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Chisago Lakes Wildcats senior defenseman Lexy Parenteau signed a national letter of intent during the November early signing period to play hockey for the Division 1 Bemidji State Beavers starting in 2006-2007.

Parenteau was being recruited by several Division 1 schools and visited a number of them before deciding on Bemidji State. “When I went there, I just kind of knew it was the right place,” Parenteau said. “It had a homey feeling. I felt comfortable. I know some of the girls who will also be going there and the coaches were nice. I just had a good feeling.

“Right now, I’m really excited and a little confused. I’m looking forward to next year, but it’s going to be hard to leave my teammates. And I’ll miss the good coaches I’ve had, Al (Magnuson) and Jason (Mahlen).”

Parenteau hasn’t decided on a major yet, but is leaning toward marketing or graphic design. She joins Chad Anderson (hockey, University of Alaska – Anchorage), Caesare Stimson (hockey, Bemidji State) and Kari Schmidt (track and field, University of Minnesota) as recent Chisago Lakes athletes to play Division 1 college sports.

Parenteau didn’t start out as a hockey player. Her mom, Shellee, said, “This is a story she hates. When she was little, she started out as a figure skater. Then, finally, her dad convinced her to try hockey and it’s been the biggest part of her life ever since.”

In a press release dated November 11, 2005, Bemidji State coach Bruce Olson said, “Lexy is an offensive-minded defenseman who is a very smooth skater and is very calm in pressure situations. She is an aggressive but smart defenseman. Lexy has shown that she plays big in important games.”

Chisago Lakes head coach Al Magnuson had high praise for Parenteau. “She’s easy to work with and really wants to be a good hockey player,” Magnuson said. “She always smiles, she’s not cocky and the girls look up to her as a captain. She’s a lot of fun to have around.”

Magnuson told a story that says a lot about Parenteau. “Last year, against Grand Rapids, we were behind by two goals with about two-and-a-half minutes left in the game. I pulled the goalie and we scored two goals to tie it up. During our timeout, I told Lexy ‘I’m sick of this game. Get out there, take the puck end-to-end and score.’ So, of course, Lexy got a hold of the puck after the face-off in our end, weaved all the way down the ice and scored. She came off the ice with her hands held high saying ‘Al, I did it!’ It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.”

Hockey is in the Parenteau family’s blood. Lexy’s dad, Tom Parenteau, played defense for the Minnesota Gophers from 1979 through 1983 and coached youth hockey in Chisago Lakes for many years. Two of Lexy’s uncles also played for the University of Minnesota and one of her uncles played at Bemidji State. Her mom, Shellee, was an assistant coach for the high school a few years ago and is active in the Center Ice Club, which raises funds to support the boys and girls hockey programs at Chisago Lakes High School. Lexy’s brother Jake, a junior, plays defense for the Chisago Lakes boys varsity hockey team.

Some of Parenteau’s career highlights:

Chisago Lakes Boys A Pee Wee Team 1999-2000

Chisago Lakes High School Girls Hockey Team 2000-Present

Rookie of the year - 2001-2002

Varsity Letter last five seasons

All-Conference last three seasons

State Tournament Participant-2004

Most Valuable Defensemen-

last two seasons

Captain- 2005-2006

Point Totals: 2001-2002- 10

2002-2003- 25

2003-2004- 26

2004-2005- 17

Elite and All-Star Teams

• Team Minnesota Elite AAA — Almost all of the girls on that team are now either playing at or  committed to Division 1 colleges

• Minnesota Lightning AAA

• Snipers AAA

• CODP Minnesota – Lexy was selected to go to the “Hockey Night in Boston” tourney

• Wisconsin Wild AAA U19

( plays as a pre and post player )  travels all over the country with team.  Went to Nationals in Colorado with this team last spring and, hopefully, will do the same again this spring.  This is her fifth year with the same group of girls. 

Major Camps

• Digit Murphy Camp at Brown College in Rhode Island, 2005

• Chicago Heartland Program for girls in Chicago, 2005 -- Won “All Camp Most Valuable Player” award.

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