By Dan Hardenbrook
Another season of local high school hockey is just days away, and the Manistique Emeralds Varsity Co-op, which includes players from Newberry and Engadine, have announced the roster that will take the ice this season. Five schools are represented, with players also skating from Manistique, Big Bay de Noc, and Munising.
A large group of Newberry players, many with previous experience on the team, will help lead the way, especially in key spots.
Senior Logan Lusk will have a big role as he steps into the starting goaltender spot fulltime. Highlighting the other returners are top playmaker and scorer Jarrett Zellar, who leads a strong group up front at forward. That front line will also see 4th year varsity senior Kade Schroeder come back, alongside fellow 12th grader Oliver Sevarns. Tanner Plesscher, Bradyn Bruno, Carter Jankowski, and Finn Price will also make an impact on the offense this season.
The defensive unit of Newberry players is led by returners Levi Vruggink and Julian Suriano, who logged many minutes last season and will be among the team leaders. Oren Dewitt will return from injury and will make the move from forward to defensemen, giving the group another strong physical presence on the back level. That group could end up being a strength for Head Coach Steve Hinkson.
Engadine is represented by brothers Gavin and Kegan Maki. Both were longtime standouts with TAYHA at the youth hockey level, and the duo will skate together as teammates for the first time.
Gavin, a junior, and Kegan, a freshman, will both impact that defensive unit for the Emeralds. The team will head to Traverse City this weekend for their annual preseason scrimmage, before opening up the regular season at Kingsford on November 10. The home opener is scheduled for November 13, when the Emeralds will host Cheboygan.
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