Beyond the Playbook: Northern Stars hockey welcomes in new head coach

Last year the Duluth Northern Stars girl’s hockey team finished with a record of 6-18. Making way for a new coaching staff this season, led by first year head coach Ali Randall.

“As a first year coach, you’re definitely bringing in a new perspective. This transition year, I’ve been really cognizant of that. I know that there’s some returners that I haven’t had the privilege of coaching yet, and then as well as some newer student athletes that I have coached in youth hockey before. So it’s an exciting mix of new and old players,” said Coach Randall.

Regardless of new and old faces, this team has welcomed the change in mentality that Coach Randall has provided.

“It’s been the same for many years. And I think something no new ideas, new people, new faces, new opinions to be really nice,” claimed senior forward Bailey Coole.

As any good coach knows when dealing with student athletes, there is more to the game than just X’s and O’s.

“A lot of it is she’s trying to get us to get used to her and her get used to us. On more so a personal level, which was really nice because to know your player, not only the way they play, but the way that they work themselves is really important,” added Coole.

Still for coach Randall this season isn’t about the score board or the stats, but about loving the game.

“Big focus on that positive experience for them, making it something that they can look back fondly on. We obviously want to push these girls to new heights. As a coach, you want to see their potential and of course never let them settle for less. That’s what we always say. But really getting them to buy into all the talent that they do have and all the skill they do have. I really want to get them to the point where they have that confidence in themselves,” concluded Randall.

The team looks to get their first win in this new era when they drop the puck on their season opener November 12^th, at home against Roseville/Mahtomedi.