Mr. Hockey 2009-2010

starmvp · Post by **starmvp** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:28 pm

nhl_combine wrote:How about Joey Benik. Scored a hat trick last night. I'd say he's off to a good start.

I watched this game, who did he play? and... Did he play any defense?

smalltownhockey21 · Post by **smalltownhockey21** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:00 pm

Benik played East Ridge a first year high school program, no he did not play defense

LetsPlayHockey22 · Post by **LetsPlayHockey22** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:55 pm

Completely not impressed with Benik last night...sure he had one really nice goal on a good break, and the score sheet might indicate he had a good performance with 3 goals, but he did not play any defense at all and was invisible most of the game not getting hardly any quality shots. He can score goals as good as anyone but he needs to learn all aspects of the game before being mentioned for a possible Mr. Hockey

buddish4mrhockey · Post by **buddish4mrhockey** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:43 pm

how can you even mention benik for a possible mr hockey candidate? he doesn't belong in same group as gardiner, knochemus, bjustad, herbert. putting benik in the same group as them is a disgrace to those players who actually know how to play hockey. anyone who watched benik play against ER would agree. how can you be a d1 recruit when you skate figure eights in your zone on the penalty kill and try to toe pull in the D-zone with the opposing goalie pulled for an extra attacker?

toptitty96 · Post by **toptitty96** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:30 am

Bjugstad is probably my favorite right now, but I think that if other plays have just as big of seasons it could really go to anyone. I like Herbert a lot too. Finished tied for 1st in Elite League scoring, and his linemate was tied with him. He makes other players better and can get a ton of assists if he passes, and everyone knows he can score a lot of goals. Brock Nelson could also win. Big kid, great hockey player, one of the state's best. Minnetonka is so loaded with talent that maybe 3 players could be strong candidates, but with so much talent the scoring might be pretty even and mean that no one player has a ton of points, so it could be hard for Gardiner or Prochno to win it. I don't think Benik should even be in the conversation. He scores a ton of goals on a terrible team with a weak schedule, but he isn't one of the states best. He may lead the staet in scoring this year, but if they pick Mr. Hockey as the best hockey players, there is no way that it will be him. Not taking anything away from the kid, he's a good player and has done a lot with his career, but I just don't think he is Mr. Hockey.

Toews is god 19 · Post by **Toews is god 19** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:11 pm

Cal Decowski-andover

PoniesDad45 · Post by **PoniesDad45** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:17 pm

brandy38 wrote:Justin Crandall, Mark Alt, and Max Gaede may have the best chance among east metro teams.

Max Gaede should be the favorite IMO. That kid represents everything a HS hockey player should be.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:44 pm

My ridiculously early top ten:

Nick Bjugstad, Blaine (U of M)
Andrew Prochno, Minnetonka (SCSU)
Max Gardiner, Minnetonka (U of M)
Joey Benik, St. Francis (SCSU)
Caleb Herbert, Bloomington Jefferson (UMD)
Max Gaede, Woodbury (Minn. St)
Brock Nelson, Warroad (UND)
Christian Isackson, St. Thomas Academy (U of M)
Mark Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall (U of M)
Adam Knochenmus, Roseau

Derek Forbort and Nate Schmidt would be finalists. I expect Joe Faust, Troy Hesketh, Adam Krause, and the Reilly's to be in the mix.

PowerForward25 · Post by **PowerForward25** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:33 pm

PoniesDad45 wrote:
brandy38 wrote:Justin Crandall, Mark Alt, and Max Gaede may have the best chance among east metro teams.
Max Gaede should be the favorite IMO. That kid represents everything a HS hockey player should be.

Agreed. I have never met a harder worker or a kid who has more passion for the game than he does.

North13 · Post by **North13** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:10 pm

Brock Nelson should be a top candidate...his skill and vision on the ice are amazing. For sure one of my favorite players to watch. Can't wait to watch him at UND.

espnmobile8 · Post by **espnmobile8** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:28 pm

I see a lot of talk about Herbert, some mention of Faust as well, but what about Jeff Pauluk from Jefferson? 1 goal & 10 assists for 11 points in 3 games. That's ridiculous. Let's give him some respect, too.

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:34 pm

espnmobile8 wrote:I see a lot of talk about Herbert, some mention of Faust as well, but what about Jeff Pauluk from Jefferson? 1 goal & 10 assists for 11 points in 3 games. That's ridiculous. Let's give him some respect, too.

Faust and Pauluk make a great one two punch for Jag blueline. Not sure he is a top ten player in the state. But, certainly an upper echelon player.

Born2puck · Post by **Born2puck** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:38 pm

nhl_combine wrote:How about Joey Benik. Scored a hat trick last night. I'd say he's off to a good start.

ya he is sick when they meadow creek. Benik is junk! i wanna see him get past the blue line against Benilde.

rinkrat00 · Post by **rinkrat00** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:31 pm

corrin

hockeyjunkie2 · Post by **hockeyjunkie2** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:05 am

Very impressed with Herbert tonight.

RedLiner · Post by **RedLiner** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:41 pm

You've got to go with Nick Bjugstad (Blaine)-6'5'' 210... unstoppable, U recruit, potential first rounder.... anything else?

fiveholenyou · Post by **fiveholenyou** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:18 am

RedLiner wrote:You've got to go with Nick Bjugstad (Blaine)-6'5'' 210... unstoppable, U recruit, potential first rounder.... anything else?

I like Bjustad too, but if you get a chance to see Cal Dekowski-Andover he is a stud in that little frame. He plays both ends of the rink, and is fun to watch. 27 points after 6 games, but more than that he is the real deal.

youngbloodjr3 · Post by **youngbloodjr3** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:57 pm

i agree Cal decowski is the whole package he is an amazing hockey player with everything he needs.
He plays great defense and probably one of the best forwards in thestate!!

johnnyquest · Post by **johnnyquest** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:54 am

Totally agree - Pauluk has had much success during the summer USA hockey festivals and is off to the races right now. See how the season plays out - he will be in the running.

Toews is god 19 · Post by **Toews is god 19** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:45 am

Cal Decowski.

gomnhky · Post by **gomnhky** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:32 am

There are a number of talented candidates this year and probably too early to make a good projection yet; however, my early vote would go to Nick Bjugstad. Bjugstad's total package is so impressive, even if you don't consider the points he puts up. For someone his size, he has exceptional skating abilities; can shoot the puck like an NHLer, sees the ice very well and makes everyone around him better; plays both ends of the ice, is strong on face offs and has a long reach that just adds to his arsenal of weapons. He is the complete package. He probably hasn't been tested yet against a team that has the talent to shut him down and that will probably come tonight, but I would still give him the nod for Mr. Hockey.

deanertronterry · Post by **deanertronterry** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:40 am

johnnyquest wrote:Totally agree - Pauluk has had much success during the summer USA hockey festivals and is off to the races right now. See how the season plays out - he will be in the running.

IMO Pauluk is the most underrated player in the state. Through 7 games he has 2 goals and 19 assists. Ridiculous.

mn miracle man · Post by **mn miracle man** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:10 pm

I don't get a lot of opportunities to see these upper echelon metro players, with the exception of the occasional FSN broadcast, but from what I have seen Brock Nelson and Adam Knochemus are truly great players. Nelson has great size, needs to put on some weight although before UND, and an amazing skill with the puck on his stick, not to mention a pretty decent bloodline. Knochemus on the other hand is an all around stud, great in all aspects of the game and has been for that squad for quite a few seasons now, the Rams have some weapons but for them to go far this year they need that man to lead the way.

Pack29 · Post by **Pack29** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:58 pm

Bjugstad for sure. Max Gardiner might make a statement but is no match

mulefarm · Post by **mulefarm** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:32 pm

We'll see them both tonight.