A Family Tradition: The Hardwick Sisters Chase Title with Warroad

Two sisters on the ice, one on the bench — and a decade of dominance behind them.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – For more than a decade, one last name has been stitched into the fabric of Warroad Warriors girls hockey.

Ten of the last 11 trips to the state tournament have featured a Hardwick on the roster. This winter, with two sisters on the ice and one behind the bench, the Hardwicks are chasing something they’ve never had together — a championship as a trio.

Elle Hardwick, 2025–26. Emmie Hardwick, 2021–2026. Abbey Hardwick, 2016–2021.

Three eras. One program. One family legacy.

Warroad has captured 11 consecutive section titles, and for each of the last 10 seasons, a Hardwick sister has taken the ice. The standard was set by oldest sister Abbey, who was part of five state tournament teams and helped elevate the program to championship contention.

“We kind of refer to my years as the dog days before the state championships,” Abbey said with a laugh. “We paved the way for these girls. It was really special for Emmie to have three state championships. I might give her a little grief sometimes, but I’m really proud of her.”

Abbey reached two state title games during her career but came up short both times. The year after she graduated, Emmie stepped into the spotlight as an eighth grader — and Warroad broke through. Emmie helped lead the Warriors to three straight state championships, living out the dream she once had as a young fan in the stands.

“I remember me and my friends, we were always the biggest fans,” Emmie said. “Then to have my own opportunity — and for Elle to watch me play — it’s super fun. It’s something I don’t take for granted. We’re really fortunate to have those experiences.”

Now it’s Elle’s turn.

An eighth grader like Emmie once was, Elle scored her first varsity goal Wednesday in the state quarterfinals — another Hardwick moment on the big stage. Sharing the ice with her older sister, while being coached by the oldest, has made this season even more meaningful.

“It’s been really good,” Elle said. “They’re my role models. I can talk to them about practice or anything. It’s really special, especially since Emmie’s a senior and it’s her last year. Just take it all in while you can.”

Long before the state tournament lights, there were backyard battles and driveway competitions.

“Maybe some tears here and there,” Abbey said. “But we had a lot of fun. No coaches — just doing what we wanted.”

Those competitive roots have come full circle. For the first time, the sisters are part of the same team, two wins away from a shared championship memory.

“It would be a lot of emotions,” Abbey said. “For Elle and I to get our first one, for Emmie to get her fourth — it would be really special for our family.”

Head coach Izzy Marvin has coached sisters before, but he knows this situation is rare.

“This is a special year for them,” Marvin said. “It’s pretty awesome what the Hardwicks bring to our program. They’re Warriors for life.”

Now, the Warroad Warriors turn their attention to the state semifinals, where they’ll face Dodge County Wildcats at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.

For a family that has helped define a dynasty, the opportunity ahead is about more than another banner. It’s about sharing the ice, the bench and perhaps the ultimate prize — together.

The MSHSL Girls Hockey State Semifinals and Championship games can be watched on KVRR’s sister station Antenna TV.

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