Section 7A high school boys hockey powerhouse Hermantown will host St. Thomas Academy, Mahtomedi and Chaska in individual scrimmages Saturday morning.
"Tryouts are going well," Hawks coach Pat Andrews said after practice Wednesday, three days into training camp. "It's never easy having to say goodbye to players who have put some much time into our program over the years."
STA and Chaska are elite Class 2A programs, and Mahtomedi is the defending 1A state champion.
"The boys are very excited to get going," said Andrews. "It's been a great first week, a ton of energy, and good talent too. Every season is a new adventure and this year is no different.
"We have a great returning goaltender in Dane Callaway, one of the best in the state, and a tremendous defensive core with (Will) Esterbrooks, (Drew) Nelson, (Weston) Bohlman and (Henry) Peterson all returning and adding AJ Francisco from the bantams. (Josh) Kauppinen and (River) Freeman lead the way up front as returning scores with (Bradford) Skytta, (Evan) Gunderson, (Andrew) Johnson and (Charlie) Marchand all adding depth."
The defending 7A champion Hawks will open the 2023-24 season Dec. 1-2 at Cretin Derham Hall and Hill-Murray, before returning home to face Centennial on Dec. 9.
"We will be hard on pucks, play great team defense and beat teams in transition," said Andrews.
Other Hermantown home games to watch this season: Dec. 16 vs. Mahtomedi, Jan. 6 vs. Eden Prairie, Jan. 13 vs. Warroad, Jan. 26 vs. St. Thomas Academy, Jan. 27 vs. Maple Grove and Feb. 10 vs. Chaska.