NEW GLARUS — The Sugar River Raiders reached the regional final in 2019, but this season’s squad will look much different.

Gone are Capitol South Player of the Year Charlie Douma, plus Garret James, David Murray, Owen Odegard and goalie Julian Lutz.

“We have many young players who will be making an impact,” said Bob Gentilli, now in his second year as head coach. “We lost a strong defensive line. It will take some time before they learn the system and are able to trust each other on the field during play.”

The Raiders return three first-team all-conference players, plus a second-teamer and an honorable mention pick.

Breckin Faber, a senior forward/midfielder, was a first-team pick a year ago after scoring a team-high 17 goals. Tyler Stampfli was a first-team defenseman. Ryan Downing was first-team forward after a 6-goal, 15-assist season in 2019. Carter Siegenthaler was a second-team pick, with 9 goals and 8 assists; and Ben Lukszys was honorable mention as a sophomore. Cam Kleiboer, a sophomore, will take over between the pipes. 

In all, 16 letterwinners return. 

“We also have several exciting younger players who will also be in the mic to make a move,” Gentilli said.

Expectations are more relaxed this year than in years past. The team will be focused on its conference measurements, but Gentilli said his team just wanted a to have a season.

“Our strength will be in our team’s competitiveness withing. We have many players who are excited to play, who believe in our system and who play together,” Gentilli said. “They work hard, they are gentlemen on and off the field, and they are all a pleasure to watch.”

Gentilli said the Capitol Conference is strong again, top-to-bottom.

“This year’s conference is up in the air. Many conference games could’ve gone either way for us. The Capitol Conference is well-coached, all have different styles, experiences and the mindsets that will make our conference a challenge for all teams,” Gentilli said. “Our conference is very unique due to the fact that each team respects ach other, plays hard, but in the end, we all realize that it is a game to be played by gentlemen.