Redwood Valley finished 6-18 last season, falling 3-2 in overtime to Windom in the Section 3A Playoffs First Round — a result that was closer than the record might suggest. The bigger story for Redwood Valley heading into 2026-27 is continuity: every one of last season’s top five scorers is the same grade, and all of them return as seniors, giving this program a real chance to put it all together in one final run.
Players Lost to Graduation
Redwood Valley graduates four seniors, and notably, none were among the team’s leading scorers last season.
Elliot Lang (F) posted 8 assists for 8 points in 22 games, with a power-play assist.
Owen Linsmeier (D) adds 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points, with a power-play assist.
Erik Rasmussen (F) contributes 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points, with a power-play goal, a power-play assist and a game-winner, while Nicholas Cotner (D) posted 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points.
In net, Redwood Valley does not lose its primary goaltender to graduation — the program’s workhorse from last season returns for another year.
Returning Players for 2026-27
This is the defining storyline for Redwood Valley: every significant scorer from last season is currently a junior, meaning the entire core returns intact for one more run together as seniors.
Top Returning Scorers
Sam Klabunde (F), a senior next season, returns as Redwood Valley’s leading returning scorer and was the team’s actual leading scorer overall last season, posting 22 goals and 7 assists for 29 points in 24 games, with 4 power-play goals, a power-play assist and 2 game-winners.
Landon Stoneberg (F), also a senior next season, was the team’s No. 2 scorer, finishing with 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points, adding 2 power-play assists and 3 game-winners.
Blaine Jacobson (F), a senior next season, posted 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points.
Andri Geisser (F), a senior next season, contributes 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points.
Knox Kramer (D), a senior next season, adds 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points, leading the team with 3 power-play goals and a power-play assist.
Among other returning skaters, Josh Gunderson (F) and Peter Fox (D), both seniors next season, each posted 5-point seasons, with Fox adding 2 power-play assists.
Returning Defense Core
Knox Kramer’s 11-point season, including a team-leading 3 power-play goals, gives Redwood Valley a genuine offensive threat from the blue line. Peter Fox also returns after a 5-point season. With Owen Linsmeier and Nicholas Cotner both graduating, Kramer and Fox will be relied upon heavily to anchor the defense as seniors.
Goaltending Situation
Redwood Valley returns its primary goaltender from last season. Brecken Erikson (G), a junior next season, carried an enormous workload as a sophomore, posting a 6-17 record with a 6.62 GAA, a .849 save percentage and a shutout in 24 appearances. Those numbers reflect a goaltender facing a heavy volume of shots behind a team that struggled defensively, and continued development with another year of experience could make a real difference for Redwood Valley’s results in 2026-27.
Players to Watch
Sam Klabunde and Landon Stoneberg give Redwood Valley a proven 1-2 scoring punch entering their senior seasons, having combined for 52 points last season. Knox Kramer’s power-play production from the blue line stands out as well. With this much continuity returning as seniors, this group has had multiple years to develop chemistry together, which could translate into a more competitive season even without a dramatic shift in personnel.
Key Players to Replace
Redwood Valley’s offseason priorities are relatively modest given how little turnover the roster is experiencing:
- Elliot Lang’s and Owen Linsmeier’s combined depth from the blue line
- Erik Rasmussen’s secondary scoring
2026-27 Outlook
Redwood Valley’s 6-18 record last season didn’t reflect a team without talent — it reflected a young roster, with every key contributor still a year away from their senior season. That season has now arrived. Sam Klabunde, Landon Stoneberg, Blaine Jacobson, Andri Geisser and Knox Kramer all return together as seniors, giving Redwood Valley the most continuity of any roster turnover story in Section 3A. Brecken Erikson’s continued development in net, after a heavy workload as a sophomore, will likely determine how much this group’s experience translates into wins. This looks like the season Redwood Valley has been quietly building toward.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season and Section 3A playoffs as provided. Have something for us? Our email is always open, ftphockey@gmail.com
