Darkhorse teams for 2020-2021

[HockeyFan1969]

Lots of threads here about the top programs and tons of discussion of their players. I am curious about teams that might be considered darkhorses that could somehow either make a miracle run to state or maybe a deep section run. I am not thinking a team like LVN, CDH or Prior Lake, thinking more along the lines of a Hastings, East Ridge or Totino type club. Similar to Chaska last year. Who has a few top end guys, rising young guys, or a stud tender who could help someone surprise or who has an underrated deep team who could make a deep run. Might be fun to hear some new teams and names around here than anotherr discussion of Edina or (ducks) Hermantown. Who ya like outside the usual suspects?

[TheNightman]

Centennial jumps out as a team that should be a lot better than they have been recently.

[Stang5280]

In Class A, here are some teams who could jump up and grab state tournament slots outside of the usual suspects.
1A: Dodge County
2A: Armstrong/Cooper
4A: Gentry Academy
5A: Chisago Lakes
6A: Little Falls
7A: Duluth Denfeld

3A and 8A don’t really have any likely candidates.

Other teams that should be much improved are Fergus Falls, Tartan, and Sartell.

[SEC Scotty]

Maybe not a long shot but Stillwater could make some noise.

[chester1991]

Section 1AA Northfield

Section 2AA Shakopee

Section 3AA No surprise team

Section 4AA Roseville

Section 5AA Totino Grace and Champlin Park

Section 6AA Holy Angeles

Section 7AA No surprise team

Section 8AA Rogers

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Section 1AA Northfield

Section 2AA Shakopee

Section 3AA No surprise team

Section 4AA Roseville

Section 5AA Totino Grace and Champlin Park

Section 6AA Holy Angeles

Section 7AA No surprise team

Section 8AA Rogers

2AA is about to get even more interesting. Chanhassen and Shakopee should make some noise in the next 5 or so years. Sections alignments could be different by then, but probably not too much.

[SEC Scotty]

Section 1AA Northfield

Section 2AA Shakopee

Section 3AA No surprise team

Section 4AA Roseville

Section 5AA Totino Grace and Champlin Park

Section 6AA Holy Angeles

Section 7AA No surprise team

Section 8AA Rogers

Curious about what’s going on with Roseville. I had heard they were having a hard time fielding a JV team.

Hey all you East side guys, any buzz on the Pioneers?

[SpreadOut!]

Centennial jumps out as a team that should be a lot better than they have been recently.

I don’t see them having much of a chance to beat Maple Grove, though, in 5AA. Upsets can happen in sections but if MG has everyone back who should be back they will be very tough to beat, not only in 5AA, but state as well.

[PuckNA]

I wouldn't discount them, they had two 1 goal games last year (one in OT) and they only lose 1 senior of any significance, this group should be best of last 3 years. MG should return same amount of junior class as well, wouldn't bet the house on TG, Blaine, or Champlin.

[goldy313]

1AA Hastings..... aside from playing in the TRME and being screwed by the refs last year they do do return some really good players in a not very deep section.

[Wise Old Man]

Personally, I think the Covid "Pandemics" are being vastly underrated but, that's just me....

[RoseauHockeyFan]

[goldy313]

I am thinking it is Minneapolis North since we will appoint a winner.

Hill Murray should also vacate all Championships. James Hill was clearly a racist.... “give me enough Swedes, snuff, and whiskey and I’ll build a railroad through hell”. I am also fairly certain Catholics killed Muslims during the Crusades. Clearly a racist act!

How is Hill Murray still allowed to exist? Tim Walz needs to step in now!

[Sparlimb]

I am thinking it is Minneapolis North since we will appoint a winner.

Hill Murray should also vacate all Championships. James Hill was clearly a racist.... “give me enough Swedes, snuff, and whiskey and I’ll build a railroad through hell”. I am also fairly certain Catholics killed Muslims during the Crusades. Clearly a racist act!

How is Hill Murray still allowed to exist? Tim Walz needs to step in now!

Uh-huh. Do we need to discuss how un-PC a city name like White Bear is? Please...

And for the historians, the Murray comes from Murray Warmath, the first coach at the U of MN to welcome African American players. Okay I just made all that up...

[SEC Scotty]

I am thinking it is Minneapolis North since we will appoint a winner.

Hill Murray should also vacate all Championships. James Hill was clearly a racist.... “give me enough Swedes, snuff, and whiskey and I’ll build a railroad through hell”. I am also fairly certain Catholics killed Muslims during the Crusades. Clearly a racist act!

How is Hill Murray still allowed to exist? Tim Walz needs to step in now!

Uh-huh. Do we need to discuss how un-PC a city name like White Bear is? Please...

And for the historians, the Murray comes from Murray Warmath, the first coach at the U of MN to welcome African American players. Okay I just made all that up...,

The White Bear name comes from Ojibway and Dakota lore. Mahto meaning white or grey bear and medi meaning water. So your barking up the wrong tree.

[cigar]

Cretin

[WestMetro]

Cretin

I Could agree with this one!

[cigar]

Cretin

I Could agree with this one!

westy,
with all the high school hawks on this site I was surprised I didn't see them mentioned... Losing the big senior hurts, but the youth and its talent is very impressive... I see them improving next year...

[WestMetro]

Yeah Fisher and both Sondreals came on strong in 2nd half of the season . Fisher probably is a top 10 forward among the ‘03s

Houge a top D as a sophomore

Belak solid in goal for 2 more years

I see Cardenas with lots of upside potential , maybe still a year away , but could surprise this year

Team should be solid for several years ahead .

Could be another 5 way race in 6AA?

I’ll put them on my schedule , but always at an AWAY rink

[SEC Scotty]

Always said that Cretin wasn’t all Matt Gleason. Saw them totally take apart a pretty good Blaine team in a holiday tournament and 4 or five games after that. Very quick team.

Really like the Houge kid on defense.