Bemidji High School activities director Kristen McRae announced on May 29 that Chris Hennum has been named the seventh head coach of the girls hockey program.
Hennum replaces Mike Johnson, who retired in March after eight seasons leading the Lumberjacks.
Hennum previously coached youth girls hockey for nearly a decade within the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association.
His appointment follows a season in which the Lumberjacks won the Section 8AA championship and advanced to the state tournament.
"I don't believe in jinxes," Hennum said. "We had faith."
Hennum expressed gratitude toward his predecessor for elevating the program.
"I just hope I can continue what Mike developed over his eight years at the helm," he said.
"When he took over, this team certainly struggled.
So for it to be where it is now, we owe him a thank you for what he did.
He left the program in a great spot. It's a great opportunity.
I wish the season started tomorrow."
Hennum played for Lake of the Woods in high school and later competed in the United States Hockey League before attending the University of Minnesota.
"I've always considered myself a leader," he said. "I was always interested in coaching.
One of the biggest influences in my life was a coach and a teacher of mine from high school.
I think of the things he did often, but I didn't realize the passion I had for coaching until I started coaching my kids."
Before taking the high school job, Hennum focused on the local youth system while raising two daughters who play the sport.
"When the opportunity to step in came up, it felt a little surreal," Hennum said.
"I was lucky enough to have encouragement and backers to push me to pursue it. I have such a passion for coaching the game.
Having two daughters, I really enjoy coaching the girls side of the game."
The high school program saw an increase in youth participation following recent on-ice success.
"Success breeds more success," Hennum said.
"These kids are role models to the younger girls for who they want to be when they get to high school.
You'll have that no matter how your team does, but when you have a team that has the success that this group has had, it amplifies.
Not only are they looking up to these high school girls, but they're going to every game they possibly can because it's so exciting to see a winning team win games."
Hennum noted the positive momentum will influence local hockey development for years.
"This group will reverberate for years to come, well beyond when they graduate.
You can't emphasize the effect this group has had and will have on Bemidji hockey enough," he added.
The youth association expanded programming for younger female players over the last decade, which Hennum observed through his family's involvement.
"When they gave the girls their opportunity at the youngest ages, the numbers have just skyrocketed," Hennum said.
"It's a credit to a lot of individuals who put that in place to help the development of girls hockey in Bemidji.
Our family benefited from that. All of it is showing right now."
The Lumberjacks finished last season with a 21-7-1 record but must replace key graduated seniors, including forward Megan Berg and defenseman Taylor Bjerke.
"I knew that we were going down to watch if they made it," Hennum said.
"We convinced a couple of families to do the same and make it a weekend getaway. The excitement was there.
I'm pretty deep in the girls hockey scene, so my friend group and the people around me all shared the same excitement.
That's all we talked about when it was happening."
The returning roster features several standout players, including Team USA 18U center and Minnesota Duluth commit Bailey Rupp, along with Naomi Johnson, Millie Knott, Lily Lauer, Mali McLean, and Bergen Bakke.
"I think experience has taught them to believe that every time they walk into the building, they're the better team," Hennum said.
"It's our game to win, and we're going to project that confidence and use it to our advantage.
Hopefully, things go our way, and we're back in St. Paul in February."
