve Moved On

Litchfield Dassel-Cokato says farewell to several key seniors who carried the load in recent seasons:

  • Kasey Melquist (F) – Finished with 28 points and provided steady two-way play.

  • Carson Brummond (F) – A top-six staple who put up 25 points in his final year.

  • Colton Clark (D), Benjamin Olson (F), Spencer Niemela (F), Jack Pudas (F/D), Isaac Torola (D), and Andrew Magallon (D) all graduate, leaving experience gaps throughout the lineup.

  • In net, Braxton Graupmann and Chase Zwilling both depart, creating an open competition for the crease.

Who’s Back: Returners to Watch

Despite the veteran departures, LDC has a solid nucleus returning:

🔥 Up Front

  • Anton Haataja (F, Sr.) – One of the top returning players in the section, Haataja had 38 points last season and is expected to drive the offense.

  • Isaac Salmen (F, Sr.) – A nine-goal scorer with a physical edge.

  • Bjorn Anderson (F, Jr.), Tripp McCann (F, Sr.), and Samuel Guyan (F, Jr.) all bring experience and production potential to round out the forward group.

🛡️ On the Blue Line

  • Jaeden McKinley (D, Sr.) – Logged top-pair minutes last season and should be the leader on the back end.

  • Jordan Abbott (D, Sr.), Keeran Niska (D, Sr.), Cole Palmer (D/F Jr.) and Mika Lasanen (D, Jr.) offer solid depth and physicality.

🚨 Goaltending Battle Begins

With both Graupmann and Zwilling gone, the net is up for grabs. Two goaltenders will compete for the starting job:

  • Keagan Kadelbach (Jr.) – A quick, technically sound goalie who’s been developing behind the scenes and has the ability to dominate a game.

  • Griffin Niska (10th Gr) – The standout from LDC’s District 5 Champion Bantam squad, Niska brings work ethic, a winning mindset and is expected to push for varsity time right away.

This competition could be one of the biggest stories for LDC heading into the season—and whoever wins the job will be counted on heavily.

Outlook

LDC may still be under the radar, but with Haataja returning as a legitimate offensive threat, a veteran defensive core, and promising youth from the Bantam ranks, this group has the pieces to take a big step forward. Goaltending will be the X-factor, and if the young netminders can hold up, the Dragons could turn heads in Section 5A.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Middle-tier contender with a chance to pull off an upset or two—especially if the goaltending battle produces a breakout star.

Monticello Hockey: 2025–26 Season Preview

The Monticello Moose put together an impressive 23–4–1 campaign in 2024–25, falling just one game short of the State Tournament after a tough Section 5A championship loss to St. Cloud Cathedral. With a potent blend of returning scoring talent and strong defensive structure, the Moose are poised to reload and make another deep run in 2025–26.

🧢 Graduating Seniors

Monticello will say goodbye to several key seniors who played a big role in their dominant season:

  • Landen Scherber (F) – The team’s top scorer with 62 points. A dynamic playmaker and leader, his presence will be sorely missed.

  • Nathan Poeppel (F) – Provided 34 points and veteran experience down the middle.

  • Aidan Widmark (D) and Ezra Pemberton (D) were top-four defensemen who logged big minutes.

  • Goalie Logan Blahnik – One of the top netminders in the section, he posted a 21-4-1 record with a 1.79 GAA and .918 save percentage, along with 7 shutouts.

Other notable graduates include Evan Bainey, Ethan Longley, Brady Lerberg, Caleb Biard, Jacob Weidenbach, Gabe Anderson, and Charlie Kasper (G).

🔁 Key Returners for 2025–26

Despite losing some top-end seniors, Monticello still brings back an outstanding group of underclassmen ready to take over:

🔥 Forwards

  • Ashton Stoll (Sr.) – The top returning scorer after posting 46 points last season. Dangerous on the rush and reliable in all three zones.

  • Nicklas Nelson (Jr.) – A creative offensive defenseman who tallied 42 points from the blue line. He’ll be leaned on even more this year.

  • Collin Barta (Jr.) – Expected to make a jump in production and could be a top-six staple.

  • Liam O’Donnell (Sr.), Carter Lemke (Sr.), and Brady McGriff (Sr.) all bring secondary scoring and physicality.

🛡️ Defense

  • Levi Welle (Sr.), Brady McGriff (Sr.), and Brady Lerberg (graduated) anchored the group last year, but younger names like Wyatt Wold and Jack Muenchow could earn bigger roles.

🥅 Goaltending

With both Blahnik and Kasper graduating, Monticello enters the year with a wide-open competition in net. Two candidates stand out:

  • Nolan Wurm (Jr.) – Big frame at 6’0″, 205 lbs. Expected to be in the mix for starts.

  • Titus Vergin (Jr.) – Saw limited action last season but could emerge with more reps.

This position will be critical to Monticello’s hopes of staying at the top of Section 5A.

🔭 Season Outlook

Even with the loss of key seniors and goaltending turnover, Monticello returns a high-powered offense and enough depth to stay in the contender conversation. Stoll and Nelson are among the most dynamic returning players in the section, and if the goaltending stabilizes early, Monticello will once again be in the thick of the 5A title race.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Top-three team in Section 5A with State Tournament potential if young players step up.

Mora Hockey 2025–26 Season Preview: Youth Movement Ready to Take Over

The Mora Mustangs finished the 2024–25 season with a 12–14 record, showing glimpses of growth and offensive potential. With a senior-heavy defensive group graduating, the Mustangs will shift their focus toward developing a young and talented core that gained valuable experience last season.

🧢 Departing Seniors

Mora will graduate several key contributors, especially on the back end:

  • Charlie Kritzeck (D) – A top-line defenseman who also chipped in 34 points. His ability to move the puck and contribute offensively will be missed.

  • Christopher Otto, Gavin Stromberg, and Chase Radermacher (F) – All brought experience to the forward group.

  • Konner Kahle (G) – Started in 10 games with a strong .888 save percentage.

  • Sebastian Radermacher (G) – Also departs, leaving a void in the goaltending depth chart.

🔁 Key Returners

Despite the roster turnover, Mora brings back a sizable group of underclassmen with strong scoring resumes and upside.

🔥 Forwards

  • Mitchell Haase (Sr.) – The go-to offensive threat, coming off a 35-point season and expected to be the leader up front.

  • Ty Stanchfield (Fr.) – An 8th grader last season, he posted 32 points and will be one of the youngest high-impact players in Section 5A.

  • Jacob Szucs (Jr.) – Put up 29 points and adds another dynamic option to the top six.

  • Blake Karnik, Ethan Stromberg, and Jonathan Anderson are also returning and should see bigger roles.

🛡️ Defense

  • Linards Sparans (Jr.) – Returning after a 14-point season and steady presence on the blue line.

  • Ethan Abel, Jaxson McGrath, and Dakota Dickson will anchor a developing defensive unit and see a significant increase in minutes.

🥅 Goaltending

With both seniors departing in net, sophomore Dane Price is the likely No. 1 heading into the new season. He appeared in 19 games as a sophomore, posting a .855 save percentage and logging over 900 minutes. Expect Price to take a big step forward as Mora’s clear starter.

🧊 Outlook

Mora is going through a reset on defense and in goal, but their offensive core — led by Haase, Stanchfield, and Szucs — gives them firepower that can keep them competitive in most games. If the young defense matures and Dane Price stabilizes the crease, Mora could pull off a few surprises in Section 5A.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Mid-pack finish, but dangerous offensively. A potential spoiler team in the playoffs if goaltending clicks.

Pine City Looks to Reload After Narrow Playoff Exit

The Pine City Dragons came within a goal of the Section 5A title game last season, falling 3–2 in overtime to eventual champion Monticello. That loss stung—but it also showed how close this group is to contending at the top of Class A. With a solid core returning and a deep group of juniors moving up, the Dragons enter 2025–26 with confidence, hunger, and something to prove.

Departures

The Dragons say goodbye to several key seniors, including:

  • Logan Kirby (D) – a steady two-way blueliner with 15 points

  • Blake Painovich (F/D) – led the team with 32 points and brought versatility and leadership

  • Julian Kozisek, Cody Nolan, Beau Hegge, Bryer Berube, and goalie Aaron Rootkie, who posted an impressive .926 save percentage

Those losses will be felt, especially in special teams and key defensive moments.

Reloading with Experience

Pine City won’t be rebuilding—they’re reloading.

  • Brady Berglund (D, Sr.) returns after a 27-point season on the blue line. His puck-moving and power-play vision are elite.

  • McCall Leger (F, Sr.) was a goal-per-game scorer before missing time last year. If healthy, he’s a top-line sniper.

  • Carson Anderson (F, Jr.) and Milo Rydberg (F, Sr.) offer speed, scoring, and a physical forecheck.

  • Luciano Schisano (D, Sr.), Oskar Rydberg (F/D, Jr.), and Ethan Aagaard (F, Sr.) round out a strong upperclassman core.

  • Jaxon Smith (F, Soph.) and Jericho Jerry (F, Soph.) are younger skaters to keep an eye on as breakout candidates.

Between the Pipes

With the graduation of Rootkie, the Dragons have a goaltending competition on their hands.

  • Milo Bobolik (Jr.) played well in backup duty last year, finishing with a .881 save percentage and one shutout in six starts.

  • Tucker Wasson also saw action and stopped 13 of 15 shots in a single appearance. Whoever earns the crease, they’ll inherit a system built around tight structure and counter-attack offense.

The Path Forward

Pine City’s season will once again run through the gauntlet of Section 5A, but their battle-tested group knows what it takes to win close games. With Berglund quarterbacking the blue line and Leger healthy up front, the Dragons have every reason to believe they can make a deeper push this year.

If the goaltending holds up and the younger forwards take a step, Pine City will be a tough out come February.

Princeton Tigers 2025–26 Season Preview: Building Around a New Core

After a rollercoaster 2024–25 campaign, the Princeton Tigers face a major shift heading into the 2025–26 season. With several key seniors graduating — including three of their top four scorers — the Tigers will need their younger players to step into leading roles if they want to stay competitive in Section 5A.

🎓 Graduating Seniors

The Tigers will lose a significant chunk of their offensive production and veteran presence:

  • Lane Olson (F) – The section’s leading scorer with 62 points in 25 games, including 17 power play goals.

  • Connor Stokke (F) – Princeton’s top playmaker, with 29 assists and 43 total points.

  • Dominic Patnode (D) and Brody Kok (F) – Combined for over 80 points and were critical in both ends.

  • Goalie Liam Dufner, along with Kole Roth, also departs after logging the majority of minutes in net.

Other notable seniors not returning include Tucker Lorence, Cade Pidde, Kellan Day, Jacob Ennis, Levi Senne, and several regulars on defense.

🔁 Key Returners to Watch

While the graduation list is long, Princeton has a core group of underclassmen with experience and upside.

⚡️ Forwards

  • Isaac Nelson (Jr.) – Notched 20 points as a sophomore and is now the leading returning scorer.

  • Brayden Reese (Jr.) – With a year of varsity play under his belt, he’ll be leaned on for more offensive consistency.

  • Brayden Seppala, Lukas Bratulich, and Max Ruzek – Will likely form part of the secondary scoring group.

🛡️ Defense

  • Luka Miller (Sr.) – The team’s top returning blueliner, and a dependable two-way presence.

  • Levie Isaac, Carter Nelson, and Hayden VanHeel – All return as part of a growing defensive unit.

🥅 Goaltending

With Dufner and Roth graduating, Zachary Ennis (Jr.) — who posted an impressive .969 SV% in limited action — is the likely candidate to take over the starting job. He’ll be backed by developing sophomore goaltenders, pending preseason competition.

🔮 Outlook

Princeton will look very different this winter, but there’s room for optimism. Young talent like Isaac Nelson and Luka Miller gives the Tigers a starting point to build from. Goaltending will be key — if Ennis or another underclassman emerges in net, Princeton could stay in the hunt for a mid-tier playoff seed.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Rebuilding year, but with enough youth to develop into a sneaky second-half team.

River Lakes Stars 2025–26 Preview: Deep and Dangerous

River Lakes had one of the more explosive offenses in Section 5A last year and will head into the 2025–26 season as a serious contender — even with the loss of standout forward Blake Schultz and a few key seniors.

🎓 Graduating Seniors

  • Blake Schultz (F) – The team’s offensive engine with 58 points in 26 games. His speed and finishing ability will be tough to replace.

  • Jace Griffin (D) – A key puck-moving defenseman who tallied 31 points from the blue line.

  • Walker Greeley, Carter Wood, Arthur Olson, and Ethan Rossell also exit after contributing valuable depth.

  • Goalie Hawken Swanstrom, who backed up in six games, also graduates.

🔁 Key Returners

Despite the losses, River Lakes returns one of the most talented and balanced rosters in the section.

🔥 Forwards

  • Jaiken Mackedanz (F, Sr.) – 43 points last year and will now be the focal point up front.

  • Parker Welz (F, Sr.) – Notched 36 points and offers a mix of scoring and grit.

  • Eric Paulson, Griffin Mayhew, Lucas Bayer, and Noah Olmscheid add valuable depth and secondary scoring.

  • Younger forwards like Eli Engebretson, Emmett Tennant, and Carter Savage could take a step forward.

🧱 Defense

  • Isaac Blaschko, Brock Bruntlett, Gavin Bulthuis, and Gabe Hoekstra bring experience and physicality to the back end.

  • Colton Lang, Evan Jones, and Carter Kaminskie round out a promising group of underclassmen defenders.

🥅 Goaltending

  • William Robinson (Sr.) returns after logging over 1,000 minutes and winning 12 games with a .865 SV%. He’s among the section’s most battle-tested goalies.

  • Devin Swanson and Zach Henry (Sophs) may compete for backup duties.

🔮 Outlook

With Mackedanz and Welz leading the charge, River Lakes has the firepower and returning depth to challenge for the Section 5A title. If Robinson continues his steady play in net and the defensive unit tightens up, don’t be surprised to see the Stars back in the section semifinal or beyond.

Way-Too-Early Prediction: Top-five seed with upset potential.

Sauk Rapids-Rice 2025–26 Preview: Don’t Sleep on the Storm

Sauk Rapids quietly put together one of the more balanced seasons in Section 5A last year, going 17-9 and picking up quality wins against teams like River Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Alexandria. Despite a disappointing playoff exit, this group is poised to return with nearly all of its top-end talent — and could absolutely crash the section bracket.

🎓 Key Graduates

The Storm will graduate a few contributors:

  • Vincent Murn (50 pts) and Hunter Behling (24 pts) were reliable scorers.

  • Kade Gibbons, Jackson Dhein, Jonah Thell — experienced defensemen — also depart.

  • Veteran goaltender Reed Omvig (9 games) will be missed but played a backup role to returning starter Landon Jennings.

🔁 Returning Firepower

This team is loaded with high-impact returners.

🔥 Forwards

  • Bryden Prelvitz (Jr.) – One of the section’s most dangerous players, with 64 points last year. Elite playmaker.

  • Elijah Fitch (Jr.) – Another game-changer with 59 points and tremendous vision.

  • Dominic Stucke and Austin Kubasek – Combined for 38 points and add secondary scoring depth.

  • Oscar Lindberg, Liam Hadley, Samuel Kulus, and Reed Krogstad – All forwards who will push the pace and add scoring upside.

🧱 Defense

  • Chase Hiltner (Jr.) – A 40-point defenseman who quarterbacks the power play and logs big minutes.

  • Oliver Orth, Brandon Goebel, and Owen Massmann – Return with valuable experience and physicality.

  • Mitchel Carlson and Payten Remer (Sophs) – Could step into larger roles.

🥅 Goalie

  • Landon Jennings (Sr.) – Quietly had a great season with an .887 SV% and 11 wins. Battle-tested and now the clear No. 1.

🔮 Outlook

This team is dangerous. Prelvitz, Fitch, and Hiltner give Sauk Rapids a top line that can go head-to-head with anyone in the section. With nearly the full core returning, and Jennings solid in net, the Storm could absolutely shock a higher seed come playoff time.

Upset Watch: No team wants to draw Sauk Rapids in the quarterfinals or semifinals.

St. Cloud Cathedral: Back-to-Back Champs Eye a Three-Peat

St. Cloud Cathedral has been the class of Section 5A for two straight seasons, winning back-to-back titles and making another deep state tournament run this past spring—ultimately falling 2-1 in overtime to East Grand Forks in the Class A Championship. But the Crusaders aren’t satisfied. And while they graduate a loaded senior class, including 80-point scorer John Hirschfeld, there’s no reason to count them out in 2025–26.

Who’s Gone:

The Crusaders will need to replace a significant portion of their forward depth and experience. Seniors moving on include:

  • John Hirschfeld (80 pts)

  • Joey Gillespie (68 pts)

  • Jaeger Wood, Caden Johnson, Ryan Sturm, and key defensemen Connor Stockman, Noelan Beste, Ian Bacik, and Ryan Eiynck.

  • Starting goalie Keaton Legrande, who posted a .900 SV% and five shutouts, is unlikely to return for his senior year.

That’s a lot of leadership and production leaving the ice.

Who’s Back:

Despite the losses, Cathedral still brings back a strong group—headlined by a rising star and a steady goaltender.

  • Bo Schmidt (F, Soph.) – Already a top-six forward as a freshman, Schmidt racked up 36 points and should step into a bigger role offensively.

  • Griffin Sturm (D, Sr.) – With 49 points from the blue line, Sturm will quarterback the power play and anchor the defense.

  • Blake Kayser (G, Sr.) – After backing up Legrande, Kayser is the clear starter and gives Cathedral an experienced last line of defense.

  • Camden Kroll, Brady Andvik, Noah Klein, Tucker Heimenz, and Caleb Trant round out a solid group of returning forwards.

  • Jack Kosiba, Nolan Longnecker, Eli Van Heel, Carter Bakeberg, and Nolan Bigaouette provide continuity on defense.

  • Talen Ruprecht (F) and Trevor Hall (D) are young players who could take a step forward this winter.

Outlook:

Even with the departures, Cathedral isn’t going away. The program’s culture of winning, the return of Bo Schmidt and Griffin Sturm, and a reliable goalie in Kayser make them a legitimate contender to win Section 5A for a third straight year. They’ll need younger players to step up quickly, but if history tells us anything—betting against the Crusaders is usually a mistake.

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