Duluth News Tribune 2022-23 Boys Hockey Preview – Duluth News Tribune

Hermantown, senior forward

Jed Carlson/Superior Telegram

Kohanski is perhaps the most experienced player returning to the Hawks bench this season. The senior forward was Hermantowns second-leading goal scorer with 22 and is the only player from the Hawks top line to return this season. People will see how darn good Kade is in his own right, because he is going to make the top line go this year, Hawks Coach Pat Andrews said.

Duluth East, senior forward

Submitted photo

Christian is the leading returning scorer for a revamped Greyhound squad, with 14 goals and 30 points last season. Duluth East struggled to just eight wins in 2021-22, but Coach Steve Pitoscia believes the team will be much-improved this season. As always, Duluth East faces a Brutal Section 7AA schedule that gives it a few nights off. If they are to improve significantly on last seasons win total, Christian will be at the center of the Greyhounds resurgence.

Duluth Denfeld, senior forward

Submitted photo

Larson will lead the Hunters top line and was second on the team last season with 53 total points. A 2022 All-Area team member, Larson has great hockey sense and awareness across zones and is just on the verge of becoming something really special, according to Denfeld Coach Dale Jago. If the Hunters are to advance to a fourth-straight section final, Larson will be a big part of the campaign.

Grand Rapids, senior goaltender

Submitted photo

Gunderson is among the top returning goalies in the state after recording a 2.19 goals against average and .899 save percentage with four shutouts for the Thunderhawks last season. Goaltending and defense will again be a strength for Grand Rapids, according to Coach Wade Chiodo, for a team that pushed Defending Class AA Champion Andover to the limit in the section title game. Gunderson’s play will be key as the Thunderhawks try to replace the offensive production of departed players like Joey DelGreco, Hayden DeMars and Kaden Nelson.

Hermantown, senior defenseman

Jed Carlson/Superior Telegram

Peterson, a senior Captain for the Hawks, will be stepping into a top line that returns just one player from the state Championship squad. Peterson finished the season with 10 goals and 12 assists, but Hermantown will need him to lead a defense that lost Beau Janzig and Ty Hanson. Coach Pat Andrews called him a phenomenal defenseman who will be important to the Hawks as they work to get back to the state tournament after arguably losing more talent than any team in the state.