One year removed from the first winning season in team history (13 wins, 12 loses), the 2015-16 Eagles Hockey team is looking to continue their winning ways this season. 

 

However, the season has not started as they have hoped, with two straight losses to start the season. Nov. 17 the team hosted Sauk Rapids-Rice, losing 2-1. Nov. 24 the team played against Princeton, losing 11-0. Despite this, the team is looking ahead to turn the season around.

 

"Last year, the team had trouble staying healthy and our lack of players (16) didn't help," said Eagles Coach Doug Friedrichs, "this year the team is even smaller (15) so we need an injury-free season."

 

Last year, the squad missed a total 173 games due to injuries. If the team is able to stay healthy, Coach Friedrichs feels confident the team can challenge for the Two Rivers Conference title, the first in history.

 

Coach Friedrichs noted one factor to the small team, "we have too many kids quitting or joining the Monticello or Princeton programs because of our arena issue."

 

The arena issue can be fixed with community investment. The Eagles team hopes to build a new arena next to the Friendly Buffalo in Big Lake. 

 

"The land is purchased, but we need support from local businesses and community members to help build the facility, we all need to come together to invest in our kids and the community," said Coach Friedrichs.

Despite the arena issue, the varsity team will have 15 players, four of which are seniors. And nine of the returning players are letter winners. Offensive players include Ryan Murnane, Weston Schug, Nick Cencer, Alec Doran, and Owen Houghton.

 

Six new players join the team this season, including sophomore Aubrey Hartfiel, forward, freshman Corbin Kollar, Logan Beckstrom, and Max Nelson .

 

Defensive players include Lyndon Carlson, Jake Piehl, Travis Ferris and Maxx Starr. Defensive player Milan Kent has a questionable return after a football injury in 2014. 

 

"Our defensive group is young and not yet experienced," noted Friedrichs, "having Kent return would help."

 

Goaltenders for the season include Justin Morrow and Zach Piehl. 

 

"Justin will be key to our overall success this season, with Zach backing him up,” noted Friedrichs.

 

The Eagles lost some top scorers the past two seasons, including 2015 grad Nick Stalpes, who is the second highest scorer in Eagles history with 80 points, and 2014 grad Jason Tonneslan, who holds the Eagles record with 97 points.

 

"The Eagles could have a tough time replacing the five seniors that left through graduation: Adam Schug, Nick Stalpes, Grant Vickerman, Brandon Christianson and Taylor Giving," said Coach Friedrichs, but noted the newer players have skills and potential to be great players.

 

Practice for the team began Nov. 9. Dec. 3 the team battled Legacy Christian.