HS AA/A Pre-Season Top 10

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 1:24 pm

YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our Pre-Season T10.

http://bit.ly/1NZCrQ5

We don't stray far from the folks on this board, except the comedian from Grand Rapids...haha.

We realize East is probably too high, but at the end of the day...we can't get 7 straight out of my head..sorry.

Enjoy,

TS

Nice job, but GRapids a bit too high.
Luverne a bit low.

Sats81 · Post by **Sats81** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:05 pm

elliott70 wrote:
YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our Pre-Season T10.

http://bit.ly/1NZCrQ5

We don't stray far from the folks on this board, except the comedian from Grand Rapids...haha.

We realize East is probably too high, but at the end of the day...we can't get 7 straight out of my head..sorry.

Enjoy,

TS
Nice job, but GRapids a bit too high.
Luverne a bit low.

Wait, I thought they were just cancelling the AA season bc they were just crowning GR state champs based off incredible record last few years and all great bantams coming up. No one wants to play these guys!

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:15 pm

Typical, Sats81 making stuff up and putting words in everyone's mouth. Also has no worthwhile opinion of his own (just like Northwoods), but always wanting to tell everyone else they are wrong. Sats81 and Northwoods obviously know the game so well it's a shame they haven't been hired by NHL Network or Hockey Night in Canada.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:19 pm

elliott70 wrote:
YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our Pre-Season T10.

http://bit.ly/1NZCrQ5

We don't stray far from the folks on this board, except the comedian from Grand Rapids...haha.

We realize East is probably too high, but at the end of the day...we can't get 7 straight out of my head..sorry.

Enjoy,

TS
Nice job, but GRapids a bit too high.
Luverne a bit low.

Bemidji is way too high.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:31 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
elliott70 wrote:
YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our Pre-Season T10.

http://bit.ly/1NZCrQ5

We don't stray far from the folks on this board, except the comedian from Grand Rapids...haha.

We realize East is probably too high, but at the end of the day...we can't get 7 straight out of my head..sorry.

Enjoy,

TS

Nice job, but GRapids a bit too high.
Luverne a bit low.
Bemidji is way too high.

Perhaps.

Sats81 · Post by **Sats81** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:03 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Typical, Sats81 making stuff up and putting words in everyone's mouth. Also has no worthwhile opinion of his own (just like Northwoods), but always wanting to tell everyone else they are wrong. Sats81 and Northwoods obviously know the game so well it's a shame they haven't been hired by NHL Network or Hockey Night in Canada.

You are always good for my laugh of the day DJ. Enjoy the season son

WestMetro · Post by **WestMetro** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 4:09 pm

YHH. Your latest final version closely matches my thinking, except for Bemidji and Blaine being reversed. Hard to ignore two of the top 10 AA goal scorers in the state as well as a returning top 10 senior goalie. I see Bemidji in the upper 11 to 15 group, with potential to overtake STA depending on goaltending for both. I wish next year the jacks would come down to the north metro for a long weekend and play STMA, Andover, and Elk

northwoods oldtimer · Post by **northwoods oldtimer** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 6:19 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Typical, Sats81 making stuff up and putting words in everyone's mouth. Also has no worthwhile opinion of his own (just like Northwoods), but always wanting to tell everyone else they are wrong. Sats81 and Northwoods obviously know the game so well it's a shame they haven't been hired by NHL Network or Hockey Night in Canada.

I only come on here to rip you DJ. It's cheap entertainment

YouthHockeyHub · Post by **YouthHockeyHub** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:08 pm

In case I hadn't made it clear...I really appreciate this thread for the building of the story today.You guys were very helpful.

We hope to expand our HS coverage this year (stories, rankings, etc). At this time, we will be at Hermantown/Wayzata and Prior Lake/EP. We will also live stream 8 SPA games this year for free to our viewers. The Spartans have some great home games this year (EGF, Mahtomedi, Minnehaha, etc)

Thanks again.

TS

notTONIGHT · Post by **notTONIGHT** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:29 pm

YouthHockeyHub wrote:In case I hadn't made it clear...I really appreciate this thread for the building of the story today.You guys were very helpful.

We hope to expand our HS coverage this year (stories, rankings, etc). At this time, we will be at Hermantown/Wayzata and Prior Lake/EP. We will also live stream 8 SPA games this year for free to our viewers. The Spartans have some great home games this year (EGF, Mahtomedi, Minnehaha, etc)

Thanks again.

TS

You got somebody driving down to Luverne for the SPA game there? IT will be an electric atmosphere. Be there very early if you are. Be a great kick off to the Class A season!

DrGaf · Post by **DrGaf** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:35 pm

notTONIGHT wrote:
YouthHockeyHub wrote:In case I hadn't made it clear...I really appreciate this thread for the building of the story today.You guys were very helpful.

We hope to expand our HS coverage this year (stories, rankings, etc). At this time, we will be at Hermantown/Wayzata and Prior Lake/EP. We will also live stream 8 SPA games this year for free to our viewers. The Spartans have some great home games this year (EGF, Mahtomedi, Minnehaha, etc)

Thanks again.

TS
You got somebody driving down to Luverne for the SPA game there? IT will be an electric atmosphere. Be there very early if you are. Be a great kick off to the Class A season!

YAAAAAAAWN

Bonin2121 · Post by **Bonin2121** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:03 pm

Why would anyone want to go to Luverne with KC and Fargo mobsters milling about?

rainier · Post by **rainier** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:07 pm

Bonin2121 wrote:Why would anyone want to go to Luverne with KC and Fargo mobsters milling about?

Solid reference! Mike Milligan and the Kitchen brothers are not to be messed with.

Wblhcky2424 · Post by **Wblhcky2424** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:22 pm

rainier wrote:
Bonin2121 wrote:Why would anyone want to go to Luverne with KC and Fargo mobsters milling about?
Solid reference! Mike Milligan and the Kitchen brothers are not to be messed with.

Mike Milligan is an elite mobster but that Indian guy who works for the Gerhardt's has more upside imo

notTONIGHT · Post by **notTONIGHT** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:56 pm

Wblhcky2424 wrote:
rainier wrote:
Bonin2121 wrote:Why would anyone want to go to Luverne with KC and Fargo mobsters milling about?
Solid reference! Mike Milligan and the Kitchen brothers are not to be messed with.
Mike Milligan is an elite mobster but that Indian guy who works for the Gerhardt's has more upside imo

I got the waffles at the waffle hut after the game!

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 6:18 pm

notTONIGHT wrote:
Wblhcky2424 wrote:
rainier wrote: Solid reference! Mike Milligan and the Kitchen brothers are not to be messed with.
Mike Milligan is an elite mobster but that Indian guy who works for the Gerhardt's has more upside imo
I got the waffles at the waffle hut after the game!

Solid stuff here guys, love it.

minnscout · Post by **minnscout** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:16 pm

My Top 10

1. Eden Prairie
2. Grand Rapids
3. Hill Murray
4. Duluth East
5. Edina
6. Lakeville North
7. Minnetonka
8. Benilde St Margarets
9. Stillwater
10. Prior Lake

Next Holy Family, St Thomas, Blaine, Wayzata

WestMetro · Post by **WestMetro** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:34 pm

MinnScout, I agree with your top six as a group. And I could see all of your top 10, except I would fit Blaine in instead of either Tonka or PL. What's your issue with Blaine: just not enough depth beyond Tufte, Noterman, Vescio, Kallestad?

Sats81 · Post by **Sats81** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:56 pm

Personally I think people are too high on Stillwater because of the number of players they had in the elite league. Hill is Hill. ALways will be. I don't see Ponies getting past them.

minnscout · Post by **minnscout** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:36 pm

Westmetro- correct, I do not see enough depth beyond top 4 or 5 guys.

WestMetro · Post by **WestMetro** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:46 pm

SATS, four of the SW kids racked up decent points (behind Garin and Noterman) for Team NE playing against season long Elite competition . Comparable points to many of the Team Southwest kids who had much higher name recognition, and some with D1. Bjugstad was decent I thought. And Benson had good GAA, top 10 I think. Thats why I put SW in my top 10. Like MinnScout and YHH, but not Karl who pointed to lack of D depth. Which may be true, Im not that close to rest of their D corps.

Is SW in top 10 a slam dunk? No. Are there other more compelling teams beyond the top 7? Not all that obvious, so suspect will be a high degree of dynamics in 8-15 during the season. Remains to be seen whether SW will rise to the occasion.

I would hate to miss the SW train completely , since a person is running into more and more people talking about ponies more seriously ,who ordinarily wouldnt..especially in west metro

( Not that its comparable to the Panther train which started gaining steam three years ago, and most amatuer pundits including me were very late getting on board.)

Having said all that, Im still picking higher ranked Pioneers for Section Champs again , on their home ice of course. Nice playoff rink switch!

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 9:06 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
elliott70 wrote:
YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our Pre-Season T10.

http://bit.ly/1NZCrQ5

We don't stray far from the folks on this board, except the comedian from Grand Rapids...haha.

We realize East is probably too high, but at the end of the day...we can't get 7 straight out of my head..sorry.

Enjoy,

TS
Nice job, but GRapids a bit too high.
Luverne a bit low.
Bemidji is way too high.

You're way too high

Nuts&Bolts · Post by **Nuts&Bolts** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:02 pm

Minnscouts looks decent if you take his next 4 and replace all of them with at least the current 7-10. Blaine will be very good. Holy Family will have decent depth in all positions. Wayzata just has numbers and needs to figure things out. STAA will be solid as always. No way is Prior Lake a top 10 team. Never done anything at the HS level and the alleged power did little to nothing in the "Elite" League along with much of the rest of Team SW. Stillwater will be good but don't see them in the top 10. Lechner always finds a way and will be good but I simply can't see HM as a top 3 team in the state now matter how much Chris Dilks and West Metro might promote.

TTpuckster · Post by **TTpuckster** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:35 pm

Let's Play Hockey just came out with it's Class A pre-season rankings:

High School Boys A - PRESEASON

1 HERMANTOWN ( 8 first place votes)
2 Breck
3 East Grand Forks (2 first place votes)
4 St. Paul Academy
5 St. Cloud Apollo
6 Mahtomedi
7 Delano/Rockford
8 Luverne
9 St. Cloud Cathedral
10 Hibbing/Chisholm
11 Thief River Falls
12 Orono
13 Fergus Falls
14 Duluth Denfeld
15 New Prague
16 Alexandria
17 St. Paul Johnson
18 Warroad
19 Sartell-St. Stephen
20 Mankato West

Also included a summary of top teams, section summaries and some players to watch:

http://www.letsplayhockey.com/

rainier · Post by **rainier** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 2:16 pm

TTpuckster wrote:Let's Play Hockey just came out with it's Class A pre-season rankings:

High School Boys A - PRESEASON

1 HERMANTOWN ( 8 first place votes)
2 Breck
3 East Grand Forks (2 first place votes)
4 St. Paul Academy
5 St. Cloud Apollo
6 Mahtomedi
7 Delano/Rockford
8 Luverne
9 St. Cloud Cathedral
10 Hibbing/Chisholm
11 Thief River Falls
12 Orono
13 Fergus Falls
14 Duluth Denfeld
15 New Prague
16 Alexandria
17 St. Paul Johnson
18 Warroad
19 Sartell-St. Stephen
20 Mankato West

Also included a summary of top teams, section summaries and some players to watch:

http://www.letsplayhockey.com/

These look pretty good. My only questions are:

I'm not sure Denfeld should even be that high. Yes, they have a great goaltender in Alander, but from what I see this team returns only two skaters that could even remotely be considered difference makers. I watched Hibbing smoke their JV squad last year and their bantam team was not very good, so unless there was a serious incoming wave of transfer talent, I don't see how they will be a Top 20 team.

No Greenway? This is a team that made great strides last season once they recovered from the player suspension fiasco, and they did it mostly without their best player Lantz. The Raiders return 85% of their scoring, they have an excellent goalie, and their bantams were decent. I have them firmly as the #3 team in 7A, and I think they will show that they are for sure Top 20 material.

Not so sure EGF should be that high. I know they will have a super top line, but it seems they lost nearly all their defense and goaltending. Their bantam team was good not great, so unless they had a good chunk of talent paying their dues on the JV squad, I have a hard time seeing them at #3.

It will be interesting to see how good Orono is. I think their bantam team was as good as a lot of AA bantam teams last year, so if there are a couple of talented upperclassmen on the team, they may be able to put something solid together. Anyone have any predictions on Orono other than that they will go through three more head coaches before xmas?

Would still love to see Becker return and instantly make Mahtomedi a top 3 team. Sadly, it seems that ship has sailed, which is too bad, because they may have had enough depth to give Hermantown a run. I know players and families have to do what they think is best for them, but my opinion is that the kid would have had way more fun making another tourney run with his buddies. I don't know anything about his situation, but playing with your friends, being big man on campus, and having a chance to hand Hermantown its 7th consecutive runner up trophy sounds a lot better than being just another unknown face on some USHL team in the middle of godforsaken Iowa.