Post your personal preview of your team, or the team you follow the most.
THIS IS PEOPLES OPINIONS, PLEASE KEEP THE DEBATING TO TEAM SPECIFIC THREADS!!!
I looked around briefly and didn't see another thread as broad as this one, I apologize if there is.
Team Previews - Statewide
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
BRAINERD WARRIORS
The Warriors head into the 2008-09 season with a new head Coach Jim Archibald taking over after the departure of Coach Ty Eigner.
This seasons team will be very young, and relatively inexperienced after losing the entire top line, and goalie. Mix in a few seniors off the 2nd and 3rd lines as well as losing a couple players for other reasons and the Warriors will be a completely new look team.
Look for the Warriors to struggle early on against good teams, but by seasons end to be battle tested and ready to go. Look for players such as Michael Rinio, Brett Jenkins, Josh Archibald, and Tate Rusk to lead the way for the Warriors.
Predicted Record: 15-10
The Warriors head into the 2008-09 season with a new head Coach Jim Archibald taking over after the departure of Coach Ty Eigner.
This seasons team will be very young, and relatively inexperienced after losing the entire top line, and goalie. Mix in a few seniors off the 2nd and 3rd lines as well as losing a couple players for other reasons and the Warriors will be a completely new look team.
Look for the Warriors to struggle early on against good teams, but by seasons end to be battle tested and ready to go. Look for players such as Michael Rinio, Brett Jenkins, Josh Archibald, and Tate Rusk to lead the way for the Warriors.
Predicted Record: 15-10
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ALL-STAR ROOKIE
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:51 pm
Albert lea Tigers,
They lost there two senior goalies from last year due to graduation.
They have two 11th grade goalies that didn't see any varsity time last year.
It's going to be tough to keep the puck out of the net this year.
The question , is the offense deep enough to put the puck in the net?
* Every year we always hear the Albert Lea kids saying, were going to STATE.
They lost there two senior goalies from last year due to graduation.
They have two 11th grade goalies that didn't see any varsity time last year.
It's going to be tough to keep the puck out of the net this year.
The question , is the offense deep enough to put the puck in the net?
* Every year we always hear the Albert Lea kids saying, were going to STATE.
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TheHockeyDJ
- Posts: 2245
- Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:41 am
- Location: Orange County, California
- Contact:
Cloquet Lumberjacks: http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S67 ... ?cat=10516
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saintpaulhockey
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:59 pm
CRETIN DERHAM HALL
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
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TheNightman
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:41 pm
White Bear Lake-
They lost a few scorers and D-men from last year but they return their goalie and a solid amount of scoring from last year's squad.
Their first two lines of Swanson, Wolter, Pasma, Lowell, Birkinbine and Wahlin should score quite frequently, and they also have two really solid blueliners in Putney and Hoffman.
It's the first time in a while no one has left the team for some reason or another, whether it be Juniors or suspension. They don't really have any kids who will get into trouble this year which is a nice change. I'm excited to see what they can do this year, and they should really present a tough challenge for Hill. I would consider them the favorites in the SEC, and I'm sure the section will once again come down the Bears and Pioneers.
They lost a few scorers and D-men from last year but they return their goalie and a solid amount of scoring from last year's squad.
Their first two lines of Swanson, Wolter, Pasma, Lowell, Birkinbine and Wahlin should score quite frequently, and they also have two really solid blueliners in Putney and Hoffman.
It's the first time in a while no one has left the team for some reason or another, whether it be Juniors or suspension. They don't really have any kids who will get into trouble this year which is a nice change. I'm excited to see what they can do this year, and they should really present a tough challenge for Hill. I would consider them the favorites in the SEC, and I'm sure the section will once again come down the Bears and Pioneers.
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mnhockeydadof2
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:56 pm
- Location: Oakdale baby
TARTAN - good school program and they have been working together for months. I think this is their year. They will win their conf.
HILL - not as good as they were when they could recruit away from other schools.
NORTH - Decent team. A ton of new talent - more so in the sophs & juniors than the seniors for sure. Best player is probably a junior - rubelke who was at Johnson.
HILL - not as good as they were when they could recruit away from other schools.
NORTH - Decent team. A ton of new talent - more so in the sophs & juniors than the seniors for sure. Best player is probably a junior - rubelke who was at Johnson.
And what makes him the SEC's top player? Because he commited to the U? Lucia's been known to sign lower than top level players before. I'm still trying to figure out how Fisher every won Mr. Hockey! And Wehrs? Give me a break!saintpaulhockey wrote:CRETIN DERHAM HALL
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
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TheNightman
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:41 pm
Fischer is a much improved player this year, he hasn't been bad at all.BodyShots wrote:And what makes him the SEC's top player? Because he commited to the U? Lucia's been known to sign lower than top level players before. I'm still trying to figure out how Fisher every won Mr. Hockey! And Wehrs? Give me a break!saintpaulhockey wrote:CRETIN DERHAM HALL
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
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saintpaulhockey
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:59 pm
Last time I checked the Gophers were just ranked #1 in the nation, Lucia and his staff know what they are doing, for the most part. Also, I know Alt had offers from UND, Wisconsin, BS and New Hampshire among others. Also, he was the #2 overall pick in the USHL futures draft. Without any topline talent at Roseville, WBL or Woodbury, Alt is the top player. CDh isn't necessarily the top team, but Alt is clearly the top player.BodyShots wrote:And what makes him the SEC's top player? Because he commited to the U? Lucia's been known to sign lower than top level players before. I'm still trying to figure out how Fisher every won Mr. Hockey! And Wehrs? Give me a break!saintpaulhockey wrote:CRETIN DERHAM HALL
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
What does this have to do with team previews? Take it somewhere else.saintpaulhockey wrote:Last time I checked the Gophers were just ranked #1 in the nation, Lucia and his staff know what they are doing, for the most part. Also, I know Alt had offers from UND, Wisconsin, BS and New Hampshire among others. Also, he was the #2 overall pick in the USHL futures draft. Without any topline talent at Roseville, WBL or Woodbury, Alt is the top player. CDh isn't necessarily the top team, but Alt is clearly the top player.BodyShots wrote:And what makes him the SEC's top player? Because he commited to the U? Lucia's been known to sign lower than top level players before. I'm still trying to figure out how Fisher every won Mr. Hockey! And Wehrs? Give me a break!saintpaulhockey wrote:CRETIN DERHAM HALL
CDH always plays a tough schedule, but with the talent down state wide this year, especially in the SEC, the Raiders should finish about 18-10 or so. JUnior D Mark Alt is one of the state's top D (#2 overall USHL futures pick and Gopher verbal commit), and he will be the top player in the SEC. Senior Tommy Zimmerman is a legit WCHA prospect, but he is praised mostly for his speed, size and defensive abilities, doesn't score a lot. Ben McClellan (sr) and Tony Barbato (So.) are very good players, but McClellan is small and Barbato inexperienced. Other solid players are D Rudi Pitera (shaky with puck, but huge hitter), C Myke Bangs (scores, but awful in every other aspect), and G Ben Walsh is very underrated. They could win 3AA (rosemount and eastview are WAY down) but like in the SEC will have to beat out a very solid Woodbury team that always comes ready to play and is coached by the state's top strategist, Wes Bolin.
Projected record: 18-10.
Potential all conference players:
D Mark Alt - SEC's top D by far, probably top player.
F Tom Zimmerman - huge, fast with rocket shot, little hands though. D1 prospect.
F Ben McClellan - great hands, creative passer, very gritty player.
F Myke Bangs - might score 20 but is huge liability defensively.
Woodbury Royals
The Royals Lost a lot of key players from last years state consolation champs (David Eddy, Ben Goeff, Dane Erikson, Adam Kopp, Brandon Wigen etc.) but on the bright side they probably have one the strongest junior classes in the state. That class will get tons of experiance this season as Royals are very young which will leave them primed for next year. But in regards to this season the Royals looked solid in their first two games against Farmington (8-1W) and Tartan (8-2W). Despite their youth they're going to have a strong chance to win the SEC again this year but it will be close between them and WBL (those are going to be some fun games to watch). They also will probably be the favorites to win 3aa as the section seems pretty week this year (Rosemount and Eastview are down) CDH will most likely emerge as their main competition in that section
Top Players: Max Gaede, Tony Pittman, Walker Hyland, and Andrew Herbert
The Royals Lost a lot of key players from last years state consolation champs (David Eddy, Ben Goeff, Dane Erikson, Adam Kopp, Brandon Wigen etc.) but on the bright side they probably have one the strongest junior classes in the state. That class will get tons of experiance this season as Royals are very young which will leave them primed for next year. But in regards to this season the Royals looked solid in their first two games against Farmington (8-1W) and Tartan (8-2W). Despite their youth they're going to have a strong chance to win the SEC again this year but it will be close between them and WBL (those are going to be some fun games to watch). They also will probably be the favorites to win 3aa as the section seems pretty week this year (Rosemount and Eastview are down) CDH will most likely emerge as their main competition in that section
Top Players: Max Gaede, Tony Pittman, Walker Hyland, and Andrew Herbert
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SEMinnHockeyNut
- Posts: 822
- Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:01 pm
- Location: Rochester
Mayo Spartans
Key losses: Charlie Thauwald (Chic USHL), Tony Schultz, Mitch Anderson and a couple of other senior role players.
Strengths: Great goalie in Yaggy; very good and together first line. Many seniors this year.
Weaknesses: Defense seem to be inconsistent and not many handle the puck that well under pressure. Lack of depth as far as scoring.
Outlook: The Spartans should be considered the favorites in the Big Nine and anything less than a top 3 finish would be a HUGE disappointment. Should have their best chance to return to state in several years/
They will need key guys to stay healthy, get scoring from 2nd and 3rd lines, and a couple of D-men to improve their game.
G - Yaggy - can win 3-4 games by himself. Must stay healthy
D - Weber is quick and their best. Hoppenworth can hammer people. If Oetliker and Powers pan out, could be solid.
F - Top line (BAT) is outstanding. It all depends on the 2nd and 3rd lines - guys like Flott, Block, Goslee.
Key losses: Charlie Thauwald (Chic USHL), Tony Schultz, Mitch Anderson and a couple of other senior role players.
Strengths: Great goalie in Yaggy; very good and together first line. Many seniors this year.
Weaknesses: Defense seem to be inconsistent and not many handle the puck that well under pressure. Lack of depth as far as scoring.
Outlook: The Spartans should be considered the favorites in the Big Nine and anything less than a top 3 finish would be a HUGE disappointment. Should have their best chance to return to state in several years/
They will need key guys to stay healthy, get scoring from 2nd and 3rd lines, and a couple of D-men to improve their game.
G - Yaggy - can win 3-4 games by himself. Must stay healthy
D - Weber is quick and their best. Hoppenworth can hammer people. If Oetliker and Powers pan out, could be solid.
F - Top line (BAT) is outstanding. It all depends on the 2nd and 3rd lines - guys like Flott, Block, Goslee.
MAYO SPARTANS!
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GopherHater
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:37 pm
St. Cloud Tech Tigers-
Tech lost some pretty good forwards last year in Coulter, Aplin and Blitvitch. Fresh faces for tech, will provide a great scoreing punch. A good core of defenseman will lead this team.
Prediction: 17-8
Players to watch: 10 Gus Miller DEF / SR.
19 Jared Maetche F/DEF / SR.
24 Blake Hansen DEF / SR.
26 Jobe Peterson F / SO.
Tech lost some pretty good forwards last year in Coulter, Aplin and Blitvitch. Fresh faces for tech, will provide a great scoreing punch. A good core of defenseman will lead this team.
Prediction: 17-8
Players to watch: 10 Gus Miller DEF / SR.
19 Jared Maetche F/DEF / SR.
24 Blake Hansen DEF / SR.
26 Jobe Peterson F / SO.
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HockeyGod29
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:41 pm
Hastings Raiders
Hastings has one of the best (if not the best) goaltenders in their conference in John "Dilla" Glienser. they also have very talented senior forwards including; Garret Lucking, Aaron Sykes, and Eric Harris.
They also have some sophmores coming up that you should keep an eye on.
Hastings might not be a favorite to win the suburban east, but all im saying is don't count them out.
Prediction: 10-15
They also have some sophmores coming up that you should keep an eye on.
Hastings might not be a favorite to win the suburban east, but all im saying is don't count them out.
Prediction: 10-15
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Maple Grove Crimson#1
- Posts: 374
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:28 pm