Next Year's Questionmarks for these 10 teams: PLEASE COMMENT

[BrainerdHockey92]

How well will these programs be able to regroup after (in some cases devestating) losses in the Sectional Playoffs and losses to graduation?:

Bemidji: #1 seed in Section 8AA - graduates a lot of top seniors, senior goalie. Was this a one-year wonder, or will the balance of power shift back to only Moorhead/Roseau?

Grand Rapids: #2 seed in Section 7AA - were a couple of minutes from beating Duluth East and lost in overtime. Can they challenge East next year?

Virginia: #1 seed in Section 7A - lost to arch-rival Hibbing but also lost a couple of Elite hockey seniors. Did the bubble burst for Virigina for not only this year but several years to come?

Brainerd #4 seed in Section 8AA - graduates a couple of high powered guys, and even WITH them they were not able to get past Moorhead (OT loss), Roseau (lost by 1) and Bemidji (two 2 goal losses). If this was supposed to be their chance to break through, now what?

Burnsville: #2 seed in Section 2AA: Champions of the So Suburban Conference lose a heartbreaker to Edina, lose their two senior goalies and three of their top four scorers. Can they reload, or was this their best shot for a while?

Apple Valley: #2 seed in Section 3AA: They don't necessarily graduate out a ton of players - if you look at their roster they fairly young - will these players stay and play at AV, or is it possible that a few players may defect to other programs or out of Minnesota?

Hill-Murray: #1 seed in Section 4AA: They graduate out 9 seniors, but, they recruit kids from surrounding programs better than anyone. Fair to assume next year will be no different? Or does the WBL loss combined with the loss of their seniors signal a temporary shift downward?

Benilde-St. Margarets: #3 seed in Section 6AA: After such a strong season, to fall short in the section semifinals in the most difficult and deep section in the State must be tough. They look like although they lose a couple of great players, will they be as strong next year?

Warroad: #1 seed in Section 8A: Is there any reason to think they won't be at or near the top in Section 8 again? Or is there more to the loss to TRF and the losses of Stoskopf, Gray and others that they will struggle to overcome?

Blake School: #1 seed in Section 2A: This was the year they were were most likely going to get by Breck and do some damage at State. They lose their top 3 scorers and a senior goalie. Can they be this good next year?

Just some thoughts/questions for you to ponder. I know we all are focused on the 16 teams that made it to The Tourney. I'm curious if there are any feedback on these 10 teams that come to mind.

[longdistancespectator8]

Apple Valley is an interesting one. They lose gretz and in the past this group of seniors always had olson, so goaltending could be a question mark. They also will have to get over the hump that is eagan. Which is a team laden with good juniors.

They, however, do keep key components on both offense and defense losing very little. I would assume Michaelson returns since he didn't leave this year, and from all accounts Fasching has no intent on leaving. Which will give them what will likely be the best line in the state if they play together.

[karl(east)]

Some quick comments now, though I'll add more after the end of the tourney:

Bemidji--this was probably their best chance to break through, but they were pretty deep this year, so they will still be relevant in 8AA.
Grand Rapids--doesn't lose much and should be very good. East doesn't lose much either, though. Should be another great race.
Virginia--the bubble has probably burst.
Burnsville--lose a lot, but have a strong bantam team and some good returners; they won't drop off that much. Can still challenge Edina if enough goes right.
Hill--lose a decent amount, but the program is very deep, and they have a couple of future star underclassmen. The gap on paper between them and the #2 team in the section will probably be even bigger next year. But as they learned this year, what's on paper doesn't necessarily match reality.
Benilde--lose a couple of key seniors but there is still a ton of talent left; should have a similar season to this year, but 6AA may be down a tiny bit, which gives them a better shot at state.

[zamboni14]

Some quick comments now, though I'll add more after the end of the tourney:

Benilde--lose a couple of key seniors but there is still a ton of talent left; should have a similar season to this year, but 6AA may be down a tiny bit, which gives them a better shot at state.

I was going to say that I wouldn't be so sure that 6AA will have a down year, but then I looked into it deeper..

'Tonka will lose 6 players to graduation, only 1 is in their top 5 scorers and 1 is a D-man. And the JV squad went unbeaten this year (only 1 tie with Edina.) So they should be better next year then this past season.

EP will lose 12 players to graduation... including every player that scored 4 goals or more this past season and 8 out of 10 of their top players in points this past season. I think it's safe to say they won't be back near the top next season.

Wayzata is also going to take a hit with all but 1 of their top scorers leaving. Only Lucia will remain, but you have to wonder how he'll do without the other 7 top players.

BSM loses 6 players to graduation, of those only 2 were among their top 8 in points. Their leading goal scorer will be a junior next season.

baring an upset... I'll take 'Tonka vs BSM in the 6AA final next season.

[bloody bar down]

Bemidji- will be pretty solid again next year. They will be a little weaker in the net, but do have a good nucleus of players, Tatro, Serratore, Heller, Devescovi nd others that will make the jacks tough again. I look for them to be top 3 in section 8AA

Grand Rapids will again be solid. Losing Moore and Dick does not help, but they should be a contender again. I believe East next year is going to be very, very good. Underwood, Mondry, Stejskal and Bischoff will lead them.

Virginia - It is over for a while as they are goin to hit a lull I think. Will compete but not to the level they have been at for the last few years.

Brainerd - Yes they graduate Archibald, but he is the only high powered guy they graduate. They are going to be better overall next year, but I think it is going to take some time as they groom some sophmores and get them exposed to varsity hockey. They do return alot of their punch. McLain, Pohlkamp and Rich were 2-4 in scoring. Motschenbacher is a solid D man, they just need to find more depth. Maybe top 3 in 8AA.

Warroad - Always seem to be in the mix, though I think thast they will be down from this year alittle bit. Foster can carry them but they are going to need some more punch.

[rainier]

Virginia will drop off for a few years, they lost their G and 83% of their scoring. So unless their JV was 20-0 and winning every game 8-0, they will watch Hibbing go to state the next 2-3 years.

[GordonBombay99]

Virginia will drop off for a few years, they lost their G and 83% of their scoring. So unless their JV was 20-0 and winning every game 8-0, they will watch Hibbing go to state the next 2-3 years.

Duluth Marshall I think will be a big time threat in 7A again I think.

[Hockeydad1893]

IMO Eden Prairie will probably be the biggest question mark. They are losing a total of 13 seniors including their starting goalie and back up.

[GordonBombay99]

IMO Eden Prairie will probably be the biggest question mark. They are losing a total of 13 seniors including their starting goalie and back up.

They lose a huge majority of their team and almost all key contributors too. Going to be an interesting year for Eden Prairie next year.

[underthenbar01]

How well will these programs be able to regroup after (in some cases devestating) losses in the Sectional Playoffs and losses to graduation?:

Bemidji: #1 seed in Section 8AA - graduates a lot of top seniors, senior goalie. Was this a one-year wonder, or will the balance of power shift back to only Moorhead/Roseau?

With Moorhead returning almost all of its scoring with christian, ness, brenk, the uglem brothers, etc. AND bitzer... I don't see anyone coming close to the spuds. Watch out for the spuds makin a run at state next year.

[Goal]

Warroad- Will probably be down from what they have been, Foster should be solid for them If I were to guess right now I would say they're probably 3rd best team in 8a next year behind EGF and TRF.

[GordonBombay99]

How well will these programs be able to regroup after (in some cases devestating) losses in the Sectional Playoffs and losses to graduation?:

Bemidji: #1 seed in Section 8AA - graduates a lot of top seniors, senior goalie. Was this a one-year wonder, or will the balance of power shift back to only Moorhead/Roseau?

With Moorhead returning almost all of its scoring with christian, ness, brenk, the uglem brothers, etc. AND bitzer... I don't see anyone coming close to the spuds. Watch out for the spuds makin a run at state next year.

Moorhead should definitely be one of the better teams next year with the talent they are returning.

[wblhcky24]

White bear will lose all of their scorers except match morrisette who does score very often

[HockeyMN1]

IMO Eden Prairie will probably be the biggest question mark. They are losing a total of 13 seniors including their starting goalie and back up.

They lose a huge majority of their team and almost all key contributors too. Going to be an interesting year for Eden Prairie next year.

Eden Prairie will take a few years to recover. The junior class right now is not very strong, but the sophomores are pretty good and the Bantam A's are like second in state. Next year can only be categorized as rebuilding but it shouldn't take that long to return to the top after these seniors leave.

[TTpuckster]

Warroad- Will probably be down from what they have been, Foster should be solid for them If I were to guess right now I would say they're probably 3rd best team in 8a next year behind EGF and TRF.

Have to agree with this goal.

EGF had a pretty good shot at going to state this year if it had not been for some very key injuries. Similar to what Bemidji suffered.

For the past few years now their Bantam and PeeWee teams were very strong. Although the PeeWee team this year was not as strong as previous.

If they get their injured players back at full force next year and the underclassmen start to contribute as expected, EGF should be the team to beat in 8A for several years now.

Of course I said if, if, if....

[puckster15]

Totino Grace should be an even bigger threat next year. Only losing 5 seniors.

[Hoops]

Apple Valley is an interesting one. They lose gretz and in the past this group of seniors always had olson, so goaltending could be a question mark. They also will have to get over the hump that is eagan. Which is a team laden with good juniors.

They, however, do keep key components on both offense and defense losing very little. I would assume Michaelson returns since he didn't leave this year, and from all accounts Fasching has no intent on leaving. Which will give them what will likely be the best line in the state if they play together.

The coach wouldn't play them together this year why would he next. Alot of good hockey people scratched their heads on that one...certainly can't use the "look who you can play with" stuff he used last yr to help keep them there.

[iwearmysunglassesatnight]

[quote="Hoops"][quote="longdistancespectator8"]Apple Valley is an interesting one. They lose gretz and in the past this group of seniors always had olson, so goaltending could be a question mark. They also will have to get over the hump that is eagan. Which is a team laden with good juniors.

They, however, do keep key components on both offense and defense losing very little. I would assume Michaelson returns since he didn't leave this year, and from all accounts Fasching has no intent on leaving. [b]Which will give them what will likely be the best line in the state if they play together[/b].[/quote]

The coach wouldn't play them together this year why would he next. Alot of good hockey people scratched their heads on that one...certainly can't use the "look who you can play with" stuff he used last yr to help keep them there.[/quote]

This will be a unfortunate turn of events in Apple Valley.

[Hockeydad1893]

IMO Eden Prairie will probably be the biggest question mark. They are losing a total of 13 seniors including their starting goalie and back up.

They lose a huge majority of their team and almost all key contributors too. Going to be an interesting year for Eden Prairie next year.

Eden Prairie will take a few years to recover. The junior class right now is not very strong, but the sophomores are pretty good and the Bantam A's are like second in state. Next year can only be categorized as rebuilding but it shouldn't take that long to return to the top after these seniors leave.

Who will their goalie be? Seeing as how ford is gone and I think their backup is a senior too.

[nickmon3]

Virginia will drop off for a few years, they lost their G and 83% of their scoring. So unless their JV was 20-0 and winning every game 8-0, they will watch Hibbing go to state the next 2-3 years.

As much as I like this, Hibbing will still have to compete with duluth marshall, who always seems to put out a pretty strong team.

[ehsfan17]

One of Blakes top defensemen is freshman Johnny Austin who is already a second year varsity player, they'll have solid play at D for a while.

[GordonBombay99]

One of Blakes top defensemen is freshman Johnny Austin who is already a second year varsity player, they'll have solid play at D for a while.

Don't they lose many of their top players though due to graduation this year? What do they have coming back next year?

[Potatohead9]

How well will these programs be able to regroup after (in some cases devestating) losses in the Sectional Playoffs and losses to graduation?:

Bemidji: #1 seed in Section 8AA - graduates a lot of top seniors, senior goalie. Was this a one-year wonder, or will the balance of power shift back to only Moorhead/Roseau?

With Moorhead returning almost all of its scoring with christian, ness, brenk, the uglem brothers, etc. AND bitzer... I don't see anyone coming close to the spuds. Watch out for the spuds makin a run at state next year.

That is IF they stay in Moorhead and play their Senior year..........

[bardown27]

Totino Grace should be an even bigger threat next year. Only losing 5 seniors.

totino is losing 7 seniors. 3 of their top 6 scorers and their starting tendy. they do bring back a few D though which will help them be more sound defensively next year.

[GordonBombay99]

Totino Grace should be an even bigger threat next year. Only losing 5 seniors.

totino is losing 7 seniors. 3 of their top 6 scorers and their starting tendy. they do bring back a few D though which will help them be more sound defensively next year.

Their also bringing back Roo which will help a lot.