Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Thursday, May 22
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Sports»It’s an all-new season for EPHS girls hockey
    Sports

    It’s an all-new season for EPHS girls hockey

    Steve MulhollandBy Steve MulhollandNovember 9, 20224 Mins Read
    Follow us on X to get the latest on EP Sports!
    The Eagles celebrate Lauren Pottinger’s (9) goal in the scrimmage with Chaska-Chanhassen on Saturday. Photo by Rick Olson

    The Eden Prairie Eagles girls hockey team is starting the new season with a new direction – from their new head coach.

    Steve Persian comes to Eden Prairie High School from Breck, where he guided the Mustangs to back-to-back Girls Class 1A state high school championships in 2019 and 2020. Prior to his tenure at Breck, Persian was the head coach at Orono from 2012-18. 

    Excited by the opportunity to make the move to Eden Prairie over the summer, Persian is now focused on getting to know his players while he prepares the team for the upcoming season.

    “I’m thrilled to be here,” Persian said. “It’s been a whirlwind four-and-a-half to five months. It’s been really fun.”

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    The Eagles had a chance to measure their preseason progress over the weekend in a three-team scrimmage with Chaska-Chanhassen and Holy Family at Eden Prairie Community Center.

    All three squads competed in a round-robin style scrimmage. Games consisted of two 25-minute running time periods, with all players getting a chance to see ice time.

    Eagles head coach Steve Persian diagrams a play at the Eagles scrimmage with Holy Family and Chaska-Chanhassen on Saturday. Photo by Rick Olson

    “It’s just a really good opportunity for all the teams to skate all four lines,” Persian said, adding with a laugh that setting his lineup is still a work in progress. “It gives you an opportunity to take a look at the lines that you think are right so you can change them on Monday.”

    Persian is pleased with what his players have shown him so far in practices. The team is not only starting a new season, but learning a new system in a short window – with the regular season set to begin this Saturday. 

    The intensified scrimmage against multiple teams, combined with another against Owatonna this week, is a chance for players to immerse themselves into the style of hockey that Persian is bringing to Eden Prairie.

    “We’re going to take a pen and we’re going to show you our D zone coverage. Okay, now let’s go play,” said Persian, describing his crash course to get players acclimated to the new approach. 

    Senior Jordan Hirsch (25) is one of four captains for the Eagles this season. Photo by Rick Olson

    Goals and statistics aren’t important in the scrimmages. Penalties are not enforced, but players are going at full speed – and the Eagles’ new coach liked the test provided by both Chaska-Chan and Holy Family.

    “We weren’t focused on the scoreboard; that comes in February,” he said. “We were more focused on our ability to demonstrate a system and start to put discipline in place that really makes it effective.”

    The Eagles have five seniors on the varsity roster. Four of them are captains, including Jenna Fryar, Jordan Hirsch, Paige Holt and Annabel Mehta. 

    Sophomore Ella Konrad (7) will lead the Eagles on defense this season. Photo by Rick Olson

    Eden Prairie is also led by standout Ella Konrad on defense, who is one of six sophomores on the squad. Youth dominates the Eagles roster, which includes three freshman and eighth grader Ella Pinnow.

    “The effort and energy that the kids are putting in is inspiring to the coaches,” Persian said. “It’s fun to see. Our four captains have just done a really good job of setting the tone, holding themselves and the players accountable for their effort and energy. And it’s been really, really positive.”

    The Eagles drop the puck on the 2022-23 season this Saturday at 3 p.m. against Champlin Park at Eden Prairie Community Center.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleSchool Board: Bartz, Casper, Dwivedy reelected; newcomers Libsack and Stubbs win seats
    Next Article Lending a helping hand

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    EPHS synchronized swim team advances to state meet

    May 20, 2025
    3 Mins Read

    Big goals take Eden Prairie girls to Norway

    May 19, 2025
    3 Mins Read

    High-energy Eden Prairie Color Guard recruiting new members

    May 9, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    How Minnesota girls changed the game

    May 22, 2025

    Nominees sought for Eden Prairie Schools Hall of Fame

    May 22, 2025

    The Minnesota Legislature never really adjourned. It just went behind closed doors

    May 22, 2025

    What’s inside GOP U.S. House’s $3.8 trillion tax and spending plan

    May 22, 2025

    ‘Fountain of Youth’ is fool’s gold

    May 22, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.