Alex Eisen/MDN Minot High goaltender Amber Borkhuis (30) stops a shot in a girls hockey game played last season at Maysa Arena.

For the Minot High School girls hockey team, it’s all about trusting the system.

The Majettes made some key strides last season. After finishing with a 13-10-0 (13-7-0 N.D. League) record in the regular season, Minot High went on to take sixth place in the state tournament. Head coach Weylin Wahlstrom also earned the state’s Coach of the Year award in the process.

With last year’s success under their belt, the Majettes are back and ready to take another step forward this season.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for us,” Wahlstrom said. “The girls are coming to the rink with a positive attitude, and they have this goal to just improve every day they touch the ice.”

Minot High is returning this year with plenty of young talent. The Majettes only saw the departure of two seniors in Lindsey Larsen and Maggie Sem, leaving the group with plenty of returning players who are eager to carve out their roles.

“We’re a pretty young team,” Wahlstrom said. “But the girls are ready to work hard. It’s a nice atmosphere to be in where everyone is motivated and everyone gets along so well.”

Perhaps the biggest loss for the Majettes, though, is the departure of Dessa Flom, who posted a team-high 43 points (30 goals and 13 assists) for Minot High last season as a sophomore. Flom opted to play junior hockey this season, leaving MHS with a considerable amount of offense to replace.

For Wahlstrom, he’s confident those returning are ready to step in.

“Coming into each season, you’re going to have a different squad,” Wahlstrom said. “We know that we have 18 kids on our roster who want to do whatever they can for the team. People will step into positions and roles they maybe didn’t have the year before.”

Among those players back in the maroon and gold is Brenna Abrahamson. The junior forward made a statement in Tuesday’s season opener against Mandan, scoring three goals en route to a 5-2 victory. Junior forward O’Malley Eslinger also had a strong showing, recording two goals in the win.

On the defensive end, the Majettes are led by Amber Borkhuis, who played the role of Minot High’s starting goalie last year as a freshman. After gaining a year of varsity experience, Borkhuis is primed for a strong sophomore showing.

“(Borkhuis) played really well for us last year,” Wahlstrom said. “She’s improved on a ton of things by putting a lot of work in, and she’s still putting that work in. I see her becoming one of the top goalies in the state.”

The Majettes will look to keep their momentum going as they take on the Bismarck Blizzard tonight at 7 p.m. in the second game of a four-game road stretch to start the season.

“We’re just really excited after the Mandan win,” Wahlstrom said. “To watch these kids step up, take on some different roles and get a win in the first game of the season was great. It’s a huge boost, and it shows the system is working. We’re moving in the right direction as we continue the season.”

Justin Martinez covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JTheSportsDude.