Offseason breakdown No. 57: New Prague
With 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 New…
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Continue ReadingWith 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 New Prague.
How last season went
The Trojans had trouble gaining any momentum during the 2019-20 season. That was especially true at the tail end of the regular season. Sitting at 5-12-3, New Prague went 1-4 to end the regular season. The team finished fifth in the Wright County Conference, with a highlight being a sweep of the Trojans’ season series against conference foe Waconia.
As a smaller school, New Prague annually faces tough challenges in Section 2AA. That was no different this season. As the No. 8 seed, the Trojans lost to top-seeded Prior Lake in the quarterfinals and saw their season draw to a close.
Who’s back and who’s gone
One possible reason for New Prague’s pitfalls during last season could do with a significant amount of youth in the lineup. Each of the Trojans’ top two point-getters, Jake Lee Jake Lee Forward New Prague | 2020 State MN and Landon Peterson, were not seniors last season and are set to return after combining for 25 goals and 20 assists. Aiden Dorzinski is also set to return after a 14-point season (8 goals, 6 assists). Jack Kreutzian was one of New Prague’s senior leaders and graduated after dishing out a team-best 15 assists last season.
In net, it’s a split when it comes to experience vs. youth. Matt Schmidt manned the net as a senior for the Trojans 17 times last season and posted a .891 save percentage. Carter Puente played in eight games and posted a .858 save percentage.
What to expect next season
Playing in Section 2AA is enough of a challenge for New Prague. But those difficulties will soon trickle into regular-season play also as the Trojans join the Metro West Conference. Those returning players will be tasked with quality conference foes such as Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Chaska.