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Another year is upon us! As we start the year, I start with LPH's top 20 and proceed from there. There are some amazing story lines, but we see many of the same faces with the top 3 coming from last year's top 4.
The next two rankings will be two weeks from now and then two weeks later, giving more opportunity for games and change between rankings.
The more discussion and feedback the better. Enjoy!

1. Hermantown (0-0)
Hermantown is going to be the team to beat this year. They return their #3, #4, and #6 scorers from last year as well as their goalie and they are very deep. Hermantown's schedule, however will possibly make things very interesting; they don't play a Class A team until their 5th game, of their 22 scheduled games only 10 are against Class A teams, and only play the teams currently ranked 6, 9, 11, 14, and 15.
Fri 11/27 vs Wayzata, Sat 11/28 @ Roseville, Thurs 12/3 @ Duluth Marshall, Fri 12/15 @ Hopkins

2. Breck (0-0)
If someone is going to beat Hermantown this year, it is going to be Breck. Their goalie who played every minute last year graduated, but they are returning their top 6 scorers and many more. Breck has the benefit of playing many of the top Class A teams, while playing enough AA teams to be able to be compared to Hermantown once the season gets going. In their first 4 games, the Mustangs play 3 top 11 Class A teams, including the defending state champs.
Tues 11/24 @ Delano, Tues 12/1 vs Holy Family, Fri 12/4 vs East Grand Forks, Sat 12/5 vs Thief River Falls

3. East Grand Forks (0-0)
The defending state champs graduate both of their goalies, 5 of their top 7 scorers and 8 of the 14 skaters who scored more than one goal last year. They do have some good scorers returning; can they bring this team together and compete this year? With their front heavy schedule we will know by the next rankings whether they will be a top team again or not with games against teams ranked 2, 4 and 9.
Tues 11/24 vs Park Rapids, Fri 11/27 vs Totino-Grace, Sat 11/28 vs St Cloud Cathedral, Fri 12/4 @ Breck, Sat 12/5 @ St Paul Academy

4. St Paul Academy (1-0)
The Spartans had literally 2 seniors on their team last year and with 19 points between the two of them, St Paul Academy is returning basically their entire roster. Last year they were 1-1 against Breck but lost twice to the one team stopping them from getting to state, Mahtomedi, including when it mattered most in the section finals. They are 1-0 and play 3 of their hardest 4 games next against Luverne, Mahtomedi, and East Grand Forks. However you look at it, these 3 games will likely determine a lot of how they are ranked the rest of the season.
Sat 11/28 @ Luverne, Tues 12/1 vs Mahtomedi, Sat 12/5 vs East Grand Forks

5. St Cloud Apollo (0-1)
The Eagles were an amazing story 3 years ago when they made it to state and they made it back again last year, shutting out Breck in the quarterfinals. They were another young team with their goalie a freshman for that 1st state appearance returning their top 2 scorers and 6 of their top 10. While they are definitely a top team, they play a typical 6A Central Lakes Conference schedule, with only Breck and Cathedral as ranked teams they play. Their first game was a loss to a good Bemidji team, which doesn't say a lot yet and they only play one more game before the next rankings.
Tues 12/1 vs Willmar

6. Mahtomedi (0-0)
The Zephyrs only lost 2 games during the regular season last year, both conference games to AA teams, and to the ultimate state champion at state. Mahtomedi lost their top scorer and 6 of their 11 with double digit points last year, but do return their goalie. They beat St Paul Academy twice last year by 2 and 3 goals but are ranked lower this year. Can they beat them again?
Tues 11/24 @ Roseville, Sat 11/28 @ Cretin-Derham Hall, Tues 12/1 @ St Paul Academy, Thurs 12/3 vs Spring Lake Park

7. Delano (1-0)
The Tigers are the 4th ranked team who are returning their top scorer from last year as well as 4 more of their top 10 but graduated all goalies on their roster. Last year they were crushed by Breck during the regular season but took them to 2 overtimes in the section finals. There is a good chance they will be back at that game this year but on paper they are definitely the underdog. Their next game will likely be a huge determining factor in the top seed at sections. Can they come together and make the team's first state appearance?
Tues 11/24 vs Breck, Tues 12/1 @ St Louis Park, Thurs 12/3 @ Chanhassen, Sat 12/5 @ Kennedy

8. Luverne (1-0)
The Cardinals' return their top two scorers and while 5 of 13 with double digit points graduated and their goalie graduated, 92, 83, 42 and 41 point scorers are returning. Despite their scoring, giving up goals was a big issue for them whenever they played good teams; how will losing their goalie affect them? They did add Orono and New Prague to their schedule and they play St Paul Academy, but outside of those games are 22 games against teams who likely won't be ranked this season. Their 11-0 first game is a preview of how many games will likely go.
Fri 11/27 vs Le Sueur-Henderson/St Peter, Sat 11/28 vs St Paul Academy, Tues 12/1 vs Marshall, Fri 12/4 vs Orono, 12/5 vs Waseca

9. St Cloud Cathedral (1-0)
The Crusaders were just above a .500 team last year with lots of losses to good teams, but they beat Apollo during the season while following that up with a section final loss. While they lost their goalie and two scorers, they return their top scorer and point leaders 4-8. They started their season with a 5-1 win over New Prague. In their next 3 games they will play two 8A teams on the road, including the defending champs.
Tues 11/24 vs Fergus Falls, Fri 11/27 @ Warroad, Sat 11/28 @ East Grand Forks, Tues 12/1 @ St Cloud Tech, Sat 12/5 vs Rochester Lourdes

10. Hibbing (2-0)
The Bluejackets were a young team last year that was hard to rank as they lost to all the good teams they played and beat all the lower teams. They lose their goalie from last year but only lost the 4th scorer of the 7 with double digit points. With Marshall out of the section, they are top 3 in 7A with Denfeld and Hermantown in their way. Regardless of the seed, they should be playing Denfeld to get to the section final. Two games in they have scored 12 and only allowed 1 goal.
Fri 12/4 @ International Falls, Sat 12/5 @ Roseau

11. Thief River Falls (0-0)
Tues 11/24 vs Roseau, Fri 11/27 vs Blake, Sat 11/28 vs Totino-Grace, Fri 12/4 @ Tartan, Sat 12/5 @ Breck

12. Orono (0-1)
Tues 11/24 vs New Prague, Sat 11/28 @ Monticello, Tues 12/1 @ Providence Academy, Fri 12/4 @ Luverne, Sat 12/5 @ Mankato West

13. Fergus Falls (1-0)
Tues 11/24 @ St Cloud Cathedral, Tues 12/1 vs Brainerd, Thurs 12/3 vs St Cloud Tech, Sat 12/5 vs Little Falls

14. Duluth Denfeld (0-0)
Fri 11/27 vs Red Wing, Sat 11/28 vs Jefferson, Tues 12/1 vs Greenway, Fri 12/4 @ South St Paul, Sat 12/5 @ Eagan

15. New Prague (0-1)
Tues 11/24 @ Orono, Sat 11/28 @ Northfield, Thurs 12/3 @ Mankato West, Sat 12/5 @ Holy Family Catholic

16. Alexandria (0-0)
Tues 11/24 @ Little Falls, Tues 12/1 vs Sauk Rapids-Rice

17. St Paul Johnson (0-0)
Tues 11/24 vs Simley, Fri 11/27 vs Lake of the Woods, Sat @ New Richmond, Fri 12/4 vs Crookston, Sat vs Park Rapids

18. Warroad (0-0)
Fri 11/27 vs St Cloud Cathedral, Sat 11/28 vs Sartell-St Stephen, Tues 12/1 @ Crookston, Fri 12/4 vs Virginia, Sat 12/5 vs Grand Rapids

19. Sartell-St Stephen (1-0)
Fri 11/27 @ Crookston, Sat 11/28 @ Warroad, Tues 12/1 vs River Lakes, Thurs 12/3 @ Brainerd

20. Mankato West (1-0)
Sat 11/28 vs Faribault, Tues 12/1 @ Mankato East, Thurs 12/3 vs New Prague, Sat 12/5 vs Orono

HShockeywatcher wrote:8. Luverne (1-0)
The Cardinals' top scorer left, 5 of 13 with double digit points graduated and their goalie graduated, but they do 83, 42 and 41 point scorers. Despite their scoring, giving up goals was a big issue for them whenever they played good teams; how will losing their goalie affect them? They did add Orono and New Prague to their schedule and they play St Paul Academy, but outside of those games are 22 games against teams who likely won't be ranked this season. Their 11-0 first game is a preview of how many games will likely go.
Fri 11/27 vs Le Sueur-Henderson/St Peter, Sat 11/28 vs St Paul Academy, Tues 12/1 vs Marshall, Fri 12/4 vs Orono, 12/5 vs Waseca

The Cardinals Top scorer did not leave. The first line will be one of the best in the state. The goaltending will be improved. Their blue line is deeper than ever.

Normally I dont venture into posts about A.

I will comment again on the great level of talent of the Hermantown kids I saw in Elite. Although I dont know about their depth

Mahtomedi may be underrated, others have pointed out their scrimmage success against HT, DF, CLQT and BL. Will Swanson was steady in goal and ranked in top 10 Elite goalies.

notTONIGHT wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:8. Luverne (1-0)
The Cardinals' top scorer left, 5 of 13 with double digit points graduated and their goalie graduated, but they do 83, 42 and 41 point scorers. Despite their scoring, giving up goals was a big issue for them whenever they played good teams; how will losing their goalie affect them? They did add Orono and New Prague to their schedule and they play St Paul Academy, but outside of those games are 22 games against teams who likely won't be ranked this season. Their 11-0 first game is a preview of how many games will likely go.
Fri 11/27 vs Le Sueur-Henderson/St Peter, Sat 11/28 vs St Paul Academy, Tues 12/1 vs Marshall, Fri 12/4 vs Orono, 12/5 vs Waseca

The Cardinals Top scorer did not leave. The first line will be one of the best in the state. The goaltending will be improved. Their blue line is deeper than ever.

That's a pretty big, cocky, bold claim, but it MAY not be wrong. As much argument as there is, there's absolutely zero proof to support these claims in 11-0 games. We will see if you're right only in those three games mentioned previously, and maybe against New Ulm as well. A best line in state is one that can excel against any opponent, right?

Windmill31 wrote:

notTONIGHT wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:8. Luverne (1-0)
The Cardinals' top scorer left, 5 of 13 with double digit points graduated and their goalie graduated, but they do 83, 42 and 41 point scorers. Despite their scoring, giving up goals was a big issue for them whenever they played good teams; how will losing their goalie affect them? They did add Orono and New Prague to their schedule and they play St Paul Academy, but outside of those games are 22 games against teams who likely won't be ranked this season. Their 11-0 first game is a preview of how many games will likely go.
Fri 11/27 vs Le Sueur-Henderson/St Peter, Sat 11/28 vs St Paul Academy, Tues 12/1 vs Marshall, Fri 12/4 vs Orono, 12/5 vs Waseca

The Cardinals Top scorer did not leave. The first line will be one of the best in the state. The goaltending will be improved. Their blue line is deeper than ever.

That's a pretty big, cocky, bold claim, but it MAY not be wrong. As much argument as there is, there's absolutely zero proof to support these claims in 11-0 games. We will see if you're right only in those three games mentioned previously, and maybe against New Ulm as well. A best line in state is one that can excel against any opponent, right?

Yes.

Historically there are always games when the best lines in the state get shut down. Look at warroad vs egf when they had roth bethune and i forget the other kid. Time will tell. Yes, i believe they have one of the best top lines in the state.

I'd like to invite Luverne to spend a weekend on the Iron Range next year. Greenway and Hibbing should have good clubs and provide them with some great competition in back to back games. I'd love to see Nelson and Perunovich on the same sheet of ice at the same time. Luverne would also get to experience the tradition and importance that hockey plays in this part of the state.

Nelson won't be playing with Luverne next year.

greenway1969 wrote:I'd like to invite Luverne to spend a weekend on the Iron Range next year. Greenway and Hibbing should have good clubs and provide them with some great competition in back to back games. I'd love to see Nelson and Perunovich on the same sheet of ice at the same time. Luverne would also get to experience the tradition and importance that hockey plays in this part of the state.

It is nice that they were able to add Orono and New Prague to their schedule. It is unfortunate they weren't able to do more. I have a hard time believing their conference/section opponents enjoy the match ups or that there aren't a handful of teams who would've gladly scheduled them. Oh well.

Corn Cobb wrote:Nelson won't be playing with Luverne next year.

Is this just a guess? Even after this year, Luverne will still maintain much of their top end scoring.

HShockeywatcher wrote:

greenway1969 wrote:I'd like to invite Luverne to spend a weekend on the Iron Range next year. Greenway and Hibbing should have good clubs and provide them with some great competition in back to back games. I'd love to see Nelson and Perunovich on the same sheet of ice at the same time. Luverne would also get to experience the tradition and importance that hockey plays in this part of the state.

It is nice that they were able to add Orono and New Prague to their schedule. It is unfortunate they weren't able to do more. I have a hard time believing their conference/section opponents enjoy the match ups or that there aren't a handful of teams who would've gladly scheduled them. Oh well.

Corn Cobb wrote:Nelson won't be playing with Luverne next year.

Is this just a guess? Even after this year, Luverne will still maintain much of their top end scoring.

Yes its just a guess.

This is the best schedule Luverne has ever had. I wish they could drive to the iron range and the cities every weekend. However, with boneheads (ala hutchinson) refusing to travel to luverne, EVER, It makes it very difficult for the AD to make it feasible. St. Paul Academy and Totino hopefully started something last year with the home and Homes. Hopefully that can continue.

Four tough out of conference games. SPA, Totino, Orono, and New Prague. Better than when they didnt play anyone. But not as good as we all would like.

notTONIGHT wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:

greenway1969 wrote:I'd like to invite Luverne to spend a weekend on the Iron Range next year. Greenway and Hibbing should have good clubs and provide them with some great competition in back to back games. I'd love to see Nelson and Perunovich on the same sheet of ice at the same time. Luverne would also get to experience the tradition and importance that hockey plays in this part of the state.

It is nice that they were able to add Orono and New Prague to their schedule. It is unfortunate they weren't able to do more. I have a hard time believing their conference/section opponents enjoy the match ups or that there aren't a handful of teams who would've gladly scheduled them. Oh well.

Corn Cobb wrote:Nelson won't be playing with Luverne next year.

Is this just a guess? Even after this year, Luverne will still maintain much of their top end scoring.

Yes its just a guess.


This is the best schedule Luverne has ever had. I wish they could drive to the iron range and the cities every weekend. However, with boneheads (ala hutchinson) refusing to travel to luverne, EVER, It makes it very difficult for the AD to make it feasible. St. Paul Academy and Totino hopefully started something last year with the home and Homes. Hopefully that can continue.

Four tough out of conference games. SPA, Totino, Orono, and New Prague. Better than when they didnt play anyone. But not as good as we all would like.

Chaz playing Sat?

BP wrote:

notTONIGHT wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:It is nice that they were able to add Orono and New Prague to their schedule. It is unfortunate they weren't able to do more. I have a hard time believing their conference/section opponents enjoy the match ups or that there aren't a handful of teams who would've gladly scheduled them. Oh well. Is this just a guess? Even after this year, Luverne will still maintain much of their top end scoring.

Yes its just a guess.


This is the best schedule Luverne has ever had. I wish they could drive to the iron range and the cities every weekend. However, with boneheads (ala hutchinson) refusing to travel to luverne, EVER, It makes it very difficult for the AD to make it feasible. St. Paul Academy and Totino hopefully started something last year with the home and Homes. Hopefully that can continue.

Four tough out of conference games. SPA, Totino, Orono, and New Prague. Better than when they didnt play anyone. But not as good as we all would like.

Chaz playing Sat?

Ya

The first big night of the season and lots of important scores.

9 Breck
7 Delano


Delano's Ben Meyers had 3 points and Brian Halonen stepped up with 5. Delano's 7 wasn't enough for Breck's 9 with Chase Ellingson's hat trick.
Allowing 7 goals in your first varsity game isn't great, but it's the first game of the season and Delano's not bad. This meeting will likely happen again and my money is on a lower scoring game the second time around.

5 Orono
4 New Prague
OT

6 Thief River Falls
3 Roseau

6 Cathedral
3 Fergus Falls

2 Mahtomedi
1 Roseville

Anyone with some insight on Totino? They are 0-2 and graduated their top 3 scorers and their starting goalie from last year, but they also lost in OT to EGF and by 1 to TRF, both on the road.
With Mahtomedi and SPA in their section, making it to state will be an uphill battle, but being ranked will likely happen in the near future.

TG was weak last year but is starting to rebuild. May also be a bit of EGF not being as good as there ranking would indicate. I thought Hermantown would need to lose to Mahtomedi this year in March. Suppose Hermantown will need to lose to Breck provide they can figure things out defensively on how to allow less than a TD against Delano.