The upcoming season could be portrayed as a type of renaissance for Minnesota high school hockey on the boys’ side, with several players forgoing post-high school options to play out their senior seasons for one last shot at state championship glory.

Topping the list of those highlighted names is Casey Mittelstadt, the Eden Prairie forward whose decision to return to the Eagle lineup was greeted with raucous glee from the majority of State of Hockey residents.

Mittelstadt, who committed to Minnesota before skating a varsity shift, was given an “A” rating by NHL’s Central Scouting, a grade that indicates first-round potential.

With Mittelstadt and Eden Prairie a known commodity, questions abound in Class AA.

Can Stillwater get over the semifinal hump for a shot at a state title? Is Holy Family Catholic a sustainable power? Will the monstrously talented Grand Rapids Thunderhawks haul a state championship back to the northland?

With the annual Turkey Trot Tournament in Plymouth kicking off the high school season in earnest on Nov. 25, all of these questions will be answered in due time. Following is a breakdown of this year's preseason favorites:

1. Eden Prairie (2015-2016 Record: 21-8-2)

Returning Mittelstadt, arguably the state’s top player, vaults an already loaded Eden Prairie squad to the top of most fan’s preseason lists after finishing as runner-up at last season’s Class AA State Tournament.

Mittelstadt led the Eagles in scoring with 33 goals and 80 points in 2015-2016, and is the frontrunner for this season’s Mr. Hockey award after playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League earlier this year. 

In addition to Mittelstadt, senior forward Nolan Sullivan (20-24-44) is back for the Eagles, as is senior defenseman and Notre Dame commit Nicky Leivermann (13-29-42). 

Senior goaltender Nick Wiencek will likely be the full-time starter after splitting time with Shaun Durocher last season.

2. Stillwater (2015-2016 Record: 27-3-1)

Despite losing standout goaltender Josh Benson to graduation, the Ponies have a talented replacement in senior Seth Eisele.

Like Benson, Eisele is a rangy netminder who covers most of the goal with his 6-foot-5 frame. Eisele posted a 4-0-0 record with a goals against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .931 as Benson’s backup.

Leading scorer Noah Cates (25-39-64) steps back into the Pony lineup as a senior, as do Luke Manning (22-22-44) and T.J. Sagissor (20-17-37). Senior defenseman Jesse Bjugstad (4-21-25) will lead the Ponies’ defensive corps.

The three seniors will steer a largely intact group from last season’s team that finished fourth at the state tournament.

3. Grand Rapids (2015-2016 Record: 23-7-1)

Junior forward and North Dakota commit Gavin Hain (18-25-43) returns to the Thunderhawks as the leading scorer from last season’s third-place finisher, and will look to continue the high level of play that enabled him to total an impressive six goals and 14 points in the Section 7 playoffs and state tournament.

Hain could form arguably the state’s top forward line if coach Trent Klatt pairs him with senior St. Cloud State commit Micah Miller (18-20-38) and fellow junior Minnesota commit Blake McLaughlin (8-25-33).

Both Hain and McLaughlin were invited to tryout for the National Team Development Program’s Under-17 squad.

Handling the defensive duties for the Thunderhawks will be senior standout defenseman John Stampohar (7-19-26) and junior goaltender Gabe Holum (18-2-0, three shutouts).

4. Elk River (2015-2016 Record: 18-8-1)

For the 2016-2017 season, Elk River is depth personified, and has all the tools to make its first run to the state tournament since 2005 behind new coach Ben Gustafson.

Five of the top six scorers from last season are back, led by seniors Max Michaelis (24-24-48) and Nate Horn (8-32-40).

Sophomore forward and Notre Dame commit Jack Perbix (7-20-27) and his junior defenseman brother - St. Cloud State commit Nick (6-20-26) - offer the Elks additional scoring options. Starting goaltender Benny Meyers returns for his senior season.

The Elks will also look forward to a full season from speedy senior winger Jax Murray, who totaled 24 points for Team Northwest this fall in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League.

5. Holy Family Catholic (2015-2016 Record: 20-6-0)

Bringing back four of five leading scorers bodes well for Holy Family Catholic, especially when one of those leaders is senior defenseman Matt Anderson (10-29-39), considered by many to be one of the best defenseman in the nation.

Anderson was recently named to the 2016-2017 NHL Central Scouting Futures List, and is committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Junior defenseman Brady Ziemer (3-16-19) gives the Fire an ultra-physical presence on the ice.

Seniors Ethan Mesler (15-18-33) and Patrick Reddan (11-15-26) provide extra scoring punch for the Fire, a team that also features one of the state’s best goaltenders in junior Jared Moe (10-5-0, 2.18 GAA, .919 save percentage).

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CLASS AA PRESEASON RANKING*

1. Eden Prairie

2. Stillwater

3. Elk River/Zimmerman

4. Grand Rapids

5. Wayzata

6. Edina

7. Minnetonka

8. St. Thomas Academy

9. Holy Family Catholic

10. Centennial

11. Moorhead

12. Duluth East

13. Lakeville North

14. Hill-Murray

15. Lakeville South

16. Prior Lake

17. Benilde-St. Margaret's

18. Bemidji

19. Maple Grove

20. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

Receiving votes: Blaine, Burnsville, St. Michael-Albertville, Farmington, Duluth Marshall, Brainerd, Cretin-Derham Hall, Spring Lake Park, White Bear Lake, Anoka, Eagan, Eastview.

Yes, last year Hermantown earned its first title since 2007. Yes, it snapped a streak of six consecutive runner-up finishes. Yes, the Hawks return several talented and seasoned veterans.

The question remains: Can the Hawks earn a second championship in as many seasons?

Along with traditional Class A power Breck, the Hawks look primed for a successful season, but new kids on the ice Delano and St. Paul Academy/Summit School return treasure troves of talent as well.

1. Hermantown (2015-2016 Record: 27-2-1)

Despite players like Wyatt Aamodt, Eric Gotz and Cole Koepke being lost to graduation, the Hawks return at least five viable scoring options.

Senior forward and Minnesota State commit Ryan Sandelin (27-37-64) turned the postseason into his own show, racking up seven goals and 19 points as the Hawks marched to the title. Senior forward Jesse Jacques (21-37-58), who totaled nine goals and 20 points during the playoffs and state tournament, is back as well.

Minnesota-Duluth commit Dylan Samberg (7-15-22) should help soothe the loss of Aamodt on the blue line, and goaltender Cade McEwen (6-1-0 in 2015-2016) should not be a severe drop-off from Luke Olson between the pipes.

2. Delano (2015-2016 Record: 20-8-0)

Is this the year the Tigers finally get past Breck in Section 2? The Tigers return a dominant trio of senior forwards, including the electric Ben Meyers (33-34-67), a University of Maine commit.

While Meyers spent the fall with the Fargo Force of the USHL, Delano teammate Brian Halonen (19-27-46) led the Upper Midwest High School Elite League in scoring with 16 goals and 30 points for Team Northwest. Forward John Keranen (18-30-48) and senior defenseman Andrew Kruse (6-21-27) are two more Tigers who played in the Elite League this fall.

3. Breck (2015-2016 Record: 26-4-1)

The Mustangs finally took their turn with the runner-up trophy, falling to Hermantown in the state title game.

Fortunately for longtime Mustang head coach Les Larson, an abundance of skilled players return to take another shot at the crown in 2016-2017.

Granted, leading scorer Chase Ellingson is gone, but the Mustangs bring back seniors Mitch Matchlitt (26-24-50) and Austin Heidemann (19-26-45) at forward, and senior Dalton Weigel (7-43-50) returns on defense to protect junior goaltender Linden Olness (25-4-1, 1.76 GAA, six shutouts).

4. St. Paul Academy/Summit School (2015-2016 Record: 24-7-0)

The Spartans made their Class A State Tournament debut last season, and finished a respectable fourth.

Returning to the lineup are several lynchpin players, including leading scorer and senior forward Matt Dahlseide (25-32-57). Joining Dahlseide as offensive forces for the Spartans are quick-footed senior Jack Johnston (28-21-49) and junior Devlin McCabe (16-25-41).

McCabe has been a varsity contributor since eighth grade, and recently committed to play at Minnesota-Duluth. He was also drafted in the second round of the USHL Futures Draft by Madison (Wis.).

Junior goaltender Andy Beran is also back after playing in every game for the Spartans last season, recording four shutouts in the process.

5. St. Cloud Cathedral (2015-2016 Record: 22-8-1)

Losing goaltender and North Dakota commit Keegan Karki to the National Team Development Program Under-17 team certainly doesn’t help the Crusaders, but enough talent returns on both offense and defense for the Crusaders to make another run deep into March after claiming the consolation championship last season.

Senior forwards Jake Van Halbeck (23-21-44) and Michael Spethmann (21-19-40) are back, as is fellow senior Connor Beltz (8-22-30). The Crusaders also add one of the top bantams from last season in freshman Nate Warner.

To replace Karki, the Crusaders will likely rely on senior Jake Levinski, who won seven games last season, including wins in the Section 6A playoffs and the consolation round of the state tournament.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CLASS A PRESEASON RANKING*

1. Hermantown

2. Breck

3. St. Paul Academy

4. Delano/Rockford

5. St. Cloud Cathedral

6. Mahtomedi

7. Greenway

8. Orono

9. East Grand Forks

10. Alexandria

11. Warroad

12. Northfield

13. Mankato West

14. Blake

15. Totino-Grace

16. Minnehaha Academy

17. Hibbing/Chisholm

18. Thief River Falls

19. Sartell-St. Stephen

20. Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl

Receiving votes: Luverne, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, Minneapolis, Little Falls, Princeton, New Prague, North Shore, Rochester Lourdes, St. Paul Johnson, Hutchinson, Proctor.

*Associated Press polls for Minnesota boys’ high school hockey, courtesy Let's Play Hockey newspaper.