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Youth Season Preview: Talented Teams Ready to Take the Ice

11/08/2015, 12:30pm CST
By Tony Scott

Osseo Maple Grove One of Many Strong Youth Programs

Mason Langenbrunner scores for Cloquet. Photo credit: YHH.

Mason Langenbrunner scores for Cloquet. Photo credit: YHH.

Note: The following are Youth Hockey Hub's preseason Top-10 rankings at each youth level.

Squirts

Squirt hockey can be some of the most memorable days in a youth player’s career. There are a lot of firsts and exciting times. For many it is the first time players wear the replica high school jersey, the first time they are officially keeping score and the first time they travel out of town for a tournament.

This year’s Squirt season has a trace of déjà vu – several of last year’s teams appear to be poised again for a run at the top. Andover finished last season ranked No. 1 and may be headed there again this year. Three-time YHH Squirtacular champion Osseo Maple Grove returns a bevy of talent to the nine- and 10-year-old division. Northern powers Hermantown and Moorhead will likely have something to say once their season gets into full swing. Last year, Moorhead ended Osseo’s 97-game Squirt unbeaten streak at the Moose Goheen tournament in White Bear Lake. 

Preseason Top 10

  1. Osseo Maple Grove
  2. Andover
  3. Rosemount
  4. Mahtomedi
  5. Champlin Park
  6. Moorhead
  7. Sibley
  8. Hermantown
  9. Edina Green
  10. Edina White
Eden Prairie's Luke Mittelstadt. Photo credit: YHH.

Eden Prairie's Luke Mittelstadt. Photo credit: YHH.

Peewees

Photo credit: YHH.

Photo credit: YHH.

The trek to this year's Peewee State Tournament in Grand Rapids could look much like Minnesota roads after the winter thaw - long and winding, with a potential pot hole or two along the way. Each year, teams experience many highs and lows in their quest to represent their community in the regional and state tournaments hosted by Minnesota Hockey.

In 2015-16, Osseo-Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie and St. Cloud should all field strong Peewee programs. Play begins to get a bit more competitive at each increasing level, with Minnesota Hockey hosting Region and State Tournaments at the Peewee B, Peewee A and Peewee AA levels. 

Preseason Top 10

  1. Osseo Maple Grove
  2. Edina
  3. Eden Prairie
  4. St. Cloud
  5. Apple Valley
  6. White Bear Lake
  7. Park Cottage Grove
  8. East Grand Forks
  9. Lakeville South
  10. Duluth East
Edina's Mark Lund. Photo credit: YHH.

Edina's Mark Lund. Photo credit: YHH.

Bantams

Not since the 2013 season has there been such a prohibitive favorite to win a state tournament than the Minnetonka Skippers at the Bantam level. 

This year, Minnetonka returns several key players from last year's Bantam AA State Championship team. In addition to their strong coaching staff, led by Brian Murphy, the Skippers return second-year goalie Jon Howe and forwards Luke Loheit, Josh Luedtke and Jack Bayless. On the blue line, Minnetonka has Grant Docter and Clay Hanus. 

Preseason Top 10

  1. Minnetonka
  2. Edina
  3. Cloquet
  4. Blaine
  5. Eden Prairie
  6. Osseo Maple Grove
  7. Elk River
  8. Moorhead
  9. Wayzata
  10. Brainerd
Photo credit: YHH.

Photo credit: YHH.

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Tag(s): State Of Hockey  Youth  News