Duluth Denfeld, Rock Ridge boy’s hockey moving up to Class AA
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About two weeks ago the Duluth Denfeld and Rock Ridge boy’s hockey teams officially filed the paper work to move their programs up to Class AA.
The change will go into effect next season. It is a two year initial agreement.
The Hunters’ head coach Dale Jago said he hopes this shakeup will spark life back into the West Duluth hockey community, and strengthen the Northland’s presence in Section 7AA. Of the 10 current member teams, six are from the metro.
“I think there’s a big hole in Duluth hockey and it needs some forward thought processes, it needs some rejuvenation. The thinking it’s just going to work itself out, that’s long past gone,” Jago stated. “I was at Piedmont [Park] Sunday at 2:00 in the afternoon and there was three hockey players on the ice. So maybe this will rejuvenate Duluth hockey, maybe it will rejuvenate the rivalry between us and [Duluth] East.”
Hermantown, Hibbing/Chisholm, and Proctor are staying in Class A, while Cloquet-Esko-Carlton is opting down from Class AA next season.
REALATED STORY: CEC boy’s hockey transitioning to Section 7A next season.
The Duluth Denfeld and Rock Ridge boy's hockey teams are opting up to Class AA next season. The Hunters' head coach shares why.
Tune-in to WDIO at 10 p.m. Thursday, February 9 to hear from the Rock Ridge boy’s hockey team on their decision to opt up to Class AA.
The current member schools for Section 7AA in the 2022-2023 season are Andover, Duluth East, Grand Rapids, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, Coon Rapids, Duluth Marshall, Forest Lake, Blaine, Anoka, and Northern Edge (St. Francis/North Branch).
Section 7A currently consists of Hermantown, Hibbing/Chisholm, Denfeld, Rock Ridge, Proctor, International Falls, Greenway, North Shore, Ely, and Moose Lake Area.