KELLY PANNEK
Benilde-St. Margaret's • Hockey
As one of Minnesota's most accomplished female athletes, Pannek doesn't need long to transition from soccer to hockey.
In early November, she led the Red Knights to the Class 1A soccer state title and picked up the Class 1A Ms. Soccer award for her efforts.
Barely a month later, the future Gophers hockey forward is leading the Red Knights in scoring. She had six goals and five assists in victories over Bloomington Jefferson and Totino-Grace last week, giving her 38 points in 11 games.
"Growing up, I got used to going back and forth between sports," Pannek said. "I don't really like taking time off. We had hockey tryouts during the state soccer tournament, and I was out on the ice skating before soccer practice."
For everything Pannek has accomplished — she was a first-team 2013 All-Metro hockey player and is Benilde's reigning homecoming queen — her résumé is missing a state hockey tournament appearance, a gap she's determined to fill.
"We have six seniors who have played together since we were freshmen," she said. "We've talked for a long time about how good we can be and this is our year to prove it."
RUSTY AXTMAN
Tartan • Hockey
The Titans scored 23 goals in three victories last week, and the senior forward had a hand in 17 of them. He scored eight goals, including back-to-back hat tricks in victories over Red Wing and North St. Paul, and had nine assists. He leads the state in scoring with 30 points.
ABBY COOPER
Lakeville North • Hockey
The backbone of the Panthers' stout defense, the junior goalie made 25 saves while posting consecutive shutouts of Prior Lake and Apple Valley. In five games, Cooper has allowed only three goals.
