Offseason breakdown No. 17: Park Rapids
With most sports on hold and the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team…
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Continue ReadingWith most sports on hold and the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team we’re breaking down is Park Rapids.
How last season went
With eight games remaining in the regular season, things were looking OK for the Panthers. The team was 4-12 but had some time to improve their standing in Section 8A. The team had shown signs of life as Park Rapids won consecutive games during the North Shore Holiday Tournament.
However, the Panthers could not replicate that success as they finished the regular season with an eight-game losing streak.
That sent Park Rapids to the No. 10 seed in the section tournament and meant the Panthers would face Crookston in the play-in round. Park Rapids’ postseason run lasted just one game as the Panthers fell to Crookston and ended their season.
Who’s gone and who’s back
Here’s some good news for Park Rapids: There are plenty of returning players who have a chance to improve. Joey Hillukka, Alec Nordin and Nash Mitchell all return after finishing in the top three in the Panthers’ list of point-getters. Both Hillukka and Nordin finished with 18 points while Mitchell tallied 13.
The biggest losses for Park Rapids come in the form of graduating seniors Josh Kuhlman and goaltender Ben Standlie. He exits the program after finishing with an .839 save percentage.
What to expect next season
The Panthers will have players on the ice next season who got significant varsity experience this past season. While they took their lumps, they look like they’ll have a chance to learn from that experience and improve.