Mr. Hockey 2009-2010

[blueblood]

with gardiner hurt, the favorite is bjustad...

[Northhcky]

Kyle Lutzka from Duluth East, with the puck can make players and goalies alike look silly, without it, he is always working hard to find the open areas for easier opportunities to put the puck in the net.

Im sure being 3rd in points on Easts team with his 6 goals (one being an empty netter) and 4 assists in 12 games he's right up there in the running lol Don't think he's made many goalies feel silly. Nice try tho kyle.

[karl(east)]

Kyle Lutzka from Duluth East, with the puck can make players and goalies alike look silly, without it, he is always working hard to find the open areas for easier opportunities to put the puck in the net.

Im sure being 3rd in points on Easts team with his 6 goals (one being an empty netter) and 4 assists in 12 games he's right up there in the running lol Don't think he's made many goalies feel silly. Nice try tho kyle.

I can assure you that this isn't Kyle.
But no, East does not have anyone on the radar for a Mr. Hockey award this year.

[SargeyWargey09]

I believe Nelson and Knochemus being in the north have to do extra good to compete, but some AA kid will end up winning it.

[mn miracle man]

I believe Nelson and Knochemus being in the north have to do extra good to compete, but some AA kid will end up winning it.

Not necessarily, but it does help. Lee from Moorhead won it back in 2005, but for the most part it does usually go to a "city slicker." If Warroad and Roseau both continue to do well team wise it only enhances their individual chances as with that comes more exposure around the state. Judging by stats alone however, it appears Knochemus isnt even the leading point getter on his team, yet is the best all around player.

[Lakeviewing]

Bjugstad is a heavy favorite, but i'd add Connor Reilly from AHA, Tyson Fulton from Breck, and Adam Krause from Hermantown.

[Lakeviewing]

My ridiculously early top ten:

Nick Bjugstad, Blaine (U of M)
Andrew Prochno, Minnetonka (SCSU)
Max Gardiner, Minnetonka (U of M)
Joey Benik, St. Francis (SCSU)
Caleb Herbert, Bloomington Jefferson (UMD)
Max Gaede, Woodbury (Minn. St)
Brock Nelson, Warroad (UND)
Christian Isackson, St. Thomas Academy (U of M)
Mark Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall (U of M)
Adam Knochenmus, Roseau

Derek Forbort and Nate Schmidt would be finalists. I expect Joe Faust, Troy Hesketh, Adam Krause, and the Reilly's to be in the mix.

I like the Alt kid from Cretin.

[SoftMitts]

After tonight's tonka vs ep game I would have to say Justin Holl is the most dominate player in the state. The last week he has had such a huge impact on all the games.

HA
STA
EDI
Stillwater
EP

[nikebauer05]

After tonight's tonka vs ep game I would have to say Justin Holl is the most dominate player in the state. The last week he has had such a huge impact on all the games.

HA
STA
EDI
Stillwater
EP

That's what I was thinking too. It seems like this kid has come out of nowhere. He wasn't very good last year but he has really improved. If he continues to play the way he has been he might be able to win it.

[Goldfishdude]

Is Bjugstad playing in the junior championships this week or hurt?? he didn't show up on the score update I saw in Blaines 9-1 win..

[breakout]

Is Bjugstad playing in the junior championships this week or hurt?? he didn't show up on the score update I saw in Blaines 9-1 win..

No offense, he is not qualified to play in the U20. Might be in a year or two.

[Doglover]

After tonight's tonka vs ep game I would have to say Justin Holl is the most dominate player in the state. The last week he has had such a huge impact on all the games.

HA
STA
EDI
Stillwater
EP

That's what I was thinking too. It seems like this kid has come out of nowhere. He wasn't very good last year but he has really improved. If he continues to play the way he has been he might be able to win it.

I think Holl should definitely be in consideration. I also think Bjustad is a great player but since technically he's not a senior, not sure I think it's fair he's in consideration for Mr. Hockey (but I recall Ness most recently). Also haven't seen him have the "game changing" impact so far this season that Holl or some of the other seniors have had. Some very nice players outside the metro as well.

Don't rule Gardiner out either - he'll be back before the end of the season and should be in contention. Just hope having a couple of Mr. Hockey prospects on Mtka doesn't have the same effect it did on Edina last year. Too much exposure, too much pressure, too much publicity and too much competition could lead to their demise when it counts in March.

[The Exiled One]

After tonight's tonka vs ep game I would have to say Justin Holl is the most dominate player in the state. The last week he has had such a huge impact on all the games.

HA
STA
EDI
Stillwater
EP

That's what I was thinking too. It seems like this kid has come out of nowhere. He wasn't very good last year but he has really improved. If he continues to play the way he has been he might be able to win it.

I think Holl should definitely be in consideration. I also think Bjustad is a great player but since technically he's not a senior, not sure I think it's fair he's in consideration for Mr. Hockey (but I recall Ness most recently). Also haven't seen him have the "game changing" impact so far this season that Holl or some of the other seniors have had. Some very nice players outside the metro as well.

Don't rule Gardiner out either - he'll be back before the end of the season and should be in contention. Just hope having a couple of Mr. Hockey prospects on Mtka doesn't have the same effect it did on Edina last year. Too much exposure, too much pressure, too much publicity and too much competition could lead to their demise when it counts in March.

Bjugstad is completing both his junior coursework and his senior coursework this year. He's eligible for Mr. Hockey. I also think he's the favorite to win it.

I might be difficult to single out one of the three stellar Skipper defensemen for the award. Holl, Hesketh, and Prochno all bring something different to the table. Each of them does something the other two can't do quite as well.

I'd say Gardiner actually has a better shot than his fellow defensemen have, but compare him side by side with Bjugstad and I'd give Nick the edge.

The past five winners have all been defensemen from AA schools. I'm not sure what that means, but I've been told not to bet against a streak. (Then again, Canada has won the past five WJC's, and look what happened!).

[starmvp]

Is Bjugstad playing in the junior championships this week or hurt?? he didn't show up on the score update I saw in Blaines 9-1 win..

2 assists

[The Exiled One]

New top ten for me...

*Joey Benik
*Nick Bjugstad
*Cal Decowski
Tyson Fulton
Justin Holl
Ben Jaremko
Adam Krause
*Brock Nelson
Shane Omdahl
*Andrew Prochno

Though these seniors are still great, from a pro scouting persepective, this year is a bit down from last year. IMHO, Gardiner's injury has opened the door for second place in the Mr. Hockey race. In fact, though it may seem cruel, I'm not even going to list Gardiner in my top ten for now, just as I wouldn't have listed Budish at this point last season. Obviously, Bjugstad (IMHO) is the prohibitive favorite. Though I'm an SCSU fan, I honestly don't think Benik has any kind of legitimate chance, though I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the top three in voting simply as a nod to his stats. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the top three either. Prochno, on the other hand, may very well lead the Skippers in scoring depending on when Max returns from his injury. In contrast to my previous statement, I think there's a chance that Andrew is singled out amongst the Tonka defensemen and makes the top three in voting. Even so, I still think Bjugstad takes it. Nelson and Decowski are the other guys I could see making the top three.

*The guys with the stars are my locks to be in the top ten. The other five are in a group (IMHO) of about 12 players who are all great (like the three from Jefferson). Gardiner may end up in the top ten even if he won't realistically be in the running to win it.

[breakout]

I believe Nelson and Knochemus being in the north have to do extra good to compete, but some AA kid will end up winning it.

Not necessarily, but it does help. Lee from Moorhead won it back in 2005, but for the most part it does usually go to a "city slicker." If Warroad and Roseau both continue to do well team wise it only enhances their individual chances as with that comes more exposure around the state. Judging by stats alone however, it appears Knochemus isnt even the leading point getter on his team, yet is the best all around player.

Ness from Roseau won in 2008

[ACDCfan]

I just checked out the leaders on mnhockeyhub.com.

Of the 17 Minnesota players who have 30 points or more, only three of them play on ranked AA teams (Knochemus, Omdahl and Bjugstad) and only five total are AA players (the other two are from Andover).

It is fair to say that strong players will get way more points a the A level than at AA.

this is compounded by the fact that a strong player on a less-balanced team will get far more ice time than, for example, Gardiner will get at Tonka.

More Ice + Weaker Competition = more points. Points against a Class A or weak AA schedule should be discounted in the Mr. Hockey analysis. If any player cracks the top five in scoring against a strong AA schedule, he should get strong consideration.


Blaine plays a strong schedule, and has been tying or losing close games to the good teams. If Bjugstad can step up and turn these close losses into close victories, he is on the inside track. Same if one player steps up for HM, EP or another of the AA contenders.

Tonka and Edina are well balanced, but if those teams continue and one player stands out, he would have an inside track.

[mn miracle man]

I believe Nelson and Knochemus being in the north have to do extra good to compete, but some AA kid will end up winning it.

Not necessarily, but it does help. Lee from Moorhead won it back in 2005, but for the most part it does usually go to a "city slicker." If Warroad and Roseau both continue to do well team wise it only enhances their individual chances as with that comes more exposure around the state. Judging by stats alone however, it appears Knochemus isnt even the leading point getter on his team, yet is the best all around player.

Ness from Roseau won in 2008

I was thinking Ness won it but wasn't 100% positive, good to see the northern boys take the hardware whenever they can!

[theoneandonly1]

New top ten for me...

*Joey Benik
*Nick Bjugstad
*Cal Decowski
Tyson Fulton
Justin Holl
Ben Jaremko
Adam Krause
*Brock Nelson
Shane Omdahl
*Andrew Prochno

Though these seniors are still great, from a pro scouting persepective, this year is a bit down from last year. IMHO, Gardiner's injury has opened the door for second place in the Mr. Hockey race. In fact, though it may seem cruel, I'm not even going to list Gardiner in my top ten for now, just as I wouldn't have listed Budish at this point last season. Obviously, Bjugstad (IMHO) is the prohibitive favorite. Though I'm an SCSU fan, I honestly don't think Benik has any kind of legitimate chance, though I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the top three in voting simply as a nod to his stats. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the top three either. Prochno, on the other hand, may very well lead the Skippers in scoring depending on when Max returns from his injury. In contrast to my previous statement, I think there's a chance that Andrew is singled out amongst the Tonka defensemen and makes the top three in voting. Even so, I still think Bjugstad takes it. Nelson and Decowski are the other guys I could see making the top three.

*The guys with the stars are my locks to be in the top ten. The other five are in a group (IMHO) of about 12 players who are all great (like the three from Jefferson). Gardiner may end up in the top ten even if he won't realistically be in the running to win it.

Isn't Omdahl a junior?

[The Exiled One]

New top ten for me...

*Joey Benik
*Nick Bjugstad
*Cal Decowski
Tyson Fulton
Justin Holl
Ben Jaremko
Adam Krause
*Brock Nelson
Shane Omdahl
*Andrew Prochno

Though these seniors are still great, from a pro scouting persepective, this year is a bit down from last year. IMHO, Gardiner's injury has opened the door for second place in the Mr. Hockey race. In fact, though it may seem cruel, I'm not even going to list Gardiner in my top ten for now, just as I wouldn't have listed Budish at this point last season. Obviously, Bjugstad (IMHO) is the prohibitive favorite. Though I'm an SCSU fan, I honestly don't think Benik has any kind of legitimate chance, though I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the top three in voting simply as a nod to his stats. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the top three either. Prochno, on the other hand, may very well lead the Skippers in scoring depending on when Max returns from his injury. In contrast to my previous statement, I think there's a chance that Andrew is singled out amongst the Tonka defensemen and makes the top three in voting. Even so, I still think Bjugstad takes it. Nelson and Decowski are the other guys I could see making the top three.

*The guys with the stars are my locks to be in the top ten. The other five are in a group (IMHO) of about 12 players who are all great (like the three from Jefferson). Gardiner may end up in the top ten even if he won't realistically be in the running to win it.

Isn't Omdahl a junior?

Indeed. My mistake. I suppose I'll just swap him with Knochenmus.

[Gopher Blog]

Indeed. My mistake. I suppose I'll just swap him with Knochenmus.

He's injured too. Not out as long as Gardiner but still sounds like a month long injury. If you want to be consistent, you'd use the same logic for him that you did with Gardiner.

[peni0804]

I have seen Decowski play, he's a legitimate contender as well as Minnetonka's defenseman. I think Blaine's Bjugstad is the top contender, but he has to step his game up against the big teams. I have seen him play last year and he really is a GREAT player.

[The Exiled One]

Indeed. My mistake. I suppose I'll just swap him with Knochenmus.

He's injured too. Not out as long as Gardiner but still sounds like a month long injury. If you want to be consistent, you'd use the same logic for him that you did with Gardiner.

Thanks for the heads up. In that case, lets go with Pauluk.

[micdangles97]

Adam Krause- Big strong kid, very tough to knock off the puck plays both ends of the ice, putting up good numbers so far, i havnt seen another kid in the state that looks more ready for the D1 game, he uses his body so well and is such a good play, my votes Adam Krause

[stickboy1956]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=59880

Mr Hockey Candidates on the list (top 100)

12 BJUGSTAD, NICK BLAINE HIGH-MN 6' 3.75" 188 C

17 NELSON, BROCK WARROAD HIGH-MN 6' 2.5" 205 C

36 GARDINER, MAX MINNETONKA HIGH-MN 6' 2.5" 176 C

37 ALT, MARK CRETIN-DERHAM HIGH-MN 6' 3" 199 D

54 HOLL, JUSTIN MINNETONKA HIGH-MN 6' 2.25" 170 D

100 HERBERT, CALEB BLOOMINGTON-JEFF. HIGH-MN 5' 9.5" 180 C