NORTH SHORE STORM
Coach: Mike Guzzo, third season
2015-16 record: 18-8
Conference: Independent
Section: 7A
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Key departures: F Tanner Aho (3-14-17); D Nathan Bauck (4-26-30); F Will Hartman (7-12-19); D Justin Ketola (9-9-18); G Will Peterson (2.93, .884)
Key returners: Sr. F Easton Best (12-18-30); sr. D Keller Conrow (2-1-3); sr. G Tyler Keech (2.55, .890); sr. F Tanner Ketola (19-28-47); jr. D Logan Loiselle (2-8-10); jr. D Giovanni Marolt (2-5-7); jr. F Chad Nordean (24-27-51); sr. F Jake Swanson (18-7-25)
Loose pucks: An upward trend looks sustainable for the Storm, who bring back a solid blend of offensive firepower and defensive acumen from a team that started 11-1. North Shore is in its fifth year as a Two Harbors and Silver Bay co-op, and has won at least 14 games each of the first four. The offense starts with Nordean and Ketola, but there is enough depth that those two aren’t alone. To that point, Guzzo says he had 44 players out for the team, which portends a healthy future. The coach previously guided the Silver Bay boys team for 23 years and the school’s girls team for five. Keech, who will represent Team North in Saturday’s Minnesota Football Showcase after an excellent fall at Two Harbors, should see the bulk of the playing time after sharing minutes with Peterson. The Storm’s home games bounce between Lake County Arena in Two Harbors and Rukavina Arena in Silver Bay. Guzzo isn’t content with another middle-of-the-pack finish in 7A. “North Shore has the experience and talent to contend in Section 7A,” he said.
NOTE: For rosters and schedules, see the hockey preview section in Tuesday's (Nov. 29) print edition.
