The Northland Pines school board will be asked to form a girls hockey co-op team when they meet March 23 upon recommendation of the district policy committee meeting; with Hurley, Ironwood, and Wakefield-Marenisco.
Pines athletic director Brain Magelofsky “has worked hard to maintain girls hockey as much as possible” according to district administrator Scott Foster. “We recognize our community wants a stand alone team or a small co-op to get us through the next few years.” “An attempt to peal off a more local team from one of the area co-ops was not successful,” Margelofsky said. “Our interest in the Hurley-Ironwood area schools received support.”
Margelofsky indicated they were first told if Michigan girls participated in the Wisconsin co-op they would forfeit participation in other Michigan high school sports, but that was further explored, and since Michgan does not have state sponsored girls hockey, they would not forfeit. “I don't see any roadblocks but it takes WIAA about a month to approve our new co-op, or not,” he said.
Other conditions are Pines pays for all ice time but we don't pay for them to travel. There would be no name change but Pines would like to schedule a game with Hayward in Hurley.
It's anticipated at least five girls would join Pines thereby allowing a third line. Margelofsky indicated the co-op would have a “no cut “ policy meaning all girls would have an opportunity to play and improve. If WIAA approved, the last remaining non-coop girls hockey team in Wisconsin would be Hudson.
