The Real 2007 /2008 Bantam A Rankings

[Chuck Norris Fan]

Well people I am back for another year of Bantma A Rankings. Last year was fun, and I think when it was all said and done the observations were fair and impartial. Of Course Centennial was one goal away from making me look really smart. But alas EP came out on top, and by the looks of it plans to stay there. So here goes, you know it is early so things are bound to change.

1. EP - No Doubt
2. Wayzata - Solid top to bottom
3. East - Should be solid again / no Big goalie this year
4. Mahtomedi - If he stays Marshal is the real deal
5. St. Cloud - If they get them all to play bantams? That is a big IF.
6. Edina - a down year but will be solid
7. White bear - a bunch of size little skill
8. Roseau - Always tough but a slow starter
9. Blaine - Without Bjugstad, they may fall fast
10. Centennial - a down year, will be better than peewees with Larsen in nets

At this point I only feel comfortable with the top ten. As teams get going I will get out watching and give a top 20 in November. Good luck to all this year. Don't forget to post scores so I know about things I did not see.

[jackstraw]

Mahtomedi? They have another quality player in the Jordan kid. '93 birth , first year bantam. Keep an eye on Faribault to the South.

[chillout]

Glad to see you doing the rankings again this season Norris.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

Edina won't have a down year. What is Bjugstad doing this year?, and Burnsville should be in top ten.

[Gums45]

I was impressed with Burnsville 2 years ago at PWA level. If they've maintained a similar group and progressed, they could be tough. Chuck - glad to see you're back in the groove.

[my2cents]

Thank you C.N.F.

Keep an eye on:

Jefferson
Stillwater
Rochester
Burnsville
Woodbury
Champlan

There are some key players rumored to move up to HS/JV that have enlisted in Bantams. I suspect they may still try out for HS/JV later on. Bjugstad will be HS/JV at Blaine and is not rostered their Bantam website.

Marshall at Mahtomedi looked terrific over the summer and is ready for the move to HS. EP has some kids that looked excellent this summer that were B1's last year. They may even seperate themselves from the pack this year more than they did as PW A's.

[DannyCalifornia]

Edina won't have a down year. What is Bjugstad doing this year?, and Burnsville should be in top ten.

Bjugstad is trying out for high school team.

[chillout]

Well that was interesting....

[Chuck Norris Fan]

While not Ready to post a new top 20. I have to say I will be attending the Centennial Preview to watch the top teams across the state compete for early rankings. EP, WBL, Wayzata, Centennial, Shattuck, Mahtomedi, Blaine, Edina, and East will all be there.

Thursday and Friday night and all day saturday and sunday

[Hock3y07]

St.Cloud? unless they have a lot of returing players i dont see it happening. i played them last year and i think we beat them like 5-2 or 3 in there own tournemant.

and Woodbury had almost all 2nd years last year didnt they?

[Bangsta]

Mahtomedi? They have another quality player in the Jordan kid. '93 birth , first year bantam.

Jordan left the team and went back to the Fire. Ben Marshall and 2 others are signed up for HS. Mahtomedi will go from pretty good to something quite less than that.

[hockeyhockey]

From the looks of things this weekend Edina surprisingly came out at the top of the heap for now with a decisive win over Duluth East 3-0 and a 2-1 win over Wayzata, Wayzata beat EP in a scrimmage. Also wins of 7-0 over Blaine and 3-0 over Rochester. And their top player is still out, or playing minimal shifts.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

hockeyhokey

EP and Wayzata did not scrimmage. EP played Centennial, Maple Grove, and Mahtomedi.

[wannagototherink]

Chuck now you've gone and done it!


You did such a great job on the rankings last year we are all sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to see what this year brings...

What day are you going to post your rankings on?

Are you gonna do it weekly? Bi-weekly?


You have created a monster for yourself because now we are all chomping at the bit to see where everyone is.

Come one Chuck now you have a resposibility to this board to get these rankings out.


....sorry that was my best impression of a crazy hockey parent obsessing about youth hockey.

Thanks chuck you do a great job and provide a great service.

[Chuck Norris Fan]

OK. So a lot of hockey has been watched, and a lot of scores have been posted. I feel good about a top 20. It is a little cloudy in the bottom half, but that will be sure to clear up soon. Overall it does not matter EP is clearly the top in the state. No one will catch them this year. No one!

1. EP - Will be here all year
2. Wayzata - Tough D can't score goals
3. East - Looking good with help from the Bong Bridge.. Ask your parents
4. Edina - Some good speed can not compete with the big boys
5. Roseau -
6. Minnetonka - Looking good vs. the patsies
7. White bear - they will beat you into submission
8. Champlain Park – another combination team, could walk away w/ D10
9. Chaska – Maybe the best kept secret
10. Mahtomedi - We will know in a week, I say he is gone
11. Jefferson / Kennedy – another year of the Bloomington Combo
12. St. Cloud - Still an unknown, has anyone heard from them
13. Woodbury – getting better & better, now they need a coach
14. Burnsville – average team
15. Centennial - Can't score, can't stop being scored on......
16. Eagan -
17. Blaine - not looking good
18. Rochester – Goal scoring an issue
19. Apple Valley – The best AV bantam team in memory
20. Maple Grove – less offense than Centennial

[puckboy]

nice job Chuck!! one question- what do you mean "woodbury needs a coach?

[niceice909]

cuck norris why is rochester there?
i just read in the game results that they lost to fairbault???
correct me if im wrong

[northwoods oldtimer]

I would like to add Bemidji and Grand Rapids to the list. Those clubs will crack the top 20 this season in Bantam A.

[Stealth]

Story has it St. Cloud will be down. Coach/Parent problems after try outs and kids sliding to the BB1’s to avoid the team?
Will see?

[acpal]

hey, you can't leave out bemidji and moorhead, and brainerd

[highschoolhockeyfan]

norris fan I find it interesting how you have all of these elaborate sentences after the teams and what we have been in the season for a week? Let me tell you where you went wrong with this. You are saying EP is unbeatable a week into the season? Pretty cocky, after all if you did not know and im assuming you did not, 2 years ago Edina with Budish and Everson and that line who was at the top of the state the whole year and lost maybe 3 games went to play Cenntenial the first week of the season and what was the score? 7-1 Edina. What happened at the very last game, Centennial beats them 5-3. Edina beat Cenntenial every period of the season except the last 1 1/2 and thats all it took. Your saying EP in not beatable hopefully that makes you rethink. After all you dont know what could happen. A star is born during the season who gets a hattrick to win the championship game or someone gets hurt.

[Fire and Ice]

Some teams have only played the top 5 teams so far....we shall see how the also rans do.

[labattblue17]

Edina beat Wayzata 2-1 and East 3-0 so I'd think twice about putting those two ahead of them especially East.

[gerryodrowski]

hshockey fan....Chuck just calls them as he sees them. He does not advocate for any team. O.K. to disagree but don't get confused.

[BoogeyMan]

Did Eden Prairie just play Edina? I'm not sure what level teams were playing. But EP beat Edina 6-0.

Was this Bantams A?