As one of the two state tournaments, the ‘A’ State Tournament displays smaller towns with the opportunity of calling themselves the State Champions of Minnesota High School Hockey. The tournament is based on enrollment of school size and these teams are out to prove that hockey isn’t based upon numbers but shier will. This is a chance for all of the smaller communities to get out and support their teams in the quest for being call champions. The tournament is top heavy with what we think is 4 different teams that can walk away with the title. Mahtomedi, St. Cloud Cathedral, East Grand Forks and Greenway are the contenders in our minds and it would take a crazy weekend to prove us otherwise.
Here is a look at the contestants and the Neutral Zone players to keep an eye on:
MINNESOTA RIVER (Section 1A/20-4-0) – They come into the tournament with a strong win over Rochester Lourdes in the Section Finals. They have a strong record but coming out of Southern Minnesota have not faced the schedule that others have faced. We give them credit since they have beaten a large majority of teams standing in their way. We see them as a long shot for the Title.
A top-heavy team that relies on their leading scorer (F) Hunter Wilmes (22-29-51). He is complemented by (F) Tyson Sowder (20-18-38) and (F) Charlie Weick (12-18-30). If they are going to advance past the first round they will need some depth scoring and help from their net minder (G) Andrew Regner (2.13 GAA/.919 SV%).
DELANO (Section 2A/17-9-2) – The Tigers have played a stingy style of hockey throughout the regular season while playing several low scoring games. They don’t put the puck in the net a ton and display a balanced attack with 4 players that have 31 to 23 points. Scoring first and playing with the lead will be their best plan of attack.
They are anchored by (F) Adam Brown who led them in goal scoring with 17 and (F) Hogan Williams (13-18-31) had a strong season. They were complemented by (F) Quinn Daly (13-15-28) who rounded out their offense. This is a team that will compete hard all game and make any team earn it if they are going to beat them.
NEW ULM (Section 3A/17-8-1) – The Eagles with have a tall hill to climb in order to win 3 game is 3 days. They are a bit untested in their schedule and haven’t had a strongly consistent season. They have had success lately so all records are out the window.
Their offense is led by (F) Glavin Schugel who amassed 26 goals during the regular season and is no stranger to finding the back of the net. He is complimented by (F) Josh Seidl (14-15-29). The squad is backstopped by (G) Jack Raymond (2.14 GAA/.910SV%) who is capable of stealing a game or two.
MAHTOMEDI (Section 4A/21-6-1) – The Zephyrs come into the tournament with the #1 seed and won’t be satisfied with anything less than a State Title. They have great depth in their scoring up front bolstering 7 players that have between 34 and 27 points on the regular season. They feel that this is their year to rattle off 3 games and win the title. They will be a hard team to match up against since they have 2 lines that score on a regular basis.
Leading the way is (F) Nikolai Dulak (13-21-34) and he is supported by (F) Joe Paradise (10-22-32) and (F) Colin Hagstrom (15-15-30). They have gotten production from the blue line as (D) Noah Skillings (6-22-28) has chipped in to help the offense go. This stingy defensive team in anchored by (G) Ben Dardis (1.7 GAA/.923SV%) who has been consistent all year long.
NORTH BRANCH (Section 5A/19-7-2) – Hasn’t played the toughest schedule but none the less has found their way to St. Paul to take a shot at winning the whole thing. They will have an uphill battle in getting out of the first round.
A large majority of their goal scoring has come from two players as (F) Cody Croal (23-19-42) and (F) Jody Kerchner (16-13-29) have led the way to finding the back of the net. They have been complimented by (D) Justin Sachs (11-10-21) who has started their offense by moving pucks up ice.
ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL (Section 6A/24-4-0) – The Crusaders are the #2 seed in the tourney but without a doubt have the most game breaking talent of the teams competing. Their high end skill can’t be match in the tournament and they will be a force to be reckoned with if someone is able to knock them off.
Their leading point getter on the regular season is (F) Blake Perbix (18-41-59) and he is complimented by (F) Jack Smith (24-29-53) (Minnesota-Duluth) who can take over a game with his high end skating ability. They get great news as injured (F) Nate Warner (11-11-22) (Minnesota) is healthy after only playing in 10 regular season games this season. On the back end they get strong puck moving and supported offense from (D) Reid Bogenholm (8-21-29). They are also strong in net with (G) Noah Amundson (1.98 GAA/.907 SV%) leading the charge.
GREENWAY (Section 7A/15-13-0) – The Raiders were a surprise coming out of their section and advancing to the State Tournament. This season hasn’t gone the way that they had hoped with some of the talent they have, but they are here and ready to make some noise. They bring a strong Northern flavor to the tourney with a rich history.
Up front (F) Donte Lawson (27-24-51) has had a huge year leading them in nearly every offensive category. Not to be taken lightly is the undersized playmaker (F) Ben Troumbly (15-16-31) (St. Cloud State) as he can make something out of nothing. Their defensive core is strong with (D) Cameron Lanz (4-14-16) and (D) Christian Miller (2-14-16) (St. Cloud) who will log a ton of ice time.
EAST GRAND FORKS (Section 8A/20-8-0) – The Green Wave is another strong northern team looking to bring the title back home with their experience in the tournament. This is a team that has been here a lot in recent years and is looking to break through.
East Grand Forks is led by (F) Tanner Mack (18-19-37) who has had a strong season in his production. Complimenting him with scoring is (F) Carter Beck (11-18-29) and the Freshman budding star (D) Trey Ausmus (7-16-23). They have a balanced attack and will be a physical team that is hard to play against.
