Mr. Hockey Finalists

[Lakeviewing]

bjugstad will probably take this if his team makes state

I agree, it Bjugstad makes it to State and wins. He is Mr. Hockey. This award should be given to a player skating at a higher level of play. Benik has proven he can score goals, but look at where the competition level is at.

[LASERBLUE135]

Bjugstad vs Decowski

VS same competition?
13 games
B: 19 goals 19 assists
D: 15 goals 35 assists

head to head?
B: 0 goals 2 assists
D: 1 goal 1 assist

And they rematch this week! Shuting down these guys is a key to the opposing teams defensive stategy. I think Decowski is playing better. Bjugstad is the "stud" of this years class and may be a better player long term, but I give the nod to Decowski.

[The Exiled One]

Given the trends in recent Mr Hockey Award history, this is Bjugstad's award to lose... period.

Next year's race looks a lot more interesting at this point:

Bahe
Heinonen
Hendrickson
Lane
Rau
Reid
Schroeder
Daly
Fleming
Marshall
Molenaar
Welinski

Obviously I missed a lot, but the point is that I don't see a clear favorite yet. Only one of these guys is committed to Minnesota, none of them to Wisco or Nodak (the last six winners committed to one of these three schools). In fact, Hendrickson and Welinski are the only other two junior skaters in the state committed at all!

[deanertronterry]

Given the trends in recent Mr Hockey Award history, this is Bjugstad's award to lose... period.

Next year's race looks a lot more interesting at this point:

Bahe
Heinonen
Hendrickson
Lane
Rau
Reid
Schroeder
Daly
Fleming
Marshall
Molenaar
Welinski

Obviously I missed a lot, but the point is that I don't see a clear favorite yet. Only one of these guys is committed to Minnesota, none of them to Wisco or Nodak (the last six winners committed to one of these three schools). In fact, Hendrickson and Welinski are the only other two junior skaters in the state committed at all!

I'd say Rau would be the definite early favorite. As long as he has a year like the one he's having this year. Unreal.

[Doglover]

Definitely much too early to be even putting this list together and you missed many names. Why don't you just focus on the seniors they just announced and give the juniors some time. It's silly to speculate now.

[Mnslammers22]

Bjugstad wins it but i honestly think the best high school hockey player this year is kyle rau

[Papa Bergundy]

[quote="The Exiled One"]Given the trends in recent Mr Hockey Award history, this is Bjugstad's award to lose... period.quote]

I respectfully disagree. I think if you look at the most recent history of the award, WCHA commited DEFENSEMEN have the upper hand in winning the award. However, I'm not sure that Holl has had a better season statistically speaking than Decowski or Bjugstad (my other two favorites). Alt on the list is a joke, how did they miss Prochno?

I think the award isn't anyone's "to lose". I think it is still very up in the balance. Another key component is if voters will give Gardiner serious recognition despite missing serious time. His ppg average is remarkable.

[BodyShots]

Alt wins this one easily. He is by far the best football player on the list. Punkey Brewster can't wait to get him.

Oh wait, this is a hockey award

Alright, give it to Bjugstad then, with Alt passing the tophy on a slant route.

[Mnslammers22]

easy on the football comments its hockey

[MnPride2]

Bjugstad is the best player on this list, his father played for the U and the North Stars, he's committed to the U, he's carried this team since he was a freshman, and he's the youngest player on the list.

Nicks uncle(Scott) played for the U and the North Stars...either way Bjugstad takes Mr. Hockey.

[clutterbuck22]

Just saw that Mark Alt was listed in the top 30 prospects. Is he really that good?

[Papa Bergundy]

Just saw that Mark Alt was listed in the top 30 prospects. Is he really that good?

He is a very talented defenseman, but has not had a Mr Hockey caliber season.

[johnnyquest]

how is the recipient of this award determined ?
If it's simply a matter of scoring goals wouldn't that put the defensemen at a disadvantage ?

[starmvp]

how is the recipient of this award determined ?
If it's simply a matter of scoring goals wouldn't that put the defensemen at a disadvantage ?

Look at the last few years, and who won...

[TheDon]

I have to lean towards Nelson. Everyone agree's that he's in amongst the top three (well almost everybody). If you look at Bjugstad, Nelson, and Holl's seasons Nelson's has been the most impressive. Plus scouts have a lot of input in this award and they are very high on Nelson right now, even higher than Bjugstad which was not the case at the start of the season.

[power92]

As for putting 3 or 4 from one team, you have to consider that voters are probably not going to favor that many players from any one team. From what was researched elsewhere (not by me), there has never been one team to have three or more Mr. Hockey candidates in one year. Maybe Edina might have last year if Budish had played but I guess two as much as has ever been from any one team.

With the depth this state produces, it is only natural that some quality players get left out of the top 10 every year and some arguments can be made against a few that do make it in the final 10.

Can't remember the year (04 or 05) but, The Blake School had Rob Page, JT Wyman and Will Engasser as Mr Hockey finalists. You might need to find new researchers.

[Gopher Blog]

Can't remember the year (04 or 05) but, The Blake School had Rob Page, JT Wyman and Will Engasser as Mr Hockey finalists. You might need to find new researchers.

Thanks! Looks like it was 2004. Like I said, I didn't look it up for myself. In any case, one time out of 20+ years shows how uncommon it is.

[eastsideguy]

Given the trends in recent Mr Hockey Award history, this is Bjugstad's award to lose... period.quote]

I respectfully disagree. I think if you look at the most recent history of the award, WCHA commited DEFENSEMEN have the upper hand in winning the award. However, I'm not sure that Holl has had a better season statistically speaking than Decowski or Bjugstad (my other two favorites). Alt on the list is a joke, how did they miss Prochno?

I think the award isn't anyone's "to lose". I think it is still very up in the balance. Another key component is if voters will give Gardiner serious recognition despite missing serious time. His ppg average is remarkable.

Completely agree, he is outstanding

[Doglover]

Agree Prochno is just as much of a contender as the others - bet they just didn't want to take 3 from one team. Curious to see how this affects the Tonka team and if it will be devisive to their team chemistry like some say it was for Edina last year? Maybe with a defenseman and a forward (versus two forwards both going for points) it won't have as much impact?

It's an honor for all the players selected. My vote goes to Holl. I think he's the best all around player in the state right now. Plays both ends of the ice well and is a great team player. I like the fact that he worked hard to develop later.

[observer]

Set Bugstad aside. He's a junior. Should have been a senior, and under consideration, but he's not. There has to be some payback for his parents starting him late in school (I understand he's a July birthday) so he'd have a physical advantage over his classmates. He does have an advantage over the juniors because he shouldn't be a junior. Of course now he's playing catchup because the parents enrolled him with the wrong bunch of kids. Bummer, slipped through the cracks. Not a senior. Not a junior. Not eligible.

[gomnhky]

"There has to be some payback for his parents starting him late in school (I understand he's a July birthday) so he'd have a physical advantage over his classmates. "

Pretty harsh comment. Did you feel the same with Aaron Ness who did exactly the same thing and was actually a May birthdate and won Mr. Hockey? Whether players that accelerate should be considered for Mr Hockey or not is a fair question but to make that kind of statement when you probably do not know the parents and their reasoning to do this is somewhat inappropriate. You would probably be surprised at the number of parents who have boys in particular with the late birth dates (July/August) that do hold them back and knowing several families myself, I don't believe their first priority was for sport reason(s) or physical advantages. I believe alot of health care and education professionals will agree that boys with late birthdates are sometimes better served waiting a year to start school. I don't doubt that there are those who probably consider the athletic/physical advantage in doing this type of thing, but I would like to think that is the minority and not the majority.

The whole idea of accelerating is something I don't necessarily understand or agree with but that's for another day. Personally, if these players have worked hard in the classroom and have met the eligibility requirements to be considered seniors, then they should also have the opportunity to be considered for Mr. Hockey. Just my .02!

[observer]

I was somewhat kidding but as you know when people kid there's generally some truth in the kidding. Just stirring a little.

I feel a little bad for all the seniors that worked for years to get their game to a point where they can be considered for the award this year but whoops some special junior accelerated his studies and took the award right out from under the supposed current candidates. So, maybe we let the seniors, who have been seniors all year, instead of just the last week, battle for the award. Maybe you can't have it both ways.

Another discussion is how do you do this 2 years in 1 thing anyways. I can't get my kid to do an hour of homework a night. And, school during the hockey season is difficult anyways as hockey covers almost the entire school year and the kids are busy and tired. Does he take 12 classes all year? Junior classes the first half of the year and senior the second? Or, climb online and get the old GED. Home schooled? Did he finish his junior year last month and is now officiallly a senior? I guess if I'm sitting next to him in class, and it seems like he didn't do twice as much work as I did, I'm wondering if I can be done now too.

Just saying the kid has a lot going for him and is a very good hockey player but maybe shouldn't be eligible for this particular award.

[gomnhky]

I totally agree with your comments and actually had a lot of the similar thoughts when Aaron Ness won the award in the same manner. I probably have more of an issue with these kids accelerating than winning Mr. Hockey and don't understand why they are doing it. It is unfair to those players that have worked so hard hoping to win this award and then have the "surprise" special player swoop in and steal it away. I also don't like the fact that this award is influenced by NHL scouts and college coaches - let it be what it is meant to be - recognition of the top high school hockey player - not the top NHL prospect or the next college hockey stud. Oh well...enough of my soap box.

[MnPride2]

Maybe they should have worked harder...like Mr. Bjugstad has done to get where he is now.

[spectator]

I've guessed the last 3 correctly and I'm pretty sure Nick Bjugstad will win this. How can a Tonka defensemen win it? They're all good. I don't even think Holl is the best on his team. Class A players have zero chance. Alt, Benik, Decowski, and Herbert all have slim chances. For me it comes down to Gardiner and Bjugstad. Gardiner being hurt won't matter.

Bjugstad is the best player on this list, his father played for the U and the North Stars, he's committed to the U, he's carried this team since he was a freshman, and he's the youngest player on the list.

By the way....Alt and no Prochno or Faust? Absolutely ridiculous. This award is becoming a joke. I would have put 3 or 4 Minnetonka players on the ballot. Joe Faust has 37pts, Prochno has 35 and Alt has 9? Doesn't make any sense. They should just call it Mr. Gopher.

I will have to disagree with you on that posting
Brock Nelson is without any doubt the best player in any class a or aa
I watched him in the elites and nobody, defence or offense could stop that young man

you want to talk about hockey in a young mans blood this young man has 3 gold olympic metals and a silver in the family.

His great uncle Ginny Christian silver metalist.
His other great uncle Roger Christian and his grand father Billy won gold in the 60's, yes the CHRISTIAN bros, of CHRISTIAN BROS HOCKEY STICKS

and his uncle Dave Christian won Gold in the 1980 miracle on ice and went onto a very nice NHL career,

he has carried warroad to state since the 9th grade good size 6'2 205 lbs good speed right around 73 pts on the year.

that also means everytime the USA won gold a member of his family was on the squad, that was before they could use pros.

So if that is how you are grading your pick you just got out done

BROCK NELSON NO: 1 PICK for MR HOCKEY