It was announced in September that the Duluth Marshall and North Shore girls high school hockey programs would become one. North Shore is already a co-op between Two Harbors and Silver Bay, meaning they’re well versed in melding communities.

Despite making their fourth straight section final appearance last season, the Hilltoppers didn’t have the numbers to field their own team this year. So, they looked up north to the Storm, and are now underway in their first week of practice together.

“Well, it was definitely sad. I want to be a part of our school team and show off our pride, but it’s going to only help us and hopefully be able to get to that section final again,” Nina Thorson said, a Duluth Marshall senior.

“I think our programs are going to combine well together. We’re going to definitely complement each other. Like we have good talent, they have good talent, and so together we should just be really, really good,” Addison Bentler said, a Two Harbors senior.

The co-op idea came easy, as Two Harbors and Duluth Marshall are already combined in football. However, the actual meshing of the two programs, with nine skaters coming from Duluth, will be a new challenge for first-year head coach Mike Hoff

“It’s been early but the kids have been happy, supportive. A little uncertainty of course with a lot of the kids, where we’re going to be playing, what are we going to be doing, traveling, but it’ll work out if we do what’s best for the kids,” Hoff said.

To help with the transition he has also brought on the Hilltoppers’ head coach Callie Hoff as one of his assistant coaches.

“We’re really grateful for this opportunity. We’re grateful for the North Shore program, and Two Harbors community and Silver Bay community to welcome us in. It’s been amazing. They’re all great people, it’s going to be a great co-op and I know our girls are ready to go,” Callie Hoff said.

North Shore’s season opener is Tuesday, November 12 when they host Duluth in Silver Bay.

The Storm split their home games between Two Harbors’ Sonju Arena and Silver Bay’s Rukavina Arena. They were able to schedule one match at Mars Lakeview Arena, the home of the Hilltoppers, in January.