Each Summer, Minnesota high school hockey teams train together for six to eight weeks in preparation for the coming season. Every summer training program (STP) has its own version of on- and off-ice training, but each has an element of both offered for its players.

A typical program will skate two to three times per week with their high school coaching staff and also do dryland skill development and weight training to get their game ready for the season which is now just three months away.

At the conclusion of the Summer session, teams organize for a few games to see where they measure up with other teams of their same caliber. Last weekend in Edina, 20 teams played three games each, with the winner of each pool getting a playoff game or two on the final day.

Not one team in Edina was a complete version of what their varsity will look like come November. That said, some trends could be spotted if you looked close enough.

Here are a few:

Thunderhawks keep flying – Grand Rapids won the event. They featured offensive standouts such as senior Micah Miller (St. Cloud State commit), junior Gavin Hain (North Dakota commit) and junior Blake McLaughlin (Minnesota commit) who all left a mark in their 7-6 win over feisty Delano.

Tigers roar – Yes, you read it right, Delano, one of only three single A teams in the event, took second after a great weekend of play. Led by seniors Brian Halonen and Ben Meyers, the Tigers tied and beat Duluth East in a shootout and beat Benilde, Wayzata and Lakeville South over the weekend.

No Edina – Though the event was held at Braemar, strangely, the high-powered Hornets were absent. Section 2AA and 7AA are very tough – the Summer Festival featured three teams from section 2AA – Eden Prairie, Holy Family and Prior Lake - and three from 7AA – Duluth East, Elk River and Grand Rapids. All six look to be teams that could challenge again this year for a berth to the state tournament.

“We love our STP because it gives our coaches a chance to really get to know our players. The players like it because they get a chance to show their development and build a bond with their teammates heading into the season,” said Prior Lake head coach Joe Pankratz.