After having lost the Section 7A semifinal game in overtime to Chisago Lakes Area the past two seasons, International Falls’ girls hockey team has its sights set on making it to the Class A state tournament in 2012-13.
The Broncos recorded their best win-loss record and the first winning season ever since playing girls hockey at the varsity level by closing out 2011-12 at 16-9.
Gerald Bolstad enters his fourth season as head coach with his list of top returning players including:
• Junior forward Amy Auran, the team’s leading scorer from last season;
• Junior goalie Keanna Carlson, who recorded Falls’ best winning percentage and goals-against average ever;
• Two defensive players, senior Rebekah Ford and junior Katie West; and
• Five other forwards, senior Jordan Bright, junior Hillary Fox, junior Sydney Raboin; junior Kayley Wallen and junior Kaitlin Van Heel.
Ford and Bright are this season’s captains, while Auran and West are the alternate captains.
The players the Broncos lost from last season’s team due to graduation include defensive players Michele McDonald and Alyssa Bergstrom and forwards Abbey Fox, Bailey Bernard and Jessica Ringhofer.
McDonald is now playing college hockey at St. Catherine University, while Bernard is on the Rainy River Community College women’s hockey team this season.
Bolstad said the strengths of this year’s team are speed and experience, but only two defensive players with much experience are returning.
With a lack of depth, Bolstad said he is concerned the most about injuries.
The Broncos began formal hockey practices on Oct. 29, though runners on the state-qualifying girls cross country team didn’t start practicing until this week and members of the girls swimming and diving team competing at the Section 7A meet won’t be at practice until next week.
Bolstad said he is also concerned about the possibility of getting off to a slow start, “but by the end of (the) season we should be very good.”
Along with the team’s goal of winning the Section 7A title, he said he is looking forward to “just coaching a great bunch of kids.”
Bolstad the teams to watch out for on the schedule this season include Fort Frances, “as always,” with the Falls’ rival across the Rainy River being on the schedule twice — Dec. 4 at Bronco Arena and Jan. 29 in Fort Frances.
“Hibbing/Chisholm and Proctor/Hermantown should both be tough,” he said. “Grand Rapids (is) new on our schedule (Jan. 22).”
The Broncos open the season at home Tuesday against Roseau and then play Friday at Silver Bay.
