Section 6A 2022-23
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2022 5:04 pm
2022-23 Section 6A Preseason Preview
Everyone loves an underdog. Well, at least until the underdog becomes the favorite. That’s the story in Section 6A for Alexandria as after years of being the bridesmaid to the private power St Cloud Cathedral new section realignment gave the Cardinals instant credibility amongst the teams that were left and they took full advantage winning Section 6A title last winter. Now instead of looking to pull an upset, the Cardinals will be the favorite to defend their title as an upcoming Northern Lakes and long time nemesis Fergus Falls will look to be the one pulling an upset. Also, don't overlook Wadena Deer Creek who bring back one their best teams since the mid 2000’s to make Section 6A a fun one to pay attention to.
Section 6A Preseason Poll (8 teams)
1- Alexandria
2- Northern Lakes
3- Fergus Falls
4- Wadena Deer Creek
5- Morris Benson
6- Prairie Centre
7- Willmar
8- Breckenridge/Wahpeton
#1 Alexandria- The Cardinals look to return to St Paul this March and continue what could be a dominant stretch in a thin Section 6A. Alexandria brings back a very nice core of forwards as Seniors Tyler Kludt, Joe Lamski & Nicholas Peterson, Jack Breitzman and Juniors Leo Kompelien & Gavin Olson return from their top 3 lines to form a very nice core forwards to build off of this winter. On the Blueline they will return Seniors Henry Ramstorf & Zaven Noetzelman along with Junior Jack Lamski all who played good minutes in their D core a year ago. The big question mark is they will need to find a goalie to step up but they will have a nice group of AA Bantams coming in and they do return a good batch of underclassmen from a very stellar JV team last winter. If they have an answer for the question in the net they return enough up front and on the back end to repeat as Section 6A Champions.
#2 Northern Lakes- The Lightning look on paper like a team that should be playing in the Section Final in 6A this winter. They return good scoring punch forwards Juniors Taylor Berg & Logan Verville along with Senior Darby Boelter all who had double digit goals. They also return Seniors Christian Crutcher & Zach Ehnstrom along with Junior Isaac Peterson all of whom had 20 points from the blueline. Add in returning starting goalie Junior Nigel DeSanto and an incoming A Bantam team that finished 2nd in State and this should be a Lightning squad on a serious upswing and will challenge in 6A.
#3 Fergus Falls- The Otters lost alot of scoring and the early departure of Issac Johnson really hurts them but they do return high scoring forward Junior Kellen Stenstrom along with their three returning main defenseman Seniors Colin Becker & Ethan McGuinness and Junior Leighton Buckmeier. They also return Senior Goaltender Ben Swanson who will enter his 4th season as the Otters Starter and they will be competitive in 6A. The question will be can they score but I wouldn't count Fergus Falls totally out in 6A this winter.
#4 Wadena Deer Creek- Looking for a surprise contender in Section 6A look no further than the Wolverines. They will return 12 total letter winners and their top 10 returning scorers. They will be led by Seniors Cole Woods & Connor Davis who each had over 20 goals and 40 points last year. They also return starting goalie Junior Gunnar Olson; the pieces are all there for WDC to have a historically good year and contend and try to return to state for the first time since 2004 they will be a definite factor in 6A this winter.
#5 Morris Benson- The Storm made their first ever appearance in program history last year in a Section Semifinal and they will look to be in the same spot this winter. Up front they return Seniors Ryan Tolifson, Trevoir Buss & Cole Blume who each had over 20 points last year. They also return starting goalie Junior Christopher Danielson along with 10 returning letter winners to try to build on last year's postseason success.
#6 Prairie Centre- The Northstars are led by high scoring Senior Eli Fletcher who had over 40 goals a year ago add in other top returning scorers Juniors Jesse Williams and Zac Brik and Prairie Centre should have no trouble scoring. The issue will be keeping the puck out of the net. They do return a two year starter in net but will need to replace their D-core which has haunted them in the past.
#7 Willmar- The Cardinals do bring back top scorers Junior Cullen Gregory & Senior Ethan Stark to help hopefully have a more competitive year this winter. They will need to see improvement in the goaltending department as no one they return in net had a GAA below 5 which makes it difficult for any team to compete.
#8 Breckenridge/Wahpeton- Here is to hoping the Blades can win a game this winter no program should ever go winless like they did last season. Leading scorer Senior Jack Rittenour returns as the leading scorer and they will have a host of other returners to hopefully put together a more competitive group this year.
Everyone loves an underdog. Well, at least until the underdog becomes the favorite. That’s the story in Section 6A for Alexandria as after years of being the bridesmaid to the private power St Cloud Cathedral new section realignment gave the Cardinals instant credibility amongst the teams that were left and they took full advantage winning Section 6A title last winter. Now instead of looking to pull an upset, the Cardinals will be the favorite to defend their title as an upcoming Northern Lakes and long time nemesis Fergus Falls will look to be the one pulling an upset. Also, don't overlook Wadena Deer Creek who bring back one their best teams since the mid 2000’s to make Section 6A a fun one to pay attention to.
Section 6A Preseason Poll (8 teams)
1- Alexandria
2- Northern Lakes
3- Fergus Falls
4- Wadena Deer Creek
5- Morris Benson
6- Prairie Centre
7- Willmar
8- Breckenridge/Wahpeton
#1 Alexandria- The Cardinals look to return to St Paul this March and continue what could be a dominant stretch in a thin Section 6A. Alexandria brings back a very nice core of forwards as Seniors Tyler Kludt, Joe Lamski & Nicholas Peterson, Jack Breitzman and Juniors Leo Kompelien & Gavin Olson return from their top 3 lines to form a very nice core forwards to build off of this winter. On the Blueline they will return Seniors Henry Ramstorf & Zaven Noetzelman along with Junior Jack Lamski all who played good minutes in their D core a year ago. The big question mark is they will need to find a goalie to step up but they will have a nice group of AA Bantams coming in and they do return a good batch of underclassmen from a very stellar JV team last winter. If they have an answer for the question in the net they return enough up front and on the back end to repeat as Section 6A Champions.
#2 Northern Lakes- The Lightning look on paper like a team that should be playing in the Section Final in 6A this winter. They return good scoring punch forwards Juniors Taylor Berg & Logan Verville along with Senior Darby Boelter all who had double digit goals. They also return Seniors Christian Crutcher & Zach Ehnstrom along with Junior Isaac Peterson all of whom had 20 points from the blueline. Add in returning starting goalie Junior Nigel DeSanto and an incoming A Bantam team that finished 2nd in State and this should be a Lightning squad on a serious upswing and will challenge in 6A.
#3 Fergus Falls- The Otters lost alot of scoring and the early departure of Issac Johnson really hurts them but they do return high scoring forward Junior Kellen Stenstrom along with their three returning main defenseman Seniors Colin Becker & Ethan McGuinness and Junior Leighton Buckmeier. They also return Senior Goaltender Ben Swanson who will enter his 4th season as the Otters Starter and they will be competitive in 6A. The question will be can they score but I wouldn't count Fergus Falls totally out in 6A this winter.
#4 Wadena Deer Creek- Looking for a surprise contender in Section 6A look no further than the Wolverines. They will return 12 total letter winners and their top 10 returning scorers. They will be led by Seniors Cole Woods & Connor Davis who each had over 20 goals and 40 points last year. They also return starting goalie Junior Gunnar Olson; the pieces are all there for WDC to have a historically good year and contend and try to return to state for the first time since 2004 they will be a definite factor in 6A this winter.
#5 Morris Benson- The Storm made their first ever appearance in program history last year in a Section Semifinal and they will look to be in the same spot this winter. Up front they return Seniors Ryan Tolifson, Trevoir Buss & Cole Blume who each had over 20 points last year. They also return starting goalie Junior Christopher Danielson along with 10 returning letter winners to try to build on last year's postseason success.
#6 Prairie Centre- The Northstars are led by high scoring Senior Eli Fletcher who had over 40 goals a year ago add in other top returning scorers Juniors Jesse Williams and Zac Brik and Prairie Centre should have no trouble scoring. The issue will be keeping the puck out of the net. They do return a two year starter in net but will need to replace their D-core which has haunted them in the past.
#7 Willmar- The Cardinals do bring back top scorers Junior Cullen Gregory & Senior Ethan Stark to help hopefully have a more competitive year this winter. They will need to see improvement in the goaltending department as no one they return in net had a GAA below 5 which makes it difficult for any team to compete.
#8 Breckenridge/Wahpeton- Here is to hoping the Blades can win a game this winter no program should ever go winless like they did last season. Leading scorer Senior Jack Rittenour returns as the leading scorer and they will have a host of other returners to hopefully put together a more competitive group this year.
Love it Elloitt I would be upset if I were Prairie Centre player though... They just played Willmar last night and beat them soundly 8-4 and you ranked them below them... Come on give the North Stars some love.