3View: Minnesota Loons
The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2023-24 season, with two teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 3View goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all the head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2023-24 season, including taking a look at their potential roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season. It will also take a look back on the 2022-23 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 3View will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.
Minnesota Loons
Head Coach: Mike Muller (3rd season)
2022-23 Record: 13-31-3, 29 pts (6th in the West Division)
2022-23 Leading Scorer: Jack Hanson (43 points)
2023 Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
2023-24 Division: West
After putting a stamp on their second season in the NA3HL, the Minnesota Loons and Head Coach Mike Muller look to continue to build and improve heading into next season.
After finishing last in the West Division, Muller and his staff continue to strive for competitive play and to improve year to year. With that want instilled into the team, the Loons in fact did see improvement from their 2021-22 campaign where the team went 5-42-0 then going 13-31-3 in the 2022-23 season.
“Our goal last year was to improve from year one and to put a competitive team on the ice each night,” Mike Muller said.
The Loons were a young team last season with two players with 2002 birth years and then ending with just one ‘02 in their last 15 games. With younger players on the squad, the Loons have a veteran presence as well and will see a good number of returning players for the upcoming year.
“George Moore, Kyler Couture, Sebastian Schuele, Jack Kritzek and Blake Biermaier will all be thrown into leadership roles with the experience they have in the league,” Muller said. “We are excited for the above-mentioned leaders to make a huge impact both on and off the ice for our new players joining this season.”
Forward Sebastian Schuehle will return after finishing last year with 22 points (8-14-22) and Jack Couture ended last season with 11 points (4-7-11). Defensively George Moore totalled 15 points (4-11-15), and Jack Kritzek with 16 points (7-9-16). Forward Blake Biermaier will be making his debut with the Loons after spending all of last year with the New Ulm Steel where he combined for 17 points (7-10-17).
As the Loons enter their third season, Muller has an understanding of what it takes to be successful in a tremendously competitive West Division.
“We want to put another competitive group of skaters on the ice,” Muller said. “Build a team with everyone working for one common goal. It's been fun watching these players grow up and develop both on and off the ice.”
The Loons kickoff their 2023-24 campaign at home against the Mason City Toros on September 15th.
Next Up: New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings
