The 2019 edition of the Class AA State Boys’ High School Hockey Tournament features some of Minnesota’s classic programs in top-ranked Edina, high-scoring Blaine, perennial contender St. Thomas Academy, suburban powers White Bear Lake and Eden Prairie, and Northern Minnesota blue bloods Duluth East and Moorhead. Rounding out the field is upset-minded Lakeville South. Combined, the eight Class AA teams have appeared in the state tournament a total of 122 times, an average of 15 per school. Edina leads the way with 32 prior state tournament appearances, followed by Duluth East (23), White Bear Lake (18) and Moorhead (15). 

Five of the eight teams come to St. Paul with previous state titles – Edina (9), St. Thomas Academy (5), Duluth East (3), Eden Prairie (2) Hill-Murray (3) and Blaine (1). In search of its record 10th state title, Edina posted a perfect 6-0 record vs. state tournament teams this season. St. Thomas Academy returns to St. Paul for the third straight year in search of its first Class AA title after winning five championships in Class A. Meanwhile, Moorhead, with a record eight runner-up finishes,  looks for its first state championship.

Following is a look at the eight teams in the Class AA state tournament.

Blaine Bengals
Record: 22-2-2
Coach: Chris Carroll
Last state appearance: 2015
Best state finish: First (2000)
Road to state (Section 5AA wins): Osseo 10-1, Centennial 5-0, Maple Gove 2-1
Leading scorers: Bryce Brodzinski (35-49--84), Carsen Richels (39-38--77), Cole Hansen (12-37--49), Nick Hauck (3-31--34), Will Hillman (15-18--33)
Goaltender: Joe Daninger (22-2-2, 1.48, .933)
Notes: Blaine is making its 12th state tournament appearance • losses on the season came to Maple Grove and Eden Prairie, ties on the season came to Andover and Duluth East • the Bengals are riding a 17-game winning streak • Blaine outscored its opponents 17-2 in the section playoffs and 140-39 on the season • the Bengals have scored five or more goals in 20 games and have allowed two or fewer goals in 21 games, including seven shutouts • Blaine is 13-16 all-time at the state tournament • Brodzinski is a Mr. Hockey finalist and a Minnesota commit • Hauck was a Reed Larson Award nominee.

Duluth East Greyhounds
Record: 18-6-2
Coach: Mike Randolph
Last state appearance: 2018
Best state finish: First (1960, 95, 98)
Road to state (Section 7AA wins): Duluth Marshall 7-0, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 5-2, Andover 4-3 OT
Leading scorers: Ryder Donovan (15-27--42), Ricky Lyle (20-18--38), Logan Anderson (8-27--35), Brendan Baker (8-15--23), Frederick Paine (5-18--23)
Goaltenders: Brody Rabold (10-4-2, 1.85, .913), Lukan Hanson (6-0-0, 1.84, .914)
Notes: Duluth East is making its 24th state tournament appearance • the Hounds have scored five or more goals in 10 games  and have allowed two or fewer goals in 17 games • East is 2-0 in neutral site games and 6-3-2 in one-goal games • the Hounds are riding a season-long seven-game winning streak • East is 4-1-2 in overtime games this season • this is Duluth East’s 66th consectuve winning season • Donovan is a Mr. Hockey finalists • Paine is a Reed Larson Award nominee • college commitments: Donovan (Wisconsin).

Eden Prairie Eagles
Record: 17-9-2
Coach: Lee Smith
Last state appearance: 2017
Best state finish: First (2009, 11)
Road to state (Section 2AA wins): Chanhassen 9-0, Chaska 7-3, Holy Family Catholic 3-1
Leading scorers: Jack Jensen (34-25--59), John Mittelstadt (14-29--43), Luke Mittelstadt (4-28--32), Sam Wilhite (10-21--31), Spencer Rudrud (14-15--29), Drew Holt (12-17--29)
Goaltender: Axel Rosenlund (11-5-1, 2.72, .892)
Notes: Eden Prairie is making its 11th state tournament appearance • the Eagles are 14-14 all-time at the state tournament • EP is currently on a season-long four-game winning streak • the Eagles have scored five or more goals in 12 games and allowed two or fewer goals in 15 games • Eden Prairie is 7-2-0 in neutral site games • Jensen is a Mr. Hockey finalist • Keegan Langefels was a Reed Larson Award nominee • college commitments: Carter Batchelder (Colorado College), Jack Jensen, John & Luke Mittelstadt (Minnesota).

Edina Hornets
Record: 24-2-1
Coach: Curt Giles
Last state appearance: 2018
Best state finish: First (1969, 71, 82, 84, 88, 97, 2010, 13, 14)
Road to state (Section 6AA wins): Hopkins 7-0, Blake 4-2, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 5-1
Leading scorers: Jett Jungels (29-28--57), Liam Malmquist (26-29--55), Mason Nevers (19-33--52), Kevin Delaney (18-13--31), Brett Chorske (12-18--30), Mike Vorlicky (4-21--25)
Goaltender: Louden Hogg (19-2-1, 1.94, .907)
Notes: Edina is making its 33rd state tournament appearance • the Hornets are 58-33 all-time at the state tournament • lone losses on the season came to Chaska and Hill-Murray • Edina has scored five or more goals in 19 games and allowed two or fewer goals in 21 games, including the last eight contests • the Hornets are outscoring their opponents 144-49 • Jungels and Nevers are Mr. Hockey finalists • Vorlicky was a Reed Larson nominee •  college commitments: Jake Boltmann, Nevers & Nick Willams (Minnesota), Ben Dexheimer (Miami) Jungels (Northern Michigan), Mike Vorlicky (Wisconsin).

Lakeville South Cougars
Record: 14-12-1
Coach: Janne Kivihalme
Last state appearance: 2017
Best state finish: Third (2012)
Road to state (Section 1AA wins): Rochester Mayo 4-1, Hastings 8-1, Lakeville North 4-0
Leading scorers: Adam Harvey (13-16--29), Cade Ahrenholz (15-14--29), Nico Aguilera (10-15--25), Jack Novak (8-13--21)
Goaltender: Henry Welsch (13-11-1, 2.08, .930)
Notes: The Cougars are making their fourth appearance at the state tournament • Lakeville South was 3-5-1 in its last 10 regular season games • the Cougars are 4-1-0 in neutral site games and are 0-2 vs. Class AA state tournament teams • South is 1-3-1 in overtime games • the Cougars have allowed two or fewer goals in 14 games • Sam Elasky was a Reed Larson Award nominee • college commitments: Griffin Ludtke (Omaha).

Moorhead Spuds
Record: 21-6-1
Coach: Jon Ammerman
Last state appearance: 2017
Best state finish: Second (1992, 94, 95, 2001, 04, 05, 09, 17) 
Road to state (Section 8AA wins): Rogers 7-0, Buffalo 3-0, Brainerd 3-2
Leading scorers: Kyler Kleven (14-26--40), Nolan Westra (21-17--38), Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe (11-26--37), Luke Gramer (5-24--29)
Goaltender: Hudson Hodges (15-2-1, 1.65, .933)
Notes: The Spuds are making their 16th state tournament appearance • Moorhead is riding a season-long 14-game unbeaten streak (13-0-1) • losses on the season came to Andover, roseau, Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie & Wayzata – all before Jan. 6 • Moorhead is outscoring its opponents 101-60 • the Spuds have scored four or more goals in 14 games and allowed two or fewer goals in 20 games, including seven shutouts • Moorhead is 1-2 vs. Class AA state tournament teams and 2-2 at neutral sites.

St. Thomas Academy Cadets
Record: 24-3-1
Coaches: Tom Vannelli/Greg Vannelli
Last state appearance: 2017 
Best state finish: First (2006, 08, 11, 12, 13)
Road to state (Section 3AA wins): East Ridge 5-1, Eastview 5-1, Eagan 4-1
Leading scorers: Ryan O’Neill (19-30--49), Luke Herzog (16-25--41), Brendan McFadden (15-24--39), Rob Christy (19-20--39), Nico Vega (14-22--36
Goaltender: Muxxy Donohue (13-3-1, 1.70, .929)
Notes: St. Thomas Academy is making its 12th state tournament appearance and fourth in Class AA •  losses on the season came to Minnetonka, Hill-Murray & Edina • the Cadets 3-2 in neutral site games and 3-0-1 in one-goal games • STA has scored five or more goals in 12 games and has allowed two or fewer goals in 23 games, including six shutouts • the Cadets are outscoring their opponents 142-42 • Foley was a Reed Larson Award nominee • college commitments: Rob Christy (Colorado College).

White Bear Lake Bears
Record: 21-4-1
Coach: Tim Sager
Last state appearance: 2011
Best state finish: Fifth (1945, 90, 98, 2003, 05) 
Road to state (Section 4AA wins): Roseville 7-2, Woodbury 6-0, Hill-Murray 3-2
Leading scorers: Blake Meister (10-28--38), Lleyton Roed (15-19--34), Chase Bill (13-19--32), Billy Rose (8-21--29), Grant Hofeld (13-12--25), Sam Newpower (13-12--25)
Goaltender: Evan Foss (12-4-1, 1.90, .909), 
Notes: The Bears are making their 19th state tournament appearance • losses on the season came to Duluth East, Minnetonka, Andover and Edina • WBL has allowed two or fewer goals in 20 games and have scored four or more goals in 12 games • WBL is 3-0 in neutral site games and 0-2 vs. the Class AA tournament field • WBL is 2-0-1 in overtime games and 8-1-1 in one-goal games.

Class AA State Tournament Teams in the Let’s Play Hockey  Rankings
1. Edina
2. Blaine
3. St. Thomas Academy
7. White Bear Lake
8. Eden Prairie
10. Duluth East
11. Moorhead