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Here is my take on the Top 10 Class A. This is based on the body of work, the eye test, and good wins vs iffy wins and Ok losses vs Bad losses. We all know its difficult for a 16,17,18 year old to bring it every night with all the other issues in life. I do not look at A and AA wins and losses because unless it’s a Top 10ish AA there is no difference and even then it is a numbers game meaning more depth but on a given night anything can happen.
1- 1.Hermantown- Best overall team at this point
2- 2.Breck – Strong team and a real threat
3- 3.Hibbing – Most electric player in the state
4- 4.St Cloud Apollo- Solid all around team
5- 5.Mahtomedi – last of the elite class a teams
6- 6.Thief River Falls – balanced team with a goalie that can steal one
7- 7.St Paul Academy- nice team speed
8- 8.Greenway – nice balance and terrific work ethic
9- 9.Delano – strong season and a very good team
10- 10.Totino Grace – biggest surprise in the top 10 but proved their worth vs Elk River

Outside looking in
EGF – Will move up if the returning horse can instantly make a huge impact. (big task)
St Cloud Cath
Blake
Litchfield

Teams at the X
Sec 1 Northfield, Mankato East
Sec 2 Breck, Delano, Blake
Sec 3 Litchfield, Luverne, Hutch
Sec 4 Mahtomedi, SPA, Totino Grace
Sec 5 Princeton, Chisago Lakes
Sec 6 St Cloud Apollo, St Cloud Cathedral
Sec 7 Hermantown, Hibbing, Greenway
Sec 8 Thief River Falls, EGF, Warroad

State Finals Hermantown vs Mahtomedi Champs - Hermantown

when i get time i will break down each team as to why but for now this is how i see it

We will await this breakdown with bated breath.

2 Comments

1) Hibbing has the most electrifying player in the state? Maybe in A....

2) Luverne not favored in 3A???? what is the world coming to??!!!!

nahc wrote:2 Comments

1) Hibbing has the most electrifying player in the state? Maybe in A....

2) Luverne not favored in 3A???? what is the world coming to??!!!!

No, I would say the entire state.

Sats81 wrote:

nahc wrote:2 Comments

1) Hibbing has the most electrifying player in the state? Maybe in A....

2) Luverne not favored in 3A???? what is the world coming to??!!!!

No, I would say the entire state.

I haven't seen Perunovich this season, but Casey Mittelstadt?

CornerBar wrote:

Sats81 wrote:

nahc wrote:2 Comments

1) Hibbing has the most electrifying player in the state? Maybe in A....

2) Luverne not favored in 3A???? what is the world coming to??!!!!

No, I would say the entire state.

I haven't seen Perunovich this season, but Casey Mittelstadt?

No one said best player, they said MOST ELECTRIFYING. Perunovich is just that.

Sats you are correct!!!! Never said best, that is a middelstadt/tufte conversation Scott Perunovich is electric mush like Ben Marshall was but even a step above in that he makes everyone on the ice better. He is a treat to watch!!

howardst wrote:Sats you are correct!!!! Never said best, that is a middelstadt/tufte conversation Scott Perunovich is electric mush like Ben Marshall was but even a step above in that he makes everyone on the ice better. He is a treat to watch!!

I would add Ryan Poehling to that conversation as well.

I respectfully disagree there. He is very good but not they same ability to impact a game as the other two. Just my humble opinion. There are a few very good players to throw into that argument.

howardst wrote:I respectfully disagree there. He is very good but not they same ability to impact a game as the other two. Just my humble opinion. There are a few very good players to throw into that argument.

You clearly haven't watched him play this year a whole lot then....and your humble opinion differs from about every NHL scout who has watched them all too.

Really - Hmmm the scouts I have talked with have seperated a few minnesota kids

Bellows
Lindgren
Tufte
Middlestadt
Mattson
Anderson

Then you hear the Poehling, Newpower, Notermans, etc

Dont be shocked to see Scott Perunovich slide into that conversation also. I do know the NHL scouts have been paying very close attention to him as of late

Sats81 wrote:

howardst wrote:Sats you are correct!!!! Never said best, that is a middelstadt/tufte conversation Scott Perunovich is electric mush like Ben Marshall was but even a step above in that he makes everyone on the ice better. He is a treat to watch!!

I would add Ryan Poehling to that conversation as well.

Meh

Sats81 wrote:

nahc wrote:2 Comments

1) Hibbing has the most electrifying player in the state? Maybe in A....

2) Luverne not favored in 3A???? what is the world coming to??!!!!

No, I would say the entire state.

I wouldn't.

howardst wrote:Really - Hmmm the scouts I have talked with have seperated a few minnesota kids

Bellows
Lindgren
Tufte
Middlestadt
Mattson
Anderson

Then you hear the Poehling, Newpower, Notermans, etc

Do the "scouts" you talk to know Poehling is a 2017 draft year? Also, Lindgren and Mattson's stock has both dropped significantly in the last 12 months. Love to know who these "scouts" are.

Yes they do know that. You said he was on their level now and the answer is no. Will he be? Most likely with maturity. In fact there are a bunch of younger kids that are on the radar. Heck Gleason is a name you will be hearing about as a upcoming stud also

howardst wrote:Yes they do know that. You said he was on their level now and the answer is no. Will he be? Most likely with maturity. In fact there are a bunch of younger kids that are on the radar. Heck Gleason is a name you will be hearing about as a upcoming stud also

I am saying he impacts a game every bit as much as Tufte/Mittlestadt do and i do think he is on their "level" and this is an opinion shared by many NHL scouts.

Well they are all just opinions and not facts or there would not be draft just a ranking and thats how you fall. I highly doubt any NHL team if given the choice between Tufte, Middlstadt, and Poehling would take Poehling ahead of the other two to play the NHL game.

howardst wrote:Well they are all just opinions and not facts or there would not be draft just a ranking and thats how you fall. I highly doubt any NHL team if given the choice between Tufte, Middlstadt, and Poehling would take Poehling ahead of the other two to play the NHL game.

All good. That is your opinion. Can you honestly tell me how many times you have seen RP play in person this year? Truly curious.

Scouts are not always right, especially on first rounders. Remember Vancouver taking Pat White in the first round????? HMMMMMMM

two

Stilwater and Holy Family

Dont tell rainier he will acuse me of being a LVN fan lol

howardst wrote:Stilwater and Holy Family

Holy Family game was probably worst he has played all year. SW he was pretty good in. If those were only 2 games I saw him in I may feel same way. You will have to catch him more in person then tell me.