Offseason breakdown No. 12: Centennial

With most sports on hold and the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team we’re breaking down is Centennial.

How last season went

The Cougars ended their 2019-20 regular season in the top four of the Northwest Suburban Conference’s north division with a 13-10 overall record. Outside of a six-game losing streak, Centennial found plenty of success. That included ending that six-game stretch with wins against conference foes Blaine and Armstrong/Cooper.

Heading into section play, the Cougars earned the No. 3 seed in Section 5AA. After advancing into the semifinals, Centennial ran into eventual section champion Maple Grove and the Cougars’ season came to a close in the section semifinals.

Who’s back and who’s gone

Taking a quick glance at Centennial’s roster, Cougar fans have to be excited about the amount of talent set to return to the ice. Both of Centennial’s top two scorers, AJ Carls and Henry Bartle, are set to return after combining for 42 goals and 38 assists last season. Connor Thompson also returns after a 23-point season (9 goals, 14 assists). Leo Troje is also expected to return after posting a 3.51 goals against average and .877 save percentage.

The only graduating player who finished in the top four in total points for the Cougars is Tommy Carls Tommy Carls Forward Centennial | 2020 State MN . He graduates after registering 10 goals and 26 assists as a senior.

What to expect next season

If Centennial avoids that six-game losing streak, the Cougars might have had a chance at getting into the top two of the Section 5AA seeding. In recent years, Maple Grove and Blaine have owned that section. With the returning players Centennial has, 2021 might be the year the Cougars can break that trend.