The Benilde- St. Margaret’s girls hockey team announced their two brand new captains, Annie Juckniess and Abby Garvin. The team wrapped up their 2021-2022 season with a banquet at Edina country club where co-head coaches, Kevin Gray and Kelly Pannek surprised the team by releasing the captains for the next season. 

The announcement came as a slight shock to the team as the past captains were announced during the preseason meetings in August to the upperclassmen. “I was expecting it actually because our coach Kelly Pannek called us the night before and warned us that we are going to be announced as captains at the banquet. I was really surprised when she called me because I didn’t know that I was going to be. I knew the team would be surprised though,” Juckiness said. 

Juckniess and Garvin grew up playing hockey together at Edina before they both transferred to BSM for highschool. They were both key offensive contributors last season, Abby Garvin had 5 goals and 11 assists for 16 points and Annie had 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points. This will be the girls 4th season playing varsity hockey together for BSM. “It’s very special to be a captain with Abby, because it’s not only like we’ve been on a team together but we have a really strong friendship too” So I can be a captain with one of my best friends,” Juckiness said. 

The Red Knights are losing eight seniors, five of which are going on to play college hockey. Former captains Emma Peschel, Emma Hoen and Sophie Melsness are going to Ohio State, Lindenwood and Merrimack respectively. Six out of ten of BSM’s top point scorers were seniors. The team will be relatively young next season, with only two returning varsity players. “There will be a lot of new people next year. I feel like connections and like getting to know each other is going to be super important. I just want to make sure that everyone feels super welcomed and just know they have a big role on the team,” Garvin said. 

As the 2021-2022 winter sports season wraps up, the BSM Boys Hockey team gathered one last time for a banquet on Saturday, April 2, at Jax Cafe. During the brunch, coaches revealed that junior Ryan Baird and sophomore Drew Stewart will join former assistant captain, junior Peter Giertsen, in leading BSM’s 2022-23 Boys Hockey Team.

Giertsen is familiar with leading the team, serving as assistant captain during the 2021-2022 season. Last season, Giertsen contributed to the team with his high energy levels and dedication to the program, finishing the season with seven goals and nine assists for a total of 16 points. As an experienced leader, Giertsen will have a more prominent role in the upcoming season, building off his position as a role model to bring the team to new heights. While there have been his ups and downs during the program, the biggest roadblock Giertsen has faced throughout his time on the team has been an inability to make it to state. The team has lost the section 6AA final game four years in a row. “The biggest aspect of the season that could be improved would be being able to pass the third round of sections,” Giertsen said.

The team has shown their skill physically but now they must prove their mental toughness. One obstacle they must overcome is developing new team chemistry and the lost experience the senior class brought. This is something they want to focus on this summer. “We are going to be a pretty young team. I’m hoping that they can adapt to the high school speed. We can all just get bigger and better,” Giertsen said.

Baird had his first varsity appearances during this past season. Baird played a total of five games and collected four shots on goal. While he did not see as much ice time as others, he did make an impact off the ice with his energetic personality. Baird aims to become a leader in various ways, whether it was picking up his teammates when they needed it or setting a good example on and off the ice. This new perspective will be beneficial for the team, especially in hopes of achieving the section 6AA title. “I’m the type of person to get the guys going during a game, no matter the score,” Baird said.

As a newly appointed leader, Baird will be taking on many responsibilities such as showing the younger guys the way of the program, prepping everyone for varsity, dealing with potential issues, and keeping a good focus on the collective goal. Despite Baird’s relative lack of experience, he will continue to develop as a leader over the summer and meet his duties in stride. As a captain, Baird thinks it is best to have a role model, or a previous captain, you were inspired by. “I really liked Brady Yakesh and Tristan Sarsland. I thought they were good leaders and I also thought they helped me adjust in the game with really good tips,” Baird said.

Coach Ken Pauly found the third captain in current sophomore Drew Stewart. Stewart has been on varsity since his freshman year because of his quick speed and hand skills. During his time on varsity, Stewart has collected 52 points in two seasons; 21 goals and 31 assists. Like Giertsen before him, Stewart will be a junior member of the captain squad. The past two seasons, Stewart has created many bonds with the graduated seniors whether it was inside the locker room or playing on the same line on the ice. The next couple of seasons will bring many challenges and obstacles to overcome. “I will have to keep the team determined in order to succeed in our vision to take home the first place title,” Stewart said.

While most people understand why Stewart was chosen to be a captain, people who don’t understand can expect Stewart to practice and train his absolute best with a serious intention to win all while having a smile on his face. It takes a lot to be a captain, requiring leaders to have good qualities such as quick decision making, problem solving, and being able to dissolve any heated situation. “By staying focused and trying to lead by example, I think a bunch of people will try and look up to that and follow me,” Stewart said.