It's Time! - Preseason Top 20

The Bone · Post by **The Bone** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:46 am

We are now in the month that the Girls High School Season Starts. So we best get going with some Preseason Rankings!

Our starting point will be Last Season's (2013-14) LPH Final Top 20
Take it from there!

High School Girls AA 2013-14 FINAL
1 HILL-MURRAY
2 Benilde-St. Margaret's
3 Eden Prairie
4 Hopkins
5 Minnetonka
6 Lakeville North
7 Wayzata
8 Edina
9 Burnsville
10 Dodge County
11 Mounds View
12 Blaine
13 Irondale
14 Stillwater Area
15 Andover
16 Maple Grove
17 Lakeville South
18 Cretin-Derham Hall
19 Roseville Area
20 Roseau

High School Girls A 2013-14 FINAL
1 BLAKE
2 East Grand Forks
3 Red Wing
4 Thief River Falls
5 Warroad
6 South St. Paul
7 Orono
8 Breck
9 Mound Westonka
10 St. Paul United
11 Proctor/Hermantown
12 Totino-Grace
13 Hibbing/Chisholm
14 Alexandria
15 Mankato East/Loyola
16 New Prague
17 New Ulm
18 Princeton
19 Moose Lake Area
20 Chisago Lakes Area

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:33 am

Should have Forest Lake in the AA rankings.

The Bone · Post by **The Bone** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:36 pm

High School Girls AA 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Hill Murray
2 Eden Prairie
3 Edina
4 Minnetonka
5 Blaine
6 Wayzata
7 Maple Grove
8 Lakeville North
9 Hopkins
10 Stillwater Area
11 Burnsville
12 Benilde St Margaret's
13 Irondale
14 Cretin-Derham Hall
15 Lakeville South
16 Roseau
17 Dodge County
18 Buffalo
19 Andover
20 Forest Lake

High School Girls A 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Blake
2 Mound Westonka
3 Thief River Falls
4 Breck
5 Proctor/Hermantown
6 South St. Paul
7 Warroad
8 Red Wing
9 Alexandria
10 East Grand Forks
11 St. Paul United
12 Totino-Grace
13 Hibbing/Chisholm
14 Mankato East/Loyola
15 New Prague
16 New Ulm
17 Orono
18 Moose Lake Area
19 Chisago Lakes Area
20 Princeton

D6 Girls Fan · Post by **D6 Girls Fan** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:52 pm

I won't go past 10, but here's a guess:

1] HILL MURRAY, and it won't be close. Will they go undefeated? Seriously, this team's JV is better and deeper than half the varsity teams in the state.
2] EDEN PRAIRIE - the core are now seniors and they're too deep and too good
3] LAKEVILLE NORTH - Massive feeder program just keeps 'em coming
4] MINNETONKA - Some real good talent left, but they get a good transfer in - this year they'll have to outscore people
5] EDINA - good core hits senior year, but this group has never gotten past the senior group at EP
6] DODGE COUNTY - real good top players and much deeper than it has been
7] ANDOVER - Tournament team will probably be better
8] WAYZATA - Good younger end players will create deep team
9] MOUNDS VIEW - They're a year older, and despite losing Sutton, they'll be fast and good
10] STILLWATER - Very deep and still somewhat young team will challenge

Not likely ranked: Hopkins - best goalie in state is gone, awesome playmaker gone. Still talented, but not deep enough. BSM - Just gutted by graduation. Defense and Goal will be good, but too many new and very young players. Scoring will be an issue.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:30 pm

D6 Girls Fan wrote:I won't go past 10, but here's a guess:

1] HILL MURRAY, and it won't be close. Will they go undefeated? Seriously, this team's JV is better and deeper than half the varsity teams in the state.
2] EDEN PRAIRIE - the core are now seniors and they're too deep and too good
3] LAKEVILLE NORTH - Massive feeder program just keeps 'em coming
4] MINNETONKA - Some real good talent left, but they get a good transfer in - this year they'll have to outscore people
5] EDINA - good core hits senior year, but this group has never gotten past the senior group at EP
6] DODGE COUNTY - real good top players and much deeper than it has been
7] ANDOVER - Tournament team will probably be better
8] WAYZATA - Good younger end players will create deep team
9] MOUNDS VIEW - They're a year older, and despite losing Sutton, they'll be fast and good
10] STILLWATER - Very deep and still somewhat young team will challenge

Not likely ranked: Hopkins - best goalie in state is gone, awesome playmaker gone. Still talented, but not deep enough. BSM - Just gutted by graduation. Defense and Goal will be good, but too many new and very young players. Scoring will be an issue.

D6, Might want to do a little homework on NW side of town. Andover lost a lot to graduation and rumor is their goalies is not playing girls this season. Probably will not be better than their best team.

Lace'emUp · Post by **Lace'emUp** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:24 pm

The Bone wrote:High School Girls AA 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Hill Murray
2 Eden Prairie
3 Edina
4 Minnetonka
5 Blaine
6 Wayzata
7 Maple Grove
8 Lakeville North
9 Hopkins
10 Stillwater Area
11 Burnsville
12 Benilde St Margaret's
13 Irondale
14 Cretin-Derham Hall
15 Lakeville South
16 Roseau
17 Dodge County
18 Buffalo
19 Andover
20 Forest Lake

High School Girls A 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Blake
2 Mound Westonka
3 Thief River Falls
4 Breck
5 Proctor/Hermantown
6 South St. Paul
7 Warroad
8 Red Wing
9 Alexandria
10 East Grand Forks
11 St. Paul United
12 Totino-Grace
13 Hibbing/Chisholm
14 Mankato East/Loyola
15 New Prague
16 New Ulm
17 Orono
18 Moose Lake Area
19 Chisago Lakes Area
20 Princeton

Blaine moves up from #12 to #5 after they graduated their top 4 players who produced 87 goals (and 178 points) last year? Yet, Mounds View's top 4 only loses Sutton to graduation, and that core scored 60 goals (136 points). Interesting that Blaine moves up, but MV drops out from #11. Did MV lose Brodt, Thompson, or Unterseher to the privates? If not, what am I missing here?

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:50 pm

Lace'emUp wrote:
The Bone wrote:High School Girls AA 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Hill Murray
2 Eden Prairie
3 Edina
4 Minnetonka
5 Blaine
6 Wayzata
7 Maple Grove
8 Lakeville North
9 Hopkins
10 Stillwater Area
11 Burnsville
12 Benilde St Margaret's
13 Irondale
14 Cretin-Derham Hall
15 Lakeville South
16 Roseau
17 Dodge County
18 Buffalo
19 Andover
20 Forest Lake

High School Girls A 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Blake
2 Mound Westonka
3 Thief River Falls
4 Breck
5 Proctor/Hermantown
6 South St. Paul
7 Warroad
8 Red Wing
9 Alexandria
10 East Grand Forks
11 St. Paul United
12 Totino-Grace
13 Hibbing/Chisholm
14 Mankato East/Loyola
15 New Prague
16 New Ulm
17 Orono
18 Moose Lake Area
19 Chisago Lakes Area
20 Princeton
Blaine moves up from #12 to #5 after they graduated their top 4 players who produced 87 goals (and 178 points) last year? Yet, Mounds View's top 4 only loses Sutton to graduation, and that core scored 60 goals (136 points). Interesting that Blaine moves up, but MV drops out from #11. Did MV lose Brodt, Thompson, or Unterseher to the privates? If not, what am I missing here?

Blaine has a lot of potential on paper, but until they can beat Mounds View in the sections it will be just that.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:16 am

Moundsveiw is top 15 team.

MN_Bowhunter · Post by **MN_Bowhunter** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:25 am

old goalie85 wrote:Moundsveiw is top 15 team.

Since "somebody" took away my fun, I'll just have to contribute to the ol' meat and potatoes threads.

They do what they need to do to win games, play smart hockey, let Sid set up a couple goals and grind out 2-1 victories. And they do it consistently. They definitely belong in any top team discussion, but somebody will need to step up at D this year.

Nevertoomuchhockey · Post by **Nevertoomuchhockey** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:58 am

How does Breck take this huge leap from last season? Could very well be correct but needs some explanation? Also P/H top scorer has graduated. Did their goalie graduate too? Do they have the young talent to be this high? Alex and Hibbing also seem very optimistic. And SSP. I'm maybe most confused on that one.

wolfman · Post by **wolfman** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:44 pm

Breck had Rogers best player transfer in (9th grader so all good) Im sure they have some other new kids and they have all the good kids back. I think Breck wins state this year. I also think they should move up to AA sooner then later. I always thought the Rogers transfer was going to Tonka but I was wrong. Rogers will have a tough go of it this year. Hope the new coach can turn that program around.

Sparlimb · Post by **Sparlimb** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:55 am

alcloseshaver wrote:Blaine has a lot of potential on paper, but until they can beat Mounds View in the sections it will be just that.

Or Irondale for that matter. They've had as much to say in this section as Mounds View and Blaine over the last 10 years.

And someone above mentioned how good HM's JV was last year (22-2 or something like that). Keep in mind only 5 players, I believe, graduated from HM's varsity, so not a lot are going to be moving up. HM did lose their best defensemen from last year as well. I still think they'll be the favorite, but no guarantee.

36Guy · Post by **36Guy** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:14 am

High School Girls AA 2013-14 FINAL
1 HILL-MURRAY (May not lose!)
2 Eden Prairie (This group has been there before)
3 Minnetonka (Goaltending will determine rise or fall)
4 Maple Grove (if this surprises you, you haven't done your homework)
5 Edina (if Williamson is healthy, she can carry a team)
6 Dodge County (no respect, watch out)
7 Wayzata (Steady and deep program)
8 Hopkins (I know who they lost!! great core of girls)
9 Lakeville South (Better than North this year)
10 Roseau (Were very young last year, great tradition)
11 Mounds View (some great talent, depth will kill them)
12 Lakeville North (if they can score they will rise)
13 Chaska/Chan (I could have them underrated, could be a sleeper)
14 Burnsville (great goaltending always helps!)
15 CDH (Can score and have goaltending)

mnhockeyguy2014 · Post by **mnhockeyguy2014** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:34 am

36Guy wrote:High School Girls AA 2013-14 FINAL
1 HILL-MURRAY (May not lose!)
2 Eden Prairie (This group has been there before)
3 Minnetonka (Goaltending will determine rise or fall)
4 Maple Grove (if this surprises you, you haven't done your homework)
5 Edina (if Williamson is healthy, she can carry a team)
6 Dodge County (no respect, watch out)
7 Wayzata (Steady and deep program)
8 Hopkins (I know who they lost!! great core of girls)
9 Lakeville South (Better than North this year)
10 Roseau (Were very young last year, great tradition)
11 Mounds View (some great talent, depth will kill them)
12 Lakeville North (if they can score they will rise)
13 Chaska/Chan (I could have them underrated, could be a sleeper)
14 Burnsville (great goaltending always helps!)
15 CDH (Can score and have goaltending)

I like this list a lot other than I wouldn't have B-ville or Roseau on it and would slide Chaska/Chan up to #10. I also believe Lakeville South faster deeper better than North with deeper goaltending. I would have South up a couple.

Nice work 36 IMO

LZ94 · Post by **LZ94** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:55 am

36Guy wrote:High School Girls AA 2013-14 FINAL
1 HILL-MURRAY (May not lose!)
2 Eden Prairie (This group has been there before)
3 Minnetonka (Goaltending will determine rise or fall)
4 Maple Grove (if this surprises you, you haven't done your homework)
5 Edina (if Williamson is healthy, she can carry a team)
6 Dodge County (no respect, watch out)
7 Wayzata (Steady and deep program)
8 Hopkins (I know who they lost!! great core of girls)
9 Lakeville South (Better than North this year)
10 Roseau (Were very young last year, great tradition)
11 Mounds View (some great talent, depth will kill them)
12 Lakeville North (if they can score they will rise)
13 Chaska/Chan (I could have them underrated, could be a sleeper)
14 Burnsville (great goaltending always helps!)
15 CDH (Can score and have goaltending)

I like the list, and I also agree with MNhockeyuy2014 - Roseau shouldn't be on the list they may not even be best team in section since Buffalo and Sartell/Sauk Rapids are arguably just as good, or better.

The bottom line is outstate teams will have a hard time competing at the state tourney in AA.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 11:16 am

Roseau Should have a nice group of Sophs/9th graders.

36Guy · Post by **36Guy** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:14 pm

old goalie85 wrote:Roseau Should have a nice group of Sophs/9th graders.

Boy you know your stuff!! They have 8 seniors this year and 6 juniors, all who made great runs in youth State Tournaments. Their no Forest Lake, but give them the benefit of the doubt.

mnhockeyguy2014 · Post by **mnhockeyguy2014** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:29 pm

36Guy wrote:
old goalie85 wrote:Roseau Should have a nice group of Sophs/9th graders.
Boy you know your stuff!! They have 8 seniors this year and 6 juniors, all who made great runs in youth State Tournaments. Their no Forest Lake, but give them the benefit of the doubt.

Just some quick friendly off topic observations to share with you all.

Today is NTMH's 1 year anniversary today!! Happy 1 year buddy!!

Also noticed that it has been unfair that NTMH has taken heat from some for 558 posts in a year while Old Goalie 85 has been quietly cranking out average of 620 posts a year over last 5.5 years!...

Peace to all !

luckyEPDad · Post by **luckyEPDad** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:34 pm

I have it from a good source that Eden Prairie plans to show up for games against Hill Murray this year. Playing poorly and losing by one in the semi is not in the plans for this year.

I'm sick and tired of hearing what a great hockey player Taylor Williamson is. Williamson can carry a team, just not to #5. Maybe #10. The days when one player can make a huge difference at the top of the rankings are over. Chaska/Chan will be playing in the section 2 finals this year. Hopefully against EP.

I don't see Hopkins in the top 10. Too many changes. Boyd and Bizal are good. but losing Rodgers, DeYoung and O'Neil is a lot to overcome. Last year this team was better than the sum of its parts (much like Hill Murray). That chemistry is gone. Would like to be surprised on this one.

Goalie-Dad · Post by **Goalie-Dad** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:39 pm

Lace'emUp wrote:
The Bone wrote:High School Girls AA 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Hill Murray
2 Eden Prairie
3 Edina
4 Minnetonka
5 Blaine
6 Wayzata
7 Maple Grove
8 Lakeville North
9 Hopkins
10 Stillwater Area
11 Burnsville
12 Benilde St Margaret's
13 Irondale
14 Cretin-Derham Hall
15 Lakeville South
16 Roseau
17 Dodge County
18 Buffalo
19 Andover
20 Forest Lake

High School Girls A 2014-15 PRESEASON
1 Blake
2 Mound Westonka
3 Thief River Falls
4 Breck
5 Proctor/Hermantown
6 South St. Paul
7 Warroad
8 Red Wing
9 Alexandria
10 East Grand Forks
11 St. Paul United
12 Totino-Grace
13 Hibbing/Chisholm
14 Mankato East/Loyola
15 New Prague
16 New Ulm
17 Orono
18 Moose Lake Area
19 Chisago Lakes Area
20 Princeton
Blaine moves up from #12 to #5 after they graduated their top 4 players who produced 87 goals (and 178 points) last year? Yet, Mounds View's top 4 only loses Sutton to graduation, and that core scored 60 goals (136 points). Interesting that Blaine moves up, but MV drops out from #11. Did MV lose Brodt, Thompson, or Unterseher to the privates? If not, what am I missing here?

Answer to your question is nope. Sutton is gone. However last year's top line for much of the year was 2 sophomores and a freshman. The second line was mostly all sophomores. Sutton's defense partner was a sophomore. Point is that the have lots of fast and experienced kids coming up. Probably not a top ten, but close.

mnhockeyguy2014 · Post by **mnhockeyguy2014** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:51 pm

Hopkins must be getting some good new talent from their 12A program!!??? .. Oh that's right they don't have one... Maybe new recruits then???... oh that's right the Master recruiter coach "resigned" after last season....Good luck Chris Erickson keeping this years squad comparable to last!

They do have a good but young goalie in the younger Bizal and their JV team was one of the better ones last year!

U10Father · Post by **U10Father** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:39 pm

1) Hill Murray - Easily the class of the state
2) Minnetonka - I'm a homer
3) Eden Prairie - Senior class is awesome
4) Lakeville South - Great scoring
5) Lakeville North - Great defense, think about if these two were one team
6) Edina - Great player
7) Maple Grove - Great feeder system

Mounds View - People should stop doubting this team
9) Wayzata - Deep
10) Dodge County - Underappreciated
11) Chaska/Chan - Sneaky good
12) Cretin - Can hold their own against anyone
13) Blaine - Class of the NW, will play rugged schedule
14) Roseau - They were young last year and will be better
15) BSM - They won't score a goal, but their defense and goaltending is good

pepperpot · Post by **pepperpot** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:40 pm

36, I think Roseau would do great at A. At AA they'll win most of the games they should and lose the ones they shouldn't. They can't compete with the big programs in the cities, nor can most northern teams. Once in a while a strong class comes around, but mostly not gonna happen. They don't have the talent base. A teams are more even with the cities teams. I think Thief and Proctor Hermantown are the ones to beat. Hermantown lost a D1 player but picked up a strong player from Duluth. Their top line will be dangerously good. Junior goaltender that hasn't played much Varsity, but has a reputation of being one of the better goalies in the north. We'll see how it works out. Thief is just a really solid team top to bottom. A very good goaltender, lots of depth, but their question is coaching. A new coach has the opportunity to keep things steady, or muck it up. I think they are the best in the north. Not many will compete with them, and they may win it all this year.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:42 pm

38guy- easy someone said they didn't deserve, I just knew two years ago we had them down to our place [U12] played them/had a dinner with them and coach[ Ruglund ??] and we thought they were the top team we played that year !!!

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:44 pm

38guy-Boy your a nutjob! someone said they didn't deserve, I just knew two years ago we had them down to our place [U12] played them/had a dinner with them and coach[ Ruglund ??] and we thought they were the top team we played that year !!!