Growing up going to school in the Lake Conference, there was always an intensity during games not always seen outside of section and state games. When your conference has won nine of the last 13 state titles, including three being…
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SubscribeGrowing up going to school in the Lake Conference, there was always an intensity during games not always seen outside of section and state games. When your conference has won nine of the last 13 state titles, including three being an all-Lake Conference championship, it not only turns heads but puts a target on your back.
While many people will bemoan this conference for style of coaching to the rumors on transfers, it is still objectively the top conference in the state. This year should not be any different. With Eden Prairie looking to make it to a fourth-straight title game to Edina and Minnetonka looking to retool, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding this season. Throw in an always gritty Wayzata and the likes of Hopkins, Buffalo, and St. Michael-Albertville; it’s a deep conference. Here is an in-depth look at this year’s projected top four Lake Conference finishers.
1. Edina
2020-21 Recap:
| Conference Record: | 6-5-1 |
| Overall Record: | 10-8-2 |
| Conference Finish: | 3rd |
| Postseason Result: | Lost Section 6AA Semifinal vs. Wayzata |
| Key Losses: | Key Eligible Returners: |
| Jackson Borst – Forward (19 pts) | Harper Bentz Harper Bentz 6'0" | Forward Moorhead | 2023 State MN – Jr. Forward (26 pts) |
| John Devoe – Forward (15 pts) | Trey Fechko Trey Fechko 5'10" | Forward Edina | 2022 State MN – Sr. Forward (24 pts) |
| Nick Williams Nick Williams 5'8" | Defense Edina | 2021 State MN – Defenseman (15 pts) |
| Projected First Line Forwards: | Projected First Line Defensemen: |
| Harper Bentz Harper Bentz 6'0" | Forward Moorhead | 2023 State MN (26 pts) | Henry Whittlef (6 pts) |
| Trey Fechko Trey Fechko 5'10" | Forward Edina | 2022 State MN (24 pts) | Wyatt Wurst (4 pts) |
| Willy Johnson (18 pts) |
This is what makes this year’s Lake Conference race intriguing. Year in and out it provides nuance unseen in other conferences. It has been Eden Prairie’s conference the last two seasons, but with numerous key losses, the conference is up for grabs. Although some may knock me here for placing my alma mater at the top of the list, this could be a scary Edina team.
The entirety of the Hornets’ season hinges on whether Harper Bentz Harper Bentz 6'0" | Forward Moorhead | 2023 State MN and Trey Fechko Trey Fechko 5'10" | Forward Edina | 2022 State MN return. Clark said he is likely to split time between the Hornets and the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. Yet the fog has not cleared on whether Fechko will play in British Columbia or Minnesota. Either way, Curt Giles’ squad will have to be deeper than the last two years to win the conference. Leaning on Willy Johnson and AJ Doll to impact the scoreline more than they did last year. Goaltending should improve with junior Robbie Clarkowski having a year of starting under his belt. It could also become the team’s achilles heel. Wayzata may be the only team standing in the way of another Edina state appearance.
Conf. Record Prediction: 8-2
Losses: at Minnetonka, at Wayzata
Playoff Finish: Loss in State Semifinal to Hill-Murray
2. Wayzata
| Conference Record: | 7-3-1 |
| Overall Record: | 14-6-2 |
| Conference Finish: | 2nd |
| Postseason Result: | Lost State Semifinal vs. Lakeville South |
| Key Losses: | Key Eligible Returners: |
| Jake Schneider – Forward (31 pts) | Gavin O’Connell – Sr. Forward (26 pts) |
| Jake Keller Jake Keller 5'10" | Forward Wayzata | 2021 State MN – Forward (26 pts) | John Mattson – Sr. Forward (19 pts) |
| Dylan Lewis – Forward (21 pts) | Aidan Willis Aidan Willis 5'11" | Forward Lakeville South | 2023 State MN – Jr. Goalie (12-6-1, .905 SV%) |
| Carson Peters Carson Peters 6'3" | Defense Wayzata | 2021 State MN – Defenseman (21 pts) |
| Projected First Line Forwards: | Projected First Line Defenders: |
| Gavin O’Connell (26 pts) | Cashen Naeve (11 pts) |
| John Mattson (19 pts) | Reece Gardner (10 pts) |
| Drew Streeter (11 pts) |
A program known for its assertive play and commandeering nature, this could be a season to remember for Pat O’Leary and Co. Although they lose two of their top three scorers in Jake Schneider and Jake Keller Jake Keller 5'10" | Forward Wayzata | 2021 State MN , the likes of Gavin O’Connell and John Mattson should pick up the mantle. The blue line has room for improvement when it comes to scoring opportunities. Yet this is not an offense that has been predicated on the defense carrying much of the offensive load. With Aidan Willis Aidan Willis 5'11" | Forward Lakeville South | 2023 State MN starting his second season between the pipes, this Trojan team could see itself sneak its way into state.
Conf. Record Prediction: 7-3
Losses: at Eden Prairie, at Edina, vs. Minnetonka
Playoff Finish: Loss in Section 6AA Final to Edina
3. Eden Prairie
| Conference Record: | 8-1-2 |
| Overall Record: | 21-1-2 |
| Conference Finish: | 1st |
| Postseason Result: | Won State Tournament vs. Lakeville South |
| Key Losses: | Key Eligible Returners: |
| Carter Batchelder Carter Batchelder 5'10" | Forward Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Forward (61 pts) | Phil Feinberg – Sr. Forward (11 pts) |
| Jackson Blake – Forward (58 pts) | Jake Luloff – Sr. Forward (10 pts) |
| Drew Holt Drew Holt 5'8" | Forward Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Forward (57 pts) | |
| Luke Mittlestadt Luke Mittlestadt 5'11" | Defense Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Defensemen (35 pts) | |
| Mason Langenbrunner Mason Langenbrunner 6'2" | Defense Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN – Defenseman (31 pts) | |
| Zach Hayes – Goalie (18-1-2, 1.73 GAA, .926 SV%) |
| Projected First Line Forwards: | Projected First Line Defensemen: |
| Phil Feinberg (11 pts) | Ryan Koering (8 pts) |
| Jake Luloff (10 pts) | Logan Boston (15 pts – JV) |
| Parker Shultz (22 pts – JV) |
Coming off their first State Tournament championship since 2011 and third-straight title game appearance, one would anticipate trying to run it back. Go for the repeat and arguably become one of the premier programs of the last half decade. However, that is highly improbable to happen. While head coach Lee Smith has proven to get the most out of his squads, this one has lost swaths of production from past years.
As with Edina, this year’s Eden Prairie team will likely be boom or bust depending on what superstar Jackson Blake intends on doing. Although he has already announced he plans to forgo his senior year with the Eagles and play for the USHL’s Chicago Steel, coming back is not completely off the table. We’ve seen it happen before at Eden Prairie only a few years back with Casey Mittlestadt. If he returns, this will be a completely different team. Look at the sheer mass of production they’re losing above. That’s just their first line that left. It does not even include the entire second that graduated as well.
While Jake Luloff and Phil Feinberg have large shoes to fill, this system develops players rapidly. Yet the biggest question mark outside of production is what is happening in net. With both Zach Hayes and Eli Andrews graduating, Lee Smith will have to dive into JV or elsewhere to find his net minder this season. That does not mean all is lost. If development and cohesion occur rapidly, the Eagles could be vying for a Lake Conference title late into the season.
Conf. Record Prediction: 6-4
Losses: at Edina, vs. Minnetonka, vs. Edina, at Wayzata
Playoff Finish: Loss in Section 2AA Final to Prior Lake
4. Minnetonka
| Conference Record: | 5-3-2 |
| Overall Record: | 12-7-2 |
| Conference Finish: | 4th |
| Postseason Result: | Lost Section 2AA Final vs. Eden Prairie |
| Key Losses: | Key Eligible Returners: |
| Hunter Newhouse – Forward (26 pts) | Beckett Hendrickson – So. Forward (15 pts) |
| Graham Harris – Forward (24 pts) | Wyatt Chartier – Sr. Forward (15 pts) |
| Duke Kiffin Duke Kiffin 6'1" | Defense Minnetonka | 2021 State MN – Defenseman (16 pts) | Nick Baer – Sr. Defenseman (15 pts) |
| Projected First Line Forwards: | Projected First Line Defensemen: |
| Beckett Hendrickson (15 pts) | Nick Baer (15 pts) |
| Wyatt Chartier (15 pts) | Johnny Thrasher (5 pts) |
| Reed Hanus (10 pts) |
Another year, another confusing Minnetonka squad. Head coach Sean Goldsworthy has done an excellent job with this program. Bringing the Skippers their first ever state title in 2018. The last few years have not been as fruitful though. Having not made it back to St. Paul since. Do not expect that to change this season.
However, this Minnetonka team also appears to have more team cohesion right off the bat compared to the likes of Eden Prairie. While they lost their top scorers, their incoming captains including Nick Baer, Wyatt Chartier, and Reed Hanus could lead this team to a higher position within the conference. Between a veteran presence and a rising goaltender in Beau Motzko, we could be in for a few surprises from the Skippers.
Conf. Record Prediction: 5-5
Losses: vs. Wayzata, at Edina, vs. Eden Prairie, vs. Buffalo, at St. Michael-Albertville
Playoff Finish: Loss in Section 2AA Semifinal to Eden Prairie