IN THE NEWS: Jake Gardiner - Minnetonka

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

New role turned out to be jolt he needed

By Dean Spiros

Jake Gardiner was a good high school forward, but being willing to change led to him becoming a great defenseman.

For many, it will be one of the lasting images from the 2007-08 boys' hockey season:

Minnetonka defenseman Jake Gardiner wheels around his own net to pick up the puck. By the time he reaches his own blue line he's already at full speed. There's no stopping him now.

Finding a lane, he homes in on the opponents' net. Depending on his best option, Gardiner will either let go a blistering wrist shot or feed a teammate on the doorstep, having proved equally adept at both.

To watch Gardiner is to declare him a natural, but the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year is the first to admit that he was transformed with the help of some knowledgeable and caring individuals who likely have changed his life forever.

A year ago, Gardiner was a good high school forward whose game, in the words of his coach, had plateaued. Today he can't make a move on the ice without a bevy of NHL scouts taking notice. Gardiner (6-2, 178) is a likely first-round draft pick in this summer's NHL draft. He will play next season for the Wisconsin Badgers.

All because he went along with the suggestion to move from forward to defense.

Ken Pauly, who coached Minnetonka last season before returning to Benilde-St. Margaret's this year, needed a quarterback on the power play last season and decided to use Gardiner on the point. Minnesota State Mankato coach Troy Jutting, who had an interest in Gardiner, suggested Pauly move Gardiner to defense.

Pauly made the switch for the last game of the season after exchanging e-mails on the subject with MSU assistant coach Eric Means. A budding star was born.

Over the summer, Gardiner played defense for the U.S. Under-18 team that competed in Europe; he also accepted a scholarship offer from Wisconsin. This fall, still at his new position, he played in the High School Elite League.

Playing for an outstanding Minnetonka team this winter that finished 24-4 (losing 3-2 to Benilde-St. Margaret's in the Class 2A, Section 6 final), Gardiner scored 20 goals and added 28 assists, both team highs. His production was matched by the obvious joy he received from racing around the ice in control.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: Minnetonka, Burnsville, Edina

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Minnetonka, Burnsville are primed

by Dean Spiros

Minnetonka ended its long wait against Edina, even though the Skippers' victory didn't mean anything in the conference standings.

The regular season title for boys' hockey in the Classic Suburban conference already had been decided, and Edina and Minnetonka will be competing in separate sections in the postseason. So, why the celebratory pile of Skippers in front of their net after Saturday's 3-2 victory over the visiting Hornets?

Call it a personal breakthrough. Minnetonka's seniors never had beaten Edina, going all the way back to the beginning of their youth hockey careers. So, yeah, it meant something.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: 1/31: Minnetonka vs. Edina

VS

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Edina wins a classic battle over Minnetonka

by Dean Spiros

The Hornets defeated Minnetonka 4-2 in front of a packed house as the two rivals delivered on the promise by playing one of the finest high school games in recent memory.

By late in the second period Thursday at Braemar Ice Arena, the feeling had weaved its way through the rink and into the mind of at least one observer: This is the state of euphoria.

The boys' hockey matchup between Edina and Minnetonka was proving to be a happening, just as hoped for, with perhaps the two best teams in the state showing what they were made of. Those on hand to see it surely wished the evening's events could have carried on for more than the promised two hours.

Edina came out on top, scoring twice in the third period for a 4-2 victory. Both teams deserved to walk away with heads held high.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: 1/20: Minnetonka at Benilde-St. Margaret's

VS.

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Pauly gets his revenge -- sort of

The Benilde-St. Margaret's hockey coach was on the other side last year when the Red Knights beat Minnetonka. So now, things have come full circle.

By Dean Spiros

Ken Pauly jokes that a midlife crisis is what led him to leave his job as boys' hockey coach at Benilde-St. Margaret's after 14 years to take over behind the bench at Minnetonka in 2004.

Now that he's back in St. Louis Park, he's as serious as can be when he says he expects to turn gray as the leader of the Red Knights.

Life provided one of those interesting twists over the summer, when circumstances led to the 43-year-old Pauly returning to Benilde. Another one cropped up Saturday, when the Red Knights played host to Minnetonka in a game featuring two of the best teams in the state.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: Minnetonka Skippers

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Minnetonka boys' hockey: Learning all along the way

by Brian Stensaas

The Minnetonka boys' hockey team has been strong this season, but no amount of success keeps the game from teaching a lesson or two as the season winds its way toward playoffs.

Call it learning experience No. 2.

About 40 hours before Minnetonka's boys' hockey team faced off against Hopkins in the Skippers' Classic Lake Conference opener, first-year head coach Brian Urick broke down the other four teams in the league.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: 1/6: #3AA Minnetonka vs. #8AA Hopkins

VS.

Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Dean Spiros: Hopkins shows its strong start on ice is no fluke

by Dean Spiros

Behind an impressive effort in by Alex Fons, the Royals beat Minnetonka, improving to 13-0 this season

The Energizer Blonde arrived fashionably late at the rink and fashionably dressed with her royal blue scarf and gray Hopkins sweatshirt. Working her way from one end of the bleachers to the other she wrinkled her nose and asked no one in particular a question: "What are all these people doing here?"

Indeed, it has been a while since a boys' hockey game at the Hopkins Pavilion was the place to be on a Saturday night. There weren't enough seats to handle all the curious who showed up, and surely some of the hometown faithful stood elbow-to-elbow with the skeptics on hand to see the Royals' bubble burst after their 12-0 start.

For the most part it had been deemed naïve to mention Hopkins in the same breath as the likes of Edina, Hill-Murray or Benilde-St. Margaret's, 2007-08 powerhouses all. Proof was expected to be presented on Saturday with 11-1 Minnetonka coming to town for a skate, the first true test this season for the Royals.

That roar you heard was the Hopkins fans saluting the Royals after a stirring 4-3 victory in the Classic Lake Conference opener for both teams. The silence was deafening, too.

Even Hopkins coach Chad Nyberg had been among the skeptics before the game, admitting the Royals were no match for Minnetonka in the skill department. But on this night the sum of their parts was enough to beat a team that is on the short list of state title contenders.

Read the rest of the story here.

IN THE NEWS: Section 6AA

Minnetonka:

12/14: Dean Spiros: New Minnetonka coach has a veteran's attitude

Benilde-St. Margaret's:

12/12: BSM skaters start out 3-1

Hopkins:

12/12: Hopkins boys hockey team starts well

Ken Pauly Returns to Benilde-St. Margaret's

Courtesy of the Plymouth Sun-Sailor

By John Sherman

After three seasons as head coach of the Minnetonka High boys hockey team, Ken Pauly is back in business at his old school, Benilde-St. Margaret's High.

In his stint away from home, Pauly continued to coach at a high level, taking Tonka to the state Class AA tournament in 2006.

Now, he will try to do the same thing at BSM.

Read the rest of the story here.

Minnetonka Skippers 2007-2008 Varsity Roster

Minnetonka Skippers
2007-2008 Varsity Roster

1	Matt Buonomo	G	12
3	Pete Carbonneau	F	11
5	Justin Holl	D	10
6	Tommy Lundquist	F	10
7	Troy Hesketh	D	10
8	Paul Giel	F	12
9	Sam Coatta	F	11
10	Nick Helmer	F	11
11	Andrew Prochno	D	10
14	Nate Jensen	D	12
18	Anthony Raiola	D	12
19	Jake Gardiner	D	12
20	Jake Rossman	F	10
21	Jake Thornberg	F	10
22	Justin Erhart	F	12
24	Erik Hansen	F	12
27	Max Gardiner	F	10
29	Beau Jensen	F	12
35	Jim Kruger	G	10
40	David Goebel	F	12

Head Varsity Coach: Brian Urick

Assistant Varsity Coach: Steve Aronson
Junior Varsity Coaches: Paul Olson, Matt Breen
Statisticians/Managers: Sara Townsend, Ashley Randall
Student Managers: Nick Pletsch, Wyatt Jeter, Matt Wyer
Athletic Trainers: Zibby Tully-Nunn & Jody Boyd

Minnetonka Skippers 2007-2008 Schedule

Section: 6AA | Roster | Stats | Team Preview
Conference: Classic Lake
Head Coach: Brian Urick
Home Ice: Pagel Activity Center, Minnetonka, MN


1-0-0 | W | 4-0 | 11/30/07 at #12 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (7AA)
2-0-0 | W | 6-2 | 12/01/07 at #3 Hibbing/Chisholm (7A)
3-0-0 | W | 3-2 | 12/06/07 #3 Duluth East (7AA)
4-0-0 | W | 3-2 | 12/08/07 at #2 Duluth Marshall (7A)
5-0-0 | W | 6-0 | 12/11/07 at Lakeville South (1AA)
6-0-0 | W | 5-2 | 12/13/07 #7 Rosemount (3AA)
6-1-0 | L | 1-3 | 12/20/07 at #9 Eastview (3AA)
7-1-0 | W | 8-3 | 12/22/07 Rogers/Zimmerman (5AA)
12/26/07 SCHWAN CUP INVITATIONAL
8-1-0 | W | 5-2 | vs. #3 Centennial (5AA) - Gold Quarterfinal - Box Score
12/27/07 SCHWAN CUP INVITATIONAL
9-1-0 | W | 3-0 | vs. #20 Roseville Area (4AA) - Gold Semifinal - Box Score
12/28/07 SCHWAN CUP INVITATIONAL
10-1-0 | W | 4-1 | vs. #5 Hill-Murray (4AA) - Gold Championship - Box Score
11-1-0 | W | 9-1 | 01/03/08 #10 Mound-Westonka (2A)
11-2-0 | L | 3-4 | 01/05/08 at #8 Hopkins (6AA)
12-2-0 | W | 5-2 | 01/10/08 #8 Eden Prairie (6AA)
13-2-0 | W | 7-1 | 01/12/08 Robbinsdale Armstrong (6AA)
14-2-0 | W | 3-1 | 01/17/08 at Wayzata (6AA)
15-2-0 | W | 3-2 | 01/19/08 at #6 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (6AA)
16-2-0 | W | 5-2 | 01/22/08 #2 St. Thomas Academy (4A)
17-2-0 | W | 6-3 | 01/26/08 at #16 Academy of Holy Angels (2AA)
17-3-0 | L | 2-4 | 01/31/08 *On FSN!* at #2 Edina (2AA)
18-3-0 | W | 3-1 | 02/02/08 #6 Hopkins (6AA)
19-3-0 | W | 8-4 | 02/07/08 at Robbinsdale Armstrong (6AA)
20-3-0 | W | 5-1 | 02/09/08 Wayzata (6AA)
21-3-0 | W | 3-1 | 02/14/08 at Buffalo (8AA)
22-3-0 | W | 3-2 | 02/16/08 #2 Edina (2AA)
___________________________________________________________________________________

Schedule Breakdown:
vs. Class AA Teams: 21 (18-3-0)
1AA: 1 (1-0)
2AA: 3 (2-1)
3AA: 2 (1-1)
4AA: 2 (2-0)
5AA: 2 (2-0)
6AA: 8 (7-1)
7AA: 2 (2-0)
8AA: 1 (1-0)

vs. Class A Teams: 4 (4-0-0)
2A: 1 (1-0)
4A: 1 (1-0)
7A: 2 (2-0)

Section 6AA - Team Info

Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Red Knights
Head Coach: Ken Pauly
Home Arena: St. Louis Park Recreation Center, 3700 Monterey Dr, St. Louis Park, MN
'06-'07 record: 19-7-1 | '07-'08 record: 27-4-0 | '08-'09 record: 21-7-0
State Champions: 2001 (A), 1999 (A)
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Eden Prairie | 2009 Class AA State Champions | 2009 Section 6AA Champions
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Eagles
Head Coach: Lee Smith | 17th Season | 300-114-22
Home Arena: Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN
'06-'07 record: 18-8-2 | '07-'08 record: 18-7-2 | '08-'09 record: 28-3-0
____________________________________________________________
Hopkins
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Royals
Head Coach: Chad Nyberg
Home Arena: Hopkins Pavilion Ice Arena, 11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN
'06-'07 record: 12-11-3 | '07-'08 record: 22-4-1 | '08-'09 record: 15-10-1
____________________________________________________________
Minneapolis East
(Edison, Roosevelt, South, Transitions Charter)
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Samurais
Head Coach: Bill Ross
Home Arena: Parade Ice Garden, 600 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55403
'06-'07 record: 4-22-0 | '07-'08 record: 8-18-0 | '08-'09 record: 15-9-3
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Minneapolis West
(North, Patrick Henry, Southwest, Washburn)
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Mustangs
Head Coach: Tom Younghans
Home Arena: Parade Ice Garden, 600 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55403
'06-'07 record: 10-16-1 | '07-'08 record: 13-9-2 | '08-'09 record: 1-26-0
State Champions: 1970 (Mpls Southwest)
____________________________________________________________
Minnetonka
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Skippers
Head Coach: Brian Urick
Home Arena: Pagel Activity Center, 18313 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN
'06-'07 record: 16-6-4 | '07-'08 record: 24-4-0 | '08-'09 record: 20-8-0
____________________________________________________________
Robbinsdale Armstrong
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Falcons
Head Coach: Todd Weisjahn
Home Arena: Plymouth Ice Center, 3650 Plymouth Blvd, Plymouth, MN
'06-'07 record: 11-13-2 | '07-'08 record: 11-14-1 | '08-'09 record: 10-15-1
____________________________________________________________
Robbinsdale Cooper
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Hawks
Head Coach: Bill Rooney
Home Arena: New Hope Ice Arena, 4949 Louisiana Avenue N, New Hope, MN
'06-'07 record: 11-14-1 | '07-'08 record: 10-17-0 | '08-'09 record: 6-19-1
____________________________________________________________
Wayzata
Schedule | Roster
Mascot: Trojans
Head Coach: Carl Davis
Home Arena: Plymouth Ice Center, 3650 Plymouth Blvd, Plymouth, MN
'06-'07 record: 9-16-1 | '07-'08 record: 7-15-4 | '08-'09 record: 17-9-1

Section 6AA Standings

2007-2008
Section 6AA Standings
Final - Regular Season

Pos.	Team	Overall Record	Section Record
1	Minnetonka	22-3-0	7-1-0
2	Hopkins	21-3-1	4-1-1
3	Minneapolis West	13-9-2	3-1-0
4	Benilde-St. Margaret's	22-3-0	2-1-0
5	Minneapolis East	9-16-0	1-3-0
6	Robbinsdale Armstrong	11-13-1	2-5-0
7	Robbinsdale Cooper	8-17-0	1-4-0
8	Eden Prairie	17-6-2	0-1-0
9	Wayzata	6-13-4	0-3-1

Note: Standings are based on Section record first & overall record is secondary.