O N T H E C O V E R :
Josie St. Martin is one
of the most dynamic
players in Minnesota
high school hockey.
Credit: 734_Visuals
The legendary Natalie Darwitz leads Minnesota's
newest pro hockey franchise.
04 / DOMINATION
Minnesota continues to produce the
most Division I women's hockey players
on earth.
08 / "I'LL PLAY 'TIL I CAN'T"
The story of Bonnie Shea, the first girl to
play organized hockey in Duluth.
12 / TIPS: WINNING
HOCKEY HABITS
Bemidji State's Amber Fryklund on the
little details of development.
14 / STATE OF HOCKEY
SPOTLIGHT: SARTELL
Get to know one of the state's thriving
hockey associations.
16 / PONY POWER
Josie St. Martin is inspiring Stillwater's
next generation.
20 / THE RINK OF DREAMS
The United Heroes League celebrates
the grand opening of its outdoor rink.
22 / MOUNTAIN MAN
For Excelsior's Drew Akins, a life of
hockey leads to Jackson Hole.
IN THIS ISSUE
FACEOFF
27 27
POWER
J
A
N
/
F
E
B
2
0
2
4
MINNESOTA HOCKEY JOURNAL
Pony
+
THE RINK OF
DREAMS SERVES
AMERICA'S
HEROES
+
RUSSO:
DARWITZ DESIGNS
LOCALLY GROWN
PWHL ROSTER
+
TIPS:
WINNING
HOCKEY
HABITS
JOSIE
ST.
MARTIN
IS
INSPIRING
NEXT
THE
GENERATION
J A N / F E B 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M
03
RUSSO'S RANTS: TAILOR MADE
EDITOR: Aaron Paitich
CONTRIBUTORS:
David Cowardin, Shane Frederick, Kyle Leverone,
Steve Mann, Jessi Pierce, Michael Russo
DESIGN & PRODUCTION:
Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre, Rob Johnson,
Taylor McCumber, Sydney Urban
ADVERTISING: Bryan Nelson
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Samantha Canter
WEBSITE: mhjonline.com
E-MAIL: contactus@minnesotahockeyjournal.com
ASSOCIATION
minnesotahockey.org usahockey.com
PUBLISHER
CEO: Laura McEwen
CHAIRMAN: Steve Farbman
PRESIDENT: James McEwen
SR. VICE PRESIDENT: Dave Jensen
1601 Utica Avenue South, Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55416
PHONE: (763) 595-0808
E-MAIL: info@touchpointmedia.com
WEBSITE: touchpointmedia.com
"The purpose of Minnesota Hockey, an affiliate of USA
Hockey, is to encourage and improve the standard of
youth and other amateur ice hockey; to conduct ice
hockey tournaments and to select representative teams
to participate in tournaments; to associate with other ice
hockey associations; to do any and all acts necessary for
creating further interest in youth and other amateur hockey."
MHJ
M I N N E S O TA H O C K E Y J O U R N A L
MINNESOTA HOCKEY
CORPORATE PARTNERS
The following organizations have generously supported
amateur hockey in Minnesota. Please consider their support
next time you make a purchase.
Volume 25, Number 3
Unstructured play shaped Peart
siblings into Division I stars.
RAISED RIGHT
24
JAN./FEB.
