|
|
|
Much like every season, the Pirate hockey teams will have a tough schedule ahead of them, but this year may be more daunting for both boys and girls teams, though.
Starting with the Pirate girls, according to the Associated Press Preseason Polls Crookston has seven opponents ranked. They include: Roseau (14th in AA), White Bear Lake (6th in AA), Warroad (1st in A), Eveleth-Gilbert (8th in A), Thief River Falls (11th in A), East Grand Forks (12th in A) and Fergus Falls (16th in A).
If the Pirates had competed in the Kaposia Classic this season that number may have been higher but instead they will host their own tournament, facing International Falls and Jamestown. The Pirates are ranked fifth in Class A.
The Pirate boys have one of their more difficult schedules in recent years with six, possibly seven, opponents ranked in the Associated Press Preseason Class A Poll. The schedule for the annual Ralph Engelstad Arena Classic hasn't been released but the last few years Crookston has faced Hermantown, who is ranked third in Class A.
Other ranked opponents include: Thief River Falls (7th), Warroad (8th), St. Cloud Cathedral (10th), Blake (11th), Duluth Marshall (14th) and East Grand Forks (15th).
Derek Martin was born in Crookston, graduated from Crookston High School in 2003 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College before joining the Times. He now lives in Crookston with his wife and children.
