Three teams will represent Northern Minnesota at the 2025 state hockey tournament this week, March 5-8.
Hibbing/Chisholm earned the top seed in the Class A tourney, defeating two of the top teams in the state to earn their berth.
The Bluejackets beat Cloquet-Esko-Carlton in the Section 7A final (4-3) and perennial state qualifier Hermantown in the semifinals (5-3), their first win over the Hawks in 20 years.
This is the team's first state appearance since 2011.
The other Northland teams — East Grand Forks and Northern Lakes (the co-op between Pequot Lakes, Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton and Pine River-Backus) — are the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively, meaning they'll face off in the quarterfinals.
East Grand Forks knocked out another perennial state qualifier, Warroad, in the Section 8A finals, winning 3-2 in an overtime thriller. The Green Wave were back-to-back state champions in 2014 and 2015, and this is their first appearance since 2021.
The Lightning also last appeared in the state tournament in 2021. This time, they're led by legendary Duluth East coach Mike Randolph.
In his first official game coaching Northern Lakes, Randolph became the winningest coach in Minnesota State High School League history, earning his 708th career win in an 11-0 defeat of Lightning-rival Alexandria.
Northern Lakes beat Alexandria again in the same venue, St. Cloud's MAC, to earn the title of Section 6A champions.
EGF and Northern Lakes' matchup is the last of the Class A quarterfinals, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center.
Hibbing/Chisholm will play No. 8 Luverne at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
With the three teams on the same side of the bracket, a Northern Minnesota matchup in the semifinals is likely.
The Bluejackets and Lightning played midway through the regular season; Hibbing/Chisholm won 4-1.
Consolation games will be at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus beginning Thursday, March 6.
Streaming and ticket information can be found in the MSHSL spectator guide.
