Hermantown enters the 2025-26 boys hockey season with 14 returning letterwinners and a renewed push toward a return to the state tournament after missing St. Paul last winter for the first time in six years.
Coach Patrick Andrews said last season’s inconsistency is expected to serve as a turning point for a group that brings back experience throughout the lineup.
“The hard, learned lessons from last season’s roller coaster of a year should prove to be a great experience for a more mature, gritty, puck-controlling Hawks team,” Andrews said.
Hermantown again builds around senior goaltender Bryce Francisco, who posted six shutouts, a .939 save percentage and a 1.69 goals-against average last season while facing one of the state’s most demanding schedules. Francisco returns as one of the top goaltenders in Minnesota regardless of class.
Hermantown returns a veteran defensive group led by Kyler Berg and Gabe Swenson. Andrews said the defense corps is expected to play a significant role in both transition and offensive support, continuing the program’s emphasis on activating a fourth skater into the attack.
An experienced forward group includes Al Nicklin and Mick Martalock, both coming off Elite League seasons. Additional depth is expected from Bode Madill, Kole Lendzyk, Beau Christy and Ford Skytta.
“Opposing teams will not be able to key in on one player or matchup,” Andrews said.
Hermantown again plays one of the toughest schedules in Class A. The Hawks open on the road at Cretin-Derham Hall and Hill-Murray before facing Rock Ridge, Mahtomedi, Centennial, Rosemount, Maple Grove, Cloquet, Denfeld, Shakopee, Superior, Hibbing, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Holy Angels among others.
“We played one of the toughest schedules in the state last year,” Andrews said.
With experience in goal, depth on defense and four established forward lines, Hermantown enters the season as a Section 7A co-favorite with defending champion Hibbing-Chisholm.
The Hawks expect to be back in the state tournament conversation.
Hawks Schedule
Friday, Nov. 28 – at Cretin-Derham Hall, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29 – at Hill-Murray, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 2 – at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 – at Mahtomedi, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11 – Centennial, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Rosemount, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – at Duluth Denfeld, 7:30 p.m
Friday, Dec. 19 – at Maple Grove, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 – at Cloquet, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26 – Delano, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27 – White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 1 – at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Eden Prairie, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 – at Proctor, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 8 – at St. Cloud Cathedral, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10 – Warroad, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 – Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 – at Shakopee, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Superior, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24 – Mahtomedi, 2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 – at East Grand Forks, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 – at Moorhead, 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 – at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Holy Angels, 2 p.m.
Note: Home games listed in boldface.