Two rural Northern Minnesota boys hockey teams will return to the state tournament, joined by two historic programs that took a gap year in 2025.
Hibbing/Chisholm and Northern Lakes — the co-op between Pequot Lakes, Crosby-Ironton, Aitkin and Pine River-Backus — will represent the Northland in Class A after each capturing 3-2 overtime wins in their section finals.
The Bluejackets, who also co-op with Victory Christian Academy, beat Cloquet-Esko-Carlton on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and the Lightning beat Sartell on Thursday.
Both teams will look to improve on their performances last year; Hibbing/Chisholm was fourth and Northern Lakes was sixth.
Grand Rapids will make its 18th appearance in program history. The Thunderhawks last played in the state tourney in 2024, when they finished fourth.
Warroad is also returning to state after taking a year off from the tourney. The Warriors finished third in 2024 and were shut out of the tourney last year by eventual state champions East Grand Forks.
Brackets for the state tournament will be posted Saturday. The first match will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena.
All Class A tickets will be reserved for the first time this year and must be purchased online. The spectator guide details how tickets will be released.
The quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games will be streamed by Prep 45. The consolation games can be watched with a subscription to NSPN.
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As a seventh-generation Nebraskan, Emma Krab said she looks forward to discovering rural life in Northern Minnesota. She holds a master's degree in Creative Writing and Environment and bachelor degrees in journalism and English. -
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