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Saturday, December 1, 2007
POLAR POWER ON THE RISE
St. Paul, MN
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FRESH NEW LINE MAKES NORTH A TEAM WORTH WATCHING
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Coach Halbrehder is pleased about this year’s young players and will give a chance to many of them to earn some playing time with the varsity team.
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The days of high scoring and highly skilled forwards on the North High School girls hockey team were thought to have come to an end a couple of years ago. When All-state forwards Allie Thunstrom and Caitlin Hogan graduated, it was thought that they could never be replaced. While this is partially correct, there is hope for the future for the up-and-coming Polar prospects. There is a new crop of talented and young Polars that are giving coaches and fans reason to be optimistic about the program’s future.
This year’s top line will consist of freshman Stephanie Anderson and sophomores Mary O’Brien and Maria Bothwell, the top scorer returning from the 06-07 season. All three have previous varsity experience and hope to improve on last years play. Anderson and O’Brien have other intangibles on their side as both of their fathers excelled while playing for North St. Paul in the early 80’s. Mary’s dad, Pete O’Brien went on to play his collegiate hockey career at Hamline University. Stephanie’s dad, Mike Anderson was a University of Minnesota recruit and played four years for the Gophers. Mike is now an assistant coach for the North H.S. girls’ team, working under his former high school coach, Bill Halbrehder. With the talent of the girls on this line, the next few years should prove to be an exciting time of growth for the Polars.
Also returning from a productive season last year are Sammy Knutson, Christine Schendel, Megan Nickelson, Brianna Drude and senior captains Cori Piechowski, Jestina Koenigsmark and Ali Dereschuk.
Coach Halbrehder is pleased about this year’s young players and will give a chance to many of them to earn some playing time with the varsity team. These players include freshmen Emily Furlong, Amanda Kane and Bailey Strom; sophomores Caitlin Chartrand, Jessica Krings, Katie Burns, Tara James, Anna Barrett, Molly Horner and Amanda Skelly; and juniors Calle Chartrand, Sara Dilts and Kelly Johnson.
Rounding out the line-up is the backbone of the team - the goalies. Seniors Callie Strom, Jenna Emmerson and sophomore Rachel Snell will all compete for playing time.
The days of the high flying Polars might not be lost with the past. With young talent and experienced veterans, the North girls hockey team will bring a new excitement to the ice that you won’t want to miss.
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