Get to know: Greenway boys hockey

In preparation for Hockey Day Minnesota 2019 presented by Wells Fargo, Wild.com will highlight each of the nine teams participating in this year's festivities starting in Bemidji. Today, we take a look at the Greenway High School boys hockey team.

The basics

Nickname: Raiders
Conference: Iron Range
Class: A
Overall record: 6-12-0 (as of Jan. 16)
Head coach: Grant Clafton
Hockey Day schedule: 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. Bemidji, Lake Bemidji

The town

Off U.S. Highway 169 sits the town of Coleraine, Minnesota. As the U.S. Steel Corporation made its move to the Mesabi Iron Range's western region, the area was expected to become a premiere spot for miners. With the thought of creating a "model" town, John Campbell Greenway founded and named Coleraine in honor of Thomas Cole, the president of Oliver Iron Mining.

The team

Even with plenty of trips to the state tournament on their resume - including championships in 1967, 1968 and 1992 -- a few short years ago, Raiders hockey almost came to an end. With the dedication of hard-working players and a strong coaching staff, Greenway High School rebuilt the program and earned the Iron Range Conference Title following a 20-8 record last season. Off to a slow start this year, the Raiders are 6-12-0 heading into Hockey Day.

The matchup

The Raiders will face off against the hometown team in the Bemidji Lumberjacks in Hockey Day Minnesota 2019's final outdoor matchup. With a similar record to the Raiders, the Lumberjacks are currently 6-9 overall. Greenway has a slight upper hand with a 3.75 goals per game average and a .854 penalty kill average, while the Lumberjacks allow 3.4 goals per game.

Players to watch

Senior forward Donte Lawson sits atop the scoresheet with 33 points (19 goals, 14 assists) in 16 games played, with senior forward Nikolai Rajala right behind with 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 16 games played.