11 letter-winners back from 3-24 team

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The Rosemount boys hockey team has 11 letter-winners coming back from last year’s team that finished 3-24 overall and 2-17 in the rugged Lake Conference.

Among those returning is junior Brady Loew, who scored 17 goals and dished out seven assists last season. Loew, along with returning senior captain Andrew Anderson (seven goals, 15 assists) give the Irish an experienced 1-2 punch on the offensive end.

Other returning forwards who will see plenty of ice time include junior Jared Newman (seven goals, three assists), junior Mike Cossalter (five goals, six assists), senior Cory Pederson (three goals, four assists) and senior Sam Bishop. Last year’s offensive unit averaged a Lake Conference low 2.2 goals per game.

On the defensive end, the Irish will look for leadership from senior captain Peter Herman as they try to improve on last year’s average of 5.1 goals allowed per game. Seniors Jory Brueland and Stefan Booth are also back on the defensive end.

Between the pipes the Irish are looking at a pair of junior goaltenders, Hank Fairchild and Justin Franks. Franks went 3-8 and saved 268 shots in 12 games last year, while Fairchild posted a record of 0-7 while saving 250 shots in 10 games.

The varsity roster is rounded out by six newcomers: defensemen Mack Goodrich, Josh Winter and Connor Landgfield and forwards Andy Gustafson, Andrew O’Brien and Cole Skluzacek.

The Irish open the regular season Saturday when they travel to Bloomington Ice Garden to take on sixth-ranked (Class 2A) Bloomington Jefferson. The team travels to Hastings next Tuesday before making its home debut Thursday against Apple Valley.

Tags: boys hockey, sports