Warroad went 25-5-1 last season and won the State Class 1A Championship, beating Hibbing/Chisholm 5-4 in overtime. It was the program’s fifth state title and 25th state tournament appearance. Coach Jay Hardwick is now 14 seasons in with a career record of 245-106-14. The graduating class was productive, but what’s coming back is just as striking: Gavin Andersen (73 points), and two true freshmen — Ayven Hontvet (43 points from the blue line) and Rodrick Jackson (39 points) — who don’t play their sophomore seasons until next year.
Players Lost to Graduation
Ryan Shaugabay was the team’s No. 2 scorer — 26 goals, 31 assists, 57 points, with 5 power-play goals, 7 power-play assists, 4 short-handed goals and 3 game-winners. Broden Hontvet added 40 points (8-32) from the blue line, with 5 power-play goals and 16 power-play assists.
Mason Reed contributed 15 points, Sam Hard 13, Ryan Chamernick 8, Thomas Grapentine 10 and Taylor Humeniuk 6. Patrick Kennedy also graduates after posting a .941 save percentage, a 1.20 GAA and 3 shutouts.
Returning Players for 2026-27
Gavin Andersen led the team and the section — 35 goals, 38 assists, 73 points, with 5 power-play goals, 16 power-play assists, 6 short-handed goals and 8 game-winners in 31 games. He’s a senior next year and one of the most productive returning player in Section 8A.
Ayven Hontvet put up 43 points (17-26) from the blue line as a true freshman, with 9 power-play goals, 13 power-play assists and 4 game-winners. He’s a sophomore next year. Rodrick Jackson added 39 points (13-26) as a true freshman forward, with 3 power-play goals and 5 game-winners, also a sophomore next year.
Two freshmen combining for 82 points on a state championship roster tells you something about where this program is.
Casey Hendrickson added 23 points and returns as a senior. Conner Lund had 19 points and returns as a junior. Ryan Lee and Wyatt Samuelson each had 10-13 points and return as seniors.
Goaltending
Finn Hanson was already excellent last season before injury — 16-5-1, a 1.59 GAA, a .927 save percentage and 5 shutouts in 26 appearances and he’s not gonna want to watch another team play at state during his senior season.
Who to Watch
Gavin Andersen’s 73-point junior season from a forward position is the headline, but the deeper story is Ayven Hontvet and Rodrick Jackson. A defenseman and a forward, both freshmen, each putting up near-40-point seasons on the state’s top team. Hontvet had 9 power-play goals as a 9th grader. They’ll be sophomores next year with three more seasons ahead.
What Warroad Needs to Replace
- Ryan Shaugabay’s 57 points and 4 short-handed goals
- Broden Hontvet’s 40-point defensive season and power-play production
2026-27 Outlook
Warroad loses a significant senior class off a state championship roster, but what returns is loaded. Gavin Andersen is one of the best players in Class A heading into his senior year. Finn Hanson is a proven starter. And Ayven Hontvet and Rodrick Jackson — two true freshmen from the state title team — return as sophomores with two more years of development ahead. Under Jay Hardwick, this program reloads. Warroad is the defending champion and our favorite to defend the section title.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season and state tournament.
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