Northern Star: Proctor/Hermantown Mirage

The Mirage earned their sixth straight section 7A championship last week.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Proctor/Hermantown Mirage has put together a girls hockey dynasty.

The Mirage earned their sixth straight section 7A championship last week, taking down North Shore 5 to 1.

But the Mirage’s success didn’t happen overnight.

“I think it goes to the girls’ efforts on and off the ice. Especially during the off-season, they have to train and be prepared and work on those skills that we don’t get to during the season, and it pays off,” said Mirage head coach Emma Stauber. ” Now after a few years our systems the girls know and they’re more comfortable with.”

In their last five trips to St. Paul, the Mirage brought home a state title in 2021.

Now in their sixth trip to Grand Casino Arena, a quest for another championship doesn’t fall on just one single person.

” We got 12 seniors this year, a handful of juniors and then obviously we got Taylee on the back end supporting all six of our strong defenses. So, I think collectively we’re require everything from everyone,” said Stauber.

“For sure the first game will be the most important, but we have experience that’s for sure and I think this year we really have what it takes to get past that first round,” said Mirage forward Grace Nichols.

On the road to a state title, you will have to defeat the best of the best to be the last team standing.

” It doesn’t matter when you get down there, you got to beat anyone that comes in front of you so regardless of seeding we’ve got to be ready to play and just focus on our systems,” said Stauber.

“Our team is just super resilient, that’s what we base everything off of, resiliencies and hard work. Our saying is hard work works,” said Nichols.

Proctor/Hermantown is next in action on Thursday against Luverne in the consolation semifinals.