07-08 Class AA prognostication thread

[sodakred]

All four of the teams mentioned will make the Classic Lake tough next year...Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Wayzata.

Edina will lose a lot of goal production through graduation, but it should be noted that their current sophomores and freshmen (and 8th graders) have won 2 state championships and been in the championship game 4 times in U12 and U14 over the last 4 years.

If they continue to get consistent goal production across the roster, they will be good.

[SEMetro]

Oh no - is this the start of another discussion about how most of the top AA teams are in the west metro?

I would rather hear about the Austin goalie situation from the crazies in the 1A thread.

(Although I have to admit that the never-ending discussions about spring Showcase games, the IQs of southern Minnesotans, etc. is pretty entertaining).

[sodakred]

I think the west metro AA teams are at the top of the pile -- during the season. Year-end tourney is another matter entirely!

[keepitreal]

Oh no - is this the start of another discussion about how most of the top AA teams are in the west metro?

I would rather hear about the Austin goalie situation from the crazies in the 1A thread.

(Although I have to admit that the never-ending discussions about spring Showcase games, the IQs of southern Minnesotans, etc. is pretty entertaining).

Not at all SEMetro, it's just where most of the discussion has come from so far. I would like to hear from other observers, hopefully with some analysis and inside info!

As for rankings, take them for what you will, it's a fair guess the west metro teams will have better than average representation again, but by no means are there any "locks"-- the growth of the sport ensures we will have great teams and players not only metrowide, but statewide. I said it before, it was a great year for competition in girls hockey-- no reason not to expect the same next year.

...the 1A guys are hilarious

(I'd start a class A thread, but I'm not sure I'm qualified for that task. Plus I think it's far more of a crapshoot with smaller teams and less depth than the AA's.)

[UWhockey88]

Being an Edina alumni-my opinion is that the big green hornet will dominate this year. Any thoughts on the north metro? Stillwater, Roseville, North Metro, Blaine, Centennial??

[boblee]

Thanks for the response on North Metro!

[MNHockeyFan]

Oh no - is this the start of another discussion about how most of the top AA teams are in the west metro?

So what's your prognosis of the conference you are most interested in - I assume it's somewhere in the SE Metro?

[boblee]

This thread is tough if your team is not affiliated with a conference.

[MNHockeyFan]

This thread is tough if your team is not affiliated with a conference.

boblee, this is an open thread - you could post your thoughts on the teams in Section 7. I am curious about Duluth - based on what you've heard will they stay the same cooperative as last year, and how will they be based on graduated and incoming new players?

[boblee]

It is believed that the co-op will stay together. Duluth will be a competitor in 7AA. They have performed very well in spring league and have one of the top goaltenders in the area. They will have enough offensive power to compete with most teams. I look for them to sit in the 2-4 range, but could be a major threat come playoff time if Bellamy (goalie) is hot.

[rookie1980]

Even though Edina is losing much of last year's offensive production to graduation, their real strength this past year was in their overall balance and team defense. No doubt with their returning goalie, their deep youth program plus a very good JV team they will be tough again defensively next year as well. The real question will be can they score enough against other teams that are deep + strong defensively. Wayzata and Hopkins certainly won't be easy wins for anybody.

I am curious, though, why you think Benilde won't be a threat to Wayzata and Hopkins in the section (?). Most other observers (me included) believe they will have a very good team once again next year.[/quote]

Sorry, but I did not mean to come off like BSM is not going to be a VERY GOOD team this year, they will be. I was just kind of wishing and hoping that they won't be a threat I guess. But they did loose Rielly,Perushek and Trunzo and that will sting a little. I know they have Bacon and a great group of returning players comming back as well.

Hopkins is my real choice 3 svery strong lines and a very solid "D" and great "G" as well. Can't list all the top players that I would like at this time. Solid group well coached.

Edina and Wayzata lost some very good players, so who will step up? So that 2 spot will be up for grabs. You know these 2 teams always rebound and just keep moving foreward. But I look for both teams to start slow and end fast.

Minnetonka I really can't say much about them I did not see them play last year. They did loose 2 good forewards Kristi Cleveland
Michelle Carter and some "D" as well. But I have heard that they have some very good players coming up so that could change things around and make things interesting.

Armstrong, I think they lost the most up front with Grossman, Berner and Fallen. So this team will need some girls to step up big time if they want to challange for that number 1 spot this year.


So after looking at some of the rosters again I will go with this as my final perdiction.

1. Hopkins
2. Wayzata
3. Edina
4. Minnetonka
5. Armstrong

Going back to your original question about BSM not being a threat in sections..they will be thats for sure

Question for you...If you had to make a final four perdiction for Section 6 who would it be?
Here is mine

Hopkins
BSM
Wayzata
Maple Grove

MNHockeyFan, I have always found your stuff great reading. Now maybe I can start jumping in here and there...

[keepitreal]

Good take rookie1980.

[hockeygod]

I'm going out on my limb here to make my predictions of the 2007/08 AA champions:

Section 1 AA

Farmington High School


Section 2AA

A toss up between Edina and Eden Prairie The winner of this Section will have been battle tested and will either be unstopable or running on empty come tournament time. I will have to say Edina they have so much young talent.

Section 3AA

Hastings. They have come close before but the longer have to get by Roseville to make it to the tournament. There a sleeper choice and will have to get by Burnsville, and Eagan but I see this as being the year for Hastings.

Section 4AA

I see a 4 way tie for the trip to state in this section between Stillwater, Roseville, Cretin, and Hill Murray but if I'm forced to pick one I can't go wrong picking the defending State champions....Stillwater

Section 5AA

Irondale or Blaine? Irondale opened a few eyes last year but do they have the horses to skate with Blaine? I say Yes and Irondale will make the trip to State

Section 6AA

I have to go with Wayzata, they were a good team last year and looked close to becoming great I think they could become a team that goes on a 4 or 5 year run.

Section 7AA

I like Cloquet Esko Carlton. Forest Lake made some noise last year like they might be a real contender but once people opened there eyes they turned out to be a pretender. Forest lake could come storming through and win the whole thing but I don't see it happening this year for them.

Section 8AA

This could be anyones race in section 8 but it will come down to bemidji in the end.

[MNHockeyFan]

Sorry, but I did not mean to come off like BSM is not going to be a VERY GOOD team this year, they will be. I was just kind of wishing and hoping that they won't be a threat I guess. But they did loose Rielly,Perushek and Trunzo and that will sting a little. I know they have Bacon and a great group of returning players comming back as well.

All three of these players were very good, but Amanda Trunzo with her scoring ability will be missed the most. You just don't replace her 94 point production with another player. On defense and in goal BSM will still be very solid. And if the rumor mill is correct, they should also be deeper overall than last year, as there are reportedly several good new players coming in.

So after looking at some of the rosters again I will go with this as my final perdiction.

1. Hopkins
2. Wayzata
3. Edina
4. Minnetonka
5. Armstrong

You could very well be right - everyone know Hopkins will be very strong and probably the most improved in the Classic Lake. I guess I'm still with twowayplay when he says until someone else can knock off Edina they will still be the team to beat. The top 3 and maybe the top 4 will be very competitive that's for sure.

Question for you...If you had to make a final four perdiction for Section 6 who would it be?
Here is mine

Hopkins
BSM
Wayzata
Maple Grove

I'm more than a little biased here, but my order in terms who are the Section 6AA favorites as of right now would be:

1. BSM
2. Hopkins
3. Wayzata
4. North Metro (aka Tri City Wildcats)
5. Maple Grove

[boblee]

Section 7AA

I like Cloquet Esko Carlton. Forest Lake made some noise last year like they might be a real contender but once people opened there eyes they turned out to be a pretender. Forest lake could come storming through and win the whole thing but I don't see it happening this year for them.

Any reason you completely leave out the defending champions?

[hockeygod]

acually I really like the underdogs, and I feel like forest lake should have a pretty good team and they might just get over that hump this year. They have such a horrible arena situation, that a family has to be really dedicated to driving around a little bit to get there kids ice time during the off season. Anyone know if Forest Lake will be getting a new arena anytime soon?

[Bensonmum]

MnHockeyFan wrote:

Amanda Trunzo with her scoring ability will be missed the most. You just don't replace her 94 point production with another player.

I'll agree with this. Kate Bacon is fast, but not the skilled offensive player Trunzo is IMO.

[ghshockeyfan]

MnHockeyFan wrote:

Amanda Trunzo with her scoring ability will be missed the most. You just don't replace her 94 point production with another player.

I'll agree with this. Kate Bacon is fast, but not the skilled offensive player Trunzo is IMO.

They are both great players! Different, but great!

[ghshockeyfan]

Classic Lake and Section 6AA...

There are a number of teams that could win these two - wide open if you ask me as there are so many good teams in both...

[MNHockeyFan]

Classic Lake and Section 6AA...

There are a number of teams that could win these two - wide open if you ask me as there are so many good teams in both...

ghs, that's not much of a "prognostication", which invariably means some element of guesswork!

How about something you're more familiar with, say the Classic Suburban?

[ghshockeyfan]

Classic Lake and Section 6AA...

There are a number of teams that could win these two - wide open if you ask me as there are so many good teams in both...

ghs, that's not much of a "prognostication", which invariably means some element of guesswork!

How about something you're more familiar with, say the Classic Suburban?

I know - it's just way too soon. I'm not sold yet that we can make any real good call as to how any of this will play out as of yet. Too many kids may or may not move around to beat the new MSHSL rules, and even with those loaded youth programs they often come in the most affluent communities so you never know where those kids may end up for HS (they have the means to go wherever they want...)

FWIW - as to the Classic Sub - it will be the weakest/youngest it's ever been. It was way down this past year even, and losing some additional top players. There are up & down years in all conf. The Lake went through this the past 3-4 years too and is coming back I believe, but still not certain it is as strong as it was in 2002-3 & 2003-4 when it sent 2-3 teams a year to state it seemed...

[findme]

Just curious Hockeygod-why did you NOT mention Centennial in Section 5AA?

[hockeygod]

I just really liked irondale, I saw them play 3 times last year, they seemed really young but they took care of the puck so well and were so aggresive on forechecking. I just think them and Blaine will be way better this year where I see centenial staying the same.

[UWhockey88]

I do agree with Hockeygod-Irondale has an aggressive team who gave Centennial a tough time at the Section playoffs last season. Blaine also came on at the end of the season. In the end, however, Centennial won the conference.

Centennial graduates 8 (I think) Seniors-one including their goalie. The JV only lost one game last season, and the U14/U12 are strong, therefore, I see Centennial having a lot of skating talent but a weak goalie situation in the next few years. That might be their downside.

I have a niece who plays for Centennial HS Girls and I also coached a boys team so I keep up to date with that team in particular.

[cluelessinminnesota]

Some thoughts from Edina:

Allison Casey, their goalie, is back for her senior year. Her lifetime stats are a 91.2 Sv %, a record of 29-4-4 including wins last year over Stillwater, AHA, BSM, Wayzata, Grand Rapids, Hill Murray, Mayo, Burnsville twice and Hopkins twice and a 1.69 GAA.

They had 8 players at Phase 2 of NDP, including two U14A, three returning varsity D and maybe the best 9th grade Forward in the state, Corinne Buie. I understand that 2 of these players graduated, but having 6 NDP phase 2 level players is a great core to any roster.

These girls won the U14A state championship 2 years ago and the U12A state championship 4 years ago with the same coaching staff.

Ironically, their greatest opponent is the pressure from the community and the lack of tradition on the girl's side. Edina's girls have never played in the state tournament and they are reminded of it every time they look into the rafters at Braemar. Not to mention that several of their dads, uncles, brothers and two of their coaches have won state championships for their community.