Armed with Strong Defensive Core, Hermantown Boys Hockey Begins 2023-2024 Campaign

Hermantown's first game is December 1st at Cretin-Derham Hall.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Monday marked the first day that prep boys hockey teams in Minnesota were able to hit the ice.

One of those teams getting things started was the Hermantown Hawks.

Hermantown is coming off a season in which they took 3rd at state in Class A.

The Hawks return a number of key defensive players, including goalie Dane Callaway.

Head coach Pat Andrews, who enters his 7th year at the helm, says the team lacks scoring compared to the previous years.

That’s not a concern though as he knows those guys will step up.

“Every year when you start this day it’s like Christmas. It’s so exciting. I think the guys live for it. It never gets old for coaches, I don’t care how old you are. Like the first day of hockey is the best day ever. We’re super excited. We have a great core coming back from the goal line out and we have a bunch of young guys looking to make a name for themselves. It’s pretty cool. You talk to the seniors all the time like what’s your legacy going to be? We’re going to follow them as long as they’ll take us. We have a lot of young guys who are really good,” said Andrews.

One of Andrews senior leaders that he wants the younger guys to follow is senior defenseman Will Esterbrooks.

“I’m just ready to get going. It’s been a long off-season. I think the boys are ready to battle again. We want to turn it around and hopefully win another state championship,” added Esterbrooks.

Hermantown’s first game is December 1st at Cretin-Derham Hall.