Pines girls gear up for another season on the ice

The Northland Pines Co-op girls hockey team is gearing up for a new season, which began with practice last week.

Lakeland and Antigo are still part of the Co-op, which began in the 2020-21 season.

It was started due to concerns about projected low participation numbers in future years.

When practice started last week, the Eagles welcomed a large group of players, including 12 returning letter winners.

“That was refreshing,” stated second-year head coach Jeff Stebbeds. “The girls have been putting in time this past spring, summer and fall, and I’m really excited because we have a junior varsity schedule and everyone is going to get playing time.”

Stebbeds believes the higher number of players available this season should allow the Eagles to skate four lines much of the time instead of just two.

Junior Lilly Beitler returns to the team as the leading goal scorer and points leader. She registered five goals as a sophomore and finished the season with eight points.

Senior captain and forward Bella Nowak reflected on playing Pines hockey as the season kicks off with the team’s first game next week.

“This rink is so special. I feel there is a legacy of playing Northland Pines girls hockey,” she said. “They want to play here and give it their best effort.”

Senior Ella Koca of Antigo has played all her high school hockey in Eagle River.

“It’s been a lot of fun, especially getting to know all the new people,” she noted. “The Dome is a very cool rink, and my parents come to a lot of my games.”

Junior Avery Renkes is a Pines captain for the second straight season and is pleased with how this team looks so far.

“We’ve had a lot of high-quality practices with good efforts from everyone. We’re all getting along and connecting really well,” she said.

The Northland Pines girls hockey team opens the new season next Tuesday, November 25, at 6 p.m. in Chippewa Falls. They will then travel to Baraboo after Thanksgiving for a game against the Badger Lightning Saturday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m.