Offseason breakdown No. 122: Detroit Lakes
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 Detroit…
Access all of Prep Hockey
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith 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 Detroit Lakes.
How last season went
The Lakers started the season with a pair of losses. Things turned around. But they did while Detroit Lakes kept its fans stressed out with a number of tight contests.
Though the Lakers were outscored by .4 goals per game, they finished strong with 9 wins in their final 10 contests of the regular season. They ended up with a 14-8-2 regular season record and a Mid-State Conference championship with a 7-1 conference record.
Detroit Lakes came into the postseason as the No. 5 seed in Section 8A. The Lakers started strong with a win against Kittson County Central in the quarterfinals. A grand challenge came in the semifinals against top-seed and heavy favorite Warroad. Detroit Lakes struggled in a loss and failed to pull off the upset.
Who’s back and who’s gone
Looking at the 2019-20 Laker roster, some graduating seniors will leave behind some significant holes. That includes Alex Bren (19 goals, 18 assists), Jackson Fields (12G, 12A), Drew Schwan (8G, 9A) and Blake Itzen (.883 save percentage, 8 games played).
On the bright side, Braeden Wimmer (6G, 17A) and Jordan Fields (4G, 10A) are both set to return and have a chance to expand upon their 2019-20 numbers.
Two goaltenders who spent time on the ice for Detroit Lakes are also set to return. Jack Hines (.911SV%, 15GP) and Elijah Blow (.874SV%, 4GP) will likely be relied upon as the team’s top netminders next season.
What to expect next season
There are definitely some experienced players that the Lakers can rely upon next year to take some steps forward. The problem remains that Section 8A is a tough cookie to crack, especially after the 2019-20 season Warroad had. That remains the biggest obstacle for Detroit Lakes’ quest to become a significant contender in Class 1A.