COACH
Dan Tollefson, first season
ASSISTANT COACHES
Reed Larson (varsity assistant), Jason Bruhn (varsity assistant), Ross Dahl (head junior varsity), Mike Markkanen (goalies), Adam Schow (JV assistant)
LAST SEASON
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Willmar finished 1-4-2 in Central Lakes (ninth place) and 5-19-2 overall. Lost in the first round of the playoffs to Fergus Falls, 4-1.
KEY DATES
Home/Season: Today, Morris/Benson Area 7:15 p.m.
Central Lakes Conference: Dec. 4 vs. Sartell, home, 7 p.m.
Holiday Tournament: Dec. 27-29, at Paynesville (River Lakes, Marshall).
Section 3A: Feb. 19-Feb. 29.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
(Returning letterwinners in bold)
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SENIORS
Jordan Baker, forward
Jordan Benson, forward
Josh Gesch, goalie
Travis Hanson, defense
Andrew Kleven, center
Matt Kroneberger, defense
Raulin Magnuson, forward
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Alex Malmgren, defense
Jon Mattison, goalie
Josh Mead, center
Adam Olson, defense
Joel Schendel, forward
JUNIORS
Landon Baker, forward
Jay Bredberg, forward
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Trent Fader, center
Matt Oden, forward
Rory Schneider, center
Cody Simonson, forward
Jake Sobieck, defense
SOPHOMORES
Ben Leitch, goalie
Paul Schrupp, defense
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Jake Tone, defense
WHO'S GRADUATED
Josh Aslesen (all-conference, 11 goals-13 assists), Joel Jonsson (MVP, 10-13), Eric Bangen (2-10), Jordan Gauer (8-5), Trent Gehrking, Griffin Leitch (7-10), Kevin Maxfield (5.1 goals against, 79 save percentage), Richie Norris (7-6), Mitchell Schneider(7-9), Adam Schow (0-4), Zach Vlaminck (0-5)
NEW SECTION
The Cardinals drop out of the northern section into 3A, where they should be more competitive; some of the teams are familiar, like Hutchinson, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and New Ulm. Others less so, though they may have been opponents in youth hockey, like Marshall, Fairmont and Worthington. Others are emerging varsity programs, Redwood Valley, Luverne/Pipestone, Sleepy Eye/Springfield and Windom/Jackson County Central.
OUTLOOK
Joel Schendel (11 goals-4 assists) is the top returning scorer. His 11 goals tied Joel Jonsson for most on the team. Raulin Magnuson and Rory Schneider are next among returnees with three markers each. Matt Kroneberger, Andrew Kleven and Travis Hanson were regulars on the varsity ice, combining for 19 assists though no goals. Jon Mattison had the bulk of the minutes in goal last year. He had a 4.4 goals against average and a .860 save percentage. It's the first year for Dan Tollefson, former junior varsity and youth coach who was an all-conference forward for Willmar teams in the mid-1980s and later played four seasons at Bemidji State University.
OPENING LINE-UP
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Mead centering Odom and Schendel; Kleven centering Landon Baker and Jordan Baker; Fader centering Benson and Bredberg; Rory Schneider centering Simonson and Magnuson; Defense (pairs): Hanson and Malmgren; Schrupp and Kroneberger, Olson ... Goaltending: Mattison backed by Gesch and Leitch
FROM THE COACH
Dan Tollefson: "There's not a dominant line at this point but four solid lines. Nothing flashy but hard-working players that know our system. Where the goalscoring will come from is still a question (but) we should know what kind of team we have by the New Year. We look to be among the frontrunners in the new section along with the other more established programs."
- Rand Middleton
