Last season’s Class AA state tournament came down to two northern teams pitted against each other. The match up between Moorhead and Grand Rapids was the first time in 10 years that two northern powerhouses met in the finals (Roseau defeated Grand Rapids 5-1 in the 2007 finals). 

It was also the first time in 10 years that two northern teams took home state titles in Class A and AA (Hermantown and Roseau, 2007). We dubbed it “The Great 218.”

So, what is in store for the Class AA field this time around? Will it be the stars of the north again, with the likes of Duluth East and Moorhead as early favorites, or will the metro area teams such as Edina, Hill-Murray and Eden Prairie return to prominence?

Or will there be newcomers such as Holy Family Catholic or St. Thomas Academy?

Just like last year, and just like every year, the state title is up for grabs. Keep in mind…Grand Rapids was the fourth seed last season...not in the state tournament, but in their section – which is further proof that it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish.

Heading into the season,the Edina Hornets are ranked atop the Class AA field, and why shouldn’t they be? They are well coached, have an immense amount of talent, and after  missing the past two state tourneys due to section-final losses to Wayzata, they are drooling with hunger for another trip to the X.

Talent-wise they are loaded. Sam Walker, who has already been drafted by the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning when he was taken 200th overall in the 2017 draft. is coming off a 52-point season and will lead a group of forwards that includes newcomer Demetrios Komountzis, who led the Upper Midwest Elite League in scoring this past fall.

Add in the likes of Lewis Crosby (19-25–44), Jett Jungles (21-22–43), Mason Nevers (8-18–26) and Ben Brinkman (9-12–21), and the Hornets will be buzzing.

But they aren’t the only ones along the 494-corridor who will be making noise this winter. One of the sleepers among those teams are the Skippers from Minnetonka.

Why is Minnetonka in the mix? Well, this particular group of juniors and seniors won back-to-back state Bantam tournaments and now are poised to make a run at the big one.

“We have a lot of skill, great goaltending and a very tight group of guys,” senior University of Minnesota Duluth commit Luke Loheit told Breakdown Magazine.

Loheit said he hopes the Bantam success carries over into this season as high schoolers.

“We are very skilled and offensive,” noted senior defenseman Andrew Hicks. “Our team is very solid and we have the capability of winning the state tournament.”

Of course, they aren’t alone in thinking that. In fact, it’s every team’s goal once the puck drops. But only one team will remain standing. Could that team finally be Moorhead? The Spuds are 0-8 in the state championship game after losing to Grand Rapids last season. Is this finally their year?

The Spuds have been to 15 of the last 25 state tournaments, and have come up empty handed. This year, as in most years, they bring back plenty of talent, led by senior winger Carter Randklev, who notched a 60-point season as a junior and is a frontrunner for the Mr. Hockey Award.

“We return a number of important players from our team last year,” said Spuds’ head coach Jon Amerman. “Our strength this year will be our depth. We have competition at all positions. If we can focus on getting better each day and replace our senior leadership from last year, we will have a successful season.”

Moorhead enters the season ranked third. Duluth East is one spot ahead of them.

The Greyhounds, led by legendary coach Mike Randolph, will bring back seniors Garrett Worth and Ian Mageau, as well as a steady support group of underclassmen. Like Edina, the Greyhounds have had a two-year drought after they made seven state trips in a row from 2009-2015.

And then there is St. Thomas Academy. The Cadets have made the jump form Class A to AA and are poised to see where they stand amongst the Class AA field.

The Cadets bring back the Christy Brothers (Ray and Rob), who combined for 34 goals and 53 assists last year, as well as Payton Matsui and senior goaltender Atticus Kelly.

Their strong core could make them a contender come March.

And then there is Minnetonka. The Skippers have only been to the state tournament five times, their last trip coming in 2010. Yet entering the 2017-18 campaign, they are ranked No. 5, ahead of Eden Prairie, Hill-Murray and Centennial.

Speaking of the Cougars from Centennial, they won 22 games last year and bring back Lucas McGregor (29-26—55) and Hayden Brickner (14-23–37), plenty of punch to punch
their ticket if they play well down the stretch.

And remember, you can never count out Hill-Murray, Eden Prairie, Lakeville North, Wayzata and many others.

Further proof that once the puck drops, it’s anybody’s game.
 

Photo: Nick Wosika