The Becker-Big Lake Eagles hockey team is feeling optimistic for the new season. The team has expanded from a small band of 16 of last year to 23 this year, including a large group of new talent to the team.

 

“We’re going to be young this year,” explained Head Coach Doug Friedrichs. “The team will have eight new skaters moving up from bantams and two new players joining hockey for the first time.”

 

With the graduation of last year’s leading scorer, Nick Cencer, the team will have to find a way to create a balanced scoring attack to be competitive as noted by Coach Friedrichs.

 

Senior Ryan Murnane, juniors Weston Schug, Aubrey Hartfiel, Alec Doran, sophomore Corbin Kollar and newcomer Tyler Ruppelius will be counted on heavily to score for Becker/Big Lake. Each of the players are talented and will cause matchup problems. Defenders will be young but smart with Jake Piehl, Phil Stalpes, Logan Beckstrom, Travis Ferris and Luke Hemelich anchoring the blue line. 

 

With the graduation of Justin Morrow, one of the two goalies will have to step up to fill the goal. Sophomore Zach Piehl and freshman Caden Weber will battling for the starting spot. 

 

The Eagles play in the Two Rivers Conference, with defending conference champion Pine City, Mora, Moose Lake, Legacy Christian and S.T. Paul Highland Park. 

 

“We are looking to be competitive this year in the conference,” stated Friedrichs.

 

The section tournament will have 10 quality teams, Eagles are looking for their first postseason win in team history, which started back in 1998.

 

The team continues to call the Princeton arena home but hopes of groundbreaking a new arena in Big Lake in the near future.

 

The season begins today (Nov. 26) at Bagley. The team then plays a three-game stretch at home hosting Legacy Christian Nov. 29, Highland Park Dec. 6 and St. Paul-Como Park Dec. 13, all at 7:15 p.m. Thirteen of the team’s 25 game season will be played at home. The team participates in a holiday tournament playing three games in Spooner, WI Dec. 28-30. The playoffs, the main goal of the team, is set to begin Feb. 21. 

 

Good luck, Eagles!