2025 News Tribune Boys Hockey All-Area team

The 2024-25 season was unlike any other in recent memory for Section 7.For the first time since 2008, Hermantown was denied a spot in the section title game and they failed to claim a spot in the Class A state tournament for only the second time since 2009.Instead, it was a young Hibbing/Chisholm team coming together at the right moment to send the Hawks home without a section title for the first time since 2019.

The Bluejackets then topped Cloquet-Esko-Carlton on Whitaker Rewertz’s highlight-reel overtime game-winner to clinch a spot at state.Hibbing/Chisholm came up short at state, but with just a handful of seniors, the Bluejackets are set up to contend for years to come.In Section 7AA, Andover rallied from a nightmare start to earn its fifth trip to St.



Paul in the last six years, but Rock Ridge and first-year coach Matt Niskanen put together an unbeaten streak that lasted more than two months.In fact, with the rise of the Bluejackets, Lumberjacks and Wolverines this season, there may be as much talk about who wasn’t included on the team than who was.Hibbing/Chisholm’s Tate Swanson was named the News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year, but younger brother Cole Swanson and senior Jace Kampsula — second and third on the team in goals, respectively — did not make the list, though Kampsula was the Bluejacket that took home a title from the state tournament.

With just 12 spots and a surplus of excellent hockey in northeastern Minnesota, choosing the team this season was an even bigger minefield than normal.CEC All-State defenseman Karson Young picked up an All-Area nod as did Niko Gentilini. Grady Knutson (28-20-48) and Bobby Thornton (21-21—42) both had excellent seasons for the Lumberjacks, but it wasn’t enough in a season where three section teams were ranked in the top five of Class A the lion’s share of the season.

Grand Rapids’ superstar goalie Carter Casey and defenseman Luka Rohloff were the Thunderhawks’ representatives, but Jameson Duell and Nathan Garski — tied for the team lead with 36 points — just missed out.Duluth Denfeld’s John Scott did everything he could to keep the Hunters competitive in Section 7AA, but he missed the All-Area team despite leading his team with 26 goals and 24 assists.FIRST TEAMTATE SWANSON Hibbing/ChisholmJunior forward The junior led the team with 22 goals and 42 assists in 2025, guiding the Bluejackets to their first section title since 2011.

Swanson, the 2025 News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year, recorded three points in Hibbing/Chisholm’s historic win over Hermantown in the Section 7A semifinal. A Class A All-Tournament Team selection, Swanson recorded five points in three state tournament games for the Bluejackets.RIVER FREEMAN HermantownSenior forward The Hawks senior scored 27 goals — 17 more than any other teammate — and finished with 42 total points against one of the toughest schedules in Minnesota, regardless of class.

Freeman picked up his 100th career point in style, on a natural hat trick in a 4-0 dismantling of Eden Prairie Jan. 4.GRADY DIMBERIO Rock RidgeSenior forward The senior was lights-out during the Wolverines’ 18-game undefeated streak, leading the team with 32 goals.

Dimberio was “the best forward in this area,” according to coach Matt Niskanen, and scored his 100th career point in a 4-1 win over Duluth Marshall Jan. 7.KARSON YOUNG Cloquet-Esko-CarltonSenior defenseman The senior defenseman’s 27 assists were second on the team to forward Niko Gentilini and only an overtime loss to Hibbing/Chisholm in the Section 7A championship prevented the Lumberjacks from going to the state tournament.

Even when he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, it was often Young’s breakout that created a scoring opportunity for CEC, because “everything starts” with the senior, according to coach Shea Walters.LUKA ROHLOFF Grand RapidsSenior defenseman Rohloff was the “best defenseman by a considerable margin” in the area, according to Rock Ridge coach Matt Niskanen, and led the Thunderhawks with 25 assists. The defenseman was also a big part of a Grand Rapids defense that allowed just 2.

3 goals per game, while also adding 10 goals of his own — including the Thunderhawks’ lone goal in a 1-1 tie at Hermantown.CARTER CASEY Grand RapidsJunior goaltender Casey, among the top goalie prospects in Minnesota, finished the 2024-25 season with a .915 save percentage and a 2.

55 goals against average. The Thunderhawks didn’t get back to the state tournament this season, but Casey was perhaps even more reliable in net than last season’s run to the state semifinal.SECOND TEAMCAZ CARLSON Rock RidgeJunior forward Carlson’s 53 total points (23-30—53) led the Wolverines in a season in which they went more than two months without a loss.

The forward’s 30 assists helped lead Rock Ridge to the Section 7AA championship for the first time in program history.NIKO GENTILINI Cloquet-Esko-CarltonSenior forward Gentilini’s 32 assists and 52 total points led a high-powered Lumberjacks offense with seven players tallying at least 18 points this season. Gentilini scored a go-ahead goal in the third period of the Section 7A title game against Hibbing/Chisholm only to see the Bluejackets respond with an equalizer and overtime game-winner.

BENNETT SCISSONS Duluth MarshallJunior forward Scissons is a “gamechanger” according to Hermantown coach Pat Andrews, leading the Hilltoppers to 15 wins with 20 goals and 41 total points. Scissons put the Hilltoppers in a position to win with a go-ahead goal against Class A semifinalist Hibbing/Chisholm before a late goal sent the game to overtime.HENRY PETERSON HermantownSenior defenseman Peterson’s leadership was key for a young Hawks defensive corps after the departure of All-Area selection Will Esterbrooks as well as Weston Bohlman and Drew Nelson.

The senior defenseman’s 21 assists were the most for any Hermantown player in the 2024-25.ETHAN SUNDVALL Hibbing/ChisholmJunior defenseman Another of the area’s best, according to Rock Ridge coach Matt Niskanen, Sundvall anchored a defense that allowed just 2.75 goals per game.

Sundvall’s 14 goals and 29 assists were the best among Bluejacket defensemen on their way to the Class A semifinals.BRYCE FRANCISCO HermantownJunior goaltender In his first season as the Hawks’ primary netminder, Francisco allowed just 1.69 goals per game and had a .

939 save percentage. Francisco’s six shutouts were huge for a Hermantown team that occasionally struggled to score.]]>.