Mr Hockey 2015

[Bayside Tigers]

Not really blowing teams out anymore but winning. Need to settle on the Soph in goal. Should be getting the big D-man back soon from a broken ankle, will help Kiersted.

Even Steven Stamkos has commented on how the Lightning are "not a well oiled machine" when he & his team were going through a slump earlier this year. If not blowing teams out anymore means they're winning 4-1 instead of 11-4, I consider that pretty solid. I think this team needs to concentrate on their opponent's score a little more, anyways. 4 goals in their last 3 tilts, is a big improvement. (Again, I question how many of those 4 were on the PK. I wasn't at the Grove game but I know the 1 given up against the Rebels & Cougars both were) Glad to hear about #6. I was curious about his timetable.

Agree on that goalie situation, also. Every time I see #1 announced as the starter, I can't compute. I was hoping the last game [vs Champlin Park] was solely based on who they were playing. Nothing against the kid, I'm sure he's great. But I think the team is much better off with 33 between the pipes for now, and the future's sake.

But back to the topic, tons of hockey to be played & a lot is going to happen between now & the season's end. It'll be fun to see how it all unfolds. There are some prime candidates having great seasons who are all fun to watch.

[Just Checking]

Looking at the Hub Senior Scorers, Jaremko and Malmquist are battling it out.

45 points and 39 points respectively after 15 games.

Tufto, Broetzman, Versich all close behind

Over on top As, Rasmussen and Moran Seniors from Marshall, Kero and Pionk from Hermantown, and Bowen a ways back in the pack

As of mid January, Mr. Hockey looks to probably be Jaremkos to lose, but Malquist closing the gap.

Many dynamics yet to unfold however.


Speaking of closing the gap, if Im reading the numbers right (Green 4?), Malmquist has already thru early January exceeded his point production of each the past two entire season totals and very close to his freshman year. If he keeps up this pace, he amazingly may have a slight chance of catching Dan Carlsons all time Edina record. Although the difficult Lake Conference schedule and goalies ahead of him will make it difficult for Dylan to continue that pace I think.

What about Dmen?

[The Exiled One]

What about Dmen?

There are some very good Dmen in the state, but they're not putting up the points that generally get Mr. Hockey attention. There is no Leddy, Ness, or McDonagh this year. It'll go to a forward.

[meridian90]

Don't get me wrong, I still think it is up to Malmquist to lose it, but I am a bit surprised that Tom Giller from WBL hasn't been mentioned here.

Everyone assumed he benefited in points last year due to whalin, which was probably partially true.

But this year he has 38 points already, and could push toward 60 before season's end. He is a super talented player that I am surprised hasn't been at least mentioned here. Maybe it will depend on how WBL does against improved competition the next couple of weeks.

Again, I don't think he is actually going to win, I just think his name should be up here.

[MNGuide]

List of 10
No particular order..
Malmquist - F Edina
Jaremko - F Elk River
Poehling - F Lakeville North
Poehling - F Lakeville North
Versich - F STA
Olson - D Hill Murray
Bowen - F EGF
Donahue - D STA
Ahcan - D Burnsville
Kero/Pionk - F's Hermantown

I threw in the Hermantown combo just cause...
Others could be McNeely, Sadek, Borgen, Giller, Broetzman, Tufto, Newhouse, a Benilde F... Probably missing a few

[The Exiled One]

I still think it is up to Malmquist to lose it.

I'm actually leaning towards Jaremko at the moment. He's been very impressive and is the heart and soul for ER this season. Malmquist is also doing great, but he's unfortunately being outshined by Wait. I guess it'll depend on how the pro scouts vote, because I think Malmquist has the higher pro upside.

[Sats81]

When do they announce finalists?

[The Exiled One]

When do they announce finalists?

Last year it was Wednesday, Feb 5th.

[The Exiled One]

Scouts are liking Jaremko.

[Tron]

I have a question: According to master control (Wikipedia) no kid from Edina has ever won Mr. Hockey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Mr._Hockey). From all the championship teams they have, how is it not one single kid has ever made it.

And does that play a role into Dylan being the first EHS kid to win it potentially?

[WestMetro]

People say the committee always just picks the "best player"

But, over the history there have always been dynamics involved, and there will be again this year.

I agree with above comments;
o Since Bowen is not having the breakout year I thought he would.....
o And since no one of many talented Dman seems to be breaking out
from one another.....
o .....That a skater is the likely winner
o Jaremko has the edge now, if he and Elks keep momemtum
o Malmquist a close 2nd, but he is NOT on latest NHL Draftwatch list
and Wait is tending to equal or overshadow him
o There has never been an Edina winner, partly I think due to
dynamics over the years of selecting elsewhere since Edina has had
so many trophies anyway. Also in recent years the effect of early
Edina departures. I think this works in Malmquists favor
this year, that they could finally select a 4 year Hornet who
decided to stay with MSHSL

Having said all that, there is still the possibility of a Poehling twin winner, it would not surprise me if both were deservingly nominated, but it would be awfully difficult for the voting committee to pick one vs the other.

[xy]

It does seem odd that there has been no Edina winner, but it's kind of hard looking back to see any cases where that was a blatant injustice. Dan Carlson is probably the obvious case where you might wonder if he should have won. The award's only been around since '85; Ranheim would almost certainly have won it the year before, and there would have likely been other Edina winners in earlier years - Norwich, Nyrop, and a few others.

[Tron]

there has never been an Edina winner, partly I think due to
dynamics over the years of selecting elsewhere since Edina has had
so many trophies anyway.

Question: How does Edina winning championships mean a kid on their squads over the years shouldn't be picked Mr. Hockey. I understand you are not implying that the committee is fair, it may just be something they consider.

Also: How much weight does this Mr Hockey committee place on, another committee's (NHL Draftwatch list) opinion on a player. Especially how weighted they perceive a kid in Juniors (CHL) rather than a kid in HS etc..?

I understand a lot of people see this committee being weighted by irrelevant factors

[WestMetro]

Carlson was part of a super 1997 Minnesota class, Miskovich from GR won Mr Hockey that year. Someone would have to refresh my memory on M's performance that year and why he might have edged out Dan, but I know Dan won the Edina all time scoring record that year and scored the lone goal to win the state title over Duluth East because I was at that game. Although I think the Mr. Hockey voting would have been cast before that.

[Sats81]

Carlson was part of a super 1997 Minnesota class, Miskovich from GR won Mr Hockey that year. Someone would have to refresh my memory on M's performance that year and why he might have edged out Dan, but I know Dan won the Edina all time scoring record that year and scored the lone goal to win the state title over Duluth East because I was at that game. Although I think the Mr. Hockey voting would have been cast before that.

Miskovich had 87 pts that year. He was also a gopher recruit which up until last few years of the award seemed to carry a bit of bias....I think if Miskovich doesn't win that year, Erik Westrum does over Carlson.

[The Exiled One]

Malmquist a close 2nd, but he is NOT on latest NHL Draftwatch list

This is his second year of eligibility. A lot of times those types of players are left off the watch list but get drafted anyway.

[The Exiled One]

How much weight does this Mr Hockey committee place on, another committee's (NHL Draftwatch list) opinion on a player.

None. No weight. However, pro scouts make up part of the Mr. Hockey committee and pro scouts also create the watch list. So, there's a correlation, but not a cause/effect relationship.

[green4]

Malmquist a close 2nd, but he is NOT on latest NHL Draftwatch list

This is his second year of eligibility. A lot of times those types of players are left off the watch list but get drafted anyway.

Malmquist was on the list last year and did not get drafted, so that could certainly be te case.

As for Edina players and Mr. Hockey, I agree there has not really been one Edina player who deserved it anymore than a winner since the creation of the award. Many players before it was created would have won.
If Budish would have not been hurt his senior season he would have had a shot at winning it.

[WestMetro]

So Exiled One: Malmquist being on the NHL Watchlist last year but passed over. Name not repeated on early lists this year, ( but doesnt necessarily mean they wouldnt draft him. ) Then Giles changes his team role this year and he is able to show his offensive talent more and rack up bigger points . Do you think this combination of events helps him, hurts him, or is neutral in terms of attracting Mr Hockey NHL voting members(and non NHL voting members) ?

[The Exiled One]

So Exiled One: Malmquist being on the NHL Watchlist last year but passed over. Name not repeated on early lists this year, ( but doesnt necessarily mean they wouldnt draft him. ) Then Giles changes his team role this year and he is able to show his offensive talent more and rack up bigger points . Do you think this combination of events helps him, hurts him, or is neutral in terms of attracting Mr Hockey NHL voting members(and non NHL voting members) ?

Not sure. I still think Jaremko will win it.

[WestMetro]

Jaremko might have a couple other intangibles going for him:

o Some voters might view him as a pseudo "outstate" candidate

o Some voters might feel extra good this year about him being a Mankato
commit

[Just Checking]

Having said all that, there is still the possibility of a Poehling twin winner, it would not surprise me if both were deservingly nominated, but it would be awfully difficult for the voting committee to pick one vs the other.

Can you elaborate please. Based on what? Look at the points leaders.?? Draft watch? Did you see something special during the Elite league? They seem to have a good publicist. If there was only one of them would we be having this conversation?

Seems to me there are at least 10 senior forwards ahead of them.
This short list from MNGuide
Malmquist - F Edina
Jaremko - F Elk River
Poehling - F Lakeville North
Poehling - F Lakeville North
Versich - F STA
Olson - D Hill Murray
Bowen - F EGF
Donahue - D STA
Ahcan - D Burnsville
Kero/Pionk - F's Hermantown

I threw in the Hermantown combo just cause...
Others could be McNeely, Sadek, Borgen, Giller, Broetzman, Tufto, Newhouse, a Benilde F... Probably missing a few

Of the nine forwards here they would be in last place for scoring, others you can include ahead of them and not on this list Peterson HF, Lutz ER, Barnes HA, just to name a few.

Matter of fact Barnes and Peterson are similar players. They don't have a publicist, a twin or an elite younger brother linemate. Ergo not on list.

Best of luck to all of them, but not Mr. Hockey please.

[karl(east)]

Carlson was part of a super 1997 Minnesota class, Miskovich from GR won Mr Hockey that year. Someone would have to refresh my memory on M's performance that year and why he might have edged out Dan, but I know Dan won the Edina all time scoring record that year and scored the lone goal to win the state title over Duluth East because I was at that game. Although I think the Mr. Hockey voting would have been cast before that.

Yes, voting probably would've been before. The finalists were Carlson, Westrum, Miskovich, Dylan Mills (DE), and Matt Leimbeck (Mayo). Mills won AP Player of the Year.

Can't really think of any Hornets over the years who would've been obvious snubs, between early departures and the Budish injury and their stretch of relative down years in the early 00s. Anders Lee was probably the best candidate, but he was in a tough class that included a couple of 1st-round picks.

[WestMetro]

Just Checking, how about both being D1 commits and 50-60 point getters on the best line of the best AA team in the state which who will likely be undefeated at the time the votes are cast? ( Going from memory I think the only two? times in recent post 1990 era that we had undefeated team, Mr Hockey came from that team- the Jags and the Rams I think?. ) And lest anyone think the twins arent team players, this is a team which actually has fairly balanced scoring , last time I looked there might 8 kids with potentially 25 goals.

[Just Checking]

Just Checking, how about both being D1 commits and 50-60 point getters on the best line of the best AA team in the state which who will likely be undefeated at the time the votes are cast? ( Going from memory I think the only two? times in recent post 1990 era that we had undefeated team, Mr Hockey came from that team- the Jags and the Rams I think?. ) And lest anyone think the twins arent team players, this is a team which actually has fairly balanced scoring , last time I looked there might 8 kids with potentially 25 goals.

Ok, so they are on the best team. My point exactly. They still don't stand out. What else?