St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State Hockey Teams (3/11/2008)

[JustAGuy]

ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS ALL-STATE HOCKEY TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

MADDIE BURKE EDEN PRAIRIE, G, SR.

Completed a dominant career by anchoring the Eagles' run to the Class AA state title, their second in three seasons. In that span, had a 57-2-1 record in 62 games with 24 shutouts, 943 saves and 55 goals against. Was 25-1-1 this season; made 20 saves in the championship game. Had a career 0.89 goals-against average.

EMILY ERICKSON GRAND RAPIDS/GREENWAY, F, SR.

Dynamic playmaker who dazzled the state tournament crowd with breakaway speed and crafty stick-handling. Had three goals and four assists in the tournament, helping the Lightning to an impressive runner-up finish in Class AA. The Bemidji State recruit and Ms. Hockey finalist finished the season with 46 goals and 36 assists. Uses long reach to deke defenders and to protect the puck. Ended prep career with 366 points.

SARAH ERICKSON BEMIDJI, F, SR.

The Pioneer Press Minnesota player of the year, the Ms. Hockey Award winner finished the season with 42 goals and 17 assists in 22 games. An unselfish and humble player, the University of Minnesota recruit was a brilliant playmaker and gritty defender. Was the captain of Team USA's Under-18 team that won a gold medal in the world championships in January. Has a legitimate chance to make the 2010 Olympic team.

LAUREN SMITH HOLY ANGELS, F, SR.

A dynamic scorer, she had a school-record 60 goals and 38 assists. Was on the ice for only 18 goals against; she was a plus-69. Finished career with 327 points. Acomplete player with the ability to play physical in the defensive zone, and then have speed and finesse on the other end. Has a cannon shot. Holy Angels had a 130-34-3 record in her prep career. Has signed to play at Ohio State.

ANNE SCHLEPER ST. CLOUD ICEBREAKERS, D, SR.

Scored 26 goals and had 19 assists in 23 games. Missed four games in the regular season to participate in the U18 women's international championships in Calgary. A natural leader, she dominates every facet of the game. A Ms. Hockey finalist, she has signed to play at Minnesota.

KELLY SEELER EDEN PRAIRIE, D, SR.

A two-time selection as a first-teamer, she easily was Minnesota's best two-way player. She could score from anywhere, including the blue line with her blistering slappers. Never got beat one on one. Had 16 goals and 36 assists in the Eagles' title run. In her career, which included three state tournament trips, she had 46 goals and 121 assists. A Ms. Hockey finalist, she has signed with the Gophers.

SECOND TEAM

KATE BACON BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S, F, SR.

A nonstop scoring threat, she had five goals and two assists in helping the Red Knights to the Class AA consolation title. Finished with 35 goals and 20 assists. Had nine power-play goals. Finished as a plus-48. Has signed to play at Providence. Won a gold medal with the U18 team in the world tournament.

MELISSA FESTE EDEN PRAIRIE, F, SR.

With two goals in the state tournament, the speedy playmaker finished the season with 25 goals and 32 assists. Great rink awareness and a blistering shot. She finished her career with 79 goals and 90 assists in three seasons at Eden Prairie. Has signed to play at Ohio State.

DANIELLE JUSTICE ALEXANDRIA, G, SR.

A starter since her sophomore season, she was the defensive anchor who helped the Cardinals to the Class A title after four previous state tournament trips produced a 1-7 record. Had 30 saves in Alexandria's victory over Breck in the title game. Compiled a .910 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. Had a 62-7-4 prep record.

BECKY KORTUM HOPKINS, F, JR.

Arguably the state's best junior forward, she already has committed to playing for the Gophers. Scored 33 goals and assisted on 20 in leading the Royals to a breakout season and a runner-up finish in Section 6AA. Missed two games with pneumonia and played two with it. "She is a strong leader who demands excellence from her teammates," Hopkins coach Vin Paolucci said.

DANIELLE WELCH HASTINGS, F, SR.

Scored 34 goals and had 15 assists for the Raiders. A hard-working and unselfish player, she never took her ability for granted, according to coach Jeff Corkish. Has signed to play at Boston College. Roseville coach Vic Brodt called her "dangerous" and said, "At any time, she can turn the game around."

KELLY WILD CRETIN-DERHAM HALL, D, SR.

Tough and gritty, she was one of the primary defensive reasons the Raiders went on an upset binge in the postseason that produced a third-place finish in Class AA. Had 11 goals and 11 assists; has signed to play at Ohio State. Fastest skater on a team of hard workers. Great puck skills; outstanding vision and passer.

THIRD TEAM

KACY AMBROZ NEW PRAGUE, F, SR.

Helped power the Trojans into the Class A state tournament with 47 goals and 33 assists. A longtime scoring threat for the small-school power, she finished her career with 195 goals and 184 assists for 379 points. An all-around elite player, she provides New Prague with energy on and off the ice. Has signed to play at Minnesota-Duluth.

ERIN BABINEAU ROSEVILLE, F, SR.

The Raiders' spark plug, she scored 18 goals and 21 assists in leading Roseville to the Suburban East Conference title and the top seed in Section 4AA. An outstanding two-way player, she makes up for her lack of size with a feisty intensity. Has signed to play at Bemidji State.

LISA BERREMAN EAGAN, D, JR.

Staunch defender for the Section 3AA champions. Excellent two-way player with 16 goals and 24 assists. Outstanding defender who had the responsibility of shutting down an opponent's top player. Strong on the counterattack at creating scoring chances. Also was the school's Excel Award winner.

SALLY KOMAREK BLAKE, F, JR.

Scored 30 goals and assisted on 28 for the Class A power. Had nine power-play goals, three short-handed goals and six game-winners. Many of her goals came against quality opponents. Moves through traffic with poise and precision. Strong player with outstanding separation speed and shooting accuracy.

ALLISON SCHWAB STILLWATER, F, SR.

Strong and consistent, she had 29 goals and 23 assists to power the Ponies to a runner-up finish in Section 4AA. With a nose for the net, she was a feisty threat anywhere in the vicinity of the goal. "She scores big goals in big games," Ponies coach Tony Scheid said. "She has a heavy wrist shot and a very quick release. She shoots before she gets it. She was a force as a two-way player."

MONIQUE WEBER ELK RIVER, F, SR.

Scored 35 goals and had 28 assists in powering the Elks to the Section 8AA title and a trip to the state tournament. Scored two sensational goals in the Elks' 5-2 loss to eventual big-school champ Eden Prairie in the Class AA quarterfinals. Great stick-handler, she had a knack for scoring a big goal when the Elks needed one. Has signed to play at the University of Connecticut.

[boblee]

They created a much better list for the females then they did for the males.

[allhoc11]

They created a much better list for the females then they did for the males.

I would say this is the best list the PP has ever done, but I would argue having 4 forwards on the second and third team, I think there are a couple of D left on the board that I would take.

[rwb1351]

They created a much better list for the females then they did for the males.

I would say this is the best list the PP has ever done, but I would argue having 4 forwards on the second and third team, I think there are a couple of D left on the board that I would take.

how about listing another one of the solid goaltenders coming out of this class?

[southern-cross-check]

Good on the PP

Couple of questions I'm walking away with after scanning the first team.

If a Sr is Olympic hungry, what's the most favorable gap of time to graduate in relation to the upcoming games?

All the what it takes to be an olympian aside...presupposing talent is a given and assuming ability for growth.

Ratio of 2008 to the 2010 games -- <2 yrs better or worse than previous years graduates or next years grads? -- any stats to follow of how long it takes the avrg olympian to join the ranks from h.s grad yr.

Also, is there a list of H.S career highs online? minutes played by position, goals, assists, etc.

Cheerios

mo-fos