McKenzie Rich has taken a winding road to get to a Division I college hockey opportunity, but the Dodge County senior standout says 'the future is bright' as she looks forward to heading to Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire in the fall.
McKenzie Rich, a senior on the Dodge County girls hockey team, played on a line with two talented freshmen. She made them better and she said they made her better. Rich, the area's leading scorer, is the Post Bulletin Girls Hockey Player of the Year.
The Post Bulletin's All-Area Girls Hockey Team for 2021-22 is headlined by a Player of the Year who is receiving loads of interest from college programs, and a number of players who have played five or six years of varsity hockey.
Albert Lea was within a goal of a trip to the girls hockey state tournament last year. Thursday, the Tigers eased those memories by capturing the Section 1A title and a trip to state.
Austin and Albert Lea will meet for the Section 1A girls hockey championship, while Lakeville South and Northfield will play for the Section 1AA title.
Lyndi Schubert and McKenzie Rich are seniors who have played multiple positions and played a lot of hockey at a high level. Goalie Ida Huber is just a freshman, but has as much postseason experience as anyone on her team. Those three players will need to be rocks for Dodge County teammates to lean on if they hope to make a postseason run.
