Preseason Top 10

Discussion of Minnesota Girls High School Hockey

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hockeyrube7
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Post by hockeyrube7 »

This might be one of the best preseason rankings in a long time. Of coarse the season will tell, yet fun to speculate.
hockeyrube7
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Post by hockeyrube7 »

MNhockey- Are we going to do the big game picks of the week again?
hockeyheaven
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Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:42 pm

Post by hockeyheaven »

hockeyrube7 wrote:This might be one of the best preseason rankings in a long time. Of coarse the season will tell, yet fun to speculate.
I agree....however, I like this just a little better...

AA
1 EDINA
2 Stillwater
3 Roseville
4 Hopkins
5 Hill-Murray
6 Grand Rapids/Greenway
7 White Bear Lake
8 Minnetonka
9 Centennial
10 Irondale
11 Holy Angels
12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13 Proctor/Hermantown
14 Duluth
15 Cloquet
16 Blaine
17 Andover
18 Eagan
19 Eden Prairie
20 Wayzata
MNHockeyFan
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Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:28 pm

Post by MNHockeyFan »

Bensonmum wrote:Good observation, with only one flaw. Hill-Murray isn't in the SEC, although it is in Section 4 with the other 3. But I get the point, which is that it's going to be a war all season.
Bensonmum, thanks for pointing that out, I was thinking about the section and not the conference...it is pretty unbelievable though how so many of the top-ranked teams are so close to one another geographically. Should make for some very interesting rivalry matchups this year.
hockeyrube7
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Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:29 pm

Post by hockeyrube7 »

MNHockeyFan wrote:it is pretty unbelievable though how so many of the top-ranked teams are so close to one another geographically. Should make for some very interesting rivalry matchups this year.
What makes this any different than any other year?
nmnhockeydad
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:12 am

Post by nmnhockeydad »

hockeyheaven wrote:
hockeyrube7 wrote:This might be one of the best preseason rankings in a long time. Of coarse the season will tell, yet fun to speculate.
I agree....however, I like this just a little better...

AA
1 EDINA
2 Stillwater
3 Roseville
4 Hopkins
5 Hill-Murray
6 Grand Rapids/Greenway
7 White Bear Lake
8 Minnetonka
9 Centennial
10 Irondale
11 Holy Angels
12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13 Proctor/Hermantown
14 Duluth
15 Cloquet
16 Blaine
17 Andover
18 Eagan
19 Eden Prairie
20 Wayzata
I would flip Proctor Hermantown and Duluth
OntheEdge
Posts: 666
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:43 am

Post by OntheEdge »

nmnhockeydad wrote:
hockeyheaven wrote:
hockeyrube7 wrote:This might be one of the best preseason rankings in a long time. Of coarse the season will tell, yet fun to speculate.
I agree....however, I like this just a little better...

AA
1 EDINA
2 Stillwater
3 Roseville
4 Hopkins
5 Hill-Murray
6 Grand Rapids/Greenway
7 White Bear Lake
8 Minnetonka
9 Centennial
10 Irondale
11 Holy Angels
12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13 Proctor/Hermantown
14 Duluth
15 Cloquet
16 Blaine
17 Andover
18 Eagan
19 Eden Prairie
20 Wayzata
I would flip Proctor Hermantown and Duluth
I agree its a pretty good start. I would consider replacing Wayzata and EP with Farmington and Maple Grove. I think EP is going to be very young and inexperienced and I'm not so sure about Wayzata.
MNHockeyFan
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Post by MNHockeyFan »

hockeyrube7 wrote:MNhockey- Are we going to do the big game picks of the week again?
hockeyrube, sounds like fun, are you volunteering?
hockeyheaven
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:42 pm

Post by hockeyheaven »

Forget Christmas...this is truly the best time of the year. With bold predictions and high expectations... the anticipation is killing me. With all this excitement I seemed to have made an error in my assessment. I want to change my picks already. It just occurred to me that Mrs. Zrust is still playing for the Bengal’s. That has to be worth at least 5 spots. Please except my sincere apology.
neutralregroup
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Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:36 am

Preseason Top 10

Post by neutralregroup »

Had a chance to watch EP this weekend.... VERY young. They have 1 senior, 5-6 juniors, 6-7 sophs, 2 frosh & 2 8th graders ( one of them is a goalie, so I don't think they are done evaluating yet).

They struggled to score, but the "D" was solid.

Sorry Superstar, but they will be lucky to get to .500 :?

Teams will be lining up to pay back the Eagles for their 3 years of dominance. This Section should be a 2 horse race, Tonka & Edina.
joehockey
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Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:22 am

Post by joehockey »

High school girls hockey preview
Some old favorites, and some old faces in new roles, are gearing up for a run to the state tournament.
By Tim Leighton tleighton@pioneerpress.com


Article Launched: 11/13/2008 12:01:00 AM CST


Tuesday's snow brought thoughts of winter sports. Coincidentally, girls hockey games are about to begin. Here is a look at girls hockey and some of the teams that might be at the Xcel Energy Center on Feb. 28, when two state champions will be crowned.

TO SEED, OR NOT TO SEED?

The majority of members of the state high school girls hockey coaches association favor following the trend toward seeding the state tournament. Nothing is final, but the coaches association hopes to bring a recommendation to the Minnesota State High School League's board of directors in time for approval and implementation by February's state tournament. The holdup appears to be outstate coaches, who are concerned they won't get a fair shake when it comes to seeding. Alexandria, the defending Class A champion, and Roseau would be top seeds if they advanced this season. Roseau took third in Class A last season. Roseau opens the season ranked No. 1 in Class A.

"This is something that I feel strongly that we need to do,'' South St. Paul coach Dave Palmquist said.

Seeding is used in state tournaments in boys and girls basketball, boys hockey, boys and girls soccer, volleyball and adapted athletics.

REBUILD OR RELOAD?

Not many girls hockey followers will feel sorry for defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie, which lost 12 players to graduation. Despite that, the Eagles remain a perennial power. This season, the Eagles have 16 freshmen and two eighth-graders. It must be a rebuilding year, right? "This is a different year, no doubt about it,'' Eden Prairie coach Tim Morris said. "We are really happy with what we've seen at our scrimmages. We flat-out told the kids that our goal is to remain the same. We plan to get to the state tournament.''

COACH VERSUS FORMER PLAYER

Palmquist, one of just two girls hockey coaches around since the sport began in 1995 (Apple Valley's Chuck Scanlon is the other), faces an unusual situation. He will coach against one of his former stars, Ashley Albrecht, the 2002 Ms. Hockey Award winner, who has taken over head coaching duties at Simley. South St. Paul will play Simley twice during the Classic Suburban Conference schedule.

"We scrimmaged them last week,'' Palmquist said. "It was a little strange. I wish her the best.''

Any advice for the rookie coach?

"You have to be human and let the parents know that you aren't the perfect coach,'' Palmquist said. "You have to have a big learning curve, but there still needs to be a sense of confidence. There are some things that are non-negotiable. A young coach needs to be firm on that."

Said Eden Prairie's Morris: "It isn't necessarily the X's and O's, but it is dealing with kids and parents, and their expectations. Ask questions, and don't be afraid to use all the resources available."

PIONEER PRESS POWER RANKINGS

1. Stillwater: The 2007 Class AA champions look as if they can win another.

2. Edina: A strong nucleus returns for rookie coach Laura Slominski, a pioneer of the sport.

3. Roseville: Many talented young players return; depth is excellent.

4. Eden Prairie: The defending Class AA champions lost 12 seniors, but the Eagles never seem to have a down year.

5. Hill-Murray: Strong, tough and well-coached. Could be the state champion if it advances out of the section.

6. Hopkins: An experienced team with strong forwards.

7. Blake: Sally Komarek and Margaret Chute might be the best one-two punch in Class A.

8. Breck: Will challenge Blake for Section 5A title.

9. Irondale: The young, talented Knights are knocking on the door of the state tournament.

10. South St. Paul: Strong defensively, the perennial state power can't be taken lightly.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Krystal Baumann Farmington, F, soph.: Might be Minnesota's best young star. Scored 35 goals last season.

Lisa Berreman Eagan, D, sr.: Minnesota's top defender can score, too.

Callie Dahl Stillwater, F, sr.: The Ponies' spark plug has signed with St. Cloud State.

Margaret Chute Blake, F, sr.: Was plus-47 last season with 47 points.

Sally Komarek Blake, F, sr.: Scored 32 goals and assisted on 30 last season.

Meghan Lorence Irondale, F, soph.: Had 58 points last season.

Gina McDonald Irondale, F, jr.: Only Minnesotan on Under-18 Select team.

Becky Kortum Hopkins, sr.: Minnesota recruit scored 33 goals and had 20 assists in the Royals' breakout season.

Alex Nelson Andover, F, sr.: Has signed with St. Cloud State.

Kelsey Romatoski Holy Angels, D, sr.: Elite-level player will play at Harvard.

Lauren Zrust Blaine, F, sr.: Potent scorer for Bengals; signed with Minnesota State Mankato.
Bensonmum
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Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:22 pm

Post by Bensonmum »

I don't remember if this is the same guy who did the Girls' rankings for the PP last year, but it looks like he has done his homework and taken it seriously for now anyway. That's a good sign. Obviously everyone can dicker here and there with his picks but it's pretty solid. And including Blake and Breck is pretty gutsy but IMO accurate.
Curious what he knows about SSP and EP that the rest of us don't, or is he just giving way too much credence to the 'perennial powerhouse' shtick?
Sharkman
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Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:03 pm

Elk River Scrimmages

Post by Sharkman »

Scrimmages:

Elk River 4 Wayzata 0
Elk River 5 Irondale 1

Out shot Irondale 3-1. Looks like Their not getting much respect. I would not take them lightly.
Sharkman
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Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:03 pm

Coon Rapids

Post by Sharkman »

Kind of hard to believe Coon Rapids is not in the top fifteen. This team may take the conference. Great coaching and hard working team with some young guns coming. Cnetenial and Blaine are over rated. Watch
Coon Rapids, Elk River, Andover.
joehockey
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Post by joehockey »

Bona and Co does have great potential.

What about Anoka in that race - where do they fit in?

Did Stillwater and CR scrimmage today and score was 8-1?
hockeywild7
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Post by hockeywild7 »

Yes, Stillwater and Coon Rapids did scrimmage. Not sure of final score but it was 7 or 8 to 1. Stillwater looked pretty good and I would say controlled most of the play. Should be an outstanding matchup on Tuesday with Hill-Murray.
joehockey
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Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:22 am

Post by joehockey »

Stillwater looks to be back in championship form - CR is a good team would have never expected that type of differential.....they will probably be to much for HM based on today.
MNHockeyFan
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Post by MNHockeyFan »

joehockey wrote:Stillwater looks to be back in championship form - CR is a good team would have never expected that type of differential.....they will probably be to much for HM based on today.
The HM - Stillwater game should be a real battle! I certainly wouldn't count HM out, in fact I'll go out on a limb and say they win.
goalzilla
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Post by goalzilla »

Ill go out on that limb too; predict a 1-0 Hill win. HM is a up an coming power. StillH20 tender Sobczek is one of the best; and is StillH20's best weapon.
joehockey
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Post by joehockey »

Goalzilla you know best and first hand Sobczek is a Jr a great vetern HS goalie who is a great strength and among best in the State. She will really have a chance to shine.....she may really be tested as the new D corps gets set.

The great strength of Stillwater is probably still the depth of offense - they have tremendous star power.......Dahl, Charpentier, King (might be best 1st line in state?); followed by Tuuri, Salomen, Hawkins and the third line is as fast as the first two. They could light up a lot of teams this year.

Surprisingly both teams rosters are actually pretty young:

Stillwater:
4 srs
7 jrs
5 soph
1 9th
1 8th

Hill Murray: The lineup used on Saturday at White Bear
3 srs
5 jrs
3 soph
5 9th
joehockey
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Post by joehockey »

From today's Star Tribune:

Here are 20 players to watch and the preseason top 10 in girls' hockey:

• Krystal Baumann, so., F, Farmington

• Rachael Bona, so., F, Coon Rapids

• Hannah Brandt, fr., F, Hill-Murray

• Bethany Brausen, jr., F, Roseville

• Lauren Charpentier, F, Stillwater

• Margaret Chute, F, Blake

• Cara Coughlin, F, Edina

• Callie Dahl, F, Stillwater

• Cara Gulbronson, G, Edina

• Audrey Hanmer, so., D, Forest Lake

• Kelsey Kennedy, D, Eagan

• Sally Komarek, F, Blake

• Becky Kortum, F, Hopkins

• Taylor Kuehl, so., F, Mound-Westonka

• Maddie Marcotte, jr., D, White Bear Lake

• Gina McDonald, jr., F, Irondale

• Alex Nelson, F, Andover

• Kelsey Romatoski, D, Holy Angels

• Madison Styrbicki, D, Breck

• Lauren Zrust, F, Blaine

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Hopkins

2. Stillwater

3. Edina

4. Roseville

5. Minnetonka

6. Blake

7. White Bear Lake

8. Hill-Murray

9. Eagan

10. Centennial

1 How much of a rebuilding year will it be for Class 2A champion Eden Prairie? The Eagles must replace 12 players lost through graduation.
2 Blake did not reach the Class 1A tournament last season after capturing the championship in 2007. The Bears, led by Sally Komarek and Margaret Chute, have the talent to bounce back with their third state title.
3 Farmington goaltender Jessica Erchul was the talk of the state tournament as an eighth-grader last season, stopping 35 shots in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Eagan. She will begin this season sharing goaltending duties with senior Brittany Braatz.
4 The Classic Lake Conference could prove to be the strongest in the metro this season. Edina, Hopkins and Minnetonka all have legitimate chances of winning the conference and going deep into the state tournament. The Suburban East, as usual, will be well-represented by Roseville, Stillwater and White Bear Lake, among others.
5 Maple Grove will have some new but familiar faces behind the bench this season. Head coach Noelle Sutton and assistant Krista Johnson are former Gophers. Assistant Lindsay Jacobs played for St. Thomas. Sutton and Jacobs are Maple Grove graduates.
OntheEdge
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Post by OntheEdge »

joehockey wrote:From today's Star Tribune:

Here are 20 players to watch and the preseason top 10 in girls' hockey:

• Krystal Baumann, so., F, Farmington

• Rachael Bona, so., F, Coon Rapids

• Hannah Brandt, fr., F, Hill-Murray

• Bethany Brausen, jr., F, Roseville

• Lauren Charpentier, F, Stillwater

• Margaret Chute, F, Blake

• Cara Coughlin, F, Edina

• Callie Dahl, F, Stillwater

• Cara Gulbronson, G, Edina

• Audrey Hanmer, so., D, Forest Lake

• Kelsey Kennedy, D, Eagan

• Sally Komarek, F, Blake

• Becky Kortum, F, Hopkins

• Taylor Kuehl, so., F, Mound-Westonka

• Maddie Marcotte, jr., D, White Bear Lake

• Gina McDonald, jr., F, Irondale

• Alex Nelson, F, Andover

• Kelsey Romatoski, D, Holy Angels

• Madison Styrbicki, D, Breck

• Lauren Zrust, F, Blaine

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Hopkins

2. Stillwater

3. Edina

4. Roseville

5. Minnetonka

6. Blake

7. White Bear Lake

8. Hill-Murray

9. Eagan

10. Centennial

1 How much of a rebuilding year will it be for Class 2A champion Eden Prairie? The Eagles must replace 12 players lost through graduation.
2 Blake did not reach the Class 1A tournament last season after capturing the championship in 2007. The Bears, led by Sally Komarek and Margaret Chute, have the talent to bounce back with their third state title.
3 Farmington goaltender Jessica Erchul was the talk of the state tournament as an eighth-grader last season, stopping 35 shots in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Eagan. She will begin this season sharing goaltending duties with senior Brittany Braatz.
4 The Classic Lake Conference could prove to be the strongest in the metro this season. Edina, Hopkins and Minnetonka all have legitimate chances of winning the conference and going deep into the state tournament. The Suburban East, as usual, will be well-represented by Roseville, Stillwater and White Bear Lake, among others.
5 Maple Grove will have some new but familiar faces behind the bench this season. Head coach Noelle Sutton and assistant Krista Johnson are former Gophers. Assistant Lindsay Jacobs played for St. Thomas. Sutton and Jacobs are Maple Grove graduates.
Interesting perspective but I have to say I don't agree with all of the top 20 to watch. The writer picks 2 Edina girls and neither one is Edina's best two players, Reber and Buie????
hockeya1a
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:36 am

Post by hockeya1a »

OntheEdge wrote:
joehockey wrote:From today's Star Tribune:

Here are 20 players to watch and the preseason top 10 in girls' hockey:

• Krystal Baumann, so., F, Farmington

• Rachael Bona, so., F, Coon Rapids

• Hannah Brandt, fr., F, Hill-Murray

• Bethany Brausen, jr., F, Roseville

• Lauren Charpentier, F, Stillwater

• Margaret Chute, F, Blake

• Cara Coughlin, F, Edina

• Callie Dahl, F, Stillwater

• Cara Gulbronson, G, Edina

• Audrey Hanmer, so., D, Forest Lake

• Kelsey Kennedy, D, Eagan

• Sally Komarek, F, Blake

• Becky Kortum, F, Hopkins

• Taylor Kuehl, so., F, Mound-Westonka

• Maddie Marcotte, jr., D, White Bear Lake

• Gina McDonald, jr., F, Irondale

• Alex Nelson, F, Andover

• Kelsey Romatoski, D, Holy Angels

• Madison Styrbicki, D, Breck

• Lauren Zrust, F, Blaine

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Hopkins

2. Stillwater

3. Edina

4. Roseville

5. Minnetonka

6. Blake

7. White Bear Lake

8. Hill-Murray

9. Eagan

10. Centennial

1 How much of a rebuilding year will it be for Class 2A champion Eden Prairie? The Eagles must replace 12 players lost through graduation.
2 Blake did not reach the Class 1A tournament last season after capturing the championship in 2007. The Bears, led by Sally Komarek and Margaret Chute, have the talent to bounce back with their third state title.
3 Farmington goaltender Jessica Erchul was the talk of the state tournament as an eighth-grader last season, stopping 35 shots in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Eagan. She will begin this season sharing goaltending duties with senior Brittany Braatz.
4 The Classic Lake Conference could prove to be the strongest in the metro this season. Edina, Hopkins and Minnetonka all have legitimate chances of winning the conference and going deep into the state tournament. The Suburban East, as usual, will be well-represented by Roseville, Stillwater and White Bear Lake, among others.
5 Maple Grove will have some new but familiar faces behind the bench this season. Head coach Noelle Sutton and assistant Krista Johnson are former Gophers. Assistant Lindsay Jacobs played for St. Thomas. Sutton and Jacobs are Maple Grove graduates.
Interesting perspective but I have to say I don't agree with all of the top 20 to watch. The writer picks 2 Edina girls and neither one is Edina's best two players, Reber and Buie????
No Rose A from RW? she was an on the all star team correct but not on list?

How may others from the allstar team are not on here?
hockeyrube7
Posts: 442
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:29 pm

Post by hockeyrube7 »

Who's top 20 is that? Seems short on some of the top seniors this year, also seems to be missing a lot of out state kids, such as GRG, Roseau, Duluth, and Proctor to name a few, must be just a metro list, but still seems to be missing some?
hockeyheaven
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:42 pm

Post by hockeyheaven »

Take it for what it is…one person’s opinion. Hard to know what standard they used. Two certainties about this however...it’s a great list of players...and they missed some.

Let me be the first to add to it ….Dana Gallop, Jr., F Grand Rapids….Carly Sylvester, So., F Warroad….
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