Alexandria, MN (Mar. 25, 2025)
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The Northstar Knights 18U Prep team capped off another successful and record breaking season, finishing #8 overall in the national rankings with a record of 43-5-4. The team started their first 24 games before suffering a regulation loss in the NEPACK showcase in late November. The Knights would rebound and rattle off 15 wins in a row en route to winning the ESE Top 20 challenge in Detroit, MI. “To go the first 40 games with only 1 regulation loss is truly remarkable but only tells part of the story of their competitiveness, discipline and honor”, said 18U Prep Head Coach, Rylan Galiardi. The team scored an astounding 4.73 goals per game while only surrendering 2.13 goals against per game. Also aiding in the team’s success was a potent Power Play (30%) and Penalty Kill (85%).
In net, the Knights were led by one of the best goaltending tandems in all of AAA hockey this season. Gavin Erickson posted a record of 20-2-1 (3 shutouts) in 24 games played to go along with a GAA of 1.92 and a SV% of .916. Brady Krey, a BCHL tender with the Cranbrook Bucks, went 23-4-2 (4 shutouts) in 30 games played. Krey’s 23 wins this season rank 3rd all time in Knights single season history and his career .914 SV% ranks 5th in Knights history.
The Defensive unit was led by returning players Darik Olson and William Bisset along with last year’s 16U Knights, Deegan Hoffbauer (Minnesota Wilderness, NAHL), Elias Schutt and Jonathan Gross. Newcomers, Hunter Carson and Cooper Stockdale also added immense value throughout the season. Olson (Chilliwack Chiefs, BCHL) led the Knights defenseman with 51 points (17G, 34A) in 52 games played. Hoffbauer and Bisset both contributed significantly to the Knights Power play units.
Up front, the 18U Prep Team had no returning forwards, but saw major impacts from last year’s 16U team. Mason Grinnell (St. Cloud Norsemen, NAHL), Hudson Routh (Austin Bruins, NAHL), Jaxson Kaebel, Brieg Hazelwood, Isaac Thompson, Connor Maruska and Cam Solem led the way while also bringing in fresh talent in Ian Christian (Anchorage Wolverines, NAHL), Quayden Silcox, Luke McPherson (Odessa Jackalopes, NAHL), Will Doherty and Bennett Borgen. Grinnell terrorized opposing goaltenders this season, racking up 48 goals which ranked 2nd in Northstar Knights season history. 3 short of current Penn State star forward Reece Laubach’s 51 goals. Ian Christian (26G, 37A), Hudson Routh (16G, 35A) and Will Doherty (18G, 23A) each produced at over a point per game.
“It was apparent from the start that not only were they extremely hard to play against but also had a hunger to learn in chapel, push themselves to be great in the gym with our full time strength coach Jack and pursued excellence every practice”, Galiardi added. “As students, they excelled in the classroom and will continue to thrive at school while the boys stay and train at NorthStar until May.” This week, the 18U Knights will welcome over 70 families from across the United States as they visit for Prospect Camp. As they conclude the last 2 months of the season, the team will have many opportunities for community engagement, team bonding and enhanced discipleship. “We are thankful to walk with this group daily and couldn’t be more proud of them,” Galiardi concluded. “Their love and care of Northstar and each other was evident throughout the entire season.”