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2008 Associated Press All-State girls' Hockey team

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Associated Press 2008 All-State team for Minnesota girls' hockey, as voted on by statewide media.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Lauren Smith, Holy Angels

FIRST TEAM FLauren Smith, SR, Holy Angels FSarah Erickson, SR, Bemidji FEmily Erickson, SR, Grand Rapids/Greenway DKelly Seeler, SR, Eden Prairie DAnne Schleper, SR, St. Cloud APollo/Cathedral GKate Gallagher, SR, Blake

SECOND TEAM FKaty Kvasnicka, FR, Mankato West FDAnielle Welch, SR, Hastings FKatelyn Dold, SR, St. Cloud Tech DKelly Wild, SR, Cretin-Derham Hall DAshley Holmes, SR, Alexandria GDanielle Justice, SR, Alexandria

HONORABLE MENTION FORWARDS Elle Adams, JR, Brainerd; Kacy Ambroz, SR, New Prague; Hannah Anderson, SR, Fergus Falls; Amanda Arbogast, FR, Eveleth-Gilbert; Molly Arola, JR, Grand Rapids/Greenway; Erin Babineau, SR, Roseville; Kate Bacon, SR, Benilde-St. Margaret's; Alyssa Black, JR, Mankato West; Rachael Bona, FR, Coon Rapids; Meaghan Brigl, SR, Eastview; Jess Bye, SR, Brainerd; Hilary Christiansen, SR, Eagan; Jenna Christensen, JR, Albert Lea; Jessica Christofferson, JR, Bemidji; Margaret Chute, JR, Blake; Sara DeSaer, SR, Marshall; Callie Dahl, JR, Stillwater; Jo Jo Dey, JR, Spring Lake Park/St.

Anthony; Sam Downey, JR, Silver Bay/Two Harbors/Cook County; Jamie Fenstermacher, SR, Hibbing/Chisholm; Melissa Feste, SR, Eden Prairie; Stevie Fiek, SR, Rochester Mayo; Mary Grace Flesher, SO, Rochester Mayo; Dana Gallop, SO, Grand Rapids/Greenway; Julia Gilbert, SO, Proctor/Hermantown/Duluth Marshall; Andrea Green, SR, Eden Prairie; Jill Jacobs, SR, Marshall; Taylor Jenkins, SR, Austin; Kelsey Ketcher, SR, Eden Prairie; Kaylee Keys, SR, Cretin-Derham Hall; Sally Komarek, SR, Blake; Becky Kortum, JR, Hopkins; Megan Kramer, SR, Owatonna; Taylor Kuehl, FR, Mound-Westonka; Kylie Lane, JR, Roseau; Mary Loken, JR, Roseau; Meghan Lorence, FR, Irondale; Erika Magnusson, JR, Fergus Falls; Layla Marvin, FR, Warroad; Cristina Masten, SO, Fergus Falls; Cailyn McCauley, FR, Owatonna; Gina McDonald, SO, Irondale; Casey McMullen, SR, Minneapolis Novas; Alex Nelson, JR, Andover; Korinne O'Connor, JR, New Ulm; Liz Orke, SR, Wayzata; Jenna Peterson, SR, Hopkins; Hannah Riggs, SR, Eden Prairie; Sam Reinert, SR, Warroad; Hayley Schmid, JR, St. Francis/North Branch; Emma Shields-Nordness, SR, Benilde-St. Margaret's; Jocie Slattery, SO, Centennial; Ashley Stenerson, SO, Moorhead; Ellen Swiontkowski, SR, Breck; Jordana Turner, SO, Eveleth-Gilbert; Monique Weber, SR, Elk River; Jami Weiss, SO, Proctor/Hermantown/Duluth Marshall; Marlee Wheelhouse, SR, Crookston; Abby Williams, SR, Alexandria; Lauren Zrust, JR, Blaine.

DEFENDERS Rose Alleva, SO, Red Wing; Lisa Berreman, JR, Eagan; Anna Carlson, SR, Roseville; Brittany Carlson, SR, Cretin-Derham Hall; Jac Daggit, SR, Park of Cottage Grove; Ashley Duffy, SR, Benilde-St. Margaret's; Kerri Graske, SR, Stillwater; Janessa Haller, JR, Anoka; Nara Higano, SR, Rochester Mayo; Heather Horgen, SR, Grand Rapids/Greenway; Breanne Hrabe, SR, New Prague; Christina Lacombe, SO, Eden Prairie; Jessica Laurinaitis, SR, Wayzata; Ariel Mackley, SR, Burnsville; Milica McMillen, 8th, Breck; Amber Ostoff, JR, Mankato West; Kelsey Romatoski, JR, Holy Angels; Lauren Schlicting, SR, Stillwater; Cassie Seifert, SR, New Ulm; Madison Styrbicki, JR, Breck; Montana Vichorek, SR, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton.

GOALIES Alli Altmann, SR, Eagan; Laura Bellamy, JR, Duluth East/Central/Denfeld; Maddie Burke, SR, Eden Prairie; Cassi Carpenter, SR, Centennial; Therese Coughlan, FR, Mankato West; Chelsey Froseth, JR, Roseau; Alyssa Grogan, SR, Eagan; Jeni Grugel, JR, Fergus Falls; Nikki Haralson, SR, Wayzata; Jessica Havel, JR, Grand Rapids/Greenway; Kari Hunter, SR, Bloomington Kennedy; Nikki Kaasa, SR, St. Cloud Tech; Kayla Kreuter, FR, North Metro Stars; Maddie Lenz, SR, White Bear Lake; Brittany Moberg, SR, Eveleth-Gilbert; Amanda Nagel, SR, Benilde-St. Margaret's; Jessica Newstrom, JR, Cambridge-Isanti; Morgan Pieper, SR, Warroad; Michelle Ponapace-Potvin, SO, Rochester John Marshall/Lourdes; Claire Richards, SR, Richfield.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-25-08 0546CST

What a joke? Danielle Justice on the second team and the goalie from the 1st team not even at the big show. Shows you what the press knows

I think the writers votes had to be submitted before the tournament was started / over? Again - as has been mentioned in other threads - it's one of a number of All State teams and the opportunity for more girl's to be honored / receive acolades!

This list is pretty encompassing - a lot of names I don't know (especially south and north) so it will be fun to keep track of the younger kids.

this list is bogus... wow.. haha unbelieveable!!!!!!!!
The first team seems accurate. Except for I think Justice or Grogan deserve the top goalie spots on these teams. The second team is ridiculous.
How do they figure that Dold and the MW girl are on the second team? What about Wheelhouse, Williams, Bacon, etc?

It may be a bias opinion, but Fergus Falls has as many players on the list as Alexandria. A team that outscored them 14-2 throught the year. Fergus isnt even close to a .500 record. Alex has about 3-4 other players that are more qualified for this list than any of the Fergus players.
This list shouldn't even be put out.

Oh well, they have the GOLD medals!!!!!!!!!!
Go cards! 08 state champs!

Congratulations to all of these girls!!!!!


Good sportsmanship is often defined as the "golden rule" of sports — in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. Sportsmanship isn't just reserved for the people on the rink. It seems our athletes often understand this better than fans as evidenced by the students only thread. Fans and parents also need to be aware of how they behave during competition and after. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.

Stinkin Rootbeer wrote:What a joke? Danielle Justice on the second team and the goalie from the 1st team not even at the big show. Shows you what the press knows

Absolutely outrageous!!!!!. Edina, one of the top teams in the State, doesn't even get one girl picked for honorable mention? Edina played almost every top team in the state and won most of its match ups with the top teams. I suppose the writers think Edina did it with mirrors. Stars such as Buie and Reber aren't getting any of the respect they deserve. I don't get it. Should Edina load up their schedule with cream puffs and run up the score? It seems to be the only way to get some recognition.

Puck Bag wrote:I think the writers votes had to be submitted before the tournament was started / over? Again - as has been mentioned in other threads - it's one of a number of All State teams and the opportunity for more girl's to be honored / receive acolades!

Couldn't help but notice that the accolades were especially spread out for top goalie honors:

Ms. Goalie - Alyssa Grogan
MGHCA All State (2A) - Maddie Burke & Madeline Lenz
MGHCA All State (1A) - Morgan Pieper & Danielle Justice
AP All State - Kate Gallagher

Seems like this was an exceptionally strong class for Minnesota goaltenders - even the so-called "experts" could not consistently agree.

Obviously, there will be missed gals. The gals do not play the game to get on an all state list! All state lists have always been fraught with omissions, no matter what sport. Personally, think they should do away with them, especially in TEAM sports but that is just my opinion and I have no power to make that happen!

SportsMa wrote:Congratulations to all of these girls!!!!!


Good sportsmanship is often defined as the "golden rule" of sports — in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. Sportsmanship isn't just reserved for the people on the rink. It seems our athletes often understand this better than fans as evidenced by the students only thread. Fans and parents also need to be aware of how they behave during competition and after. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.

I totally agree with you, SportsMa. The players are embarrassed by negative or over the top bragging. The opinion polls are just that - opinions by humans with their own bias and oversights happen. I personally think that more of the Alex girls earned and deserved to be on that list - but I think they are happier with the trophy they won, than the approval of a bunch of people typing a list.

GOCARDS1 wrote:this list is bogus... wow.. haha unbelieveable!!!!!!!!
The first team seems accurate. Except for I think Justice or Grogan deserve the top goalie spots on these teams. The second team is ridiculous.
How do they figure that Dold and the MW girl are on the second team? What about Wheelhouse, Williams, Bacon, etc?

It may be a bias opinion, but Fergus Falls has as many players on the list as Alexandria. A team that outscored them 14-2 throught the year. Fergus isnt even close to a .500 record. Alex has about 3-4 other players that are more qualified for this list than any of the Fergus players.
This list shouldn't even be put out.

Oh well, they have the GOLD medals!!!!!!!!!!
Go cards! 08 state champs!

What are you complaining about?!?! You have a good amount of players on your team on there, two of them second team! And about Dold and MW... You don't think 54 and 94 points on the year aren't deserving of it?! Wow. You're extremely biased and just upset because the whole Alex team wasn't on the list. And it's not given to teams, so you can't say a player is not deserving of an award because their team isn't great.

Yes, congratulations to Alex on the State Championship and for having a great team, with many quality players. But Alex is not the only team in the state with decent players, so don't get all bent out of shape when other players get an award. Have some decent sportsmanship and congratulate those who worked hard to earn some recognition. Seriously.

Stinkin Rootbeer wrote:What a joke? Danielle Justice on the second team and the goalie from the 1st team not even at the big show. Shows you what the press knows

You cannot base an ALL-STATE list on who made it to the state tournament! That would leave you with 16 teams to pick players from and just completely shutout everyone else because they didn't have as great of teams! This is a season award, not just tournament! If you're going to base this award on just post-season play, you might as well just limit your choices to the four teams who make it to the state championships. Their are plenty of goaltenders who can give Justice a run for her money (not saying she is not a good goaltender, because she is. One of the best.) who did not make it to the state tournament because they don't have as solid team.

There is a purpose for the All-Tournament award... FYI.

Quind1, I figured I would get a rise out of you.
If anyone from Stcloud tech should have gotten it, it should have been Kaasa, and not Katlyn "cherrypicker" Dold. Kaasa is much more important to that team than Dold.

haha... Somebody's gotta stick up for the little guy.

Kaasa sometimes is overlooked, but she'll be alright without an award or two. Hope she is able to succeed at the next level, it'll be fun to watch her and the other players develop these next few years.

There are plenty overlooked. But, how would the sports writers know half of them?

This was one of the best years for goalies out of our state. Congrats to all. Too bad the D1 schools only took 2. (Maybe 3 if Kassa goes to Wisconsin) Not a good year for D1 openings for goalies.

http://www.kxmd.com/Sports/National/99378.asp

Take a look at the above link. It is the ballot that the AP voters choose from. I think it may explain alot of what they don't know and don't bother looking to find out.

woops wrong link here is the correct one.
http://www.kxmc.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=210377

OntheEdge wrote:

Stinkin Rootbeer wrote:What a joke? Danielle Justice on the second team and the goalie from the 1st team not even at the big show. Shows you what the press knows

Absolutely outrageous!!!!!. Edina, one of the top teams in the State, doesn't even get one girl picked for honorable mention? Edina played almost every top team in the state and won most of its match ups with the top teams. I suppose the writers think Edina did it with mirrors. Stars such as Buie and Reber aren't getting any of the respect they deserve. I don't get it. Should Edina load up their schedule with cream puffs and run up the score? It seems to be the only way to get some recognition.

I think this might help you in your thinking. Edina, like Stillwater and Roseville, don't have alot of standout players but rather play as a team. Its not smoke and mirrors, they are solid throughout top to bottom. Some of these other teams rely on these top players and when those top players have an off night, well then the team itself tanks. Where as the other teams who rely totally on each other, like Edina, have lesser off nights and consistently play at a higher level. You won't see bad games like you would with teams that rely on one or two players.

And another point to your bloggers, If I have to continue to read how some kid scored 90 points from a section and a schedule that is so filled with weak teams, I'm going to scream. Who cares! Most of the top players in the state don't have as many points as they could have because they play the top teams, who don't give up many goals...thats why they're the top teams. When I have to read about some kid from Mankato with 90 points, or the Alexandria line that scored 200 points this year, all I can think is this, "How would she/they do if she/they had a steady diet of Eden Prairie, Edina, Roseville, Stillwater, Grand Rapids...." I'm willing to bet her/their totals wouldn't be in the same ballpark. Probably not even close to the parking lot.

Hansonbrother wrote:

OntheEdge wrote:

Stinkin Rootbeer wrote:What a joke? Danielle Justice on the second team and the goalie from the 1st team not even at the big show. Shows you what the press knows

Absolutely outrageous!!!!!. Edina, one of the top teams in the State, doesn't even get one girl picked for honorable mention? Edina played almost every top team in the state and won most of its match ups with the top teams. I suppose the writers think Edina did it with mirrors. Stars such as Buie and Reber aren't getting any of the respect they deserve. I don't get it. Should Edina load up their schedule with cream puffs and run up the score? It seems to be the only way to get some recognition.

I think this might help you in your thinking. Edina, like Stillwater and Roseville, don't have alot of standout players but rather play as a team. Its not smoke and mirrors, they are solid throughout top to bottom. Some of these other teams rely on these top players and when those top players have an off night, well then the team itself tanks. Where as the other teams who rely totally on each other, like Edina, have lesser off nights and consistently play at a higher level. You won't see bad games like you would with teams that rely on one or two players.

And another point to your bloggers, If I have to continue to read how some kid scored 90 points from a section and a schedule that is so filled with weak teams, I'm going to scream. Who cares! Most of the top players in the state don't have as many points as they could have because they play the top teams, who don't give up many goals...thats why they're the top teams. When I have to read about some kid from Mankato with 90 points, all I can think is this, "How would she do if she had a steady diet of Eden Prairie, Edina, Roseville, Stillwater, Grand Rapids...." I'm willing to bet her totals would be like 30points, if that.

You make good points Hansonbrother however I'm wondering about how you define "standout player". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that you are saying that because there is so much depth of quality players on these teams its hard to standout. If this is what you are saying I agree. The problem for the elite girls on these teams is that they don't get any individual recognition which I think is wrong. If a couple of the best girls on an Edina or Roseville played on a more of a middle of the road team they would standout and get the deserved recognition. In other words, I think that some people think that only standout players deserve recognition when I believe that talent should be the barometer. Unfortunately not enough people including the writers watch enough hockey to get past the statistics they read when picking players for awards. I agree with you about the points. If you look at where most of those points are coming from the point totals are typically inflated with goals and assists against weak teams. If a girl played EP (2X), Stillwater, Roseville, AHA (3X), Hopkins (2X), GRG, CDH, HM, Eagan, Wayzata (2X), Cloquet, Duluth, Minnetonka (2X), Burnsville, Blake, Breck, Chaska like Edina did I bet that very few if any girls would have got 30 points. Edina's Reber had 28 points and Buie had 24 points which I think is an outstanding total considering Edina plays as a team, rolls 3 equal lines, and doesn't rely on any one player for power plays etc.

As an aside, I think at least one team that has a lot of depth and still gets individual recognition is EP. EP has been the exception but I think that EP has been to the State Tournament so many times and the press they got about transfers etc helped them alot in getting kids recognized.

OntheEdge wrote:

Hansonbrother wrote:

OntheEdge wrote: Absolutely outrageous!!!!!. Edina, one of the top teams in the State, doesn't even get one girl picked for honorable mention? Edina played almost every top team in the state and won most of its match ups with the top teams. I suppose the writers think Edina did it with mirrors. Stars such as Buie and Reber aren't getting any of the respect they deserve. I don't get it. Should Edina load up their schedule with cream puffs and run up the score? It seems to be the only way to get some recognition.

I think this might help you in your thinking. Edina, like Stillwater and Roseville, don't have alot of standout players but rather play as a team. Its not smoke and mirrors, they are solid throughout top to bottom. Some of these other teams rely on these top players and when those top players have an off night, well then the team itself tanks. Where as the other teams who rely totally on each other, like Edina, have lesser off nights and consistently play at a higher level. You won't see bad games like you would with teams that rely on one or two players.

And another point to your bloggers, If I have to continue to read how some kid scored 90 points from a section and a schedule that is so filled with weak teams, I'm going to scream. Who cares! Most of the top players in the state don't have as many points as they could have because they play the top teams, who don't give up many goals...thats why they're the top teams. When I have to read about some kid from Mankato with 90 points, all I can think is this, "How would she do if she had a steady diet of Eden Prairie, Edina, Roseville, Stillwater, Grand Rapids...." I'm willing to bet her totals would be like 30points, if that.

You make good points Hansonbrother however I'm wondering about how you define "standout player". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that you are saying that because there is so much depth of quality players on these teams its hard to standout. If this is what you are saying I agree. The problem for the elite girls on these teams is that they don't get any individual recognition which I think is wrong. If a couple of the best girls on an Edina or Roseville played on a more of a middle of the road team they would standout and get the deserved recognition. In other words, I think that some people think that only standout players deserve recognition when I believe that talent should be the barometer. Unfortunately not enough people including the writers watch enough hockey to get past the statistics they read when picking players for awards. I agree with you about the points. If you look at where most of those points are coming from the point totals are typically inflated with goals and assists against weak teams. If a girl played EP (2X), Stillwater, Roseville, AHA (3X), Hopkins (2X), GRG, CDH, HM, Eagan, Wayzata (2X), Cloquet, Duluth, Minnetonka (2X), Burnsville, Blake, Breck, Chaska like Edina did I bet that very few if any girls would have got 30 points. Edina's Reber had 28 points and Buie had 24 points which I think is an outstanding total considering Edina plays as a team and doesn't rely on any one player.

As an aside, I think at least one team that has a lot of depth and still gets individual recognition is EP. EP has been the exception but I think that EP has been to the State Tournament so many times and the press they got about transfers etc helped them alot in getting kids recognized.

thanks for your support, it is exactly what I'm talking about. Quite frankly, I thought EP only had 3 elite players. The rest of the cast is what it is, a supporting cast. The main reason that EP gets so much ink is because Morris is such a lobbyist for his kids; to the point that the media is actually tired of him...from what I hear.

Hansonbrother wrote:

OntheEdge wrote:

Hansonbrother wrote: I think this might help you in your thinking. Edina, like Stillwater and Roseville, don't have alot of standout players but rather play as a team. Its not smoke and mirrors, they are solid throughout top to bottom. Some of these other teams rely on these top players and when those top players have an off night, well then the team itself tanks. Where as the other teams who rely totally on each other, like Edina, have lesser off nights and consistently play at a higher level. You won't see bad games like you would with teams that rely on one or two players.

And another point to your bloggers, If I have to continue to read how some kid scored 90 points from a section and a schedule that is so filled with weak teams, I'm going to scream. Who cares! Most of the top players in the state don't have as many points as they could have because they play the top teams, who don't give up many goals...thats why they're the top teams. When I have to read about some kid from Mankato with 90 points, all I can think is this, "How would she do if she had a steady diet of Eden Prairie, Edina, Roseville, Stillwater, Grand Rapids...." I'm willing to bet her totals would be like 30points, if that.

You make good points Hansonbrother however I'm wondering about how you define "standout player". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that you are saying that because there is so much depth of quality players on these teams its hard to standout. If this is what you are saying I agree. The problem for the elite girls on these teams is that they don't get any individual recognition which I think is wrong. If a couple of the best girls on an Edina or Roseville played on a more of a middle of the road team they would standout and get the deserved recognition. In other words, I think that some people think that only standout players deserve recognition when I believe that talent should be the barometer. Unfortunately not enough people including the writers watch enough hockey to get past the statistics they read when picking players for awards. I agree with you about the points. If you look at where most of those points are coming from the point totals are typically inflated with goals and assists against weak teams. If a girl played EP (2X), Stillwater, Roseville, AHA (3X), Hopkins (2X), GRG, CDH, HM, Eagan, Wayzata (2X), Cloquet, Duluth, Minnetonka (2X), Burnsville, Blake, Breck, Chaska like Edina did I bet that very few if any girls would have got 30 points. Edina's Reber had 28 points and Buie had 24 points which I think is an outstanding total considering Edina plays as a team and doesn't rely on any one player.

As an aside, I think at least one team that has a lot of depth and still gets individual recognition is EP. EP has been the exception but I think that EP has been to the State Tournament so many times and the press they got about transfers etc helped them alot in getting kids recognized.

thanks for your support, it is exactly what I'm talking about. Quite frankly, I thought EP only had 3 elite players. The rest of the cast is what it is, a supporting cast. The main reason that EP gets so much ink is because Morris is such a lobbyist for his kids; to the point that the media is actually tired of him...from what I hear.

Just a question (or statement) for you about defense. I think too much emphasis is put on goals for defenders. Edina's defense also was overlooked. If you look at their schedule it was probably one of the toughest in the State. To have success their defense had to shut down most of the elite players from around the State and they did. For example, they played AHA 3 times and held Lauren Smith to 2 goals (one was a penalty shot) and no assists yet this defense didn't get any recognition either. Kristen Latta should have been considered since she was the anchor of a very good defense and I hope the people voting will watch the other 3 in the next 2-3 years since they are great young players.

Wouldn't you have to say that Edina, overall, has historically underperformed given it has better player numbers than any other program in the state? Didn't win its conference or its section.

Whatthe wrote:Wouldn't you have to say that Edina, overall, has historically underperformed given it has better player numbers than any other program in the state? Didn't win its conference or its section.

That's a good question but I don't know if I agree. Edina was in a tough Section and Hopkins was a good team in the conference. Edina had a couple of bad games like all teams do which cost them the conference but in the Sections they played well enough to win but its hard to beat an experienced (13 seniors many with State tournament experience) team when they had a lot younger team. IMO if they don't win the conference and go to State next year then I would agree that they are underachieving. IMO Minnetonka in Sections and Minnetonka and Hopkins in the conference will be their strongest opponents.

Yo Ontheedge, How does a corp of defensive defensemen get recognized? that in itself is the million dollar question. My buddies team has a mit-ful of them. They were probably the best in the state, but no one would ever know except the teams that had to play against them. He tells me they had less than a 1.5 GAA with a schedule similar or tougher than Edina's. So I understnd your thinking. Its hard when the players only prevent goals and don't put any on the board for them to get recognized.

This list is at best incomplete, at worst it's a contrived piece made up from suggestions of people that know people. It is too bad that they felt a need to have a first team, second team, and honorable mention. I'm sorry to say this, but there are not that many decent girl hockey players to go down that far. Almost every forward and defensman in the state should be on the honorable mention list. There is really nothing exceptional about those honorable mentions. Just, IMO.