Hermantown boys' hockey hit by COVID, to play state quarterfinal with junior varsity players

The No. 1 seed in the Class 1A boys' hockey tournament plans to suit up mostly junior varsity players. The defending champion in Class 2A is seeking guidance to determine if it can play at all.

Minnesota's marquee state tournament, which barely escaped the onset of the pandemic a year ago, begins Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center with 1A favorite Hermantown planning to suit up 15 junior varsity players for its game. All but three of the Hawks' varsity members are quarantined for COVID-19 exposure.

At Hill-Murray, a positive COVID test from a recent opponent has the Maplewood school checking with the Minnesota State High School League to see whether it can open defense of its 2020 state title on Wednesday against Wayzata.

https://www.startribune.com/hermantown-boys-hockey-hit-by-covid-to-play-state-quarterfinal-with-junior-varsity-players/600039986/