Hutchinson finished 5-21 last season playing in one of the toughest/deepest class A sections in the state, capped by a 6-1 first-round playoff loss to Minneapolis. The record doesn’t tell the whole story, though — Hutchinson closed the year by winning three of its final five regular-season games, including a 3-2 overtime win over Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and an 8-1 road win at Marshall, signs of progress against a brutal Section 2A schedule. Now the Hutch program graduates its leading scorer and a senior goaltender, but a genuinely deep and young returning core gives this program real reason for optimism heading into 2026-27.
Players Lost to Graduation
Hutchinson graduates seven seniors, led by the team’s most productive all-around player.
Hudson Lien (D) led the team with 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 26 games, adding 2 power-play goals and 3 power-play assists — a strong season from the blue line that won’t be easy to replace.
Griffin Hutchins (D) adds 5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points with a power-play assist and a game-winner, while Clayton Witte (F) contributes 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points, including a short-handed goal and a short-handed assist.
Griffin Neppl (F) posted 2 goals and an assist for 3 points, and Aiden Silge (D) adds 2 assists. Struthers Talan (F) also graduates.
In net, Konnor Winn (G) graduates after posting an 0-9 record with a 5.89 GAA and a .845 save percentage.
Returning Players for 2026-27
This is where Hutchinson’s outlook becomes genuinely encouraging. None of the team’s top returning scorers are seniors-to-be, giving this program a deep, young core to build around for multiple seasons.
Top Returning Scorers
Ben VanMarel (F), a junior next season, returns as Hutchinson’s leading returning scorer, posting 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 26 games as a sophomore, with 2 power-play goals and 2 power-play assists.
Jack Hantge (F), a senior next season, adds 9 goals and 5 assists for 14 points, with 2 power-play goals, 3 power-play assists and a short-handed goal.
Charlie Wacek (F), also a senior next season, posted 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points, with 2 power-play goals, a power-play assist and a game-winner.
Grady Campbell (F), a senior next season, returns after an 11-point season (2 goals, 9 assists) with a power-play goal and 4 power-play assists.
Austin Carter (F), a junior next season, adds 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points, with 2 power-play goals and a power-play assist, plus 2 game-winners.
Kolten Plombon (F) posted 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points with a power-play goal.
Among returning defensemen, Kellen Karg added 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points with a game-winner, and Reggie Murphy contributed 2 goals and an assist for 3 points with a power-play goal.
Returning Defense Core
With Hudson Lien and Griffin Hutchins both graduating, the blue line shifts to Kellen Karg and Reggie Murphy, who combined for 7 points last season as sophomores. Ben Schroeder also returns after a 1-point season. This group will need to grow quickly to help replace Lien’s significant offensive production, but all four return with varsity experience already banked.
Goaltending Situation
With Konnor Winn graduating, Weston Borstad (G), a senior next season, is positioned to take over as the full-time starter. Borstad already carried the heavier workload of the two goaltenders last season, posting a 5-12 record with a 3.84 GAA and a .888 save percentage in 23 appearances — a clear improvement over Winn’s numbers in a tough situation. Borstad’s experience gives Hutchinson a real sense of stability in net heading into next season.
Players to Watch
Ben VanMarel is the headliner — a 15-point sophomore season positions him to be the focal point of the offense for the next two years. Jack Hantge and Charlie Wacek give Hutchinson proven secondary scoring as seniors, and Grady Campbell’s playmaking (9 assists) adds another dimension. In net, Weston Borstad’s experience and improved save percentage make him a player to watch as he steps into the No. 1 role full time.
Key Players to Replace
Hutchinson’s offseason priorities center on:
- Hudson Lien’s 21-point season and power-play production from the blue line
- Griffin Hutchins’s secondary scoring and physical play
- Senior leadership across a seven-player departing class
2026-27 Outlook
Hutchinson’s 5-21 record last season came as no real surprise in a tough Sectioin 2 in Class A, but the late-season stretch of wins over Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, Marshall and Fergus Falls showed real signs of progress. With Ben VanMarel, Jack Hantge, Charlie Wacek and Grady Campbell all returning — Hutchinson has a deeper, more experienced core than its record might suggest. Weston Borstad’s move into the full-time starting role in net, adds another reason for cautious optimism. This program may not leap into section contention in 2026-27, but the pieces are in place for real improvement.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season and Section 2A playoffs as provided. Got something for us? Our email is always open ftphockey@gmail.com
