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NOT-TOO-EARLY 7A PREP BOYS HOCKEY PREVIEW: The good news for Hermantown is the Hawks do not need to replace their offense. The bad news for the rest of Section 7A is that most of it is coming back.
Hermantown returns four of its top five scorers from a team that finished 17-6-4 last season, including senior forwards Beau Christy and Micklain Martalock, who combined for 84 points and established themselves among the most dangerous offensive duos in northern Minnesota. Add in emerging junior Paxson Madill, veteran forward Kole Lendzyk and a blue line anchored by Gabe Swenson, and the Hawks again appear positioned to challenge for another section championship.
The biggest question entering the 2026-27 season is not whether Hermantown can score goals. It is whether the Hawks can successfully replace standout goaltender Bryce Francisco and several key senior defensemen who helped make Hermantown one of the state's most consistent Class A programs last winter.
Hermantown graduates several key players, but the Hawks return a tremendous amount of scoring.
Tier 1: The Stars
Beau Christy, Sr., F, 27 GP, 27 G, 17 A, 44 Pts
Christy is the player everyone in Class A should know entering next season.
He led Hermantown in goals and points and averaged 1.63 points per game. Nearly 40 percent of his points came from goals, making him both a finisher and playmaker. With graduation removing Bode Madill and Ford Skytta from the lineup, Christy becomes the centerpiece of the offense.
2026-27 projection: 30-35 goals, All-State candidate, Section 7A Player of the Year contender.
Micklain Martalock, Sr., F, 27 GP, 23 G, 17 A, 40 Pts
Martalock and Christy give Hermantown perhaps the best returning one-two punch in northern Minnesota.
His 40 shots on goal led the team, and his five power-play goals show his ability to produce in big situations.
2026-27 projection: 25-30 goals and one of the top forwards in Class A.
Tier 2: The Supporting Stars
Paxson Madill, Jr., F
27 GP, 10 G, 21 A, 31 Pts
This may be the most important returning player not named Christy or Martalock.
Madill quietly finished fourth on the team in scoring despite being only a sophomore. His 21 assists were second on the roster.
When top scorers graduate, players like Madill often become stars.
Breakout potential: Extremely high.
Kole Lendzyk, Sr., F, 26 GP, 15 G, 15 A, 30 Pts
A point-per-game player returning for his senior season.
The balance jumps off the page: 15 goals and 15 assists.
He gives Hermantown a third legitimate scoring threat.
Gabe Swenson, Sr., D, 27 GP, 3 G, 20 A, 23 Pts
Swenson may be Hermantown's most valuable returning defenseman.
Twenty assists from the blue line is impressive at any level. With Berg, Kalkbrenner and Manion graduating, Swenson becomes the unquestioned leader of the defense corps.
Potential All-State defenseman.
Tier 3: Players Ready for Bigger Roles
Noah Thurston, Sr., F, 27 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 Pts
A solid complementary scorer who should see increased ice time.
Alexander Nicklin, Sr., F, 24 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 Pts
Quietly productive. Could easily move into the 20-point range with a larger role.
Ethan Aysta, Sr., D, 25 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 Pts
Will likely move into a top-four defense role.
TJ Wojtysiak, Jr., D, 27 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 Pts
Already logging varsity minutes. Expect his role to increase significantly.
The X-Factor
Liam Sundell, Sr., G, 2.25 GAA, .875 save percentage
The numbers are based on limited minutes, so they don't tell us much.
The question facing Hermantown isn't scoring.
The question is whether Sundell can replace Bryce Francisco.
Francisco posted: 17 wins, 2.69 GAA, .914 save percentage, two shutouts
If Sundell develops into a reliable starter, Hermantown immediately becomes a Section 7A co-favorite with Hibbing-Chisholm.
Young Players Most Likely to Break Out
Luke McDonald, Jr., F
Only four points, but gained varsity experience.
Nikolai Zhukov, So., D
Seven points as a freshman defenseman is impressive. This is the young player I'd watch most closely.
Brayden Lasky, Jr., D/F
Versatility often leads to increased ice time.
Cade Nelson, So., F
Former standout youth player who could make a jump physically and offensively.
My Early Top 10 Hermantown Players To Watch for 2026-27
Beau Christy, Sr., F
Micklain Martalock, Sr., F
Paxson Madill, Jr., F
Gabe Swenson, Sr., D
Kole Lendzyk, Sr., F
Liam Sundell, Sr., G
Noah Thurston, Sr., F
Ethan Aysta, Sr., D
TJ Wojtysiak, Jr., D
Nikolai Zhukov, So., D
Bottom Line
Hermantown loses important seniors in Bode Madill, Ford Skytta, Kyler Berg, Cooper Kalkbrenner, Cayden Manion, Ty McDonald and Bryce Francisco, but returns 168 of its 312 points (54 percent) from this season's roster. More importantly, the Hawks bring back their top four returning scorers — Christy, Martalock, Madill and Lendzyk — who combined for 145 points.
That's enough offensive firepower for Hermantown to begin next season as a legitimate top-five Class A team and a strong favorite to contend for another Section 7A championship. The biggest storyline will be whether Sundell can provide steady goaltending behind an offense that should again be among the most dangerous in northern Minnesota.
