By Jake Schroer
Crow River News Sports
The 2014-2015 season featured several memorable moments for the Knights hockey team. STMA won 21 games; a school record. But, the most memorable moment may have been defeating Buffalo twice; first in overtime at the Civic Center, and then 6-0 to win the Mississippi 8 title.
“That’s always kind of the gold standard in the Mississippi 8 is if you can beat Buffalo,” head coach Jerr Johnson said. “To be able to sweep them and have a come-from-behind win in overtime over there to make sure we have that opportunity on the last week of the season in our own barn was great for us.”
The Knights return 16 starters from last year’s record-setting squad. 11 of those players come fresh from the state champion football team, including Mitch Bourgerie, whose quarterfinal kick kept the team alive.
Eric Sjelin’s injury in the title game will keep him from playing hockey in his senior year. Sjelin will instead prepare for next fall’s college football season.
“We wish him the best and we’re really excited that he played such a huge role in the success of their team this year,” Johnson said.
Among those returning are the Bjorlin brothers, Marshall and Tucker, who are both seniors. Cam Fuerstenberg, a senior forward, also returns along with senior defenseman Casey Crandall and junior goalie Kyle Hayden.
The Knights have a lot of experience on defense; senior Brandon Berning, Crandall, and senior Brandon Heiber return for a third year with the varsity team.
With such a great regular season, losing in the first round of the section tournament hurt, Johnson said.
“To have it end so suddenly was heartbreaking at the time, but I think it was also used as motivation with 16 returning guys coming back,” Johnson said. “Even though we lost, it was a good experience for us last year and I think something to build upon.”
With the football season having ended only recently, the football players had yet to transition, so some other players got chances to shine at practice and a scrimmage. Freshman forward Blake Spetz, younger brother of former Knight Connor Spetz, was one name Johnson mentioned.
“He really sees the ice well and can make a lot of great plays, so he’s someone that we could possibly see competing for a spot this year,” Johnson said.
One of Johnson’s goals is to have one of the top schedules in the state.
“It’s been a long process. You don’t get those teams unless you have success and we’ve started to turn that page,” Johnson said. The Knights have a pair of major non-conference tests to open the season. STMA hosts Benilde-St. Margaret on November 24 and Roseau the day after Thanksgiving.
The Knights also face Duluth East early in the schedule, and tangle with Moorhead and Bemidji later this season. Johnson said he would love to have sellout crowds in the STMA Ice Arena again this year.
Another goal is to defend the team’s first ever Mississippi 8 title. Johnson has further goals in mind, such as a trip to the Xcel Energy Center.
“Maybe in years past that might have been a far-reaching goal, (but) that’s something that we believe is attainable, so we’re gonna work hard all year to make sure we’re ready for the playoffs, and that’s something that we might possibly be able to do for the first time ever,” Johnson said.
Several of the current Knights seniors have been in the program for years, starting out in the lowest levels as children, Johnson said.
“It’s fun for us to watch them grow into young men and to be able to go on this journey this year that hopefully leads us to St. Paul,” Johnson said.
The Knights played Benilde-St. Margaret in the season opener on Tuesday. Roseau comes to town on Friday night.