Northern Star: River Freeman

After Freeman's high school career is over, he won't hang up the skates yet.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Hermantown senior captain River Freeman has been lighting up the ice in his final season.

Freeman currently leads the team in goals and puts it all on the line for his squad.

“Every single time he is on the ice he lays it out there, his emotions on his sleeve. He’s just a happy go lucky kid that is kind of the heart and soul of our team.” said head coach Patrick Andrews. “He just has a contagious way about him. You love to be around him; you don’t want to disappoint him.”

From a young age, Freeman has been playing the sport he loves and was inspired by the many great players to go through the Hermantown hockey program.

“I think my biggest inspiration here at Hermantown was Cole Koepke. I grew up watching him and obviously he is a great player. He’s playing professionally. I think he was a guy that really inspired me on my way up,” said Freeman.

Now that Freeman has been a part of the Hermantown hockey program during his high school career. He is honored to wear the Navy and Gold.

“It means everything. I mean, coming into this program watching all the great players. I feel like that really inspired me to be the best version of me,” said Freeman. ” We have all the culture in the world here at Hermantown, every year we just get better and better.”

After Freeman’s high school career is over, he won’t hang up the skates yet.

Freeman will continue to play hockey as he will rejoin the Minnesota Wilderness, where he played during the summer before his senior year.

As Freeman’s time in a Hawks jersey winds down, his passion for the game will be missed.

“The biggest thing when River is gone is I’ll just miss that infectious smile, Him being happy and being on the rink is just fun to be around,” said Andrews.