DETROIT LAKES, Minn (KWAD) — Experience, leadership, and balance headline the 2025–26 Detroit Lakes Lakers boys hockey team as they prepare to hit the ice under head coach Ben Noah, who enters his seventh season leading the program.

Noah and his long-tenured staff — Tanner Lane and Mike Miller (both in their seventh seasons), Cody Einerson (sixth year), Jordan Fields (second), and newcomer Jim Kennedy — have built a program centered on steady growth and internal leadership. This year’s squad looks to take another step forward in arguably the best section in Class A hockey is arguably, Section 8A.

The Lakers look to build off last year’s 10-14-3 record that saw them 6-3-1 in the Central Lakes Conference, and 3-4-1 in Section play.

Detroit Lakes returns an impressive group of battle-tested upperclassmen, led by seniors Easton Kennedy, Will Cymbaluk, Carter Whitworth, Lawsen Justesen, and Hudson Pettit. Juniors Hank Schladeraff, Griffin Lindberg, Noah Germain, Henry Olson, and Max Ducharme round out a deep returning core that has logged plenty of varsity ice time.

“Our strength is definitely our senior leadership and skill level,” said Noah. “We’ve got a great core of seniors with a lot of experience, and they should carry us in the goal-scoring department. We’ve also got fantastic goaltending, which will keep us competitive every night.”

A talented crop of underclassmen joins the fold this winter, with Bauer Walter, Rhett Walter, Xander Bergesen, Ryker Zimmerman, Brody Bender, Sully Braaten, Parker Hendrix, and Weston White expected to make immediate contributions.

“The key to our success will be how quickly our newcomers can get up to speed and contribute throughout the lineup,” Noah said. “If they can adjust to the pace and physicality, we’ll be a tough team to play against.”

The Lakers will once again face a rugged schedule in Section 8A, where perennial powers Warroad, Thief River Falls and defending Class A State Champion East Grand Forks continue to set the bar.

Still, Detroit Lakes’ combination of senior skill, emerging depth, and strong goaltending gives them reason for optimism as they chase postseason contention.

“We’ve got the leadership, we’ve got the experience,” Noah said. “If everyone buys in, we can make this a really exciting season for Laker hockey.”

Laker Hockey: Boys Varsity 2025–26 Schedule