Section 4AA 2009-2010 Outlook & Projections

[joehockey]

So as STP Camps get rolling what does next season look like for this section - who will emerge and go to State? Update what is happening with your school and team.

Cretin-Derham Hall -

Hill Murray School - Lost 3 key F, 1 D and 1 G to graduation - Harren (UND), Knajdek (UCONN), Stumpf (St. Olaf) going on to play in college. May also be some possible changes with girls coming and going - won't know till day one of school I guess. There is a strong returning experienced core at F and D and McKeever in goal. Key will be the 10th graders who played a lot at 9th graders both on varsity and jv. Scoring up front will come from Brandt sisters Hannah and Marissa (looking very strong this summer after missing most of last season), Melissa Doyle, Maggie McDowell, Syd Fabian, Teona Zepeda, Tory Heller. If they can stay healthy and McKeever is playing well they might be a darkhorse in a very tough section - Roseville, Stillwater and White Bear will all be tough.

Novas -

NSP -

Roseville -

Saint Paul Blades -

Stillwater -

Tartan -

White Bear Lake -

[Bensonmum]

St. Paul Blades - Sarma Pone is back to coach the Blades in '09-10 after a year coaching the Turkish National Team.

[Homer]

Hill loses quit a bit of talent and leadership in those three, who becomes Mckeever's back up? I didn't see any JV games last year. Are the jv goalies ready for varsity action? I did watch the section loss to Stillwater, for some reason every good shot Hill took, they went to Sobzcak's glove side and she snatched them all. Are there any girls coming in or up who are ready to contribute, not previously mentioned.
I know WBL, doesn't lose anything from the top two lines and Abrahamson should win the job again this year. Will there be any girls ready to move to varsity and contribute? I know their 14A team made it to regions.
How about Stillwater and Roseville? Did they lose alot and what do they have coming in? Stillwater's 14A had a player who was pretty impressive, but she didn't seem to play much of a team game. I believe she was #4, maybe 14, not sure, she played defense though.
Once again it is a deep section w/ loads of talent looking forward to see who comes out on top.
One last thing, with all these talented teams, will coaching win the section? If so which coach does the best job?

[joehockey]

Hill loses quit a bit of talent and leadership in those three, who becomes Mckeever's back up? I didn't see any JV games last year. Are the jv goalies ready for varsity action? I did watch the section loss to Stillwater, for some reason every good shot Hill took, they went to Sobzcak's glove side and she snatched them all. Are there any girls coming in or up who are ready to contribute, not previously mentioned.
I know WBL, doesn't lose anything from the top two lines and Abrahamson should win the job again this year. Will there be any girls ready to move to varsity and contribute? I know their 14A team made it to regions.
How about Stillwater and Roseville? Did they lose alot and what do they have coming in? Stillwater's 14A had a player who was pretty impressive, but she didn't seem to play much of a team game. I believe she was #4, maybe 14, not sure, she played defense though.
Once again it is a deep section w/ loads of talent looking forward to see who comes out on top.
One last thing, with all these talented teams, will coaching win the section? If so which coach does the best job?

Good points - 4 top teams make this a tough section and maybe 5 as NSP to me is very good......I don't know about Stillwater and Roseville my sense is they are both strong and return a lot of scoring, D and great goaltending. I think you have a strong coaching staff at Stillwater, Roseville, Hill Murray, WBL and maybe NSP but it is brand new. Only the Stillwater coaches have won state and they have done it 2 of the last 3 years.

Hill Murray - This is a deep program but has 5 of the toughest teams in the State to start Stillwater away, White Bear Lake, Edina and then away for Warroad and Roseau - so new young players will have to step up and kids who have been contributors will have to, and maybe can, really jump up. Here is a little more detail - good group but you can't judge clearly this year on past results - there is strength but a few holes or maybe question marks we won't know till season end in the sectionals. Last year team had 111 goals for and only 38 goals against - they lost 47 goals from players not returning to Hill for this season so that will be the question - can this team replace and even score more - I think they can.

Lines could maybe be - (I will bet money this will not be starting day line up but gives a little perspective)

Forwards:
Unit 1 - If this unit scores 100 goals HM could be tough - if they stay healthy they could.....
12 - Doyle, Melissa 21 G 13 A
10 - Brandt, Hannah 18 G 31 A
11 - Brandt, Marissa 1 G 2 A (only played in first two games due to injury)

Unit 2 - Not sure this is a unit but could be a strong possible one - with a newcomer Junior I don't know much about who has moved to Eastside and enrolled at Hill.
11 Zarembinski, Taylor 4 G 1 A
12 McDowell, Maggie 7 G 13 A
11 Lund, M 22 G 17 A (* At Minihaha Academy)

Unit 3 - this group played a lot last year and have HS experience if they contribute 30 goals collectively another great step forward.
10 Zepeda, Teona 1 G 4 A
10 Heller, Tory 2 G 5 A
10 Fabian, Syd 1 G 2 A

Other Forward Candidates who mostly played JV in 2008-09 - there is talent with in this gourp to play on Varsity regularly or fill in injuries happen (last year HM had significant injuires at F)
11-CONROY, SHANNON-F
11-FURLONG, AMANDA-F
11-LONG, SADIE-F
11-PELLINO, MEGAN-F
10-FREEBERG, BROOKE-F
10-HAGER, NATALIE-F
9-FREEBERG, PAIGE-F
9-PUGACZEWSKI, EMILY-F
9-GAVIC, HANNA - F (first year at HM from Hudson, WI played U14 in River Falls last year)
8-BOBROWSKI, SARAH-F

Goal - McKeever clearly the leader but two strong back ups who will battle for time in the net.

11 - McKeever, Alie - G
11-ALFVEBY, CASSIE-G
11-MAGUIRE, ERIN-G

Defense - 4 Returning D who logged a lot of ice time and have good size - Will need to find 2 more D to add to the mix.

12 Pendleton, Maggie 4 G 8 A
12 Ley, Jac 1 G 10 A
12 Dolan, Catie 3 G 4 A (Injuried part of season)
10 Curtis, Mikayla 1 G 1 A

Other D Candidates who mostly played JV in 2008-09 this is a good collection tough to only pick 2.
12-ZABEL, MEGAN-D
10-LINK, BAILEY-D
10-MAGILL, JENNY-D
10-NELSON, BRIDGET-D
9-DWYER, GRACE-D
9-TATE, BROOKLYN-D

Can Hill Murray challenge for Section 4AA? Not sure they are working hard this summer with that end in mind I think. Way to early to know anything.....

[Homer]

Nice work Joe,

I kind of forgot about N. St. Paul. I did watch WBL barely squeak by them in the playoffs last year. Last second goal, that may not have beat the buzzer. The only reason I question it, when they put the 1 second back on the clock, the buzzer didn't sound right away when it ticked off.

Should be a fun section to watch this year

[iceage]

Nice work Joe,

I kind of forgot about N. St. Paul. I did watch WBL barely squeak by them in the playoffs last year. Last second goal, that may not have beat the buzzer. The only reason I question it, when they put the 1 second back on the clock, the buzzer didn't sound right away when it ticked off.

Should be a fun section to watch this year

With eleven juniors last year I was expecting more from N. St. Paul but maybe this year it will gel.

Hill?.....maybe.....but I think they are a year away from a very good club.

For my money, I think the teams to beat this year are Roseville, Stillwater, and Edina (although Edina has an untested goalie).

[joehockey]

This is a little apples and oranges since teams play different schedules and are in two different conferences......

Team W L T Games Goals For Total Goals Goals Against Total Goals Against
Stillwater 27 4 0 31 4.8 149 1.5 47
Roseville 25 2 1 28 4.4 123 1.1 31
Hill-Murray 22 5 0 27 4.5 122 1.6 43
N St. Paul 15 10 1 26 3.7 96 2.5 65
White Bear Lake 15 10 2 27 2.7 73 2.6 70

[jumpstart]

[quote="joehockey]

Unit 2 - Not sure this is a unit but could be a strong possible one - with a newcomer Junior I don't know much about who has moved to Eastside and enrolled at Hill.
11 Zarembinski, Taylor 4 G 1 A
12 McDowell, Maggie 7 G 13 A
11 Lund, M 22 G 17 A (* At Minihaha Academy)

[/quote]

Wouldn't the transfer rule preclude the Minnehaha player from going to Hill? I believe she played Varsity hockey at MA last year as a 10th grader ... or am I missing something?

[ghshockeyfan]

Unit 2 - Not sure this is a unit but could be a strong possible one - with a newcomer Junior I don't know much about who has moved to Eastside and enrolled at Hill.
11 Zarembinski, Taylor 4 G 1 A
12 McDowell, Maggie 7 G 13 A
11 Lund, M 22 G 17 A (* At Minihaha Academy)

Wouldn't the transfer rule preclude the Minnehaha player from going to Hill? I believe she played Varsity hockey at MA last year as a 10th grader ... or am I missing something?

If the residence changes the player can transfer between privates w/o sitting out.

[iceage]

[/quote]Wouldn't the transfer rule preclude the Minnehaha player from going to Hill? I believe she played Varsity hockey at MA last year as a 10th grader ... or am I missing something?[/quote]

If the residence changes the player can transfer between privates w/o sitting out.[/quote]

It doesn't matter whether it is a private or public school involved in the transfer or if the student played on a varsity team or not. Bylaw 111.00 under Domestic Students paragraph 2 and B state:

"2. A transfer student is eligible for varsity competition if:

B. Family Residence Change: the student transfers from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendence area at any time during the calendar year in which there is a change of residence and occupancy in Minnesota by the student's parents. If the student's parents move from one public school district attendence area to another public school district attendence area, the student will be eligible in the new public school attendence area or a non-public school if the student transfers at the same time the student's parents move."

[hockeywild7]

You left a couple players off your HM list.
Saad-F and Bruchu D

[jumpstart]

Wouldn't the transfer rule preclude the Minnehaha player from going to Hill? I believe she played Varsity hockey at MA last year as a 10th grader ... or am I missing something?[/quote]

If the residence changes the player can transfer between privates w/o sitting out.[/quote]

It doesn't matter whether it is a private or public school involved in the transfer or if the student played on a varsity team or not. Bylaw 111.00 under Domestic Students paragraph 2 and B state:

"2. A transfer student is eligible for varsity competition if:

B. Family Residence Change: the student transfers from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendence area at any time during the calendar year in which there is a change of residence and occupancy in Minnesota by the student's parents. If the student's parents move from one public school district attendence area to another public school district attendence area, the student will be eligible in the new public school attendence area or a non-public school if the student transfers at the same time the student's parents move."[/quote]

Thank you. I didn't think about the ability to change residences when I made my initial inquiry. I trust that is the situation here? By the way, I am not trying to make waves, just curious.

[Bensonmum]

Not a big deal but just to clear up the confusion once and for all. Here is the part of joe's post that you seem to have missed:

".....with a newcomer Junior I don't know much about who has moved to Eastside and enrolled at Hill."

[Melvin44]

Who cares! Does it really matter??

Sec 4 is a STRONG section and 1 or 2 player's are not going to make a difference.

Just makes for better hockey.

[Melvin44]

As far as projections.

Of course I like my Bears. They lose only 1 senior and get back Lowell. 3 lines deep. Goalies will be the question. Played well down the stretch. Have to stay out of the box and score more.

As far as the other favorites.

Roseville is the favorite they lose a few key players but still have their top scorers and D. I think their goalies are the best pair and under appreciated. Brausen is the top player in the section in my opinion.

Stillwater lost Dahl who was huge on the PP. Still have a nice group of players. Have the best goalie in my opinion.

Hill lost the most and will have to regroup a little. Solid group and with McKeever and Brandt could win any game.

NSP will be solid. Nice group but underachieve. New coach could make a difference.

CDH could pull an upset.

[goalzilla]

Heard Bruchu will be attending Stillwater this year.

[joehockey]

Heard Bruchu will be attending Stillwater this year.

I guess she is in the Stillwater summer camp and not the HM camp.....Sarah Bruchu was a great player/defender at Hill Murray in 8th and 9th grade if true big loss for Pioneers and big gain for Stillwater Ponies - good kid, good student and well liked. I would guess she will have to sit out her 10th grade season since her family already lived in Stillwater? If she does move I hope all goes well for her and she finds all that she is looking for.

[Melvin44]

You left a couple players off your HM list.
Saad-F and Bruchu D

I heard somewhere Saad was transfering to Mahtomedi?

[joehockey]

You left a couple players off your HM list.
Saad-F and Bruchu D

I heard somewhere Saad was transfering to Mahtomedi?

I understood from someone in the HM program she was maybe going to Visatation for her senior year. She is a talented player and her family were supporters of Hill and the hockey program at many levels would be a big loss.

Sometimes you never know until the first day of school.

[Oilers08]

I guess she is in the Stillwater summer camp and not the HM camp.....Sarah Bruchu was a great player/defender at Hill Murray in 8th and 9th grade if true big loss for Pioneers and big gain for Stillwater Ponies - good kid, good student and well liked. I would guess she will have to sit out her 10th grade season since her family already lived in Stillwater? If she does move I hope all goes well for her and she finds all that she is looking for.

I was told a private schooler could go back to her home school without penalty if the private school became a financial burden to the family. Does anyone have any more insight on this?

[hockeya1a]

I guess she is in the Stillwater summer camp and not the HM camp.....Sarah Bruchu was a great player/defender at Hill Murray in 8th and 9th grade if true big loss for Pioneers and big gain for Stillwater Ponies - good kid, good student and well liked. I would guess she will have to sit out her 10th grade season since her family already lived in Stillwater? If she does move I hope all goes well for her and she finds all that she is looking for.

I was told a private schooler could go back to her home school without penalty if the private school became a financial burden to the family. Does anyone have any more insight on this?

I am sure this will be the new go to! I would think they would have to show proof of this like loss of income or something. I have heard one of our locals is using this as a reason.

[Night Train]

Can you say Anders Lee?

[joehockey]

Stillwater lost 32% of thier goals in graduation - but returns 102 goals and lots of speed and experience in 13 players and 2 great goalies. Before considering the possible addition of Bruchu who would help replace two graduated D - they return another 6 D who saw some action last year and 2 goalies. Here is the returning group and points - I don't know their other possible additions though they had a very good JV team the game I watched:

Grade NAME (SCHOOL) GLS AST
12 #18 Kristina King 27 30
12 #9 Amanda Cartony 20 16
12 #14 Cassandra Salmen 16 19
12 #26 Lisa Tuuri 8 17
12 #6 Kristin Skoog 4 9
11 #21 Caitlin Hewes 5 17
11 #15 Janessa Philipczyk 5 10
11 #29 Libby Otto 2 7
11 #19 Kaitlin Johnston 1 3
11 #22 Samantha Reiter 1 1
11 #20 Alli O'Brien 0 1
10 #12 Allison Eder-Zdechlik 12 18
10 #0 Kaitlin McShea 1 2

One thing that has impressed me about Stillwater is that they do a good developing players - last year D was a question mark at the start of the season but a strength by the end.

[joehockey]

Looking at the numbers Roseville graduated 18% of their goals and brings back a very strong and experienced group - Brausen was picked as Metro Player of the year by the Pioneer Press and her play looks tremendous this summer - she plays with a level of a unique creativity and seems to play loose when others tighten up.

Class - Position - Number/Name - Goals - Assists
12 F #16 Bethany Brausen 29 28
12 F #11 Kayla Capistrant 26 24
12 F #21 Ahna Logan 17 9
12 D #12 Allie Duellman 3 15
12 D #5 Chelsea Witwicke 2 11
12 F #4 Nicki Barnett 3 2
12 F #7 Becky Dittrich 0 3
12 F #10 Caitlin Nielson 0 1
11 D #14 Kendal Evenson 1 7
11 D #9 Lara Youngquist 1 1
10 F #6 Hanna Brodt 4 9
10 D #8 Lee Stecklein 1 3
9 F #3 Kate Flug 11 10

[ghshockeyfan]

I guess she is in the Stillwater summer camp and not the HM camp.....Sarah Bruchu was a great player/defender at Hill Murray in 8th and 9th grade if true big loss for Pioneers and big gain for Stillwater Ponies - good kid, good student and well liked. I would guess she will have to sit out her 10th grade season since her family already lived in Stillwater? If she does move I hope all goes well for her and she finds all that she is looking for.

I was told a private schooler could go back to her home school without penalty if the private school became a financial burden to the family. Does anyone have any more insight on this?

I am sure this will be the new go to! I would think they would have to show proof of this like loss of income or something. I have heard one of our locals is using this as a reason.

Financial hardship is one situation that allows for transfer w/out penalty for private-to-public (home attendance area). There are some other possibilities too but those likely would be unusual circumstances that the MSHSL would accept a petition on and approve on a case-by-case basis from what I understand. These are extremely rare but do occur.