With 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 Sartell/St. Stephen.
How last season went
The first 16 games were a hard pill to swallow for the Sabres. They went 2-14. Throughout the season, they struggled on defense while giving up four goals per game.
One highlight came when the squad pulled off consecutive wins against Mankato West and Willmar. That helped Sartell/St. Stephen to a 6-18-1 regular season record.
In a very difficult Section 6A, the Sabres came in as the No. 6 seed and their postseason run ended early as they lost to Little Falls in the quarterfinals.
Who’s back and who’s gone
Tory Lund, Michael Webster and Hayden Walters were the three most productive scorers on the ice for Sartell/St. Stephen last season. The good news is all three are expected to return. They combined for 32 goals and 30 assists last season.
Also back is goaltender Quentin Sigurdson. He played in 14 games last season while posting a .870 save percentage.
As for departures via graduation, Will Schiffler and Riley Hauck Riley Hauck Goalie Sartell-St. Stephen | 2020 State MN look to be the biggest names on that list. Schiffler finished his senior season with 17 points. Hauck posted a .862 save percentage in 12 appearances.
What to expect next season
With the experienced players coming back, there are certainly positives when looking at the 2020-21 Sabre squad. The question will be how much those players can improve. Central Minnesota hockey has been on the rise in recent years, especially in Section 6A. It will take quite a bit to overtake St. Cloud Cathedral and others in that section.