News Archive

November 14, 2024

HMPioneers.net is an alumni-operated site dedicated to chronicling the tradition of Hill-Murray boys hockey. The team has been active since 1960 and this site since 1999. Hill-Murray boasts one of the strongest high school hockey programs in Minnesota, with six state championships and numerous regional and conference titles.

The 2025 season gets underway November 26. View the 2025 season page or follow MN Hockey Hub for more frequent updates.

Hill-Murray is the Metro East Conference Co-Champion and #1 seed in Section 4AA.

The regular season finale was the second 8-7 OT game in school history. Old-timers may remember the first, which was also the last game of a very successful regular season and also featured a late third period comeback.

In 2025, Boden Sampair became the first Pioneer to record 70 points in a season since Jake Guentzel in 2012. Boden and Landon are the sixth and seventh Sampairs to play varsity hockey, tied with Regan for the second most common last name all-time, after Johnson.

Congratulations to four alumni who have made Division 1 college debuts in 2024: Dylan Godbout (Ohio State), Leo Gruba (Minnesota), Logan Hensler (Wisconsin), and Nick Pierre (Merrimack).

November 19, 2023

The 2024 season gets underway November 30. View the 2024 season page or follow MN Hockey Hub for more frequent updates.

Congratulations to three alumni who have made Division 1 college debuts in 2023: Remington Keopple (Cornell), Joe Palodichuk (Wisconsin), and Axel Begley (Minnesota).

2024 State Playoffs Page

Hill-Murray has now completed 50 hockey seasons as a member of the Minnesota State High School League.

33 state tournaments*
4 times state champion
8 times state runner-up (tied for most with Moorhead)
4 third place and 3 consolation trophies
47-41 all time tourney record
21 tourney overtime games (#1 among all schools)
136-17 record in section playoff games (started 26-0)
33-9 in section finals (started 15-0)
Played in 19 consecutive section finals (Moorhead's streak of 23 ended this year)

* Since 1975, Edina has the next highest total with 25 state tournaments. All-time (since 1945), Roseau leads with 34. Edina is hard to count due to having schools with different names (East, West, Morningside); the official MSHSL total for Edina High School is 31. Since 1982, when the Edina schools merged, Edina has 25 state appearances and Hill-Murray has 27.

You can still hear Lou Nanne's voice as he narrates a history of Hill-Murray hockey in this video.

Catholic Spirit article recognizing Bill Lechner's 600th win. Thanks to Tony Reif for the links.

The 2024 Pioneers set school records by playing in 8 overtime games and winning 5. Overtime games have increased in frequency in recent years, as the previous record for games (7) was set in 2020 and 2023, and wins (4) was set in 2022. Hill-Murray's all time record in overtime games is 90 W - 51 L - 48 T.

November 13, 2022

Congratulations to three alumni who have made Division 1 college debuts in 2022: Charlie Strobel (Minnesota), Lucas Wahlin (St. Thomas), and Brett Oberle (Air Force).

2023 Season Page and 2023 Playoffs

Hill-Murray is the 2023 Section 4AA Champion
Four in a row and 18 consecutive section final appearances

Hill-Murray is the 2023 State Consolation Champion
Historical notes: this was the school's first consolation title in 45 years. The consolation semi 3OT win was the second longest game in school history by elapsed time, 78:09. Hill-Murray added to its all-time state tournament record total by playing in the 20th and 21st overtime times in program history. The 2023 Pioneers also tied a school record by playing in seven overtime games in one season (also done in 2020), but fell one short of the 2022 team's record four overtime victories.

Video Highlights of the state quarterfinal

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Hockey Day at White Bear Lake

Video Highlights of the 2023 WBL game

December 15, 2021

HMPioneers.net is an alumni-operated site dedicated to chronicling the tradition of Hill-Murray boys hockey. The team has been active since 1960 and this site since 1999. Hill-Murray boasts one of the strongest high school hockey programs in Minnesota, with six state championships and numerous regional and conference titles.

The 2021 alumni game is
Sunday, December 26th 3:00-4:30 at Aldrich Arena
Please RSVP to Tony Reif

Congratulations to Coach Lechner on leading the Hill-Murray hockey program to 500 victories in 25 seasons as head coach!

Addendum: Coach Schafhauser has now also reached 500 victories as a member of the varsity coaching staff.

Hill-Murray is the 2022 Section 4AA Champion

2022 Season Page

March 28, 2021

The 2021 season will be the 61st for Pioneer Hockey; info can be found on the 2021 season page. Please also visit Hill-Murray Athletics for more information about the team. Thanks for your interest and support of Pioneer Hockey, and hope to see you at a game soon!

This season, Marko Reifenberger, Jake Begley, and Brock Bremer joined the ranks of Pioneer alumni playing D1 college hockey. View the complete roster here.

(Update March 28): No April Fools; we will have hockey at the Xcel this week. Hill-Murray opens at 11 AM Wednesday. 2021 playoff results are here.

Update (Mar 30): And nevermind; due to ongoing covid protocols, Hill-Murray will not be playing in the tournament this week. Congrats to the players and coaches on a section championship and some wonderful play this season.

A comprehensive update on Hill-Murray's situation was written by Jace Frederick and can be found on twincities.com. More media coverage: Bill Lechner on KFAN, Apr 3, and former Hill hockey player Joe Soucheray on his Mar 31 GL podcast.

March 7, 2020

State Champs!

Update (Feb 18): Playoffs start this week. Follow 2020 playoff scores and view past seasons here.

Some trivia on longest active streaks in AA boys hockey (through 2019):
Most consecutive state championships: 1, Edina
Most consecutive state finals reached: 1, Edina, Eden Prairie
Most consecutive state semifinals: 2, Edina
Most consecutive state tournaments: 3, St. Thomas Academy
Most consecutive section finals: 19, Moorhead
Most consecutive section semifinals: 26, Duluth East

Update (Feb 28): Hill-Murray is the Section 4AA Champion. It's the 30th state tournament entry in 46 seasons as a state high school league member. View the replay of the section final on PrepSpotlight.tv.

Update (Feb 29): Mikey Anderson today became the ninth Pioneer alumnus to play in an NHL game. He debuted for Los Angeles and played against his brother Joey. Mikey played for Hill-Murray during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and scored the decisive goal in the 2015 section final.

Update (Mar 7): Hill-Murray is the 2020 State Boys Hockey Champion! The Pioneers were 9-5-2 in mid-January, then went 13-1-1 over the second half of the season. Remington Keopple backstopped the team to the title and in the process set the school's all-time record for career saves and single season save percentage by a #1 goalie.

The latter record was held since 1978 by Jeff Poeschl, who by the way deserves congratulations for his first state championship as coach when Mahtomedi captured the Class A crown. Metro East teams had remarkable success this postseason, winning both state championships (previously done by HM and STA in 2008). Only one Metro East team was eliminated from championship contention by a non-Metro East school (Hastings lost its section final in OT).

The longest active postseason streaks, now updated through 2020:
Most consecutive state championships: 1, Hill-Murray
Most consecutive state finals reached: 2, Eden Prairie
Most consecutive state semifinals: 2, Eden Prairie, St. Thomas Academy
Most consecutive state tournaments: 4, St. Thomas Academy
Most consecutive section finals: 20, Moorhead
Most consecutive section semifinals: 20, Moorhead (last loss prior to a section final was to Willmar in 2000.)

Update (Apr 15): A few additions since the end of the season are now viewable. They include state tournament videos and a 15-minute season highlight video, linked from the 2020 season page or the video archive page. Also, new photos and a redesigned alumni page. Many thanks to Nick Johnson for providing the season video and Coach Luger for collecting the alumni photos.

October 28, 2018

HMPioneers.net is an alumni-operated site dedicated to chronicling the tradition of Hill-Murray boys hockey. The team has been active since 1960 and this site since 1999. Hill-Murray boasts one of the strongest high school hockey programs in Minnesota, with five state championships and numerous regional and conference titles.

The 2018-2019 season will be the 59th for Pioneer Hockey; info can be found on the 2019 season page. Please also visit Hill-Murray Athletics for more information about the team. Thanks for your interest and support of Pioneer Hockey, and hope to see you at a game soon!

Joey Anderson became the eighth former Pioneer to play in the NHL when he debuted October 27 with the New Jersey Devils at age 20. Anderson played for Hill-Murray in 2013 and 2014.

The University of Minnesota has a featured article on former Hill-Murray player and manager Duke Pieper.

2019 Playoff Scores

November 13, 2017

HMPioneers.net is an alumni-operated site dedicated to chronicling the tradition of Hill-Murray boys hockey. The team has been active since 1960 and this site since 1999. Hill-Murray boasts one of the strongest high school hockey programs in Minnesota, with five state championships and numerous regional and conference titles.

Since other sites now do a fine job of providing up-to-date schedules and results, I no longer plan to make many in-season updates to HMPioneers.net. Please visit Hill-Murray Athletics for current information about the team. However, there is still much historical research both there and here to explore. Thanks for your interest and support of Pioneer Hockey, and hope to see you at a game soon!

Links to 2018 season page and 2018 playoff results.

Hill-Murray is the 2018 Section 4AA Champion. At a sold out Aldrich Arena, the Pioneers defeated White Bear Lake 3-1 in the first playoff game between the once perennial rivals since 2013. Hill-Murray has now played in 13 consecutive section finals and won 10 of those to bring the school's all time total to 29.

November 8, 2016

2016-2017 will be the 57th season of Hill-Murray hockey.

For more info on the program and current season, please visit Hill-Murray Athletics or the Boys Hockey Hub.

Jake Guentzel, who played for Hill-Murray in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, on November 21 became the seventh Pioneer to play in the NHL, and scored a goal on his very first shift.

That's a school record for ties set in just the season's eighth game. Hill-Murray has not defeated Eden Prairie since 1992 (0-5-1 since 2009).

Here's a new site from John Vosejpka, the official scorer of the state tournament: Results, Records and Rarities of the Minnesota State Hockey Tournaments.

Hill-Murray is the 2017 Metro East Conference Champion.

Jake Begley is one of two Frank Brimsek finalists.

2017 Playoff Results

By defeating White Bear Lake 1-0, Tartan earned the school's first section quarterfinal victory since 2007 as a member of Section 2. That streak included a loss as the #1 seed in 2009. So Hill-Murray will not play White Bear Lake in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Between 1984 and 2013, the schools never went more than one season without a head-to-head playoff match.

For the fourth consecutive year, Hill-Murray will play Stillwater in the section final. Stillwater has scored a total of two regulation goals while winning two of the previous three.

Hill-Murray is the 2017 Section 4AA Champion.

Jake Begley is the winner of the Frank Brimsek Award given to the state's top senior goalie. Begley broke the school record for career save percentage (minimum 20 games) with a three year mark of 0.927, shattering the old record of 0.914 held by Jeff Poeschl.

February 4, 2016

Hill-Murray is the Metro East Conference Champion.

Bill Lechner has now won 400 games as head coach of Hill-Murray.

Casey Staum is a Mr. Hockey finalist.

December 9, 2015

Notes on the WBL game: A few people have asked if four shorthanded goals is a HM record. It has happened before, most recently eight years ago. (The 2008 team, for the entire season, outscored opponents 13-11 while shorthanded.) I can't recall four shorthanded goals in a non-blowout game. However, White Bear Lake's penalty shot was the first successful one against Hill-Murray in at least 20 years.

November 21, 2015

The 2016 season is underway! The holiday tournament is still a month away, but here's the bracket and schedule.

Hill-Murray athletic team websites are now at hillmurrayathletics.com. That will have updated roster, stats, and scores for the current season. For now, the complete boys hockey historical record is still here at hmpioneers.net - check out the HM History or MN History pages for great archived content.

March 8, 2015

The 2015 hockey season is now complete. Congratulations to state champions Lakeville North and East Grand Forks. Lakeville North had the first undefeated season by a large school in 22 years. Duluth East, in what might be a first, finished as the runner-up while allowing more goals (89) than goals scored (88) for the season.

New section assignments for the next two years are set. There are substantial changes to sections 2AA, 3AA, and 6AA. 4AA acquires Woodbury but otherwise stays the same. Duluth Marshall will opt up to 7AA. A full list of schools opting up is here.

March 7, 2015

Forty years ago, on March 6, 1975, Hill-Murray played its first state tournament game at the Met Center. Here are the highlights, with the call from Joe Boyle and Lou Nanne on WTCN. Many thanks to Tony and Dave Reif for sharing this priceless video.

February 27, 2015

Hill-Murray is the Section 4AA Champion

35 years ago and just two weeks after the 1980 Olympics, Hill-Murray qualified for the State Tournament with a double overtime win at the Auditorium. Both are chronicled in this pre tournament preview show. Highlights of the HM-Mariner game begin around the 15:00 mark.

The 2015 tournament will be televised on KSTC Channel 45, and pay-per-view internet streaming is available.

February 22, 2015

Hill-Murray will play a section semifinal at Aldrich Arena for the first time in 32 years. The last time, the 1983 Pioneers needed a goal with one minute remaining to dispatch Stillwater en route to a state title. Aldrich did host the Section 2AA semifinals as recently as 2002, but has never hosted a AA or one-class section final. It hosted the Section 4A final for many years. 4A is now at Roseville, the first playoff games in any round to be played at Roseville Arena since 1984.

February 12, 2015

Hill-Murray is the Metro East Conference Co-Champion

February 5, 2015

Zach Mills scored on a penalty shot against Hastings, and unless I'm missing something, this is the first successful penalty shot by a Hill-Murray player in 18 years (Jesse Unklesbay scored against Burnsville during the 1997 season.)

Feb 5 is Hill-Murray's first ever game at Hastings Arena. Until January, the two schools had never played each other, Hastings being the only AA school with any past hockey significance that Hill-Murray had not played. On the A side, Hill-Murray has never played Hermantown, a school which mirrors Hill-Murray's performance in that they are a frequent state tournament participant and have the most second place finishes.

January 24, 2015

Here's a report that looks at the distribution of when goals are scored throughout a hockey game. It categorizes every goal over the past 12 seasons according to which minute of the game it was scored.

HM Hockey: When do goals happen?

For a sneak preview, here's a graph of the total goals by both teams by the minute.

January 18, 2015

Video highlights of Hill-Murray's overtime win on the outdoor ice at the St. Paul airport broadcast on FSN.

As many of you know, founding principal and legendary band director Frank Asenbrenner passed away last month. For decades, his pep band charged the atmosphere at all home hockey games. Here, Mr. A raises the 1983 championship trophy alongside captains Tom Follmer, Mark Krois, and Mark Horvath.

December 29, 2014

Full schedule for this week's holiday tournament, plus link to live streaming of the games.

Hockey Day is January 17. Get info from the sponsors here.

December 8, 2014

How to name a Pioneer

The most common last names to appear on a Hill-Murray roster:
7: Johnson
6: Belde, Regan
5: Conroy
4: Miller, Reif, Langevin, Horvath, Larson, Klosner, Sampair

Johnson is not much of a surprise; it is after all the second most common surname in the United States. However, there has been just one Smith (#1), Brown (#4), and Jones (#5), and no Williams (#3).

Now for the most common first names:
32: Mike/Michael/Mikey
22: Joe/Joey
21: Dan
19: Mark
18: Tom, Jim
17: Dave/David
16: Steve
14: Matt, Jeff
13: Pat/Patrick
11: Brian/Bryan
10: John, Bob/Bobby, Rick/Ricky

Those 15 names represent 45% of the total, but as evidence that name diversity has been increasing over time, only 3 current Pioneers are represented on that list.

November 5, 2014

Season 55 of Pioneer hockey is underway!

New lockerrooms are under construction at Aldrich Arena.

Hill-Murray will play another outdoor game, this one at the St. Paul Airport on January 17.

Updates to hmpioneers.net since last season: a large table detailing playoff performance by all Minnesota high schools over the last 40 years.

And some new info on individual scoring leaders and other historic feats is on the team records page.

February 22, 2014

Hill-Murray is the girls hockey AA state champion. In the last four school years, Hill-Murray teams have qualified for 14 state tournaments and 8 championship games in various sports, but this is the school's first title since boys hockey in 2008. Congratulations to the girls and head coach Bill Schafhauser!

February 14, 2014

Hill-Murray is the Classic Suburban Co-Champion

The Pioneers were 12-1 and will split the title with St. Thomas Academy. And that's the end of the CSC, which was formed in 2001-02 and will be rechristened the Metro East Conference next season. Richfield is out and Hastings is in.

February 5, 2014

Sam Illgen set a new school record with 53 saves against Blaine, topping James Fangel's 47 against Wayzata during the 2004 season. Fangel retains the mark for most saves in a period (25 saves on 26 shots in the second period of the same game).

Mitch Slattery was named a Mr. Hockey finalist.

January 25, 2014

With Hill sporting throwback white jerseys recently, see that and other classic uniforms and history at Vintage Minnesota Hockey.
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More trivia

There have been nearly 6000 playoff and state tournament games played since 1975. Here is a list of arenas that have hosted the most games:

1. Aldrich Arena (459)
2. Coliseum (374)
3. St. Paul Civic Center (286)
4. Met Center (228)
5. Xcel Energy Center (208)
6. Parade Ice Garden (200)
7. Mariucci Arena (II) (194)
8. Bloomington Ice Garden (180)
9. Duluth Arena/DECC (179)
10. Wakota Arena (140)
11. Rochester Rec Center (134)
12. St. Cloud Municipal (133)

January 14, 2014

It's been an interesting first half of January for the Pioneers. The month began with the first shutout of a Hill-Murray team in seven years, but the Pioneers rebounded by defeating the state's second and first ranked teams. Following a win over conference rival Tartan, Hill-Murray plays White Bear Lake on Thursday in the first January game between the teams since 2001. The game will be televised live on TV19 for those in the northeast metro viewing area, and streamed live on the Horn.

If the Pioneers and Bears meet again in the Section 4 Final, it will be history of a different kind: perhaps the final high school hockey game played in the Coliseum. Pioneer Press articles here and here. Bill Lechner, Jeff Whisler, and Jim Rohlik are quoted in the stories.

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Josh French scored an extremely rare 3-on-4 shorthanded goal against Tartan. Just as remarkable was that the goal came only 7 seconds into the third period. This is the fastest goal to start a period of any boxscore on this website (which includes all games since 2000).

There are three known games with goals scored 8 seconds into a period, and all three had a goal scored within 14 seconds of the start of some other period in the same game. Check this out: the 1992 consolation final had a goal at 0:14 of the 2nd, 0:08 of the 3rd, three goals in the final 1:28 of the 3rd, and stood as the longest game in Hill-Murray history for 18 years. Fast forward to this December 2005 game, in which HM scored at 0:13 of the 1st and 0:08 of the 2nd. And one year later, HM scored at 0:08 of the 1st, 0:12 of the 2nd, only to be tied by Duluth East with 0:06 remaining in the 3rd.

In contrast, goals in the final second of a period, even game tying or winning goals in the final second of regulation, have occured multiple times.

Finally, speaking of remarkable goals, here is Joey Anderson's shot that broke the net in the third period against Edina:

January 8, 2014

Former Hill-Murray players (last year at HM), current team (league)

Ben Bahe (2011), Merrimack (Hockey East D1)
Kevin Becker (2011), St. John's (MIAC D3)
Sam Becker (2013), Wenatchee (NAHL)
Chris Casto (2010), South Carolina (ECHL)
Dan Cecka (2008), St. Olaf (MIAC D3)
Bo Dolan (2008), R.P.I. (ECAC D1)
Andy Faust (2012), Connecticut (EHL)
Willie Faust (2010), Army (Atlantic Hockey D1)
Ryan Furne (2008), Michigan Tech (WCHA D1)
Gabe Guentzel (2006), Ritten Sport (Italy-A)
Jake Guentzel (2012), Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC D1)
Blake Heinrich (2012), Sioux City (USHL)
Mike Hoeffel (2006), Albany Devils (AHL)
Isaac Kohls (2009), Niagara (Atlantic Hockey D1)
Zach LaValle (2013), Chicago (USHL)
Jim McKenzie (2000), Iowa Wild (CHL)
Joe Phillippi (2008), St. Cloud State (NCHC D1)
Paul Prescott (2009), Nichols (ECAC Northeast D3)
Charlie Sampair (2012), Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC D1)
Conrad Sampair (2012), Brookings (NAHL)
Kevin Schulze (2011), Wisconsin (Big Ten D1)
Tim Shaughnessy (2011), St. Thomas (MIAC D3)
Andy Singerhouse (2008), Wisconsin-Superior (WIAC D3)
Dan Sova (2008), Michigan Tech (WCHA D1)
Nick Sova (2011), Hamline (MIAC D3)
Jack Walsh (2010), Gustavus Adolphus (MIAC D3)
Nick Widing (2009), Augsburg (MIAC D3)
Tyler Zepeda (2009), St. Norbert (NCHA D3)

December 21, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Tourney Time! This week's schedule and live broadcast link.

December 4, 2013

The 54th season of Pioneer hockey is underway. Hill-Murray plays its first home game Sat Dec 7 in this year's edition of an always entertaining series against Benilde-St. Margaret's, followed by conference rival St. Thomas Academy on Thu Dec 12.

The alumni game is less than a month away on Sunday, December 29 from 3-5 pm at Aldrich Arena. Please RSVP to Tony Reif at tony@petersonenterprises.com.

Updates since last season - video and more video. Last year's state tournament highlights along with a few more from the 1980s are linked from the video page. Also, I've posted a collection of state tournament tapes from the 1990s on You Tube.

March 10, 2013

Hill-Murray is the State Runner-up

The 2013 Pioneers completed a very successful season with a repeat conference and section championship, and a 2nd place finish at State. Following a come from behind win against Wayzata that avenged an earlier loss, Hill-Murray suffered the reverse outcome in the final. Congrats to Edina and STA on their state championships.

The 2013 season featured many noteworthy accomplishments. Zach LaValle broke the all-time school points record, and Bill Lechner became the all time school wins leader among head coaches. John Dugas had one of the finest seasons ever by a Pioneer goalie, and the team finished with an overall 27-3-1 record that included wins over almost all of the state's other top teams.

March 2, 2013

Hill-Murray is the Section 4AA Champion

Historical notes: the section title is Hill-Murray's second in a row and 26th overall. Curiously, Hill-Murray has not reached the state semifinal in back to back years since 1985-1986. The most recent teams to have a chance lost the state quarterfinal in overtime, in 2007 and 2009.

In 53 seasons, this was just the ninth 1-0 game in school history. The last was on Dec 6, 2005, also a 1-0 victory over White Bear Lake. This was the first 1-0 section final, although a 2-0 win over White Bear Lake in 2000 included a late empty net goal.

Zach LaValle becomes the fifth Hill-Murray player to play in four state tournaments. LaValle is a two year captain and holds the school record for career points (193) and assists (112).

The 1971 team photo posted recently was incorrectly identified as the 1970 team. The correct 1970 photo is now posted. Thanks to Mike Remarcke for the fix.

February 17, 2013

Hill-Murray finished the regular season 22-2-1, including 10-1-1 against a very tough non-conference schedule. That was good enough to earn the state's top ranking, although the last two Hill-Murray teams with that distinction did not reach the state tournament. Section play begins Feb 23; Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake are once again the top two seeds in Section 4. Tartan, which denied St. Thomas Academy a share of the Classic Suburban title, is third.

February 13, 2013

Hill-Murray is the Classic Suburban Champion

February 8, 2013

Pioneer hockey has a new all-time leader in career points. Zach LaValle is now at the top of that very distinguished list, with 182 points (74 goals, 108 assists) and counting as of February 8. Congratulations to Zach on a well deserved achievement!

LaValle is also the all-time leader in games played, and is closing in on Todd Norman's (1984) mark of 111 career assists.

The individual leaders in career goals are Pat Conroy (1971) and Mark Krois (1983) with 88.

February 7, 2013

Two Pioneers were named finalists for the state's top individual awards. Zach LaValle is one of ten Mr. Hockey finalists, and John Dugas is one of two finalists for the Frank Brimsek Award.

February 3, 2013

Some old memorabilia that is new to this site is now linked. First, the history article now links to newspaper reports of each of the school's five state championships. Also, college photos of many players are displayed on the college alumni page.

Many new boxscores from the independent tournaments of the 1960s and 1970s are up. Here are a few games of interest:

February 15, 1965 - The first and still only 0-0 game in team history. Jack Reif was matched save for save by Blake's Mark Dayton.

February 15, 1970 - Hill's first state championship, won in overtime against five time defending Catholic champion Duluth Cathedral (now Marshall). Duluth's star that day was Mike Randolph, now the longtime coach at Duluth East. Many at the time believed it would also be the last ever game for Hill due to the threatened closing of the school.

December 6, 1970 - A beseiged Cretin goalie's 42 saves aren't enough to stop the mighty Hill Pioneers, who were in the midst of a 25 game win streak.

February 17, 1983 - The greatest comeback in school history also preserved a perfect season. Hill-Murray had defeated Johnson 11-6 the night before, so allowed 13 goals in two days but won both games.

January 27, 2013

Earlier this month, Bill Lechner passed Terry Skrypek's total of 325 wins which was tops among Hill-Murray hockey coaches. Congratulations to Coach Lechner and his staff on an accomplishment 16 years in the making!

January 25, 2013

The Pioneers wrapped up a rare three game season series against STA with a 3-1 win that evened the teams in the conference standings. Up next is third place Tartan on Saturday. Coincendentally, the win on Thursday ensured that Tartan is still the only Classic Suburban school to win a season series aginst Hill-Murray.

January 13, 2013

Catch the Pioneers in action on FSN on January 24 vs. St. Thomas Academy if you can't make the game in person.

Here's a link to some high quality photos taken by Michael Mingo at Braemar Arena on January 5 - varsity and JV.

January 5, 2013

Former Hill-Murray players (last year at HM), current team (league)

Ben Bahe (2011), Merrimack (Hockey East D1)
Kevin Becker (2011), Bismarck (NAHL)
Danny Cashman (2012), St. John's (MIAC D3)
Chris Casto (2010), Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA D1)
J.D. Cotroneo (2011), Aberdeen (NAHL)
Dan Cecka (2008), St. Olaf (MIAC D3)
Bo Dolan (2008), R.P.I. (ECAC D1)
Andy Faust (2012), Coulee Region (NAHL)
Willie Faust (2010), Army (Atlantic Hockey D1)
Loren French (2011), St. Thomas (MIAC D3)
Ryan Furne (2008), Michigan Tech (WCHA D1)
Gabe Guentzel (2006), Norfolk (AHL)
Mike Hoeffel (2006), Albany (AHL)
Jordan Johnson (2010), Hamline (MIAC D3)
Jim McKenzie (2000), Evansville (ECHL)
Isaac Kohls (2009), Niagara (Atlantic Hockey D1)
Joe Phillippi (2008), St. Cloud State (WCHA D1)
Paul Prescott (2009), Nichols (ECAC Northeast D3)
Nick Pryor (2006), Maine (Hockey East D1)
Charlie Sampair (2012), Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA D1)
Conrad Sampair (2012), MN Wilderness (SIJHL)
Kevin Schulze (2011), Wisconsin (WCHA D1)
Tim Shaughnessy (2011), Jamestown (NAHL)
Andy Singerhouse (2008), Wisconsin-Superior (NCHA D3)
Dan Sova (2008), Michigan Tech (WCHA D1)
Nick Sova (2011), MN Wilderness (SIJHL)
Jack Walsh (2010), Gustavus Adolphus (MIAC D3)
Nick Widing (2009), Hamline (MIAC D3)
Tyler Zepeda (2009), St. Norbert (NCHA D3)

December 20, 2012

2012 Holiday Tourney schedule

November 20, 2012

The alumni game will be held Sunday, Dec 30th from 3:00-5:00 at Aldrich Arena.

November 3, 2012

Pioneer Hockey's 53rd season will commence when Burnsville visits Aldrich Arena on November 29. Mark your calendars for this and many other games against Minnesota's top high school hockey teams!

* updates since last winter - four videos from the 2012 State 2nd Place season are now online