Coach resignations add to the vastly changed Northwest Suburban Conference girls' hockey landscape.
Pete Hayes (Anoka) and Rob Potter (Maple Grove) will not coach in the upcoming 2015-16 season. Hayes stepped down after 11 years behind the Anoka bench. He coached the Tornadoes to the 2005 state tournament. Hayes will remain boys' soccer coach at the school. He directed Anoka to state titles in 2007 and 2014.
"It was a good run but coaching two sports at a big school — there's a lot of demand on you," Hayes said.
Potter came to Maple Grove in 2010 after a successful run at Coon Rapids. Though the Crimson under his watch did not reach the state tournament, Potter elevated the team's profile. Maple Grove went 24-2-1 last season before falling in the Class 2A, Section 6 semifinals. Attempts to reach Potter were unsuccessful. His wife, Jenny Potter, coached women's hockey the past two seasons at Trinity College in Connecticut. She took the same position at Ohio State before this season.
The departure of Hayes and Potter comes on the heels of Jessica Christopherson stepping down at Coon Rapids. The Cardinals and Spring Lake Park formed a co-op beginning this season, while Irondale will join forces with St. Anthony.
'Miracle' book hits shelves
Former Hill-Murray student and hockey manager Duke Pieper co-authored a recently released book, "I'm Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle.'' The book chronicles Pieper's journey from aspiring hockey standout to a young man struggling to overcome life-altering medical challenges.
