Northern Lakes won Section 6A, and it didn’t come easy — a 3-2 overtime win over Sartell in the championship game, capping a run that included two shutouts in the quarterfinal and semifinal. The team then reached the State Class 1A Tournament before falling to Warroad and Mankato West. Almost everyone from that championship roster is back.
Players Lost to Graduation
Jacob Peterson was the program’s top departing scorer — 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points, with 5 power-play assists. Garret Furry added 16 points (8-8), with a power-play assist. Sutton Sullivan and Leyton Cable each contributed in the 9-10 point range from forward and defense.
Returning Players for 2026-27
Josiah Reier led the team in scoring — 19 goals, 25 assists, 44 points, with 5 game-winning goals. He’s a senior next year. Parker Fulton was right behind him at 41 points (22-19), also a senior, with 4 game-winners of his own.
Waylon Katterhagen and Huck Balmer tied for the next spot at 24 points apiece — Katterhagen with 16 goals, Balmer with 18 assists. Landen Cartie added 22 points, and Kyler Rikala contributed 21 from the blue line, almost all of it playmaking.
Goaltending
Sam Suja carried the workload through the section title run and into the state tournament — 14-11-1, a 2.55 GAA, a .915 save percentage, and 5 shutouts in 26 appearances. He’s a senior next year and returns as one of the more proven goaltenders in the section.
Who to Watch
Josiah Reier and Parker Fulton form one of the best returning duos anywhere in Section 6A, combining for 85 points last season. Waylon Katterhagen and Huck Balmer add real secondary scoring, and Sam Suja’s five shutouts make him a legitimate anchor in net. This is about as complete a returning group as a section champion can have.
What Northern Lakes Needs to Replace
- Jacob Peterson’s 26 points
- Garret Furry’s 16 points
2026-27 Outlook
Northern Lakes returns the core of a team that beat Sartell in overtime to win Section 6A and then competed at the state tournament. Josiah Reier, Parker Fulton, Waylon Katterhagen and Huck Balmer give this program four legitimate scoring threats, and Sam Suja is a proven goaltender heading into his senior year. The graduation losses here are minimal. Until someone beats them, Northern Lakes is the team to catch in Section 6A.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season, Section 6A playoffs, and the State Class 1A Tournament.
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