Hermantown has the deepest projected lineup in northeastern Minnesota boys hockey, while Hibbing-Chisholm has the strongest argument for possessing the region’s best forward-defenseman combination. Duluth East has a returning core capable of changing the Class AA conversation.
That is my starting point for the 2026-27 season, with one substantial assumption: These rankings presume the high school returns of Hermantown’s Paxson Madill and Nikolai Zhukov and Hibbing-Chisholm’s Whitaker Rewertz. All three are currently playing junior hockey. Their inclusion is a projection for this exercise, not confirmation that they will return or be eligible to compete.
The distinction matters. With Madill and Zhukov, Hermantown has additional talent at two important positions. With Rewertz, Hibbing has an offensive defenseman who can influence the game well beyond his scoring totals. Without those players, both teams require a different evaluation.
Minnesota high school boys hockey teams begin official practice for the 2026–27 season on Monday, Nov. 16.
TEAM RANKINGS
1. Hermantown
The Hawks get the top position because of their projected offensive depth. Jordan “Jordy” Sewell, Beau Christy, Micklain Martalock, Kole Lendzyk and Madill would give Hermantown several established options for constructing its forward lines. Sewell scored 28 goals for Cloquet last season, while Christy and Martalock scored 27 and 23 for the Hawks.
That collection would allow Hermantown to spread its scoring across multiple combinations rather than depend on one line. Zhukov’s assumed return would strengthen a defense that also includes Gabe Swenson. The largest unresolved question remains goaltending following Bryce Francisco’s graduation. Hermantown has the strongest projected lineup in this assessment, but its ability to prevent goals will determine whether that advantage survives the postseason.
2. Hibbing-Chisholm
Cole Swanson and Rewertz would give Hibbing-Chisholm my highest-ranked forward and defenseman. Swanson recorded 29 goals and 34 assists last season, while Rewertz contributed 23 goals and 27 assists from the blue line. Their combined influence would give the Bluejackets a substantial foundation for another Section 7A challenge.
Rewertz’s assumed availability is central to this ranking. A productive defenseman creates another point of attack and changes how opponents defend the entire lineup. Hermantown receives my endorsement for its broader collection of established scorers, but Hibbing has enough top-end ability to make that distinction narrow.
3. Duluth East
The Greyhounds are my leading candidate for a substantial climb. McKennen Kramer, Zane Medlin, Greyson Medak and Liam Brooks were underclassmen last season, giving East a returning group with meaningful varsity production. Kramer and Medlin each recorded 32 points, while defensemen Medak and Brooks contributed 28 and 27.
East finished 9-16-2, but its returning personnel provides a better reason for optimism than its record suggests. The Greyhounds must become more consistent in their own zone and finish competitive games. They have enough established talent to make improvement a reasonable expectation.
4. Grand Rapids
The Thunderhawks earned a state tournament appearance and a fifth-place Class AA finish last season. Ander Rajala gives them an accomplished returning forward, but graduation removed several important offensive contributors, including Seth Carlson, Jameson Duell, Nathan Garski, Will Shermoen and Dylan Clayton. Grand Rapids must develop scoring support around Rajala.
5. Rock Ridge
Jackson Bartovich is an important player to watch as Rock Ridge builds its next offensive group. He contributed nine goals and 22 assists last season, when the Wolverines reached the Section 7AA championship game.
Carlson’s presence with Fargo means his production cannot simply be carried into Rock Ridge’s preseason projection. Bartovich and the other returning players have an opportunity to assume larger roles. Their ability to create consistent offense will determine whether the Wolverines remain among the section’s leading contenders.
6. Proctor
Proctor has an appealing young foundation. Jax Hardy and Drew Yost contributed as freshmen last season, and Rafe Giswold provides another returning offensive option. Ashton Lee is a goaltender worth watching.
Hardy’s development is particularly important. Proctor needs new scoring leadership after Breckin Ross’s graduation, and its younger players have already demonstrated that they can contribute at the varsity level. This is a team with a credible opportunity to become more difficult as the season progresses.
7. International Falls
Brodie Baldwin and Carter Thompson give the Broncos established production as they replace a substantial senior group. Baldwin’s 50-point season provides a useful foundation, but returning players will face different assignments and increased defensive attention.
International Falls must establish its goaltending and develop enough scoring support to keep opponents from concentrating on a small group. There is offensive ability here. How effectively the new lineup supports it will determine the Broncos’ place in the regional race.
8. Cloquet-Esko
The Lumberjacks reached last season’s Section 7A championship game, but Sewell’s move to Hermantown creates a significant scoring vacancy. Brahm Snesrud and Kaden Willis are among the players to follow as Cloquet-Esko establishes its next identity.
The assignment involves more than replacing one player’s goals. New contributors must take responsibility in important situations, and the team needs dependable goaltending. Eighth is a cautious preseason position for a program that demonstrated last winter how dangerous it can become in the section tournament.
Duluth Marshall, Duluth Denfeld, Greenway, North Shore, Ely and Moose Lake Area remain outside this initial eight-team ranking. Opening rosters and early results will help establish which programs deserve to enter the group.
PLAYERS TO WATCH, RANKED
These rankings emphasize projected impact during the 2026-27 high school season. The inclusion of players currently in junior hockey assumes their return; it does not establish their availability or eligibility.
1. Junior Cole Swanson, Hibbing-Chisholm, forward. Swanson’s 63-point season gives him the strongest established offensive résumé among my leading candidates. He has demonstrated the ability to score and create opportunities for teammates on a team that reached the state championship game. He begins as my choice for the region’s top player.
2. Junior Whitaker Rewertz, Hibbing-Chisholm, defenseman — currently with the Penticton Vees, WHL. His 50-point season from defense gives him exceptional value in this hypothetical returning lineup. Rewertz would restore a major source of offense and provide another player opponents must account for whenever Hibbing has possession.
3. Junior Jordan “Jordy” Sewell, Hermantown, forward. Sewell scored 28 goals and 48 points for Cloquet last season. Joining a projected lineup with several other established scorers could create favorable matchups. His move directly strengthens Hermantown while leaving a substantial assignment for his former team.
4. Senior Beau Christy, Hermantown, forward. Christy’s 27 goals establish him as one of the region’s most productive returning finishers. He should remain central to Hermantown’s offense regardless of how the Hawks arrange their forward combinations.
5. Sophomore Nikolai Zhukov, Hermantown, defenseman — currently with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL. Zhukov’s assumed return would strengthen Hermantown at a position where its depth matters enormously. His selection in the first round of the USHL Phase I draft and subsequent move to Dubuque distinguish him as a significant developing prospect.
6. Junior Paxson Madill, Hermantown, forward — currently with the Red Deer Rebels, WHL. Madill would give the Hawks another experienced offensive option and greater flexibility across their lines. His inclusion makes Hermantown’s projected depth considerably stronger, particularly when opponents devote their best defensive matchups to the established goal scorers.
7. Senior Ander Rajala, Grand Rapids, forward. Rajala brings scoring production and state tournament experience to a team replacing several senior contributors. Few returning players in the region will have a more consequential assignment in shaping their team’s offense.
8. Junior Greyson Medak, Duluth East, defenseman. Medak’s 28 points last season provide evidence of his offensive contribution. His development, alongside Liam Brooks, is a major reason to expect East to become a more competitive team.
9. Senior Micklain Martalock, Hermantown, forward. Martalock’s 23 goals make him an established threat in his own right. His presence gives Hermantown another scorer capable of taking advantage when opponents concentrate on Christy, Sewell or Madill.
10. Junior Zane Medlin, Duluth East, forward. Medlin shared the Greyhounds’ scoring lead last season. He is an important part of the case for an East turnaround and has an opportunity to become a more consistent offensive leader.
11. Junior Liam Brooks, Duluth East, defenseman. Brooks produced 15 goals and 27 points last winter. That scoring contribution gives East another offensive dimension, while his continued defensive development will be important to the team’s progress.
12. Junior Brodie Baldwin, International Falls, forward. Baldwin recorded 20 goals and 30 assists last season. He now faces a larger leadership and production assignment as the Broncos replace senior contributors.
Immediately outside this group are sophomore Jax Hardy of Proctor; senior Kole Lendzyk and senior Gabe Swenson of Hermantown; senior McKennen Kramer of Duluth East; junior Jackson Bartovich of Rock Ridge; and senior Carter Thompson of International Falls.