2010-2011 Season Predictions

[UntouchableFlow]

Count in Spring Lake Park. After a very disappointing second half of the season and an early exit from sections, the Panthers are bringing back their top 3 scorers, 6 other forwards, 5 of their 6 defensemen, and have a very good J.V. goalie coming up, not to mention some good sophomores that didn't get ice time this year.

4A loses a lot of talent next year. STA loses several key seniors, and Mahtomedi loses a ton of their scoring power as well as potentially losing Marshall. Section is WIDE open next year.

[shakey]

What if Edina loses Sit and Everson? Already won the State Tournament? Will they move on? Girard will be amazing to watch as a senior though.

Tonka has Schutt (definite D1 potential) and isn't Frawley a Jr? Also Wayzata will be strong, EP and Hill. AHA will not be a contender. How about DE?

Where would Sit and Everson go?

[wbmd]

I predict that Hill-Murray will continue their winning streak over White Bear Lake next season.

[starmvp]

What if Edina loses Sit and Everson? Already won the State Tournament? Will they move on? Girard will be amazing to watch as a senior though.

Tonka has Schutt (definite D1 potential) and isn't Frawley a Jr? Also Wayzata will be strong, EP and Hill. AHA will not be a contender. How about DE?

Where would Sit and Everson go?

USHL?

[mulefarm]

What if Edina loses Sit and Everson? Already won the State Tournament? Will they move on? Girard will be amazing to watch as a senior though.

Tonka has Schutt (definite D1 potential) and isn't Frawley a Jr? Also Wayzata will be strong, EP and Hill. AHA will not be a contender. How about DE?

Where would Sit and Everson go?

USHL?

Not sure if either is good enough to get quality minutes in the USHL.

[mngopher26]

St. Thomas Academy
Rochester Lourdes
Hermantown
Mahtomedi
Breck
Warroad
Thief River Falls
Virginia
Duluth Marshall
Hibbing
Looking at the teams this year,l think this is the way the tournament will play out next year. Final STA vs. RL.

[karl(east)]

Without any research kind of just off the top of my head
top contenders from each section.
1AA
Lakeville South- Returning a lot of skill and their best line. Will be hungry from falling short this year.
Lakeville Noth- Defending the section title
Century?
2AA
The same top 4 teams as every year. Edina defending state champs. Burnsville and Jefferson both will have good squads next year. AHA after them
3AA
Apple Valley- Returing a lot of their guys next year. Should be a even better team. Defenite favorite.
Eagan- lost some seniors like Muck this year. But will be good again next year.
Anything on Woodbury and Cretin and what they're gaining or losing?
4AA
Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake section final. Like every other year..
5AA
Blaine loses something like 12 seniors. anyway Bjugstad will come back??
But im sure they will bounce back and be good.
Centennial is my favorite for the section right now. Osseo and Maple Grove took big strides this year.
6AA
Minnetonka loses a lot of D-1 guys this year, but they could do what Edina did this year.
Eden Prarie is my pick for this section as they will have a strong group of seniors next year. Wayzata should be really good too. And Benilde returns a lot of sophmores and juniors
7AA
Andover will be down from this year and i dont see them contending
Cloquet could have a good young team next year. Strong bantam team i believe. East are always contenders as is Elk River
8AA
Good year for Roseau getting to state as their first year under new coaching. Moorhead will obviously contend again. Anyone know what Brainard is bringing back next year?


It has been a good season and im looking forward to next year! and we never know what might happen this off-season. a team could work hard and get a lot better this off-season and become contenders!

I agree with most of this. Some additions:
2AA-would slot Burnsville in at 2nd behind Edina; Jefferson loses quite a bit.
3AA-Woodbury loses just about everything (including many kids from their elite bantam team to East Ridge, who might be an upset threat). Not sure about Cretin.
5AA-a deep section, but no real state title contender, I don't think.
6AA-will be just as nuts as this year.
7AA-very interesting section to watch; 3 teams had their bantams make the state tourney, and one bantam team that missed--East--has been called the best in the state by many. East should be the favorite, but Rapids (and to a lesser degree, the ever-dangerous Cloquet) will be on the rise again, ER and Flake will be there, maybe Duluth Central/Denfeld as well.
8AA-pretty sure Brainerd loses a lot but would need confirmation.

[youngblood08]

Calling it now. Watch out for East Ridge. They will raise a few eyebrows.

I think they will be good next season but fall into very average the following years. Woodbury doesn't have the talent for 2 Varsit teams and they are getting no hockey players from Park. Unless some Open Enrolling is done.

[saucepass]

AA-Hill Murray

A-Mahtomedi

Breck will be lucky to break in to the top 10 of class A. The current Sophmore class isn't serious about hockey like this years Senior class. Their best player next year will be a Sophmore by the name of Matt Colford. He will be another Fulton.

[The51]

Edina, Jefferson, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Duluth East, Hill-Murray, Centennial, Minnetonka, Holy Angels

Top 10 in AA (no specific order here)

[Edwardo]

I think all of you are overlooking WBL,

They had a strong JV team in which 6 of them played 4 varsity games during the varsity vacation. and went 1-2-1 playing, Forest Lake tighter than the true Varsity team did.

What they lack in talent they make up in chemistry and heart.

However if they don't get some some size on defense and they let one particular defense return next year, they will definitely struggle.

That will be there biggest challenge, Defense defense defense!!!!!! Goalies are good, if a couple of the top seniors return they could be dangerous.

[eastsideguy]

AA-Hill Murray

A-Mahtomedi

Breck will be lucky to break in to the top 10 of class A. The current Sophmore class isn't serious about hockey like this years Senior class. Their best player next year will be a Sophmore by the name of Matt Colford. He will be another Fulton.

I agree with Hill Murray, but Mahtomedi will be questionable, losing Zurn, Wohlers, Adams and possibly Marshall(USHL) will make them a middle of the road team.

[Guru20]

1. Hill Murray
2. Duluth East
3. Eden Prairie
4. Edina
5. Wayzata
6. Maple Grove
7. Burnsville
8. Minnetonka
9. St Thomas Academy
10. Apple Valley
11. Cretin Derham Hall
12. Benilde St Margarets
13. Eagan
14. Centennial
15. Lakeville South

1 AA
Lakeville South and Lakeville North were both led by young players and should both be better next year. South had the advantage by a wide margin during the regular season, but North is returning a proven goalie.

2 AA
I would put Holy Angels a distant 3rd behind Edina and Burnsville. I believe Jefferson loses far too much in Faust, Hebert, and Pauluk to be a factor.

3 AA
Apple Valley, Eagan, and CDH are all good teams, the #1 seed in this section could make a huge difference. Woodbury was Senior dominated.

4 AA
Hill Murray!

5 AA
Blaine is done, Centennial will be good but a huge drop off in talent after Colvard and Larsen.

6 AA
Again a very tough section. BSM can compete, but Meyers will be tough to replace to make it a 4 team race.

7 AA
Graduation will hurt Elk River, and kill Andover. East will be tough to beat.

8 AA
Roseau and Moorhead, both lose a lot of Senior production, I have more confidence in Bixler in the nets so I would give the slight edge to Moorhead 11 months before the season.

[wbmd]

I think all of you are overlooking WBL,

They had a strong JV team in which 6 of them played 4 varsity games during the varsity vacation. and went 1-2-1 playing, Forest Lake tighter than the true Varsity team did.

What they lack in talent they make up in chemistry and heart.

However if they don't get some some size on defense and they let one particular defense return next year, they will definitely struggle.

That will be there biggest challenge, Defense defense defense!!!!!! Goalies are good, if a couple of the top seniors return they could be dangerous.

As long as 'Bozo the clown' (Tim Sager) is behind the bench, the Bears have no chance.

[Factsmatter1]

1. Hill Murray
2. Duluth East
3. Eden Prairie
4. Edina
5. Wayzata
6. Maple Grove
7. Burnsville
8. Minnetonka
9. St Thomas Academy
10. Apple Valley
11. Cretin Derham Hall
12. Benilde St Margarets
13. Eagan
14. Centennial
15. Lakeville South

1 AA
Lakeville South and Lakeville North were both led by young players and should both be better next year. South had the advantage by a wide margin during the regular season, but North is returning a proven goalie.

2 AA
I would put Holy Angels a distant 3rd behind Edina and Burnsville. I believe Jefferson loses far too much in Faust, Hebert, and Pauluk to be a factor.

3 AA
Apple Valley, Eagan, and CDH are all good teams, the #1 seed in this section could make a huge difference. Woodbury was Senior dominated.

4 AA
Hill Murray!

5 AA
Blaine is done, Centennial will be good but a huge drop off in talent after Colvard and Larsen.

6 AA
Again a very tough section. BSM can compete, but Meyers will be tough to replace to make it a 4 team race.

7 AA
Graduation will hurt Elk River, and kill Andover. East will be tough to beat.

8 AA
Roseau and Moorhead, both lose a lot of Senior production, I have more confidence in Bixler in the nets so I would give the slight edge to Moorhead 11 months before the season.

Word from EP is Rau is heading to USHL... If true you can drop EP about 4-5 spots...

[bloody bar down]

Without any research kind of just off the top of my head
top contenders from each section.
1AA
Lakeville South- Returning a lot of skill and their best line. Will be hungry from falling short this year.
Lakeville Noth- Defending the section title
Century?
2AA
The same top 4 teams as every year. Edina defending state champs. Burnsville and Jefferson both will have good squads next year. AHA after them
3AA
Apple Valley- Returing a lot of their guys next year. Should be a even better team. Defenite favorite.
Eagan- lost some seniors like Muck this year. But will be good again next year.
Anything on Woodbury and Cretin and what they're gaining or losing?
4AA
Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake section final. Like every other year..
5AA
Blaine loses something like 12 seniors. anyway Bjugstad will come back??
But im sure they will bounce back and be good.
Centennial is my favorite for the section right now. Osseo and Maple Grove took big strides this year.
6AA
Minnetonka loses a lot of D-1 guys this year, but they could do what Edina did this year.
Eden Prarie is my pick for this section as they will have a strong group of seniors next year. Wayzata should be really good too. And Benilde returns a lot of sophmores and juniors
7AA
Andover will be down from this year and i dont see them contending
Cloquet could have a good young team next year. Strong bantam team i believe. East are always contenders as is Elk River
8AA
Good year for Roseau getting to state as their first year under new coaching. Moorhead will obviously contend again. Anyone know what Brainard is bringing back next year?


It has been a good season and im looking forward to next year! and we never know what might happen this off-season. a team could work hard and get a lot better this off-season and become contenders!

I agree with most of this. Some additions:
2AA-would slot Burnsville in at 2nd behind Edina; Jefferson loses quite a bit.
3AA-Woodbury loses just about everything (including many kids from their elite bantam team to East Ridge, who might be an upset threat). Not sure about Cretin.
5AA-a deep section, but no real state title contender, I don't think.
6AA-will be just as nuts as this year.
7AA-very interesting section to watch; 3 teams had their bantams make the state tourney, and one bantam team that missed--East--has been called the best in the state by many. East should be the favorite, but Rapids (and to a lesser degree, the ever-dangerous Cloquet) will be on the rise again, ER and Flake will be there, maybe Duluth Central/Denfeld as well.
8AA-pretty sure Brainerd loses a lot but would need confirmation.

Brainerd loses 4 of 5 D men. The lose 4 forwards, Jenkins had 45 or so pts. And they lose the senior goalie Mimmack. What they have left..

Archibald will be a senior, Pohlkamp and McLain will be juniors. Those 3 finished the year on the first line. Fussy a forward, will be a senior as well. Those are the forwards left with any significant contribution this year. Stearns played some in goal and will be a junior. Not a lot left...

[starmvp]

AA-Hill Murray

A-Mahtomedi

Breck will be lucky to break in to the top 10 of class A. The current Sophmore class isn't serious about hockey like this years Senior class. Their best player next year will be a Sophmore by the name of Matt Colford. He will be another Fulton.

I can name countless players on Breck that will be stronger than a JV player this year. Breck will have to fight with Blake next year, should be interesting

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

1. Hill Murray
2. Duluth East
3. Eden Prairie
4. Edina
5. Wayzata
6. Maple Grove
7. Burnsville
8. Minnetonka
9. St Thomas Academy
10. Apple Valley
11. Cretin Derham Hall
12. Benilde St Margarets
13. Eagan
14. Centennial
15. Lakeville South

1 AA
Lakeville South and Lakeville North were both led by young players and should both be better next year. South had the advantage by a wide margin during the regular season, but North is returning a proven goalie.

2 AA
I would put Holy Angels a distant 3rd behind Edina and Burnsville. I believe Jefferson loses far too much in Faust, Hebert, and Pauluk to be a factor.

3 AA
Apple Valley, Eagan, and CDH are all good teams, the #1 seed in this section could make a huge difference. Woodbury was Senior dominated.

4 AA
Hill Murray!

5 AA
Blaine is done, Centennial will be good but a huge drop off in talent after Colvard and Larsen.

6 AA
Again a very tough section. BSM can compete, but Meyers will be tough to replace to make it a 4 team race.

7 AA
Graduation will hurt Elk River, and kill Andover. East will be tough to beat.

8 AA
Roseau and Moorhead, both lose a lot of Senior production, I have more confidence in Bixler in the nets so I would give the slight edge to Moorhead 11 months before the season.

Word from EP is Rau is heading to USHL... If true you can drop EP about 4-5 spots...

As of Saturday night before the HS ship game he had no idea of what he was going to do. I would like to know what source you are getting your info from.

[northwoods oldtimer]

7AA-very interesting section to watch; 3 teams had their bantams make the state tourney, and one bantam team that missed--East--has been called the best in the state by many. East should be the favorite, but Rapids (and to a lesser degree, the ever-dangerous Cloquet) will be on the rise again, ER and Flake will be there, maybe Duluth Central/Denfeld as well.

7AA
I think Denfeld/Central will give some team fits next year. Forest Lake will contest for the 2 spot for sure and push East. Andover will be down next season. Elk River loses a lot of talent but you cannot rule them out with Sarsland. Grand Rapids will underachieve like they did this year and be a 5 or 6 seed. Cloquet with Esse coaching will get an upset win in sections and will improve, expecting a 3 or 4 seed. Hands down the power team is Duluth East top 5 all season long in AA, 1 seed for sure.
8AA
Moorhead will be tough as they "seasoned" a young team with a tough schedule this season. Roseau will struggle with the loss of key seniors but pride and discipline will always make them contenders. Brainerd with coach Archie will be ready to play next season despite loss of Seniors. Moorhead is the class of the section next year and top 10 in state.

[Goldy Gopher]

Count in Spring Lake Park. After a very disappointing second half of the season and an early exit from sections, the Panthers are bringing back their top 3 scorers, 6 other forwards, 5 of their 6 defensemen, and have a very good J.V. goalie coming up, not to mention some good sophomores that didn't get ice time this year.

4A loses a lot of talent next year. STA loses several key seniors, and Mahtomedi loses a ton of their scoring power as well as potentially losing Marshall. Section is WIDE open next year.

Must be some stud sophomores if they didn't see the ice this year.

[starmvp]

Count in Spring Lake Park. After a very disappointing second half of the season and an early exit from sections, the Panthers are bringing back their top 3 scorers, 6 other forwards, 5 of their 6 defensemen, and have a very good J.V. goalie coming up, not to mention some good sophomores that didn't get ice time this year.

4A loses a lot of talent next year. STA loses several key seniors, and Mahtomedi loses a ton of their scoring power as well as potentially losing Marshall. Section is WIDE open next year.

Must be some stud sophomores if they didn't see the ice this year.

AA-Hill Murray

A-Mahtomedi

Breck will be lucky to break in to the top 10 of class A. The current Sophmore class isn't serious about hockey like this years Senior class. Their best player next year will be a Sophmore by the name of Matt Colford. He will be another Fulton.

Must be several sophomore studs we haven't seen.

[jmoney]

St. Thomas Academy
Rochester Lourdes
Hermantown
Mahtomedi
Breck
Warroad
Thief River Falls
Virginia
Duluth Marshall
Hibbing
Looking at the teams this year,l think this is the way the tournament will play out next year. Final STA vs. RL.

First, no way Hermantown is that powerful losing all the goaltending and firepower from their senior class. Zane is gone for Theif which hurts them alot. 7a is looking to be the strongest section. Mahtomedi will not be as dominate losing their seniors and probably marshall. Rochester Lourdes will be good. I really think that Breck will have a down year, no goaltender, no big players. Blake is ready to take section 2a and will be a top team, they return all goaltenders, and only graduate 5 seniors. If I remember right their bantam team a few years ago won the B1 state so this could be their year.

[Neuuman]

Lakeville South should be good. Return a lot of firepower, assuming they all stay.

Where would they go? 5-8 guys to the ushl??

Well, one to the NTDP, another currently 2nd in the state in scoring (and from what I hear, the probable #1 pick overall for the upcoming USHL draft). A look at high school AND college rosters and statistics shows that being 5'8" does not necessarily mean that you couldn't possibly have any value on a hockey rink. Granted, 5'8" players have a tougher time taking runs at guys and putting them into the 3rd row of seats, but I have a feeling that most high school/college coaches can find room on their rosters for players who can put the puck in the net.

IMHO

P.S. - Size + no skill + no brains = truck driver.