Last year, the Tommies had two former Colorado College players on the roster. With center Matthew Gleason sticking around for one more year, UST added two more in defenseman Chase Foley and forward Ray Christy to have a total of three former Tigers on the Tommies roster this season.

Gleason grew up with Christy and then played against him and Foley in high school before they eventually all went off to Colorado Springs.

“I was actually really good buddies growing up with Ray’s younger brother Robert,” Gleason said. “He was my age growing up, so we were always on the same youth teams. And then Ray was on my older brother’s team. That’s how we connected. Chase, I didn’t know too much, but we did the same summer training program growing up, so we crossed paths with that and also playing against each other. All three us were on the same high school elite league team as well.

Added Foley: “We all kind of committed to CC around the same time, so we definitely knew each other going in, and it’s special that all three of us were committed from the same area.”

First stop: Colorado College
All three were recruited to CC by former Tigers assistant coach and current Tommies assistant coach Leon Hayward. Foley liked the idea of playing where his dad played hockey and his parents met, while Christy also had a family connection.

Ray Christy, playing for Colorado College, takes a shot during a 4-3 win over Denver University on March 8, 2024. Christy played at St. Thomas Academy in high school, and has come full-circle returning to play for the University of St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy of Colorado College athletic department)

“I originally committed there with my brother, so it was just an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” Christy said. “Another big factor was Chase’s dad played there, and he had a super big impact on not only myself, but Chase’s career and my brother Robert’s career. It just was a cool spot and a great opportunity.”

Once they all arrived on campus, it didn’t take long for the guys to reconnect and strengthen their bonds.

“It was awesome just moving in,” Gleason said. “I started second semester of my freshmen year moving into an apartment with those guys and Jackson Jutting (Bemidji State) and Jack Millar (AHL Ontario Reign). So, that was awesome. Just always growing up playing against each other either, especially with the Cretin (Derham Hall) and St. Thomas Academy rivalry. That was cool just becoming teammates and building that brotherhood and memories on and off the ice.”

Their freshman year was during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“So, there were barely any students on campus,” Foley said. “We could basically only hang out with your team because you weren’t allowed to be in groups bigger than 10 or so people. We got really close our freshman year and then it just continued into sophomore and junior year when Matthew was still there. We hung with each other away from the rink and going over to each other’s apartments to watch movies and hanging out. It was a lot of fun.”

One might think that because Gleason and Christy are forwards that they might’ve played a lot together, but the twosome only played two shifts together their entire careers with the Tigers. One time was during a game at Western Michigan in Gleason’s last season at CC, and the other was a game against CC’s archrival, Denver, which resulted in a memory the two of them can laugh at now.

“We were playing Denver, and me, Matt and Jackson Jutting all ran for the hills, and the Denver guys took the puck and put it in the back of the net,” Christy said, with a laugh. “It was memorable for the wrong reasons.”

Next stop: University of St. Thomas
In 2023-24, Gleason transferred to UST, while the other two stayed with the Tigers for another year and had the best seasons of their college careers after battling injuries through a good chunk of their time at CC. After last season, Christy and Foley entered the portal and were enticed about the idea to come back to their home rink.

Chase Foley carries the puck for Colorado College in a game against Arizona State on Dec. 1, 2023. This season, Foley has six assists in 10 games for St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy of Colorado College athletic department)

“There’s a lot of factors going into it, but I think the number one thing was being able to play at home in front of some friends and family,” Foley said. “So, they don’t have to travel as much to Colorado Springs. There’s other ones, too. Ray was obviously going to come here, and Matthew was one of my really good friends, and I wanted to be able to reconnect with those guys and being able to play Division I hockey at home is something pretty special and not everybody gets the opportunity to do.”

When St. Thomas coach Rico Blasi called, Christy said it was an opportunity to come home.

“I enjoyed my time in Colorado, it was great, but the opportunity to come home and be part of a new program that was on the rise was something that really interested me.” Christy said.

Hayward said Christy and Foley both fill a specific need on the Tommies roster, with Christy serving as a good replacement for another CC transfer in Noah Prokop and Foley being a leader on the power play.

“Ray knows who he is as a player,” Hayward said. “I don’t think he came here saying ‘Hey, I want to be on the power play’ or ‘I want to do this, or I want to do that.’ He really wanted to be part of a team and a team that has a chance to win some games and compete. I think that’s what ultimately drew us to him and him to us. I think it was a good fit in terms of stylistically what we were looking for at the time and what he had to offer.

“Chase is a power play 1-type guy with great hockey sense. He’s elusive. He’s just a really smart player, and he always has been. That was something we were looking for, for our power play and frankly, I don’t think we had had the first three years here at St. Thomas. So, he was a very specific need. Certainly, for us the portal has changed from ‘Hey, let’s just get guys to fill spots’ to ‘We have a very specific need and does this player fill it?’ Chase is a prime example of that. He had a few other options at some bigger schools, and I think we lucked out with obviously a little bit of a relationship there and then being able to come close to home. So, it worked out. But he was very specific. We really needed someone to run a power play, and I think you’re seeing that now and what that kind of means to our team.”

Reunited, and it feels so good
Now that they’ve all been reunited, Gleason and Foley are off to solid starts as the former is second on the team in goals and the latter is second in assists. Christy also returned to the lineup last weekend against Bowling Green after being out for two weeks with an injury. Almost two months into the season, the two newcomers feel that they’ve fit in nicely within the Tommies roster.

“Coming into a new team, it’s always a little nerve racking because you don’t know what you’re going to get,” Foley said. “But from the first workout in the summer, the sense you get from the guys is the team is bigger than the individual. That’s something that’s super easy to pick up on in our locker room. Everybody is playing for the guy next to them. Nobody is playing for themselves. Everyone has the greater goal, which is a championship in mind.

Added Christy: “It’s been great. I’ve been playing with them for quite a bit now. I know their games inside and out. Just having that special experience, just knowing where they’re going to be at and what plays they usually make. Off the ice, it does a lot because we have such good friendships where we’re not afraid to push each other or confront each other if things aren’t going the right way. To have those types of teammates that can be a rock and kind of build you to motivate yourself to be better, I’m super grateful to have them.”

Now that he’s played with both Christy and Foley at two colleges, Gleason says he’s built up a tight connection with both, and he said that benefits the team.

Matthew Gleason has five goals and one assist in 11 games with St. Thomas this season, matching his goal total from 2023-24 with the Tommies. (MHM Photo / Ryan Stieg)

“Just during office conversations (with Christy), we always saw the game the same way,” Gleason said. “I think the cool thing with Ray is that he’s an older guy and he’s seen a lot of hockey. So, we have a lot of conversations about how the game works and what we can do as players to be better in those situations and how we can attack different teams. Basically, just work on our strengths to be more effective in games.

“With Foley, you understand the way somebody works on the ice and how they react as a person, it makes the communication better. I think that’s the biggest thing with playing with guys you build a relationship with. You know how to talk to each other. Sometimes you need to scream at each other and sometimes you just need to have a conversation. Just overall, getting on the same page and working toward that end goal.”

According to all three of them, that end goal is a CCHA championship. The Tommies were predicted to win the conference in the preseason CCHA polls, and even though they’ve gotten off to a bumpy start, they all believe that the team still has what it takes to finish at the top in their final collegiate seasons.

“For me personally, that’s what I want to hang my hat on here at St. Thomas,” Gleason said. “Helping the culture move forward brick by brick, as Rico always says. Building those relationships with guys and winning a conference championship and hanging that first banner in the new rink for those guys next year and the history going forward.”

Foley and Christy agreed with Gleason’s thoughts and said they’ll keep striving to make that happen.

“That was our goal at the beginning of the year and nothing’s changed,” Foley said. “That’s what we’re all working hard for.”

The post Tigers To Tommies appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

For 50 years, the St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association has provided generations of players – from mini-mites to Bantams – the opportunity to learn, compete and enjoy the sport on hometown rinks in their own community.

The organization has evolved from its inception as the Highland Hockey Association, which, in 1973, was one of many organizations supporting neighborhood and local park teams.

Highland joined forces with the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul in 1987, eventually becoming the Highland Central Capitals. In 2014, its current incarnation, the St. Paul Capitals as it is known today, became permanent.

Much has changed since the early days of the organization, but much has stayed the same, according to Capitals board president Julie Bustos, who’s been involved for years as a board member as well as a parent, having three kids participate in the program.

In the buildup to the 50th anniversary celebration, Bustos connected with a number of people involved in the early years of the association and heard first-hand how their shared experiences forged lasting bonds.

“There’s a lot of pride built into that,” Bustos said. “It was amazing to hear their stories about how much hockey meant to players both on the ice, as well as skills and things that they applied in their life off the ice, the friendships that they made that they still have.”

Matt Funk is the athletic director and boys hockey coach at Cretin-Derham Hall and knows the value the Capitals provide not just the community, but his program as well. Funk’s grandfather, Bill, coached at the University of St. Thomas, and in 1973, was one of the founders of the association, creating opportunities for three generations of Funks who went to play and coach in St. Paul high schools and colleges.

The St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association started as the Highland Hockey Association. (Photo courtesy of St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association)

“We’re rooted in St. Paul hockey. It’s not just a game. It’s about the lifelong skills you learn and the memories and friends you make,” Funk said. “The history here is remarkable and we need to keep that going for generations to come.”

Mike Vannelli also knows all about hockey friendships and lasting traditions. The Vannelli family is synonymous with hockey in St. Paul. Mike’s father, Tom Vannelli, played for Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota, and was a freshman in 1974 when the Gophers won their first national championship. As a sophomore, the elder Vannelli was second in scoring for the WCHA champion Gophers.

Tom was head coach at Cretin-Derham Hall and co-head coach with his brother, Greg, at St. Thomas Academy. Mike played his high school hockey for his father at Cretin; and he played four years for the Gophers under Don Lucia, where he won a national championship before several seasons in Europe.

But prior to skating at Mariucci – or for the perennially powerful Raiders – Mike Vannelli came of age with the Highland Central Capitals.

“There’s a phenomenal sense of community,” Mike Vannelli said. “There’s a lot of kids that are playing in the association that are second, third, some are even fourth generation. And so, it’s pretty special in that regard. And it’s a very tight knit community.”

Today, Mike Vannelli’s son and daughter play in the Capitals program, where he is doing double time as vice president of boys hockey, as well as coach of his son’s squirt team.

“There’s so many things that as a parent and coach that you see that they’re able to get out of it,” Mike Vannelli said. “First and foremost, it seems like they’ve built some amazing friendships that they’ll be able to carry with them the rest of their lives.”

Mike Vannelli points to the fun he sees his kids having with teammates – in practices and in games, both structured and unstructured, inside arenas and outdoors in parks – as invaluable experiences, providing not just enjoyment, but lifetime lessons.

“The qualities that they begin to get instilled in them through competition, accountability, just learning to be a good teammate; what that means, essentially translates to being a good person on and off the ice,” he said.

How can the Capitals keep moving forward? 
After decades of creating those experiences for thousands of St. Paul kids, the Capitals are now faced with an existential challenge: how to keep the organization vital and thriving for the next 50 years and beyond. Ice time has grown scarce, and expensive, while participation costs continue to increase.

During the 2023-24 season, fees for squirt and 10U were $1,220; and that number only rises for older players.

The Capitals are working to keep the program viable for future generations. (Photo courtesy of St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association)

“We’re challenged with finding ways to try and keep that cost as manageable as possible,” Mike Vannelli said. “And there’s some folks within our association that have done an amazing job with some fundraising efforts that they’ve kicked off.”

With rising costs and dwindling numbers already having claimed most of St. Paul’s youth programs, the Capitals are working in-season and out to keep their program viable for future generations.

“It’s a little bittersweet to be honest with you,” said Jim Runyon, director of fundraising for the Capitals and a lifelong St. Paul resident who grew up playing in the Central Hockey Association.

Runyon can’t help but think of the thriving programs in the parks and recreation system when he was growing up. Associations like Battle Creek, Phalen and Conway, among numerous others, no longer exist.

“There were probably 25 organizations in St. Paul that offered really good, quality competitive hockey,” Runyon said. “So, to celebrate our 50th was great because you feel like ‘Wow, this is a long time that kids have been playing hockey here,’ but you also look at who’s still around and it’s kind of sad to see.”

But Runyon is quick to call out the silver lining the Capitals have sought: New fundraising efforts which are now the lifeblood of the program.

Kelly Rand, the association’s gambling coordinator, has set the course for the Capitals to raise funds as suburban programs like Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Eagan and Edina have through legalized gambling or, more specifically, pull-tabs and Bingo, through exclusive agreements with local establishments.

“A year and a half ago, we became licensed. We started with one bar, and a bar and restaurant,” Runyon said. “We now have two up and running and we’re trying to play catch up.”

Creating financial stability as hockey costs rise
The goal is to generate more than just fast funding – which is needed – but to create generational stability for the association.

“The costs of hockey are going up too fast,” Runyon said. “And in order to sustain it, we had to put on the brakes, and the only way to do that was to set up some sort of endowment.”

The growing need inspired the St. Paul Capital’s Legacy Fund, which will maintain proceeds for investment, with a small percentage coming out each year to fund the program.

“We have to work a little bit harder, but more importantly, we have to be smarter about what we do with our money,” Runyon said. ‘That money is dedicated and restricted so that for the next 50 years, kids in St. Paul will have an opportunity to play hockey.”

The results are encouraging for coaches, parents and their kids. And for leaders like Bustos, who’s seen hockey evolve since her playing days, before girls hockey was ever a thought.

Bustos competed exclusively with boys in the Tartan Area youth league until Bantams. So for her, the focus is always about providing opportunities for kids to participate – now and well into the future.

“How do we keep this association and the service that it brings to the community alive and vibrant?” she asked, rhetorically. “We want to produce the same kind of emotional connections and life connections and athletic development that we’ve been providing for the last 50 years.

“My dad coached me and now I’m coaching my kid and I want to make sure that my kid has a chance to coach their kids.”

The post 50 Years And Counting appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

It’s sometimes difficult for transfers to fit into a new system right away, but St. Thomas forwards Noah Prokop and Matthew Gleason make it look easy.  

“We actually joke about it that we had one shift together in our two years at Colorado College,” Gleason said with a laugh. “We actually had a scoring chance there. But I think the thing with us is that we’ve lived with each other for two years now, and we can work off each other and we can communicate really well with each other, which I think that’s one of the biggest things about being on the line with guys.

“He can yell at me when I’m doing something wrong, and I can yell at him if he’s doing something wrong. But at the end of the day, it’s just for the better of the team and to perform better. I think that’s the biggest thing is just the relationship we have off the ice.” 

Noah Prokop (No. 21, center) scored three goals and six assists in two seasons with Colorado College before transferring to St. Thomas this season. (Photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

The two are really close friends and on the same wavelength about things, Prokop said. 

Matthew Gleason skates for Colorado College in a game against Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 5, 2022. He scored 10 goals and 16 assists in the last two seasons with CC. (Photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

“And then Gleason was a kid that I recruited all the way back when he was at Cretin (Derham Hall). I’d been watching him for years. I had a really good relationship with his family, but I honestly was surprised when he popped in the transfer portal. He’s just a kid that works his butt off and has a ton of skill and really kind of how we want to play at St. Thomas. I knew he would be a kid that (UST head coach) Rico (Blasi) would appreciate in terms of what he brings to the table on a nightly basis. So, that was a big reason for those two.” 

Gleason and Prokop helped the Tommies reach second place in the conference standings at the holiday break. (MHM Photo / Ryan Stieg)

“You’d like to sit there and think that he’s kind of pesky and just always working hard and in your face kind of water bug that’s all over the place,” Prokop said. “But at the end of the day, he is a skilled player. He can make plays and he can score goals. I think he’s an all-around good player and that his work ethic is absolutely off the charts, and it goes to show in games and in practice that guys are nervous going up against him and they know they’re going to get his best all the time.

“His work ethic is top notch, and I think his hockey IQ is unbelievable as well. So, it kind of makes for a perfect combination of being a good player.” 

The post From Tigers to Tommies appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

“It started snowing which I thought was really fun to be out playing in the snow,” Cretin-Derham Hall sophomore forward Abby Broz said after the game. “The atmosphere was amazing. Everybody was just so excited, win or loss, that would have been a great game either way to play in. Once in a lifetime.”

For Broz, the event set on top of the park’s primary soccer fields held special meaning for her in that it was a homecoming, of sorts.

“I grew up playing soccer there on those exact fields, all the way up until last year,” Broz said last week. “Being able to go back out there and play on White Bear’s turf, kind of, both soccer and hockey, I think it’s really cool. It’s good for our team, it’s good to be back out in White Bear and I hope everyone is just thankful for this opportunity, because it’s huge to be a part of this.”

Broz was raised in Hugo, where her family still lives, on a pond she grew up skating on with her siblings near the city’s southern border with White Bear Lake. She played her youth hockey in the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association and recalls her fondest memory as a young Bear came in a tournament in Duluth in her first 12 and under season. “We ended up winning the tournament, which was pretty huge for us because no one expected our little U12 White Bear team to win anything.”

Abby Broz with a Forest Lake backchecker in pursuit at Polar Lakes Park in White Bear Township on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

As an eighth grader, Broz made the varsity squad at White Bear Lake High School and finished the 2020-21 season with a pair of goals to go with three assists in 19 games for the Bears. But Broz and her parents, Roger and Michelle, felt she needed more from an academics standpoint and was not getting the help she needed at White Bear Lake. That, and another motivation, had the family looking elsewhere for Abby to finish high school. 

“They thought it’d be cool for me to go experience a different place than somewhere I’ve always grown up,” Broz said. “Then we went and we toured (Cretin-Derham Hall) and I loved the school, I loved the team here, I loved, basically, everything about the different dynamics, like all the diversity of people. It was really fast the way it happened. There was like one day, I’m still at White Bear and then the next day I’m like, well, I’m going to Cretin next year.”

She was familiar with Raiders coach Tony Scheid, having played for him as an eighth grader on the 2021 Minnesota Hockey District 2 Girls High Performance 14 team at that level’s Spring Festival in Duluth, so that eased the transition. The move to an SEC rival came as a shock to Broz’s former teammates, who now must face her twice per season, but she still has friends among her relatively new foes.

“Obviously, there’s some tension because I transferred out but I still text a lot of them,” Broz said. “They all support me and I still support them.”

Broz admitted to a small case of FOMO (fear of missing out) when the announcement was made a year ago revealing White Bear Lake as the host of Hockey Day Minnesota in 2023. But the blow was softened when the Raiders were added to the list of participants. 

“I was like, of course, the year I leave, you know, they get to go host,” Broz said. “It’s huge that we got to be a part of it and I’m just glad I kind of get to share it with my old roots because, you know, it’s like old versus new kind of all just mixed into one giant place.”

The Raiders found themselves in an early hole when Forest Lake’s Ava Saxe beat Cretin-Derham Hall goalie Grace Kemp just 40 seconds after the pregame fireworks and the Rangers left the ice after one period clinging to a 1-0 lead. But senior Lily Anderson’s goal 4:36 into the second evened the score and sophomore Hope Hadac’s shorthanded goal with 3:02 remaining in the period gave the Raiders a 2-1 lead after two. 

That’s how it stayed into the late stages of the third before Hadac’s twin sister, Stella, provided Cretin-Derham Hall the cushion it needed at the 13:13 mark before Anfang capped off the scoring with 46 seconds left. 

“We wanted to make a memory and we talked about, win or lose, it’s gonna be a great memory but let’s get the [W] and let’s go for it,” Scheid said. “And they were all in and they were excited. They played with enthusiasm and no fear and they’re just a great group of kids.”

When all was said and done, Broz had nothing but praise for her community’s efforts, responding enthusiastically “It’s sick” when asked about her first impression of the event. 

“We walked in and they had music playing, there’s fires going, everybody’s just like wandering around like lost puppies, just enjoying the moment. No one was kind of paying attention to the game. They were just amazed how everything was set up.

“It’s just so cool out here. It’s so cool to be part of.”

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Results for boys’ tournament -Final round 2017

Here are the results for all the Schwan’s Cup games played on Thursday, December 28. All the boys’ championship games were played today, with all title games at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus and the other games at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine.

Here is a summary of the boys’ championship scores at Ridder Arena on Thursday:

Open: Simley 3, University School of Milwaukee, Wis. 2.

Bronze: Hudson, Wis. 7, Minnehaha Academy 2.

Silver: Cretin-Derham Hall 9, Minneapolis 2.

Gold: St. Thomas Academy 3, Minnetonka 3. (St. Thomas Academy won overtime shootout.)

The girls’ tournament began Thursday December 28, with the first two days at the Schwan Super Rink and championship games at Ridder Arena on Saturday, December 30. The scores and stats for the girls will be covered in a separate news release.

Boys’ Gold High School Division (at Ridder Arena)

Tuesday, December 26, 2017:

Game 1: (Quarterfinal #1) St. Thomas Academy 3, Burnsville 0.

Game 2: (Quarterfinal #2) Eden Prairie 5, St. Michael-Albertville 1.

Game 3: (Quarterfinal #3) Hill-Murray 4, Centennial 4. (Hill-Murray wins overtime shootout)

Game 4: (Quarterfinal #4) Minnetonka 5, vs. Edina 2.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 (at Ridder Arena)

Game 5 (consolation): St. Michael-Albertville 5, Burnsville 2.

Game 6 (consolation): Edina 5, Centennial 2.

Game 7 (Semi-final #1): St. Thomas Academy 5, Eden Prairie 4 (overtime).

Game 8 (Semi-final #2): Minnetonka 4, Hill-Murray 2.

Thursday, December 28, 2017:

Game 9 (consolation): Centennial 6, Burnsville 3.

Game 10 (consolation championship): Edina 5, St. Michael-Albertville 1.

Game 11 (third place): Hill-Murray 4, Eden Prairie 4. (Hill-Murray won overtime shootout)

Game 12 (championship): St. Thomas Academy 3, Minnetonka 3. (St. Thomas Academy won overtime shootout.)

Boys’ Gold division highlights:

Ben Helgeson recorded two goals and an assist in Hill-Murray’s overtime shootout win over Eden Prairie in the third place game. The game will go into the record books for both teams officially as a 4-4 tie. Helgeson’s goal with just 28 seconds remaining in the third period tied up the game and sent it to overtime.

Jett Jungels’ two goal and one assist effort led Edina to a 5-1 over St. Michael-Albertville in the consolation championship.

Centennial never trailed in their 6-3 seventh-place game victory over Burnsville. Jack Menne had two goals, and Lucas McGregor and Carter Wagner three assists apiece for the winners.

Rob Christy scored on the fourth round of the overtime shootout to secure the Gold Division title for St. Thomas Academy. The Cadets and Minnetonka had ended regulation time tied 3-3 and the overtime period went scoreless. Minnetonka had come back from a one-goal deficit with two third period goals by Bobby Brink, the last just 1:54 from the final buzzer.

Boys’ Silver High School Division (at the Schwan Super Rink)

Tuesday, December 26, 2017:

Game 1: (Quarterfinal #1) Cretin-Derham Hall 4, St. Louis Park 3.

Game 2: (Quarterfinal #2) Breck 4, Buffalo 3.

Game 3: (Quarterfinal #3) Mahtomedi 7, Mounds View 0.

Game 4: (Quarterfinal #4) Minneapolis 5, St. Cloud 3.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 (at the Schwan Super Rink)

Game 5 (consolation): St. Louis Park 4, Buffalo 3.

Game 6 (consolation): St. Cloud 9, Mounds View 4.

Game 7 (Semi-final #1): Cretin-Derham Hall 5, Breck 1.

Game 8 (Semi-final #2): Minneapolis 3, Mahtomedi 1.

Thursday, December 28, 2017:

Game 9 (consolation): Buffalo 5, Mounds View 0.

Game 10 (consolation championship): St. Cloud 9, St. Louis Park 5.

Game 11 (third place): Mahtomedi 4, Breck 2.

Game 12 (championship): Cretin-Derham Hall 9, Minneapolis 2.

Boys’ Silver division highlights:

Jake Braccini’s three goal, one assist effort led Buffalo’s 5-0 win over Mounds View in the consolation game.

Cole McCarver’s hat trick led Mahtomedi’s 4-2 win in the third place game, besting Breck.

St. Cloud won the consolation championship game, 9-5 over St. Louis Park. St. Cloud’s scoring was led by Brad Amundson’s two goal, one assist effort. Riley Dvorak notched two goals for the losers.

Cretin-Derham Hall dominated Minneapolis 9-2 to win the Silver Division championship. The Raiders spread their scoring among eight different players. Joe Buckingham had two goals for the winners.

Boys’ Bronze High School Division (at Schwan Super Rink):

Tuesday, December 26, 2017:

Game 1: (Quarterfinal #1) Spring Lake Park 9, Bloomington Kennedy 5.

Game 2: (Quarterfinal #2) Minnehaha Academy 6, Northfield 4.

Game 3: (Quarterfinal #3) Hudson, Wis. 6, St. Paul Academy 0.

Game 4: (Quarterfinal #4) Rogers 1, Mankato East 0.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 (at Schwan Super Rink):

Game 5 (consolation): Northfield 6, Bloomington Kennedy 4.

Game 6 (consolation): St. Paul Academy 2, Mankato East 1.

Game 7 (Semi-final #1): Minnehaha Academy 2, Spring Lake Park 2 (Minnehaha Academy wins OT shootout to advance).

Game 8 (Semi-final #2): Hudson, Wis. 3, Rogers 0.

Thursday, December 28, 2017:

Game 9 (consolation): Mankato East 2, Bloomington Kennedy 0.

Game 10 (consolation championship): Northfield 3, St. Paul Academy 1.

Game 11 (third place): Rogers 4, Spring Lake Park 1.

Game 12 (championship): Hudson, Wis. 7, Minnehaha Academy 2.

Boys’ Bronze division highlights:

Cole Danielson and Jordan Halverson had two goals each to lead the Hudson Raiders to a convincing 7-2 championship win over Minnehaha Academy. Hudson outshot the Redhawks 46-11.

Parker Steindl and Brett Brochardt scored second period goals, and that was all Mankato East would need to defeat Bloomington Kennedy in the consolation game. Jack Causey got the shutout in goal for Mankato East.

Boys’ Open High School Division (at Schwan Super Rink):

Game 1: (Quarterfinal #1) Simley 9, Pine City 3.

Game 2: (Quarterfinal #2) Waconia 8, Cambridge-Isanti 2.

Game 3: (Quarterfinal #3) Marshall 5, Chisago Lakes 2.

Game 4: (Quarterfinal #4) University School of Milwaukee, Wis. 9, Princeton 0.

Game 5 (consolation): Pine City 4, Cambridge-Isanti 1.

Game 6 (consolation): Princeton 6, Chisago Lakes 0.

Game 7 (Semi-final #1): Simley 4, Waconia 1.

Game 8 (Semi-final #2): University School of Milwaukee, Wis. 6, Marshall 0.

Game 9 (consolation): Cambridge-Isanti 4, Chisago Lakes 3. 

Game 10 (consolation championship): Pine City 6, Princeton 0. 

Game 11 (third place): Marshall 5, Waconia 1.

Game 12 (championship): Simley 3, University School of Milwaukee, Wis. 2.

Boys’ Open division highlights:

Luke Miller and Nathan Schibilla each notched one goal and one assist to lead Cambridge-Isanti’s 4-3 win over Chisago Lakes in the consolation game.

Jamie Warrick and Walker Smith each recorded a goal and an assist to lead the scoring for Simley in their 3-2 championship win over the University School of Milwaukee.

Goalie Alex Laven recorded the shutout as Pine City defeated Princeton 6-0 in the consolation championship game. 5-1

Mason Plante’s three goals paced Marshall’s win over Waconia in the third place game.

Gold Division Box Scores:

Centennial               2   3   1   —   6  

Burnsville               1   0   2   —   3  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Centennial – Menne (powerplay) (Wagner, Francis)  8:20. Centennial – Francis (shorthanded) (McGregor, Brickner)  10:03. Burnsville – Bernhagen (Tompkins, Ahcan)  12:00.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Centennial – Wagner (Stuart, Francis)  4:58.

Centennial – Menne (powerplay) (McGregor, Wagner)  8:41. Centennial – Pierson

(Nelson, Wagner)  15:13.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Burnsville – Inskeep (shorthanded) (Ahcan)  4:56.

Burnsville – Engum 6:10. Centennial – Brickner (McGregor)  16:43.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Centennial               —   32  

Burnsville               —   20  

————————————————–

GOALIES

CENTENNIAL            MIN     S    SV  

Bryce Crowley        51:00   20   17  

BURNSVILLE            MIN     S    SV  

Conner Mauck         51:00   32   26  

Edina                    2   2   1   —   5  

St Michael-Albertville   0   1   0   —   1  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Edina – Nevers (Brinkman, Vorlicky)  12:36. Edina –

Bishop (Malmquist)  13:18.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: St Michael-Albertville – Popowski (Spetz)  8:30. Edina – Jungels (Nevers, Boltmann)  13:27. Edina – Walker (shorthanded) (Jungels)

16:48.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Edina – Jungels (shorthanded) (Brinkman, Walker)  0:19.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Edina                    —   33  

St Michael-Albertville   —   28  

————————————————–

GOALIES

EDINA            MIN     S    SV  

Garrett Mackay       51:00   28   27  

STMA            MIN     S    SV  

Justin Damon         51:00   33   28  

Hill-Murray              1   1   2   —   4  

Eden Prairie             1   2   1   —   4

Hill-Murray won overtime shootout. 

————————————————–

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Hill-Murray – Helgeson (Moyer)  6:30. Eden Prairie –

Jensen 10:41.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Eden Prairie – Lesko (Jensen)  3:37. Eden Prairie –

Mittelstadt (Pajor, Piechowski)  7:33. Hill-Murray – Oberle (powerplay)

(Helgeson)  10:44.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Eden Prairie – Konin (powerplay) (Jensen, Smith)

12:21. Hill-Murray – Reifenberger (Fleischhacker)  12:53. Hill-Murray – Helgeson(Oberle)  16:32.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Hill-Murray              —   30  

Eden Prairie             —   20  

————————————————–

GOALIES

HILL-MURRAY            MIN     S    SV   

Wyatt Vint           24:33   5    2   

Remington Keopple    26:27   15   14  

EDEN PRAIRIE            MIN     S    SV  

Ben Bullis           51:00   30   26  

Minnetonka               1   0   2   0    —   3  

St Thomas Academy        0   2   1   0    —   3 

St. Thomas Academy won overtime shootout.

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Minnetonka – Molenaar (Koethe)  11:37.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: St Thomas Academy – Foley (powerplay) (Matsui, ONeil) 1:50. St Thomas Academy – Matsui (Vega, ONeil)  4:36.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: St Thomas Academy – Vega (Holmes)  6:43. Minnetonka – Brink 7:39. Minnetonka – Brink 15:06.

OVERTIME – No scoring.

SHOOTOUT — Scoring: St Thomas Academy – Christy.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Minnetonka               —   22  

St Thomas Academy        —   17  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MINNETONKA            MIN     S    SV  

Charlie Glockner     59:00   16   13  

STA            MIN     S    SV  

Atticus Kelly        59:00   22   19  

Silver Division Box Scores

Mounds View              0   0   0   —   0  

Buffalo                  1   2   2   —   5  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Buffalo – Braccini 3:01.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Buffalo – James (Huebner, Zelenak)  5:47. Buffalo –

Braccini (Braccini, Klein)  8:33.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Buffalo – Braccini (Braccini)  4:22. Buffalo – Braccini 16:06.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Mounds View              —   20  

Buffalo                  —   19  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MOUNDS VIEW            MIN     S    SV  

Luke Neary           51:00   19   14  

BUFFALO            MIN     S    SV  

Nathan Mueller       51:00   20   20  

St Cloud                 1   7   1   —   9  

St Louis Park            3   2   0   —   5  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: St Louis Park – Sorenson (Dvorak)  5:27. St Louis Park – Dvorak (Berry)  14:35. St Louis Park – Hand (Dvorak, Ryan)  15:46. St Cloud – Rieland (Weitzel)  16:44.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: St Cloud – Bulson (Lunderby)  0:19. St Cloud – Bach

(Richert, Davidson)  1:36. St Cloud – Olson 3:28. St Cloud – Davidson (Portz)

3:28. St Louis Park – Dvorak (Dvorak)  3:58. St Cloud – Amundson 5:31. St Cloud – Amundson (Rud)  6:20. St Louis Park – Baker (Berry)  14:47. St Cloud – Johnson (Davidson, Hormann)  16:29.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: St Cloud – Portz (Lunderby, Amundson)  7:20.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

St Cloud                 —   49  

St Louis Park            —   31  

————————————————–

GOALIES

ST CLOUD            MIN     S    SV  

Soren Faloon         51:00   31   26  

ST LOUIS PARK            MIN     S    SV  

Atticus Raasch       51:00   49   40  

Mahtomedi                1   1   2   —   4  

Breck                    0   2   0   —   2  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Mahtomedi – McCarver (Ayd)  13:47.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Mahtomedi – Paradise (Pilarski, Paradise)  1:58. Breck – Strom (powerplay) (Torgerson)  11:03. Breck – Torgerson (Madson)  16:59.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Mahtomedi – McCarver (powerplay) (Dulak)  16:33.

Mahtomedi – McCarver 16:51.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Mahtomedi                —   35  

Breck                    —   24  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MAHTOMEDI            MIN     S    SV  

Bailey Huber         51:00   24   22  

BRECK            MIN     S    SV  

Blaine Madson        51:00   35   31  

Minneapolis              0   1   1   —   2  

Cretin-Derham Hall       3   5   1   —   9  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Cretin-Derham Hall – Gleason (powerplay) (Magnuson,

Buckingham)  4:34. Cretin-Derham Hall – Castro (Gimberlin, Benick)  8:51. Cretin-Derham Hall – Buckingham (Magnuson)  16:10.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Cretin-Derham Hall – Gimberlin (Castro, Kramer)  1:37. Cretin-Derham Hall – Buckingham (powerplay) (Davison, Magnuson)  8:26. Cretin-Derham Hall – Brydges (extra attacker) (Gimberlin, Ryan)  10:04. Cretin-Derham Hall – Magnuson (powerplay) (Gleason, Davison)  12:52. Cretin-Derham Hall – Milosch (powerplay) (Castro, Brydges)  13:39. Minneapolis – Erickson (powerplay)(emptynet) (Gholl, Schueller)  15:37.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Minneapolis – Erickson (powerplay) (Gholl, Eisenbeis) 0:52. Cretin-Derham Hall – Klein (Magnuson, Cummings)  16:16.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Minneapolis              —   16  

Cretin-Derham Hall       —   43  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MINNEAPOLIS            MIN     S    SV  

Lucas White          51:00   43   34  

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL    MIN     S    SV  

George Maguire       50:30   15   14  

Bronze Division Box Scores

Hudson                   3   3   1   —   7  

Minnehaha Academy        1   1   0   —   2  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Minnehaha Academy – Diem (Sedgwick)  2:10. Hudson –

Flattum (Carr, Danielson)  9:07. Hudson – Gornick (Schrank, Hanson)  10:28.

Hudson – Danielson (Lundeen)  12:01.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Minnehaha Academy – Mullninix (shorthanded) 1:29.

Hudson – Danielson (Martin, Lundeen)  10:36. Hudson – Schrank (Hanson)  10:45. Hudson – Halverson (Lundeen, Martin)  12:27.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Hudson – Halverson 10:50.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Hudson                   —   46  

Minnehaha Academy        —   11  

————————————————–

GOALIES

HUDSON            MIN     S    SV  

Alex Cohen           51:00   11   9   

MINNEHAHA ACADEMY     MIN     S    SV  

Corey Hendrickson    51:00   46   39  

Mankato East             0   2   0   —   2  

Bloomington Kennedy      0   0   0   —   0  

FIRST PERIOD – No scoring.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Mankato East – Steindl (Schulz)  1:05. Mankato East – Brochardt (powerplay) (Anderson, Guillemette)  3:33.

THIRD PERIOD – No scoring.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Mankato East             —   34  

Bloomington Kennedy      —   18  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MANKATO EAST            MIN     S    SV  

Jack Causey          51:00   18   18  

BLOOMINGTON KENNEDY    MIN     S    SV  

Noah Hanson          51:00   34   32  

St Paul Academy          0   1   0   —   1  

Northfield               1   0   2   —   3  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Northfield – Ringlien (Marvin, Blaha)  6:30.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: St Paul Academy – Appert (Zukowski)  7:22.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Northfield – Van Zuilen (Halvorson, Jirik)  9:50.

Northfield – Jirik (Van Zuilen)  16:47.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

St Paul Academy          —   26  

Northfield               —   28  

————————————————–

GOALIES

ST PAUL ACADEMY            MIN     S    SV  

Thomas Kuriscak      51:00   28   25  

NORTHFIELD            MIN     S    SV  

Will Fink            51:00   26   25  

Open Division Box Scores

Chisago Lakes            0   2   1   —   3  

Cambridge-Isanti         0   1   3   —   4  

FIRST PERIOD – No scoring.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Chisago Lakes – Zaruba (Johnson, Meierhoff)  10:20.

Chisago Lakes – Overgaard (powerplay) (Mehlhorn)  10:28. Cambridge-Isanti –

Olson (Schibilla)  15:00.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Cambridge-Isanti – Ziebarth (Miller)  3:30. Cambridge-Isanti – Schibilla (powerplay) (Ziebarth)  14:17. Cambridge-Isanti – Miller (Beklin)  15:57. Chisago Lakes – Mehlhorn (powerplay) (Lindsey)  16:52.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Chisago Lakes            —   29  

Cambridge-Isanti         —   27  

————————————————–

GOALIES

CHISAGO LAKES            MIN     S    SV  

Jesse Carlson        51:00   27   23  

CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI            MIN     S    SV  

Brody Nelson         51:00   29   26  

University School of Milwaukee            1   0   1   —   2  

Simley                                   1   2   0   —   3  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Simley – Smith (Warrick)  5:06. University School

Milwaukee – Herzberg (Woods)  13:13.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Simley – Roitman (Roche)  9:19. Simley – Warrick

(Carlson, Smith)  16:29.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: University School Milwaukee – Newton (emptynet) (extra attacker) (Malek, Roepke)  15:31.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

University School Milw   —   45  

Simley                   —   27  

————————————————–

GOALIES

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL     MIN     S    SV  

Frank Fee            33:29   23   20  

Patrick Kelly        17:31   4    4   

SIMLEY               MIN     S    SV  

James Royce          49:19   44   43  

Princeton                0   0   0   —   0  

Pine City                1   2   3   —   6  

FIRST PERIOD — Scoring: Pine City – Bergstrom (Wiener)  5:18.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Pine City – Bergstrom (Miller, Zahradka)  5:21. Pine City – Stich 14:20.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Pine City – Mikyska (Ryan)  2:54. Pine City – Zahradka (Johnson)  3:08. Pine City – Ryan (Wiener, Root)  8:00.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Princeton                —   17  

Pine City                —   29  

————————————————–

GOALIES

PRINCETON            MIN     S    SV  

Ryce Thiel           51:00   29   23  

PINE CITY            MIN     S    SV  

Alex Laven           51:00   17   17  

Marshall                 0   4   1   —   5  

Waconia                  0   0   1   —   1  

FIRST PERIOD – No scoring.

SECOND PERIOD — Scoring: Marshall – Plante (powerplay) (VanDeVere, VanDe Vere) 2:40. Marshall – Welvert (powerplay) (Whyte)  3:08. Marshall – Holland (Hoff) 11:26. Marshall – Plante (powerplay) (Versaevel)  13:37.

THIRD PERIOD — Scoring: Waconia – Young (Yanik)  7:42. Marshall – Plante

(powerplay) (VanDeVere, Welvert)  12:09.

Shots on goal:

————————————————–

Marshall                 —   21  

Waconia                  —   26  

————————————————–

GOALIES

MARSHALL            MIN     S    SV  

Dominik Caspers      51:00   26   25  

WACONIA            MIN     S    SV  

Joe Huskey           51:00   21   16  

inal results and s

The post ST. Thomas Academy takes Schwan’s Cup Gold in Shootout appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

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The post Hockey Day MN Gallery: Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Duluth appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Underdog nearly pulls off outdoor upset

On paper it was a mismatch. At 13-3-3 and undefeated in the Suburban East the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders’ girls’ hockey team looked like they should have no problem with their opponents from up north. The Duluth Northern Stars came into their Hockey Day Minnesota match up with a 7-9-3 record.

Just six seconds into the game at Holman Field it looked like mismatch was not just on paper. The Raiders’ Rosie Pitera forced a turnover at the Duluth blue line and beat the goalie on the short side to give the 11th ranked Raiders an early 1-0 lead.

The Raiders had the better of the play early and late, but Duluth made the most of their chances in between. The Northern Stars were able to get traffic in front of the net to score the next two goals. Ana Kunst tied the game at one when she banged in a rebound. Then Bri Stafne gave Duluth a short lead when she was able to tap in the puck during a scrum in front of the CDH net.

The Raiders’ speed was on display the rest of the period as a nice skating play by Anna Klein created a scoring chance on the door step for Paige Voight. The senior buried the puck to tie the game at two and Klien took matters into her own hands and just beat the buzzer when she scored with five seconds left in the period. The goal gave the Raiders a lead they would never relinquish.

The ice seemed to be tilted toward Duluth goalie Kalei Kleive for much of the second period as the CDH fore-check caused problems for the underdog Duluth squad. Kleive and her defense were able to hold off the barrage for most of the period until Klein finally beat the Northern Stars’ net minder by getting loose in front of the net to score an unassisted goal to make the score 4-2.

Just like in the first period, Duluth didn’t have many chances, but they made one of those chances pay off. Great skating and puck handling by Stafne set up teammate Ava Meyer on the doorstep and the junior forward did the rest – keeping her team within striking distance of the Raiders.

The now familiar pattern continued in the third period. The Raiders controlled much of the play. Mid-way through the period it looked like the Raiders had finally put the game away when Annie Boeckers grabbed a loose puck, had nothing but open ice in front of her and put the Raiders ahead 5-3.

Just when it looked like Raiders’ fans could relax Duluth struck again. Stafne got on the score sheet again with a great pass to Avery Ziegler. Ziegler made sure the nice passing play paid off and cut the lead to one with a minute to go.

With Kleive pulled, Duluth’s final rush up the ice nearly tied the game as a shot from the high slot just missed the net with under five seconds to play.

What looked like a mismatch was not a mismatch at all. Duluth played a great game as a big underdog, but in the end the Raiders had too much speed and talent for the Northern Stars and held on for a 5-4 win.

The post Raiders top Northern Stars 5-4 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

1. Lakeville North (0-0) The Panthers have yet to play a game although they unseat the Edina Hornets for the number one slot out of the shoot.  They have their sights set on a return trip to the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament in March and know there is plenty of work to do between now and then.  The Panthers are known as one of the most exciting teams in High School hockey and posted a 25-5-1 record last season.  At one point North ripped off a 19 game (18-0-1) unbeaten streak last year.  There is plenty to look forward to with the Panthers who return their top two lines and both can score.  Leading the way is the Poehling trio, made up of seniors Jack and Nick along with sophomore Ryan.  Henry Enebak and Max Johnson anchor the second line and combined for (25g-33a-58pts) last year.   Add in one of the best one-two punches on the blue line with a pair of D1 defensemen in Jack Sadek and Jack McNeely and the Panthers have every reason to believe they can not only return to St. Paul and the State Tournament but win their first ever Class AA title.  Goaltending will be key and former Shattuck St. Mary’s product Ryan Edquist returns to his roots in Lakeville to hold down the fort in the blue paint for the Panthers.  The University of Minnesota goaltending recruit could be key to the Panthers potential success this year.

2.  Edina (1-0-1)  The two-time defending champion Edina Hornets opened the season with an 11-0 thumping of the Holy Family Catholic Fire last week at the Cable 12 Turkey Trot.  Garrett Wait erupted with 6 assists and Matt Masterman had 4 goals in the shellacking.  Dylan Malmquist delivered 2 goals and 2 assists with Casey Dornbach adding a hat trick and and assist in the effort.  The offensive output, coupled with the defensive play illustrated that the Hornets have plenty of depth to bid for their third straight state title.  For now, key leadership losses from last year’s team to graduation pushes Edina down to the #2 slot slot in the MNHockeyMag rankings.  Edina has plenty of depth to lean on from a deep and talented youth program to fill any void that may have been left.  The State Title once again runs through Edina and someone will have to prove they can beat the Hornets on the last day of the season.  On paper to open the season, the Lakeville North Panthers are just a little better.  Edina has won a record 12 state titles in 36 appearances which is a staggering conversion rate.  Their attempt at a three-peat would be the first time since Bloomington Jefferson’s glory teams of 1992-1994 that impressive feat.

3.  Wayata (1-0-1)  A 4-1 win over cross-town rival Maple Grove and a 3-3 tie that wound up as a shootout loss to Edina (recorded in the books as an official tie), the Trojans always have a chance to win based on their defensive play and skill.  Whether blocking shots, staying disciplined in the defensive zone, benefitting from stellar goaltending, or staying on the puck in the offensive zone, coach Pat O’Leary’s teams are difficult to play against and this year’s club will be no different.  Junior goaltender Alex Schilling is primed to take over the number one chore in goal for the Trojans and senior defenseman Alex Stevens has help with sophomore Hank Sorenson holding down the fort.  Junior Max Zimmer (10g-23a-33pts) led the team in points last year and the slick skating offensive talent is back to take on that offensive responsibility again.  Playing in the deep Lake Conference and owning a tough schedule this year will take the Trojans a long way in being a high quality playoff team this year.

4.  Hill-Murray (1-0)  An opening night 3-2 win over the Burnsville Blaze last Saturday was a good start for the Hill-Murray Pioneers.  The strength of the Pioneers is defensively and when that proves out, it means a successful season for coach Bill Lechner’s team.  The Pioneers return their top four defensemen to the table and have depth in goaltending which will have a spirited competition. Senior Sean Wendlandt was the back up to Sam Ilgen last year and will have a healthy battle with sophomore Jake Begley for playing time.  Four year varsity letter-winner Zach Mills will lead the team offensively and he is joined by freshman brother Dylan.  Mikey Anderson is just a freshman, yet he has committed to Scott Sandelin’s UMD Bulldogs to play college hockey.  He moves the puck, has physical strength beyond his years and will be relied upon at a young age to be a key to his team’s success.  The Pioneers welcome in Kyler Yeo, son of Wild coach Mike Yeo, to the lineup and the young man has size, speed, and a three-zoned responsible game.   Never underestimate the Pioneers, in the end-they are always in the mix.

5.  Duluth East (0-0) Yes, the Hounds are the six-time defending Section 7AA champion and yes, a trip to St. Paul goes through Duluth East again this year and most likely will be in the form of a date in the section final at Amsoil Arena in the end of February.  Losses to blue line mainstays Phil Beaulieu and Alex Trapp to graduation will need to be filled but Mike Randolph lost just two other players from his roster last year.  As his teams age and grow, so do their results.  This team is prepared to be elite and is not uncomfortable in playing that role.  Nick Altmann is expected to have another solid offensive year coming off a 20-goal campaign (20g-26a-46pts).  The core of this team is represented in a junior class that two-years ago lost to Edina in the Bantam AA state championship.  Goalie Gunnar Howg (20-7-1, 1.86, .913) is fresh of a 20-win seasons and ready to anchor his team again in goal. Give Randolph talent, and he will make something of it.

6.  Elk River/Zimmerman (0-0)  All the elements are in place for the Elk River/Zimmerman Elks to unseat the Duluth East Greyhounds for the Section 7AA tittle for the first time in 7 season.  The last team to represent the section were the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks back in the day of Patrick White.  That feels like a millennium ago, and the Elks bring on one of the state’s best forwards in Jake Jaremko.  He has been tossed around as a Mr. Hockey Finalist in the preseason and for good reason.  His speed, offensive skills and leadership will be key in the Eks surge this year.  Reggie Lutz (12g-18a-30pts) and Ben Johnson (10g-5a-15pts) return to compliment Jaremko with plenty of depth and help throughout the lineup.  Defenseman Matt Kierstad will provide valuable leadership and experience to the back end with a pair of JV goalies -Joey Grillo and Chase Gauthier – competing for playing time.  The Elks were one goal away in their 3-2 section final loss to the Hounds in making their first trip to the dance since 2005.  This year, they may have enough to find that one goal, maybe two, to be the difference.

7.  St. Thomas Academy (0-0)  There is plenty to look forward to at St. Thomas Academy this year and in their second season at the Class AA, the Cadets are positioned to make another run to the State Tournament.  Nine of their top eleven leading scorers return with speedster Christiano Versich (29g-37a-66pts) leading the way.  The hard driving Peter Tufto (17g-28a-45pts) will be expected to pick up more offensive responsibility and he will be up for the challenge.  Senior Alex Broetzman (25g-24a-49pts) will be receiving plenty of minutes and looked upon to provide leadership, of which the Cadets are never in short supply.  Goalie Matt Snow won 10 games last year and earned an Elite League spot for his efforts while working split duty with Charlie Hallett.  The Cadets will have little trouble on the offensive end this year and have four returning defensemen on their roster including Seamus Donohue who will be heading off to the Air Force Academy to play is college hockey after this year.  The Cadets, as usual, will be a difficult team to play each night and every team in the league is on notice that they will have to skate and be ready for a high tempo hockey game with St. Thomas Academy.

8. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0)  The Red Knights may very well be worthy of a top three ranking by the time the year comes to a close.  As the season opens, Ken Pauly’s Red Knights land in the eighth slot with plenty of offensive depth.  Mark Kaske is expected to have have a memorable season.  Chase Jungels, Carter Roo, and Blake transfer Cade Gleekel add to the offensive fire power with veterans such as Will Duda and Zach Risteau providing the Red Knights offensive depth that will be a challenge for many teams on a nightly basis.  Defenseman Ben Newhouse returns for what should be a highly productive season as the Union College commit will be expected to lead the defensive corps that is made up of juniors Nick Austin, Peter Heimbold, and senior Jack Lawton.  Goalies Jalen Long and Ryan Bischel are both back and combined for 15 wins last year in backstopping their team to the Section 6AA Final where they lost to Eden Prairie 3-2.  The Red Knights enter the Metro West and full-time conference play after playing two seasons of independent hockey with their run and gun style looking to advance past the section final is a legitimate reality for this hockey club, although it will be difficult.

9.  Eden Prairie (0-0) The defending Section 6AA champions saw a pair of Mr. Hockey Finalists (Luc Snuggerud and Steven Spinner) graduate and they will indeed leave a gaping hole in this team from a leadership, offensive and defensive perspective.  However, three state tournament tested defensemen return in Brady Schoo, Marc Sullivan, and Andy Aguilar to lead Lee Smith’s back end.  Michael Graham maintains a dynamic skill set that includes a power and finesse game.  He is just a junior yet his veteran presence will be leaned on this year.  Other key contributors are Riley Argetsinger who is the prototypical power forward for high school hockey, Cole Lawrence, another big body that will be tough to contain on the offensive end of things.  Much has been said about the arrival of Casey Mittlestadt who had an impressive High School Elite League.  He will be challenged in the rugged tight checking of the Lake Conference as the season wears on yet has the ability to be a difference maker and Smith raves about the young talent and his offensive skill blended with a power game.  The Eagles will have a question mark in goal and look to answer that quickly this year.  If they can, they will be in business and the mix again this year.

10.  Cretin-Derham Hall (0-0) The Raiders enter the top ten returning 13 players, most of them impact performers last season.  They have athletes and many perform in multiple sports and have a rounded competitiveness to their game.  The Raiders are always a physically strong team and they have plenty of skill this year.  Nick Reis led the team in goals (25g-21a-46pts) and points last year and will be looked to again.  Brett Huebner will be playing D1 baseball next year and dished out 27 assists last year (9g-27-36pts) to finish second on the team in scoring.  Joe Dekker, Max Jackson, Cal Crawford, and Aitor Flood all play other sports with the Raiders boasting a number of Dvision I athletes on the roster in those sports.  Jim O’Neil’s team posted a 17-7-3 record last year and has the ability to top the 20 win mark this year.

Others receiving consideration:  Stillwater, Prior Lake, Hopkins, Centennial, Moorhead, Farmington

The post MHM Boys Class AA Top 10 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Pohl’s position themselves to drive Cretin-Derham Hall girls’ program to the top.

Few hockey programs – boys or girls – in the state of Minnesota have coaches with the instant name recognition Cretin-Derham Hall’s girls’ program has. During the last five years this staff has slowly built the Raiders’ program back near the level of the state tournament teams CDH had in the 2000’s.

It’s difficult to imagine there are too many hockey fans in the state of Minnesota who don’t immediately associate hockey excellence with the names John Pohl and Krissy (Wendell) Pohl. What the husband and wife team hope you associate them with soon is the hockey excellence of their improving program.

Head coach John Pohl grew up in Red Wing. His father was the head coach of the Wingers’ boys’ hockey program, but John never played for his dad. By the time John was old enough, his father had taken increased roles in the administrative side of the high school and had stepped down as head coach but his dad was a big influence on him nonetheless.

“He would bring us to practice once in a while or we would go to summer camps with him. I just grew up around hockey,” Pohl said. “That was my biggest goal through life to play for the Wingers.”

Obviously his career didn’t end in high school. His many accomplishments include winning a state championship as a junior, Mr. Hockey as a senior, a national championship with the Minnesota Gophers and a professional career that included three years with the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs. During his playing career, Pohl spent a lot of time contemplating what he wanted to do once his playing career ended.

“There were a lot of times while I was playing professionally that I would sit around all day and think about what I wanted to do,” Pohl said. “I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be happy. I always looked at my dad and his friends and they always seemed relatively happy with their jobs as teachers. It is such a great lifestyle to have and you can really impact people’s lives.”

Pohl used experiences from the numerous coaches he has played for as the basis for his coaching style and philosophy.

“In terms of X’s and O’s and drills, one of my professional coaches was one of the best I ever had. In terms of staying calm and even keeled I would consider that my college coach and in terms of having fun, keeping everything in prospective and being there for the kids comes from my high school coach (former Red Wing coach George Nemanich).”

With no prior coaching experience – outside of working some camps – Pohl jumped into his first official coaching position as a head coach with the Raiders.

“Being a teacher really helped,” Pohl said. “A high school kid has a million different things going on in their life. They have academics, their social life, athletics; they have so much going on. One of our girls might be down because she bombed a physics test or something. Teaching has really helped with that. There have been some little technical coaching things here and there that I had to figure out: when to pull the goalie, going to two lines, things like that.”

Moving from boy’s to girls’ hockey might have been even tougher for Pohl if it wasn’t for one of his assistant coaches – his wife, former Park Center High School, University of Minnesota and Olympic star, Krissy.

“It is great having a female on staff. Being a male there are some things that girls don’t want to talk to me about. It has been great having her (Krissy Pohl) not only all the expertise she brings in hockey, but she has been in their shoes and she understands some of things they are going through.”

“We have three young daughters so it is tough for Krissy to get to all the practices, but she works with the power play and the forwards. She is a great benefit to our program just having someone the girls can relate to on top of the fact that she can answer any hockey question they might have.”

Being a husband and wife team could lead to unintended consequences, but the Pohl’s have had little or no issues with bringing hockey home.

“I think both of us have it in prospective. It is a way for us to help kids, give back and represent the school. It has been great.”

The change to girls’ hockey for Pohl also included a change in how he approached teaching the game.

“I might be wrong but, in girls’ hockey, ninety percent of the time I think the most skilled team wins,” Pohl said. “It is less about X’s and O’s and more about skills. You can’t check so the most skilled team can have the puck virtually the whole game.”

Pohl was coming into a program that had success in the past, but had fallen on hard times. Since Pohl and his staff took over the program’s win total has improved nearly every year and last year had the most wins since the 2006-2007 season. Pohl’s priority when he first took over had to do with commitment to the sport.

“To be an elite hockey player you pretty much have to play year round now. I know a lot of people don’t want to hear that and I don’t even like saying it, but we went from one or two girls that would play a lot of hockey to now we have eight to ten that play hockey year round. It is no surprise that we have gotten better.”

All coaches in all sports need to find that balance with kids according to Pohl.

“We have eighteen girls that play varsity hockey. They have eighteen different goals, they have eighteen different personalities, and they are there for eighteen different reasons. We have to do our best to accommodate the girl that wants to play hockey every day and the girl who just wants to be on the team and fit in. Within that you try to have fun and win some games. It is difficult but if you try at least to accommodate as many personalities and different goals that you can.”

When he gets the players on the ice everything they do revolves around one thing.

“We try to do everything fast – up tempo,” Pohl said. “We don’t spend a lot of time in X’s and O’s. We believe we need to play fast and aggressive.”

One of the challenges CDH and other private schools have is the lack of a feeder program.

“We have a summer camp we open up to any middle school kids who want to play. From a competitive standpoint, we just hope that good players want to come to our school and want to play for us.”

That lack of a predictable pipeline makes putting the program together each year a different type of challenge, but with the assistant coaches Pohl has in place, they have been able to adjust and excel.

“Terry Skrypek has been around hockey literally fifty years,” Pohl said. “The only losing season he has had as a coach was our first year coaching – that is our claim to fame; we gave Terry Skrypek his only losing season. He (mainly) coaches the defense and one of the power play units.”

In order to take the next step toward becoming a state tournament team again Pohl feels they are on the right path and simply need to keep building the program making it as attractive to the athletes as they can.

On the ice the Raiders should have an attractive team in 2014-15.

“We have an All-State Honorable mention player coming back named Paige Voight,” Pohl said. “She has committed to Merrimack College and so has Anna Boeckers. Our goalie – Emma May – is going to Minnesota and we have a girl who is going to be a sophomore named Jordan Hansen. She is one of the best 15-year-olds in the state.”

If the Raiders’ program can continue to improve behind the core of next seasons’ team and beyond, the Pohl name will be known not only for playing hockey, but for building a Minnesota hockey power.

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