Even fewer can say that they went to different schools in college, stayed in touch and eventually reunited again at the same school. But that’s the interesting tale of St. Thomas senior forward Brieja Parent and junior defenseman Rachel Golnitz.

The Tommies tandem grew up together in the Forest Lake area and played for the Rangers in high school before briefly going their separate ways in college. While Parent’s father got her into skates “as soon as she could walk,” Golnitz didn’t start playing hockey until later.

“I actually started with soccer,” Golnitz said. “I didn’t play hockey and I was on Brieja’s team. After watching me play soccer, her dad and a bunch of other dads were like ‘I think she would like hockey. She’s pretty aggressive.’ So, it was Brie’s family that got me into hockey, and I started when I was about eight.”

Brieja Parent and Rachel Golnitz grew up as friends and played hockey for Forest Lake High School. (Photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

The twosome was very close growing up, going to Chicago for a soccer tournament at one point and Golnitz, who is a black belt, even got Parent into karate briefly. However, eventually, they both started to focus on hockey, their true love. They won the U12 state tournament and also went to state during Parent’s freshman year and when Golnitz was in eighth grade. They also shared some personal adventures, which often concluded in some funny stories.

“When we were younger, we used to rollerblade all the time together and we were rollerblading in my neighborhood, and we were going down this super steep hill,” Parent said. “If you took a left, it was a gravel, dirt road, and if you took a right, it was a regular road. I don’t remember if I told her to go left or if I just didn’t tell her, and she went left and she just absolutely ate it. She was full of dirt, and it was the funniest thing ever.”

“That was a tough go and I felt pretty dumb, I’m not going to lie,” Golnitz said, with a laugh. “I was all scratched up. If I was alone, I probably would’ve started crying, but since I was with Brieja, we just started laughing hysterically. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”

As is mostly the case after high school, athletes head to different schools for opportunities and it didn’t take long for Parent to choose Minnesota Duluth, where she played in eight games.

“Ever since I was little, that has always kind of been where I wanted to go,” she said. “When I went up there, I instantly loved it. That’s kind of why I picked it.”

While her best friend stayed in Minnesota, Golnitz decided to explore more before eventually deciding to go to Colgate in upstate New York.

“I just kind of wanted to get out of the state,” she said. “There’s so many great schools in Minnesota and especially hockey programs. Something in me was telling me to try something new. I ended up at Colgate because they had such a great academic standard and it’s a really small, tight-knit community with great sports teams.”

After one year with the Bulldogs, Parent decided to leave her dream school and go back to the Twin Cities and join the Tommies roster where she has racked up 10 goals and 23 points in three seasons so far.

“I just wasn’t thriving as much as I knew I could at Duluth, and I wanted a change,” she said. “I absolutely loved the coaches here and I came in the middle of the year and the team was so welcoming. The culture here is amazing and I kind of took a leap of faith and never looked back.”

Golnitz, on the other hand, spent two seasons with the Raiders where she had two assists, before being enticed to join the Tommies with Parent playing a bit of a role in that decision.

“I knew Brieja had come back a year and a half before I transferred,” Golnitz said. “As soon as I was looking to transfer, I talked to her regularly and remembered on my visit that she watched me for a while. It was definitely an incentive. I was like ‘I should just go here. Just for her’ and obviously with how great St. Thomas is, it was a done deal. I don’t know if she recruited me. She was just straight up with me, told me how great it was, and I’ve known her for so long that I knew I could trust her.”

Reunited and it feels so good
Once Parent knew Golnitz was joining her at UST, she said she cried and said the moment really hit home for her when they were both in the same locker room again.

“It was a full circle moment,” Parent said. “I remember just looking at her in a St. Thomas jersey and sitting in my stall in my jersey, I got full body chills. There was no way that we were wearing the same logo again and playing on the same team.”

“I was a little nervous coming into a new program, but with Brieja here, I had a lifelong friend and teammate,” Golnitz said. “I remember that first game playing for St. Thomas and looking at her having the same feelings. It was a really cool moment.”

Their first year together with the Tommies hasn’t been easy as UST just finished the regular season with a 10-24-1 record. However, both have enjoyed the time they’ve spent together.

Brieja Parent and Rachel Golnitz skate for St. Thomas in an exhibition game against Franklin Pierce in September 2023. (Photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

“It’s been really fun,” Golnitz said. “For me being my first year here, it’s been full of ups and downs. All along the way, whatever is happening, inside or outside of hockey, this program and the girls and the staff and the support staff are truly amazing people that care about you as a person and a player. I think with such a young team, we’ve gone through a lot of learning curves, but I’ve enjoyed every moment of it as hard or easy as it seems.”

“I think this year has really been different from the last two,” Parent said. “I think each year we keep getting better and better and we are such a young team. It’s been so fun just watching the freshmen adapt and see the sophomore and juniors grow. It’s been a really good growing year. I think St. Thomas women’s hockey is going to be very up and coming in the next few years and I can’t wait to be watching them win a national championship. That would be fun.”

As far as what has been the highlight of this reunion so far, both say it’s the bond that continues to grow between them, which is evident by their connection on the ice.

“I think every time Rachel gets the puck by the net, I’m standing on my feet because I’m waiting for her to score and there was a goal a few games ago where somebody tipped it and I thought she initially scored and I think I did a PR (personal record) vertical jump because I was so excited,” Parent said. “Just looking back and seeing her at D every time I go and take a faceoff is one of those little things that you never take for granted.”

“We were running a specific faceoff play in practice one day and Brieja came up to me and said ‘We’re gonna do Ranger’ and I was like ‘Yep, yep.’ And everyone else was like ‘What is Ranger?’ But that’s what we called it in high school,” Golnitz said. “It was the same play, but we called it Ranger. I knew exactly what she was talking about. I was like ‘You guys, it’s this’ and they were like ‘But that’s not what we call it.’ And we laughed and we told (UST assistant coach) Bethany (Brausen) about it and she giggled. It was a good time because it’s so weird how things just stick with you, and we were just right back in high school.”

The post UST Is Home For These Rangers appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

“It started snowing which I thought was really fun to be out playing in the snow,” Cretin-Derham Hall sophomore forward Abby Broz said after the game. “The atmosphere was amazing. Everybody was just so excited, win or loss, that would have been a great game either way to play in. Once in a lifetime.”

For Broz, the event set on top of the park’s primary soccer fields held special meaning for her in that it was a homecoming, of sorts.

“I grew up playing soccer there on those exact fields, all the way up until last year,” Broz said last week. “Being able to go back out there and play on White Bear’s turf, kind of, both soccer and hockey, I think it’s really cool. It’s good for our team, it’s good to be back out in White Bear and I hope everyone is just thankful for this opportunity, because it’s huge to be a part of this.”

Broz was raised in Hugo, where her family still lives, on a pond she grew up skating on with her siblings near the city’s southern border with White Bear Lake. She played her youth hockey in the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association and recalls her fondest memory as a young Bear came in a tournament in Duluth in her first 12 and under season. “We ended up winning the tournament, which was pretty huge for us because no one expected our little U12 White Bear team to win anything.”

Abby Broz with a Forest Lake backchecker in pursuit at Polar Lakes Park in White Bear Township on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

As an eighth grader, Broz made the varsity squad at White Bear Lake High School and finished the 2020-21 season with a pair of goals to go with three assists in 19 games for the Bears. But Broz and her parents, Roger and Michelle, felt she needed more from an academics standpoint and was not getting the help she needed at White Bear Lake. That, and another motivation, had the family looking elsewhere for Abby to finish high school. 

“They thought it’d be cool for me to go experience a different place than somewhere I’ve always grown up,” Broz said. “Then we went and we toured (Cretin-Derham Hall) and I loved the school, I loved the team here, I loved, basically, everything about the different dynamics, like all the diversity of people. It was really fast the way it happened. There was like one day, I’m still at White Bear and then the next day I’m like, well, I’m going to Cretin next year.”

She was familiar with Raiders coach Tony Scheid, having played for him as an eighth grader on the 2021 Minnesota Hockey District 2 Girls High Performance 14 team at that level’s Spring Festival in Duluth, so that eased the transition. The move to an SEC rival came as a shock to Broz’s former teammates, who now must face her twice per season, but she still has friends among her relatively new foes.

“Obviously, there’s some tension because I transferred out but I still text a lot of them,” Broz said. “They all support me and I still support them.”

Broz admitted to a small case of FOMO (fear of missing out) when the announcement was made a year ago revealing White Bear Lake as the host of Hockey Day Minnesota in 2023. But the blow was softened when the Raiders were added to the list of participants. 

“I was like, of course, the year I leave, you know, they get to go host,” Broz said. “It’s huge that we got to be a part of it and I’m just glad I kind of get to share it with my old roots because, you know, it’s like old versus new kind of all just mixed into one giant place.”

The Raiders found themselves in an early hole when Forest Lake’s Ava Saxe beat Cretin-Derham Hall goalie Grace Kemp just 40 seconds after the pregame fireworks and the Rangers left the ice after one period clinging to a 1-0 lead. But senior Lily Anderson’s goal 4:36 into the second evened the score and sophomore Hope Hadac’s shorthanded goal with 3:02 remaining in the period gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead after two. 

That’s how it stayed into the late stages of the third before Hadac’s twin sister, Stella, provided Cretin-Derham Hall the cushion it needed at the 13:13 mark before Anfang capped off the scoring with 46 seconds left. 

“We wanted to make a memory and we talked about, win or lose, it’s gonna be a great memory but let’s get the [W] and let’s go for it,” Scheid said. “And they were all in and they were excited. They played with enthusiasm and no fear and they’re just a great group of kids.”

When all was said and done, Broz had nothing but praise for her community’s efforts, responding enthusiastically “It’s sick” when asked about her first impression of the event. 

“We walked in and they had music playing, there’s fires going, everybody’s just like wandering around like lost puppies, just enjoying the moment. No one was kind of paying attention to the game. They were just amazed how everything was set up.

“It’s just so cool out here. It’s so cool to be part of.”

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1.  Edina Hornets (20-4-1, 7-0-1)

Last Week:  vs Minnetonka (W 3-0), vs Eden Prairie (W 5-3)
This Week:  vs opponent to be named first round bye (2/22) Section 2AA semi-final

The Hornets earned the #1 seed in the Section 2AA and are playing some terrific two-way hockey.  Edina is in State Tournament form, as they always are this time of the year.  This group posted another 20 win season against just four losses.  Consider Edina’s run through the Lake Conference that was near perfect (7-0-1) as a statement to where they are at this point of the season.  Mr. Hockey candidate Tyler Nanne is playing a “next level” brand hockey that would be expected of his candidacy.   Miguel Fidler will end up with a solid post-secondary hockey playing options as he is the best player on the ice most nights.   Edina’s 46 goals against are second fewest in Class AA hockey setting Edina up for what could be a deep run into March.  The Hornets were a sizzling 13-3-1 against teams that were ranked in the top ten of the MHM at some point this season further stating they take on all comers and have been impressive and why they are number one to close out the regular season.

2.  Lakeville North Panthers (20-4-1, 15-2-0)

Last Week: vs Prior Lake (L 1-0)
This Week:  vs Dodge County (2/20) Section 1AA Quarterfinals

The Panthers closed the season with a tough 1-0 loss to the Prior Lake Lakers.  They will have to wait 11 days to avenge that loss when they open the Section 1AA playoffs this Thursday against the Dodge County Wildcats.  As the number one seed, the Panthers are the favorites to advance to the State Tournament however, Farmington or Lakeville South will be difficult obstacles for the Panthers.  Congratulations are in store for the Poehling brothers, Jack, Nick, and Ryan for committing to St. Cloud State this past week.  The Panthers are a deep team and it is fair to say the Poehling trio are the heart and soul of the Panthers.  Defensively, the team allowed just 48 goals against this season that tied them for fifth among Class AA teams this season.  The Panthers won the South Suburban Conference title this year and were ranked in the top spot of the MHM rankings three weeks in a row before falling to the second slot this week.  The Panthers were 8-2-1 against teams ranked in the MHM top ten at some point this season.

3.  Hill-Murray Pioneers (22-3-0, 12-1-0)

Last Week:  vs Tartan (W 9-2), vs Moorhead (W 6-3)
This Week:  vs Irondale (2/22) Section 4AA Quarterfinal

Like the Edina Hornets, the Pioneers are a team that is always there in the end and here they are again.  Each year, Bill Lechner’s teams graduate a number of talented seniors and the wonder of the hockey world is how in the world are the Pioneers going to duplicate last season’s effort.  That question is answered each year and his team is poised to make a steady run.  Mr. Hockey finalist Mitch Slattery has a balanced group of underclassmen that will provide difficulties for the Section 4AA.  The Pioneers shared the conference title this year with St. Thomas Academy and were an impressive 8-3-0 against teams that have been ranked at some point in the MHM top ten this year.

4.  Wayzata Trojans (19-5-1, 6-1-1)

Last Week:  vs Totino Grace (W 9-0), vs Hopkins (W 4-1)
This Week:  vs Robbinsdale Cooper (2/20) Section 6AA Quarterfinal

The Trojans have stepped out to the front of the pack in the Section 6AA and earned the top seed.  They are in good position to make their second straight State Tournament bid and lost just once in their last ten games (8-1-1) .  Wayzata enters the playoffs on a three game winning streak that includes outscoring their opponents 19-1.  They have been ridiculous defensively leading the Class AA teams in goals against with just 32 against in 25 games.  The next closest team is Eagan with 45.  Goaltending and special teams are what is needed to be successful at a championship level.  The Trojans have been solid against top ten teams posting a 7-5-1 record.  That is the fewest wins among the teams ahead of them and the most losses which slates them in the fourth position.

5.  Blaine Bengals (20-4-1, 16-1-0)

Last Week:  vs Andover (W 4-0), vs Maple Grove (W 5-1)
This Week:  vs Coon Rapids (2/22) Section 5AA Quarterfinal

The Blaine Bengals surged their way to another Northwest Suburban Conference Championship and a top seed in the Section 5AA.   They also boast a Mr. Hockey finalist in Tyler Cline and have a veteran crew up front and on the blue line.  Their 137 goals in 25 games is impressive and is tied for second with Hill-Murray among Class AA teams.  Their 58 goals against is stingy and often overlooked.  They should line up to be a force in the playoffs and considered a State Title contender with 15 seniors on the roster.  The Bengals own a 3-4-1 record against MHM top ten teams this season, a number that needs to be placed higher.

6.  Burnsville Blaze (18-6-1, 14-3-0)

Last Week: vs Bloomington Kennedy (W 5-3), vs Lakeville South (W 6-1)
This Week:  vs Shakopee (2/20) Section 2AA Quarterfinal

The Blaze have been a great story this season and are on the short list of Section 2AA title contenders this season.  A 3-2 overtime loss to Bloomington Jefferson a week ago stopped their momentum at least for the moment.  The Blaze bounced back with a nice wins over a tough Bloomington Kennedy team and Lakeville South to finish the season strong.  They were 6-5-1 against teams ranked in the top ten of the MHM this season.  The Blaze have the talent and patience positionally to go deep in the playoffs and succeed in the section playoffs.

7.  White Bear Lake Bears (18-6-1, 14-3-1)

Last Week:  vs Forest Lake (L 3-2), vs Cretin-Derham Hall (W 4-2)
This Week:  vs North High School (2/22) Section 4AA Quarterfinals

Winners of the Suburban East Conference title, The White Bear Lake Bears have the Class AA’s leading goal scorer in Jake Wahlin (39g-31a-70pts) and are on a (8-1-0) run over their last 9 games recovering from a 3 game losing skid in the middle of January.  With 113 goals for and just 64 against, the Bears bring a nice mix to the table and can not be ruled out for a section title.  They posted a 3-4-1 record against teams that have been ranked in MHM top ten rankings this season including a heart-breaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Hill-Murray Pioneers.

8.  Elk River/Zimmerman Elks  (18-6-0, 14-3-0)

Last Week:  vs Anoka (W 4-2), vs Champlin Park (W 6-0), vs Robbinsdale Armstrong (W 6-1)
This Week: vs Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (2/18) Section 7AA Quarterfinals

The Elks stumbled for a bit after they had a roster shake up and have righted the ship to the tune of winning four straight and solved a minor goal scoring issue by outscoring their opponents 19-4 in those four game.  They have a Brimsek Award finalist in goal with Mac Berglove and a deep defensive corps that defends in their own zone well.  With 108 goals for and only 58 given up, the Elks are a big time Section 7AA contender.  They are 4-4 against MHM top ten teams this season including a 3-2 win over top seeded Duluth East on December 10th.  Much has changed over that time and with what can be argued the deepest section in the state, the 7AA title is up for grabs this year.

9.  Duluth East Greyhounds (18-6-1)

Last Week:  vs Minnetonka (W 4-2), vs Superior (W 7-0) vs Tartan (W 6-3)
This Week:  vs St. Francis (2/18) Section 7AA Quarterfinals

Talk about cardiac kids, the Hounds have played in 5 overtime games this season posting a 3-1-1 record in those contests.  They have a 6-2 record against Section 7AA teams this year and are 5-4-0 against top ten MHM teams.  The Hounds have a game changing power play and teams can not put them on it as the Hounds execute at 42% efficiency if they plan on being successful.   29 of their 89 goals have been scored on the power play and they are very tight defensively allowing just 50 goals agains this season.  Duluth East kills off 90% of the penalties whistled agains them this year which is impressive as well.

10 Forest Lake Rangers (15-6-4, 11-3-4)

Last Week:  vs White Bear Lake (W 3-2),  vs Hastings (W 7-2)
This Week:  vs Grand Rapids (2/18) Section 7AA Quarterfinals

A hearty welcome to the Forest Lake Rangers for earning a spot in this week’s MHM top ten.  They close it out in style as this marks the final regular season rankings.  A win over White Bear Lake in the final week helped propel the Rangers in the top ten for the first time this season.  They posted a 4-3 record in Section 7AA games and are four game winning streak heading into the post season with their game against the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks.  The Rangers posted a 2-3-2 record against MHM Top Ten teams this season.

Others Receiving Votes:  Eastview, Andover, Grand Rapids, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Thomas Academy, Holy Family Catholic, Eagan, Farmington,  Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Benilde-St. Margaret’s

The post MHM Class AA Top Ten (Final) appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.