Record: 4–23–0
That was the reality last season for the Duluth East Greyhounds, a once-feared northern powerhouse that’s been searching for its identity in recent years. While the Hounds hit rock bottom in 2024, there’s reason to believe brighter days are on the horizon.
This year’s group will feature some of the best young talent the program has had in several seasons. Zane Medlin and Liam Brooks are both expected to suit up for the Greyhounds, and their presence alone changes the outlook. Medlin is coming off a standout fall in the Prep Elite League, where he led all scorers in goals, while Brooks, a strong two-way defenseman and Saskatoon Blades WHL Draft pick, brings stability and leadership on the back end. Both are legitimate USHL Futures Draft prospects for next spring and represent the core of the Hounds’ future.
Marcus Anttila (15 points), is eligible to return as Duluth East looks to replace four of its top five scorers lost to graduation. *The good news: several depth players who logged minutes last season are ready for expanded roles, while the youth movement will inject energy and upside into the lineup.
The Greyhounds showed flashes late last season, including a competitive 4–2 section quarterfinal loss to Rock Ridge and a win over Andover earlier in the year. But to make real strides, special teams must improve. The penalty kill sat at just 70%…. among the worst in the state….while the power play managed only 15%. Those numbers alone make it clear where early-season focus must lie.
In goal, Nolan Nygaard is eligible to return and will be leaned on to provide consistency between the pipes. As always in goal, expect competition.
There’s no denying that as the rebuild continues, there will still be growing pains along the way. But with legitimate young talent coming through and a renewed sense of optimism, Duluth East hockey appears to be turning the corner. The skill is coming, and with it, hope for the Hounds.
A Look at the Numbers:
| W | L | T | GPG | GAPG | PP % | PK % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 23 | 0 | 2.07 | 5.15 | 16.4 | 69.7 |
Duluth East will start the season at Blaine on November, 22nd.
*The list of quality prospects is deep for East, but in these times, it’s hard to know if these players are for sure playing at Duluth East this season…With that said; Connor Martinson, Issac Licardi, Nikolai Kaliszewski, and Aris Shervey are a few of many talented prospects in the system, and could arrive in the next season or two.