Class AA QF - Hill-Murray vs #1 Minnetonka

[hockeymannorth]

This is one of those years where I feel great about getting to State. There were people thinking East Ridge would beat Hill in the opening round of sections. Then Woodbury upset Stillwater, who I pegged to beat Hill, giving them an easier path to the finals. And I would have thought for sure WB would be the finals opponent and give Hill everything they could handle, especially after spoiling their Hockey Day in dramatic fashion.

I would never have thought going into sections that Hill would play East Ridge, Woodbury & Gentry.

Tonka is a beast and whatever happens, happens. This is great experience for a very very young Hill team. Maybe they shock everyone….

White bear would have been in the finals, except for the inept coaching of Sager.

White Bear has been suffering from coaching for a long time. Either way hill came out of one of the toughest sections in state not like Edina or Lakeville South where they have a 50-50 chance of making it every year

[slacsap]

Wait a minute, did you just say Hill's section (4AA) is tougher than Edina's (6AA)? This year was an outlier, but in most seasons, Hill is pretty much a lock to get to the section final and usually favored to win it. White Bear and Stillwater, the usual opponents for Hill, are perennially good teams, but usually not at the level of Benilde and Wayzata. Even this year, when Hill came back to the pack a bit, their path through Section 4 (East Ridge, Woodbury, Gentry) was easier than Edina's (Armstrong, Benilde, Wayzata)

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Let's not conflate balance with toughness. 4AA was the most balanced section in the state, mostly due to Hill having a once in a generation .500 team. Think about how Gentry was handled fairly easily by a 13 loss Hill team. It was a close game, where Gentry could have popped one in late, grabbed the momentum, and tied. Then in OT it all depends on the bounce of the puck. We've all seen games like that. The flip side is that Hill controlled the whole way, keeping Gentry bottled up and keeping the slot clear.

Any other Hill team in the last ten years would have entered the 3rd period up by three and win by 5. I'd call it the easiest section to be won by 4th, 5th, or 6th seed. I think Woodbury may well have beaten Gentry.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Yup, Gentry let me down. Don't think that will be the case at state. Tonka is well oiled machine of recruits. Kind of fitting they play the hill school. Can't wait til Thursday, should be an awesome tourny.

Until recently, I was working with a guy who's kid was in the Tonka system until very recently (now with Wayzata). He was surprised when I told him Tonka was ranked #1, he said that group wasn't very good. A day later, having looked up the roster, he tells me, "I don't recognize any of those names."

But ya know, "these kids have played together all the way up."

[Slap Shot]

Yup, Gentry let me down. Don't think that will be the case at state. Tonka is well oiled machine of recruits. Kind of fitting they play the hill school. Can't wait til Thursday, should be an awesome tourny.

Until recently, I was working with a guy who's kid was in the Tonka system until very recently (now with Wayzata). He was surprised when I told him Tonka was ranked #1, he said that group wasn't very good. A day later, having looked up the roster, he tells me, "I don't recognize any of those names."

But ya know, "these kids have played together all the way up."

I'd be curious how many of the kids on the current roster weren't there by 9th grade, 7th grade...

Also somewhat ironic that a dad who's kid himself "migrated" across a lake is adding to this conversation.

[bardown27]

From what I could gather from Elite Prospects:

-Schultz (CC), Hupka (EP), Burrows (Orono), and Moore (CC) all came over as Freshmen.
-Lunski (CC) came over as a Sophomore
-Scheetz (CC) and Bauer (CC) came over as Juniors.
-Krebsbach (Mound) came over as a Senior.

The majority of the rest on the roster played bantams as an 8th and/or 9th grader at Minnetonka:

-Thompson and House both played Tonka BA as 8th Graders.
-Klaers, Garry bros, Pasqua, Stout played Tonka BAA as 8th graders.
-Sand played Tonka BA as a 9th grader.
-Holzer and Kaiser played Tonka BAA as a 9th grader.
-Couldn't find much on McCuskey and Tibbetts.

[BlueLineSpecial]

From what I could gather from Elite Prospects:

-Schultz (CC), Hupka (EP), Burrows (Orono), and Moore (CC) all came over as Freshmen.
-Lunski (CC) came over as a Sophomore
-Scheetz (CC) and Bauer (CC) came over as Juniors.
-Krebsbach (Mound) came over as a Senior.

The majority of the rest on the roster played bantams as an 8th and/or 9th grader at Minnetonka:

-Thompson and House both played Tonka BA as 8th Graders.
-Klaers, Garry bros, Pasqua, Stout played Tonka BAA as 8th graders.
-Sand played Tonka BA as a 9th grader.
-Holzer and Kaiser played Tonka BAA as a 9th grader.
-Couldn't find much on McCuskey and Tibbetts.

Isn't Scheetz a D1 commit (Vermont)? Along with Moore (UM) and Lunski (St. Thomas)? Last I looked, Burrows is their leading points-getter and Krebsbach had like 60 pts in his last season at Mound. Thats quite a bit a talent that 'arrived'. But keep on bashing Hill everyone

[bardown27]

From what I could gather from Elite Prospects:

-Schultz (CC), Hupka (EP), Burrows (Orono), and Moore (CC) all came over as Freshmen.
-Lunski (CC) came over as a Sophomore
-Scheetz (CC) and Bauer (CC) came over as Juniors.
-Krebsbach (Mound) came over as a Senior.

The majority of the rest on the roster played bantams as an 8th and/or 9th grader at Minnetonka:

-Thompson and House both played Tonka BA as 8th Graders.
-Klaers, Garry bros, Pasqua, Stout played Tonka BAA as 8th graders.
-Sand played Tonka BA as a 9th grader.
-Holzer and Kaiser played Tonka BAA as a 9th grader.
-Couldn't find much on McCuskey and Tibbetts.

Isn't Scheetz a D1 commit (Vermont)? Along with Moore (UM) and Lunski (St. Thomas)? Last I looked, Burrows is their leading points-getter and Krebsbach had like 60 pts in his last season at Mound. Thats quite a bit a talent that 'arrived'. But keep on bashing Hill everyone

Oh I'm not giving them a pass whatsoever. I will take the Krebsbach kid's points with a grain of salt at Mound, they played a very below average schedule, and it hasn't really translated over to Minnetonka in point production for him (3-5-8 in 28 games played).

[StanleyCup55]

From what I could gather from Elite Prospects:

-Schultz (CC), Hupka (EP), Burrows (Orono), and Moore (CC) all came over as Freshmen.
-Lunski (CC) came over as a Sophomore
-Scheetz (CC) and Bauer (CC) came over as Juniors.
-Krebsbach (Mound) came over as a Senior.

The majority of the rest on the roster played bantams as an 8th and/or 9th grader at Minnetonka:

-Thompson and House both played Tonka BA as 8th Graders.
-Klaers, Garry bros, Pasqua, Stout played Tonka BAA as 8th graders.
-Sand played Tonka BA as a 9th grader.
-Holzer and Kaiser played Tonka BAA as a 9th grader.
-Couldn't find much on McCuskey and Tibbetts.

Isn't Scheetz a D1 commit (Vermont)? Along with Moore (UM) and Lunski (St. Thomas)? Last I looked, Burrows is their leading points-getter and Krebsbach had like 60 pts in his last season at Mound. Thats quite a bit a talent that 'arrived'. But keep on bashing Hill everyone

Oh I'm not giving them a pass whatsoever. I will take the Krebsbach kid's points with a grain of salt at Mound, they played a very below average schedule, and it hasn't really translated over to Minnetonka in point production for him (3-5-8 in 28 games played).

Still a great depth addition from the recruiting department over at Tonka high. Wow

[BlueLineSpecial]

From what I could gather from Elite Prospects:

-Schultz (CC), Hupka (EP), Burrows (Orono), and Moore (CC) all came over as Freshmen.
-Lunski (CC) came over as a Sophomore
-Scheetz (CC) and Bauer (CC) came over as Juniors.
-Krebsbach (Mound) came over as a Senior.

The majority of the rest on the roster played bantams as an 8th and/or 9th grader at Minnetonka:

-Thompson and House both played Tonka BA as 8th Graders.
-Klaers, Garry bros, Pasqua, Stout played Tonka BAA as 8th graders.
-Sand played Tonka BA as a 9th grader.
-Holzer and Kaiser played Tonka BAA as a 9th grader.
-Couldn't find much on McCuskey and Tibbetts.

Isn't Scheetz a D1 commit (Vermont)? Along with Moore (UM) and Lunski (St. Thomas)? Last I looked, Burrows is their leading points-getter and Krebsbach had like 60 pts in his last season at Mound. Thats quite a bit a talent that 'arrived'. But keep on bashing Hill everyone

Oh I'm not giving them a pass whatsoever. I will take the Krebsbach kid's points with a grain of salt at Mound, they played a very below average schedule, and it hasn't really translated over to Minnetonka in point production for him (3-5-8 in 28 games played).

I know you're not. Just making my observation that that's a lot of high end talent that didn't grow up in Tonka. Also, there's a lot of lost talent for Chaska/Chanhassen!

[bardown27]

Isn't Scheetz a D1 commit (Vermont)? Along with Moore (UM) and Lunski (St. Thomas)? Last I looked, Burrows is their leading points-getter and Krebsbach had like 60 pts in his last season at Mound. Thats quite a bit a talent that 'arrived'. But keep on bashing Hill everyone

Oh I'm not giving them a pass whatsoever. I will take the Krebsbach kid's points with a grain of salt at Mound, they played a very below average schedule, and it hasn't really translated over to Minnetonka in point production for him (3-5-8 in 28 games played).

I know you're not. Just making my observation that that's a lot of high end talent that didn't grow up in Tonka. Also, there's a lot of lost talent for Chaska/Chanhassen!

Yeah think how good Chaska and/or Chan would have been if Schultz, Scheetz, Moore, Lunski, Bauer, Heil (SF Power), Bruender, Rinzel, Spehar (SF Power), the younger Broten (SF Power), Oster (SF Power), and Kleber all would have stayed.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

[bardown27]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

Not as much at EP, but look at the Tonka kids who are no longer in the program who would have been beneficial to have (just the ones I can think of off the top of my head):

Beckett Hendrickson (F, NTDP)
John Whipple (D, NTDP)
Drew Stewart (F, BSM)
Kam Hendrickson (G, Chan)
Mikey Berchild (F, SSM)
Holden Pajor (F, HF)
Bryce Wiitala (F, HF)

[Sparlimb]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

Looks like our tiny school has to play Hickory again against these large behemoths...

[TourneyEarnie]

Heart wants Hill to win, brain knows Tonka will win.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

Looks like our tiny school has to play Hickory again against these large behemoths...

Wonder if Lex will bring a tape measure to the X, maybe measure the width of the goals.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Oh I'm not giving them a pass whatsoever. I will take the Krebsbach kid's points with a grain of salt at Mound, they played a very below average schedule, and it hasn't really translated over to Minnetonka in point production for him (3-5-8 in 28 games played).

I know you're not. Just making my observation that that's a lot of high end talent that didn't grow up in Tonka. Also, there's a lot of lost talent for Chaska/Chanhassen!

Yeah think how good Chaska and/or Chan would have been if Schultz, Scheetz, Moore, Lunski, Bauer, Heil (SF Power), Bruender, Rinzel, Spehar (SF Power), the younger Broten (SF Power), Oster (SF Power), and Kleber all would have stayed.

Yeah that's actually ridiculous. You could literally field two top 5 teams with the talent that has left.

[HockeyTalk2020]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

Not as much at EP, but look at the Tonka kids who are no longer in the program who would have been beneficial to have (just the ones I can think of off the top of my head):

Beckett Hendrickson (F, NTDP)
John Whipple (D, NTDP)
Drew Stewart (F, BSM)
Kam Hendrickson (G, Chan)
Mikey Berchild (F, SSM)
Holden Pajor (F, HF)
Bryce Wiitala (F, HF)

I wouldn’t count Whipple as a tonka kid. Played 1 season as a btm after moving from East Coast before leaving for ssm for 14s and 15s.

Hendrickson has a new team hat every couple hours. Started in Wayzata until peewees and has played for 3 programs since then.

I wonder if Stewart wonders what could have been if he had not jumped the skipper ship mid year his 2nd yr bantams to play for an underachieving program.

[Slap Shot]

I find a bit remarkable, that EP and Tonka, two of the largest schools in the state, can't find enough high end talent inside their own borders.

Not as much at EP, but look at the Tonka kids who are no longer in the program who would have been beneficial to have (just the ones I can think of off the top of my head):

Beckett Hendrickson (F, NTDP)
John Whipple (D, NTDP)
Drew Stewart (F, BSM)
Kam Hendrickson (G, Chan)
Mikey Berchild (F, SSM)
Holden Pajor (F, HF)
Bryce Wiitala (F, HF)

I wouldn’t count Whipple as a tonka kid. Played 1 season as a btm after moving from East Coast before leaving for ssm for 14s and 15s.

Hendrickson has a new team hat every couple hours. Started in Wayzata until peewees and has played for 3 programs since then.

I wonder if Stewart wonders what could have been if he had not jumped the skipper ship mid year his 2nd yr bantams to play for an underachieving program.

I think the overall point is there's a lot more moving parts than there used to be and it's not all that unique to Tonka. I don't like it but the genie is out of the bottle.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Not as much at EP, but look at the Tonka kids who are no longer in the program who would have been beneficial to have (just the ones I can think of off the top of my head):

Beckett Hendrickson (F, NTDP)
John Whipple (D, NTDP)
Drew Stewart (F, BSM)
Kam Hendrickson (G, Chan)
Mikey Berchild (F, SSM)
Holden Pajor (F, HF)
Bryce Wiitala (F, HF)

I wouldn’t count Whipple as a tonka kid. Played 1 season as a btm after moving from East Coast before leaving for ssm for 14s and 15s.

Hendrickson has a new team hat every couple hours. Started in Wayzata until peewees and has played for 3 programs since then.

I wonder if Stewart wonders what could have been if he had not jumped the skipper ship mid year his 2nd yr bantams to play for an underachieving program.

I think the overall point is there's a lot more moving parts than there used to be and it's not all that unique to Tonka. I don't like it but the genie is out of the bottle.

But we can still pretend it's just those evil privates, amiright? I mean, those Tonka kids "have been together since they were mites!"

[hockeymannorth]

I wouldn’t count Whipple as a tonka kid. Played 1 season as a btm after moving from East Coast before leaving for ssm for 14s and 15s.

Hendrickson has a new team hat every couple hours. Started in Wayzata until peewees and has played for 3 programs since then.

I wonder if Stewart wonders what could have been if he had not jumped the skipper ship mid year his 2nd yr bantams to play for an underachieving program.

I think the overall point is there's a lot more moving parts than there used to be and it's not all that unique to Tonka. I don't like it but the genie is out of the bottle.

But we can still pretend it's just those evil privates, amiright? I mean, those Tonka kids "have been together since they were mites!"

I think Hill Murray has made it to State more times with less talent, than any team out there because of their coaching is so much better if white bear had Hills coaching for the last 20 years nobody would know who Hill Murray was

[BlueLineSpecial]

Sheesh. This is a Tonka shooting gallery. Could be 4-1 easily if not for Erickson.

Tonka on pace for about 75 shots on goal.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Like a Div 1 line out there

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Well 2 more goals than last time they faced.

[BodyShots]

Not impressed with Tonka’s passing. Looks like a team of individuals. They do have talent and size though!