November 22, 2022 at 10:50 a.m.
Team preview: Northern Edge girls' hockey
Edge looks to improve with experienced squad
Team preview: Northern Edge girls' hockey
Virtually every player from that squad returns and the team has a few incoming players to help with depth. That has led to some higher hopes for the five-school co-op that includes players from Rhinelander, Lakeland, Antigo, Three Lakes and Wabeno.
"I'm fully confident in these girls that they're going to get better throughout the year," said coach Tom Roeser, who enters his fifth year as head coach for the program. "They have a lot of tough challenges. There's no game we can look at and count in the W column. We're going to have to work for every win we want and, hopefully, some of the better teams we're competitive and we're putting solid teams together there."
The Edge did not graduate any seniors, though it will have a big hole to fill as goaltender Ellie Stank did not return.
When practice started, the Edge was considering a number of options, including moving defender Maddi Roeser into net. Ultimately, the team has settled on Rhinelander junior Hannah Mueller in that position. She did not see the ice last year, as Stank was able to log all the minutes. Mueller appeared in four games as a freshman while Stank battled a knee injury, going 1-1-0 with a 7.00 goals against average and a .767 save percentage.
"I'm really glad Hannah's stepping up because that's going to save us. We need those defenders in there and I'm happy with the way things are shaking out," coach Roeser said. "She's working hard and she's developing quick. She was kind of our backup goalie last year for practice and that, but we need her here and she's doing a lot for the team - and she's an athletic kid. We're hoping she's going to contribute big."
The Edge improved offensively toward the end of last year, scoring three or more goals in seven of their last nine games. Lakeland junior Taylor Heleniak played a significant role in that aspect and figures to do so again this season. She finished the year with 17 goals and 13 assists as she earned second-team All-Independent honors among the eight programs in the state that do not have a conference affiliation.
"Teams really have to plan around her and getting her some more support up front, scoring (is going to be important)," coach Roeser said. "I think that top line we've got is a really good line. We've just got to get them some time working together."
The Edge figures to have more scoring prowess around Heleniak this year. Rhinelander senior Wyndi Saari and Wabeno senior Kassidee Linssen are both back after finishing tied for second on the team with 11 points last year.
Lakeland senior Kristina Kunelius, Rhinelander junior Emma Chiamulera and Rhinelander sophomore Mia Tulowitzky all generated multiple points for the Edge last year.
"We're going to expect out of Wyndi, Kristina, Mia, Emma, Kassidee. Really getting Kassidee some support's a big deal," coach Roeser said. "She's a really good player, but we need her holding down a line. Sometimes I think we can't get her the support but this year I think we can."
Additionally, coach Roeser said Antigo freshman Ella Koca has looked impressive early on in practice, and figures to make an impact at forward.
"Ella, she's a real pleasant surprise. She can play forward or D and we're real happy to have her help support that first line," he said. "We've got two pretty solid lines, and a third that's developing. There's a couple of girls that are really fighting for positions. It makes for a good, competitive, practice."
Lakeland senior Maria Gironella and Rhinelander senior Maddi Roeser will anchor the blue line for the Edge. Gironella was fourth on the team in scoring last year with five goals and three assists while Roeser had two goals and four assists. Antigo junior Mackenzie Wissbroecker and Rhinelander sophomore Emalee Detienne round out the defensive unit.
"We were debating on where to put Kenzie, but we decided we really needed her at D," coach Roeser said. "Maddi and Maria, two seniors, are going to hold those down and we're going to figure out the pairings, who's working together."
This year's squad will be tested right out of the gate, facing the Fox Cities Stars to open the season this evening as part of the Warbird Tournament in Fond du Lac. The Stars were the No. 1 seed for last year's WIAA girls' state tournament before getting upset by Onalaska in the semifinals.
The Edge will also face the Fond du Lac and Stoughton co-ops tomorrow in the four-team event.
"We're really going to get tested right away. I'm not a big fan of the first scheduled game we've got, playing one of the top three teams in the state, in my opinion," coach Roeser said. "But, it is what it is. That's who we've got scheduled and we're going to go out there and work hard. The great thing about the first tournament is we learn a lot about ourselves. It's a lot easier developing practice plans typically after some of those games, finding out what you need to focus on."
The Edge will see every team in its sectional at least once, with the exception of Superior, during the season. That includes three games against Northland Pines and two games against Medford and a contest at defending state champion Central Wisconsin.
The Edge will see Northland Pines (Dec. 5), Wisconsin Valley Union (Dec. 12) and Medford (Dec. 20) as part of an early season stretch that could be critical for playoff seeding come season's end.
"We've got to realize that we've got to value every game we've got coming up to it. We've got to earn the spot we want in that seeding meeting," coach Roeser said.
The Edge's six home games will be split equally between three venues. Lakeland will host the Edge Dec. 3 against Chippewa Falls/Menomonie and Jan. 20 against Arrowhead. Rhinelander will host the first Northland Pines meeting Dec. 5 as well as a game against Brookfield Jan. 26. Home games against Wisconsin Valley Union Dec. 12 and Medford Jan. 13 will be played in Antigo.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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