| 1AA | 2AA | 3AA | 4AA | 5AA | 6AA | 7AA | 8AA | Class AA Top 10 |
| 1A | 2A | 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 7A | 8A | Class A Top 10 |
| Class AA | Lead Scorer #1 | Lead Scorer #2 | Lead Scorer #3 | Goaltender |
| Eden Prairie | Kyle Rau | Mitch Rogge | Mike Erickson | Ford/Halloran |
| Minnetonka | Max Gardiner | Andrew Prochno | Thomas Schutt | Jim Kruger |
| Hill-Murray | Jack Walsh | Ben Bahe | Willie Faust | Tim Shaughnessy |
| Bloomington Jefferson | Caleb Herbert | Joe Faust | Tyler Dietzler | Justin Woodley |
| Academy of Holy Angels | Connor Reilly | Ryan Reilly | Tyler Smith | Tommy Burke |
| Benilde-St. Margaret's | Brett Patterson | Christian Horn | Will Nelson | Jacob Meyers |
| Blaine | Nick Bjugstad | Eric Scheid | Tony Larson | Dan Harper |
| Woodbury | Max Gaede | Tyler Nowicki | Connor Delaney | Mike Ness |
| Elk River/Zimmerman | Chad Hennum | Levi Lutz | Ben Jaremko | Anders Franke |
| Roseau | Adam Knochenmus | Shane Omdahl | Cole Kostrzeweski | Ethan Kvidt |
1. Eden Prairie Eagles
Section: 6AA
2008-2009 Record: 28-3-0
2008-2009 Finish: Class AA State Champions
Returning Goals: 105 | 64.4% of the 163 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 5
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Kyle Rau (11) - 27 goals | 31 games
Mitch Rogge (12) - 17 goals | 31 games
Mike Erickson (12) - 15 goals | 30 games
David Rath (11) - 15 goals | 31 games
Jack McCartan (11) - 6 goals | 31 games
Mark Rath (11) - 3 goals | 30 games
Des Shavlik (11) - 2 goals | 31 games
Luc Gerdes (11) - 2 goals | 31 games
Defensemen:
Dan Molenaar (11) - 11 goals | 31 games
Chase Loken (12) - 4 goals | 30 games
Curt Rau (11) - 2 goals | 31 games
Nick Sheeler (11) - 0 goals | 23 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Andrew Ford (Jr) | 11-1-0, 1.41 GAA, .940 Save %
Matt Halloran (Sr) | 11-2-0, 2.23 GAA, .900 Save %
Comment: There has never been a back-to-back champion in Class AA or Class A since the inception of the current two-class system that started in 1994. Bloomington Jefferson claimed two championships in 1992 and 1993 as part of the Tier I classification and then won again in 1994 when the classification was changed to Class AA. Eden Prairie has a solid chance to win back-to-back titles but there are 71 other teams looking to deny them of that opportunity. The scary reality for the other 71 teams is that there are only three seniors of the 11 players that are returning this year.
2. Minnetonka Skippers
Section: 6AA
2008-2009 Record: 20-8-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Eden Prairie, 4-2, in the Section 6AA championship
Returning Goals: 68 | 56.7% of the 120 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 5
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Max Gardiner (12) - 15 goals | 28 games | University of Minnesota recruit
Thomas Schutt (11) - 12 goals | 28 games
Tommy Lundquist (12) - 10 goals | 28 games
Derek Frawley (11) - 7 goals | 28 games
Jake Thornberg (12) - 6 goals | 28 games
Connor Ryan (11) - 6 goals | 27 games
Erik Baskin (10) - 4 goals | 25 games
Joe Fisher (12) - 1 goal | 27 games
Ned Wolff (12) - 0 goals | 26 games
Defensemen:
Andrew Prochno (12) - 11 goals | 28 games | St. Cloud State recruit
Troy Hesketh (12) - 7 goals | 28 games | University of Wisconsin recruit
Justin Holl (12) - 1 goal | 28 games | University of Minnesota recruit
Jake Rossman (12) - 0 goals | 28 games
Joe Schuldt (10) - 0 goals | 24 games
Goaltender (regular season stats):
Jim Kruger (12) | 10-7-0, 2.08 GAA, .910 save %
Comment: The Skippers are extremely talented but Eden Prairie stands in their way if they want to make a journey to the Xcel Energy Center in March. And, in staying with the obvious, they need to find a way to score more than two goals against them. Last year, Minnetonka was 0-2 against Eden Prairie and they lost both games by a score of 4-2, including the Section 6AA championship game.
3. Hill-Murray Pioneers
Section: 4AA
2008-2009 Record: 19-11-1
2008-2009 Finish: 6th place finish in the Class AA State Tournament
Returning Goals: 68 | 51.1% of the 133 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 5
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Jack Walsh (12) - 13 goals | 31 games
Ben Bahe (11) - 12 goals | 31 games
Willie Faust (12) - 12 goals | 30 games
Ryan Holler (11) - 8 goals | 31 games
David Bruchu (12) - 3 goals | 31 games | Forward/Defensemen
John Phillippi (11) - 3 goals | 18 games | Forward/Defensemen
Kevin Becker (11) - 2 goals | 27 games
Loren French (11) - 1 goal | 17 games
Defensemen:
Jordan Johnson (12) - 5 goals | 31 games
JD Controneo (11) - 5 goals | 30 games
Chris Casto (12) - 4 goals | 31 games
Duke Pieper (10) - 0 goals | 19 games
Kevin Schulze (11) - 0 goals | 17 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Tim Shaughnessy (11) | 15-11-1, 2.31 GAA, .896 Save %
Basil Sampair (12) | 4-0-0, 1.41 GAA, .895 Save %
4. Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars
Section: 2AA
2008-2009 Record: 26-2-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Edina, 5-0, in the Section 2AA Championship
Returning Goals: 83 | 52.2% of the 159 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 4
Returning Defense: 5
Returning Goaltending: No
Forwards:
Caleb Herbert (12) - 29 goals | 27 games | University of Minnesota-Duluth recruit
Zach Knight (12) - 13 goals | 28 games
Tyler Dietzler (12) - 11 goals | 27 games
George Perpich (12) - 0 goals | 17 games
Defensemen:
Joe Faust (12) - 14 goals | 28 games | Princeton recruit
Jeffrey Pauluk (12) - 11 goals | 28 games
Alex Nicholas (12) - 3 goals | 24 games
Jake Perpich (12) - 1 goal | 28 games
Nate Perpich (12) - 1 goal | 20 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Junior Justin Woodley was Casey O'Connor's backup last year. He was 2-0-0 with a 1.05 GAA and a .919 save %. I would assume that Woodley would be the starter this year. Bloomington Jefferson is the only team in the preseason top 10 that does not have an experienced returning goalie.
Comment: The Jaguars do not have the returning varsity depth that the first three teams do but all nine returning players are seniors this year. The Jaguars allowed just 17.5 shots per game to its opponents last year, 2nd lowest only to Duluth East in Class AA.
5. Academy of Holy Angels Stars
Section: 2AA
2008-2009 Record: 21-5-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Edina, 4-1, in the Section 2AA semifinals
Returning Goals: 90 | 58.1% of the 155 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 7
Returning Defense: 6
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Connor Reilly (12) - 28 goals | 27 games | University of Minnesota recruit
Tyler Smith (12) - 18 goals | 23 games
Ryan Reilly (12) - 16 goals | 27 games | University of Minnesota recruit
Jake Erickson (12) - 13 goals | 26 games | transferred over from Chaska
Joseph LaBate (11) - 5 goals | 26 games
Cullen Hurley (11) - 3 goals | 27 games
Luke McNamara (11) - 0 goals | 24 games
Defensemen:
Mike Reilly (10) - 2 goals | 27 games
Conner Polacek (12) - 1 goal | 27 games
Tyler Craig (11) - 2 goals | 25 games
Ryan Ablan (12) - 1 goal | 27 games
Bennett Courrier-Oaster (11) - 1 goal | 19 games
AJ Antal (11) - 0 goals | 16 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Tommy Burke (12) | 18-4-1, 2.25 GAA, .913 Save %
Robbie Piggozzi (12) | 2-0-0, 0.72 GAA, .943 Save %
Comment: It is a challenge to rank the Stars. They will definitely be good but their schedule would not be considered as 'strong' as the four teams above them and probably many teams below them. AHA was 3-3-1 against teams in the top 20 last year. Still, it is not hard to figure out that the Reillys, Smith, LaBate, Polacek, and Burke will be 'strong' enough to take on any challenge this season.
6. Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights
Section: 6AA
2008-2009 Record: 21-7-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Eden Prairie, 3-1, in the Section 6AA semifinals
Returning Goals: 73 | 52.5% of the 139 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 7
Returning Defense: 6
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Christian Horn (10) - 24 goals | 26 games
Brett Patterson (12) - 14 goals | 28 games
Will Nelson (12) - 11 goals | 28 games
Patrick Steinhauser (11) - 7 goals | 25 games
Dan Pemberton (11) - 6 goals | 28 games
David Tranvik (12) - 3 goals | 28 games
Evan Miller (12) - 0 goals | 20 games
Defensemen:
Patrick Daly (11) - 3 goals | 25 games
Jake Horton (10) - 2 goals | 27 games
Sam Anderson (12) - 1 goal | 28 games
Ryan Palm (12) - 1 goal | 9 games
Chase Mlnarik (12) - 1 goal | 8 games
Dan Kuenzi (12) - 0 goals | 23 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Jacob Meyers (12) | 13-5-0, 2.73, .883 Save %
Comment: When you look at the talent returning for Ken Pauly's Red Knights, it is hard to believe that they could be the third best team in any one Section. On paper, that looks to be true in Section 6AA. The loss of Bryan Glynn, Pat Borer, Patrick Duda, and Pat Cron to graduation puts them behind their two Section 6AA rivals but not far behind.
7. Blaine Bengals
Section: 5AA
2008-2009 Record: 26-4-1
2008-2009 Finish: 3rd place finish in the Class AA State Tournament
Returning Goals: 76 | 49.7% of the 153 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 7
Returning Defense: 2
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Nick Bjugstad (11) - 31 goals | 31 games | University of Minnesota recruit
Eric Scheid (12) - 17 goals | 31 games
Gavin Tufte (12) - 10 goals | 28 games
Jonny Brodzinski (11) - 7 goals | 22 games
Jake Jensen (12) - 6 goals | 31 games
Marshall Johnson (12) - 0 goals | 20 games
Briggs Fussy (11) - 0 goals | 17 games
Defensemen:
Tony Larson (12) - 5 goals | 31 games
Taylor Richart (12) - 0 goals | 31 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Dan Harper (12) | 19-3-1, 1.77 GAA, .914 Save %
Nick Malvin (10) | 2-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .957 Save %
Comment: Even though Blaine lost several defensemen to graduation, the two that are returning are solid and Dan Harper is an experienced, solid senior goaltender. Blaine seems to be able to fill holes every year when they need to. They have had 20+ wins in each of the last four seasons.
8. Woodbury Royals
Section: 3AA
2008-2009 Record: 21-4-2
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Apple Valley, 2-0, in the Section 3AA semifinals
Returning Goals: 81 | 75.0% of the 108 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 10
Returning Defense: 4
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Max Gaede (12) - 16 goals | 27 games | MSU-Mankato recruit
Tyler Nowicki (12) - 14 goals | 27 games
Connor Delaney (12) - 11 goals | 27 games
Cole Volkers (11) - 6 goals | 27 games
Colin Keefe (12) - 6 goals | 27 games
Christian Turner (11) - 3 goals | 27 games
Jonathan Gehrt (12) - 3 goals | 27 games
Matt Pederson (11) - 3 goals | 26 games
Ben Konrad (12) - 2 goals | 10 games
Scott Carlson (12) - 0 goals | 20 games
Defensemen:
Walker Hyland (12) - 11 goals | 27 games
Andrew Herbert (12) - 4 goals | 27 games
Mike Mezzano (12) - 2 goals | 27 games
Kyle Haugstad (12) - 0 goals | 22 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Mike Ness (12) | 15-2-1, 1.70 GAA, .921 Save %
Patrick Moore (12) | 5-1-1, 2.51 GAA, .891 Save %
Comments: Woodbury's returning depth at forward and goaltender and a strong returning defensive core should take the Royals far this year after a disappointing end to last year's season. Last year, Section 3AA teams overall struggled with teams outside of their own Section. I think that will turn around this season. I'm anxious to see how well Woodbury does in its first five games that will include Tartan, the winner of the Duluth Marshall/Minnetonka semifinal game of the Woodbury Tournament, and Edina. Senior Max Gaede made the choice to stay home and play out his high school season with the Royals rather than play junior hockey.
9. Elk River/Zimmerman Elks
Section: 7AA
2008-2009 Record: 17-10-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Duluth East, 4-1, in the Section 7AA Championship
Returning Goals: 65 | 67.0% of the 97 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 3
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Ben Jaremko (12) - 20 goals | 28 games
Chad Hennum (12) - 16 goals | 26 games
Levi Lutz (12) - 11 goals | 29 games
Austen Bryan (12) - 7 goals | 29 games
Nick Filipovich (12) - 6 goals | 29 games
Nash Bleyhl (11) - 1 goal | 26 games
Garrett Aldrich (10) - 0 goals | 29 games
Willy Gibson (12) - 0 goals | 28 games
Defensemen:
Ryan Jaremko (11) - 3 goals | 29 games
Matt Eilertson (11) - 1 goal | 20 games
Kyle Orrock (12) - 0 goals | 29 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Anders Franke (10) | 13-9-1, 2.07 GAA, .909 Save %
Chris Dahn (12) | 3-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000%
Comment: Sophomore Anders Franke had an excellent freshman year in goal and, if he can avoid the cliched 'sophomore slump', another year older should equal an even better year for Franke. Ben Jaremko, Chad Hennum, and Levi Lutz should be able to put enough rubber biscuits in the basket to help the Elks do well this year.
10. Roseau Rams
Section: 8AA
2008-2009 Record: 15-10-3
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Moorhead, 5-2, in the Section 8AA Championship
Returning Goals: 70 | 61.4% of the 114 total goals scored in '08-'09
Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 3
Returning Goaltending: Yes
Forwards:
Adam Knochenmus (12) - 32 goals | 28 games
Shane Omdahl (11) - 13 goals | 28 games
Cole Kostrzewski (12) - 10 goals | 28 games
Kevin Erickson (12) - 8 goals | 20 games
Trevor Baumgartner (12) - 2 goals | 28 games
Travis Connell (12) - 2 goals | 21 games
Brandon Gunderson (10) - 1 goal | 5 games
Mike Johnson (11) - 0 goals | 14 games
Defensemen:
Tim Tesarek (12) - 1 goal | 26 games
Zach Johnson (11) - 1 goal | 8 games
Taylor Hedlund (12) - 0 goals | 22 games
Goaltenders (regular season stats):
Ethan Kvidt (12) | 8-5-2, 2.27 GAA, .903 Save %
Comment: Roseau should score a lot of goals this season and they should make it back to the state tournament. I am sure new Head Coach Andy Lundbohm will have no problems finding replacements for a depleted defensive corps.
