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OK, it is about that time of year again, registrations have started; tryouts will start within the month or so.

Who are the teams to beat this year? Any surprise teams to watch? Which programs will be impacted the most by the new checking rule at the Peewee level?

District 10 should be tough once again. Look for Blaine, Centennial & Elk River to be strong.

I think it is Centennials to lose! They were clearly the best team last year and they should be tough again. Elk River should also have another solid year, but they will have trouble in their district.

Edina was very young last year. If they don't lose their team to Pee Wees, I'll take them.

Why would a girl from an association like Edina, EP, Centennial, Wayzata etc... choose boys over girls? It really doesn't make sense unless of course she is so good that she is going to make an A boys team. A girl playing "no checking" peewee B hockey instead of A doesn't quite add up especially in the associations where the girls programs are so strong. With that said, I don't remember any girls from Edina's 12UA team last year that would have a chance at making there two-time defending State Champion Peewee A team.

Weren't there a couple on the undefeated squirt a team?

Edina will be very good this year. I see them as a top contender. Very young last year and will be almost all second years this year. I am not sure of the Eden Prairie situation. Any insights from anyone?? Wayzate will be deep again. They have some talent and they were also young last year. I believe Blaine will be the dominant force in Big D 10. Centennial was good last year, but they had some studs who all move up, those that stayed down are on the weaker side. Blaine is deeper with talented second years. I think Elk River will be battleing Blaine more than Centennial will. All in all, things are shaping up to be great for the Metro, anyone have any thoughts on the outliers?? Any big news??

GREEN MONSTER wrote: Wayzate will be deep again. They have some talent and they were also young last year. I believe Blaine will be the dominant force in Big D 10.

I agree with the observation that Blaine will be strong. I also think that Edina will be strong, at least their "Upper A" team will be. I heard a rumor they will be fielding two 12A teams this year?? Any Truth to that??

As far as District 3 goes, I disagree with Wayzata being strong. They will be middle of the pack. They had 14 out of 15 second year players last year. I guess it is possible that those first years coming in and the second years that played 12B could be strong. I think Osseo/Maple Grove will be strong, they were young last year. I believe they are also fielding two 12A team this year??

How about District 2? Who will be strong?

District 8??

Osseo Maple Grove, Edina, and Blaine I would say are top three. all are heavy 2nd year. Centennial is coming back with 3 returning skaters and their goalie. Cottage Grove, Elk River should be strong with a even mix of 1st and 2nd year skaters, and CG's goalie is a returner. D2 is a ?.

Eagan was tough at 10U two seasons back, so was Chaska/Chan.

How do these programs look at 12A, are they contenders in 2011-12?
Stillwater
Duluth
Lakeville N
Lakeville S
Hastings
Eden Prairie
Forest Lake
Duluth

Centennial? They had their run last year...I don't think they have the fire power this year. Blaine should win D10 with very little trouble. Elk River? Maybe, again not enough fire power!

RealisticRonnie wrote:I think it is Centennials to lose! They were clearly the best team last year and they should be tough again. Elk River should also have another solid year, but they will have trouble in their district.

Hey Ronnie- Why the change of heart?

Per Andover Youth Hockey:
"U12 Girls: The U12 A team will be a co-op between Andover and Forest Lake. Evaluations will be conducted at Andover using the AHYHA tryout process."

What District will they play in?
Was under the impression that cross-district coops were not allowed?

A Forest Lake/Andover Coop could create more strong U12 teams!

I did some more research and what I have learned leads me to say Centannial, albeit the returning Champs, will NOT have the guns nor the goaltending to compete with the powerhouses this year. They will be good and deserve the title until they lose, but their road will be steep and slippery. Remember, I'm realistic.

RealisticRonnie wrote:I did some more research and what I have learned leads me to say Centannial, albeit the returning Champs, will NOT have the guns nor the goaltending to compete with the powerhouses this year. They will be good and deserve the title until they lose, but their road will be steep and slippery. Remember, I'm realistic.

Though many players from Centennial's Championship season have moved up to 14U, the remaining players are very good, including the returning goalie. As for "guns", they have one girl moving up from A-squirt, and one from 10A. Both are the fastest and best puck handling girls I've seen at that age in D10. In the end, time will tell how good they’ll be. Good luck to all teams, and have fun.

Stillwater will dominate D2, no question. We recruited in 4 Russians, 2 Canadians and 1 Floridian on "exchange" programs for middle schoolers. Little Helga only knows a few english words "I score dee goal"...it's so cute...

Just kidding...we're returning 3 players from our 12A, will be a young group. The expectations will be "who knows". One thing is for certain, goaltending, defense, and one girl that can score goes a long ways at this age. Good luck getting your teams together, see you kids at the rink shortly...

12UA comes down to Centennial, Elk River, Edina, and Blaine.

Only 3 D10 teams?

With Andover Co-oping with Forest Lake, I think you will see another strong D10 Team.

OMG will be strong, they have goaltending & size going for them!

The Bone wrote:With Andover Co-oping with Forest Lake, I think you will see another strong D10 Team.

OMG will be strong, they have goaltending & size going for them!

Andover will be a stronger team, but still might have issues going against Blaine & Centennial. The 12UA team was 0-4 against them last year. Two years ago when all these teams were at 10UA, Andover struggled with both of them at that time too. Moving 2 years forward, the faces will be about the same on all the teams, but skills change, and now with a few top FL added in at Andover (smart move by both teams), they should do better. Time will obviously tell how much better that will be.

OMG's 10UA team was strong last year, and lost two very close tournament games to Centennial. Their 12UA team was 1-1 against Blaine, and tied Centennial twice. Yes, they should be considered a state tournament team too.

12UA comes down to Centennial, Elk River, Edina, Blaine & OMG

D10 really thinks highly of themselves...Blaine, Centennial and ER all will contend IN D10. Statewide, I don't see it.

I think the top 2 are OMG and Edina and after that a D10 team could get in there with a hot goalie, but top to bottom it's OMG and Edina. Goaltending will be the question in Edina and OMG will have size and some top end skill, but depth against the top teams could be an issue. No matter who comes out on top it should be an exciting year in 12U's!

Oh My Gosh??? Are you kidding? That's what all the talk was last year, OMG this and OMG that! O.....M.....G..... didn't get out of regions did they? Atleast you got half of it right, Edina in the show and then Blaine!

GREEN MONSTER wrote:Oh My Gosh??? Are you kidding? That's what all the talk was last year, OMG this and OMG that! O.....M.....G..... didn't get out of regions did they? Atleast you got half of it right, Edina in the show and then Blaine!

Blaine has decided to go with an upper and lower 12UA teams. From looking at the roster of the upper-A team (Blue), 12 of the 13 players are 2nd year 12's, with 9 returning A-players. They will be a VERY strong team.

Looks like Edina will scrimmage Centennial on the 18th. Someone keep an eye on that one and report back.