Section 1A Top Players

Prep hockey is just starting our section previews, as it is just about that time of the year. In the section preview articles, we will highlight the top 3-5 most impactful players for the section and at the end pick the team both Blake and I think will win. The section 1A tournament starts pretty soon, as it starts on February 22nd. The front runners in the section right now, are Northfield, Albert Lea, Rochester Lourdes, and New Prague. Here are the five best players in section 1A

 

Spencer Klotz Spencer Klotz Forward Northfield | 2022 State MN | 6’1 Forward | Northfield Raiders | #29 Ranked ’22 

Spencer Klotz Spencer Klotz Forward Northfield | 2022 State MN is far and above the rest of the conference in terms of skill/talent. Spencer Klotz Spencer Klotz Forward Northfield | 2022 State MN is one of our most coveted prospects on Prep Hockey for the fact that his production is so good. In his Sophomore year, he finished with 50 total points in 25 games played. He then posted 46 points in his Junior year with 18 games played. Klotz is now having a Senior year to remember for the Raiders, as he has 67 total points in 20 games played. Klotz is averaging 3.35 points per game in his Senior year- an impressive number to say the least. Klotz is currently tied for 4th in the state for total points. Klotz can help propel his Raiders to state.

Logan Opgrand Logan Opgrand 6'1" | Defense Eastview | 2023 State MN | 5’10 Forward | Albert Lea Tigers | #76 Ranked ’23

Logan Opgrand Logan Opgrand 6'1" | Defense Eastview | 2023 State MN is Albert Lea’s most impactful player, and if they want any chance to make it to state: he has to be at his best in the playoffs. Yoon is a swiss army knife type player, where he can play both forward and defense. He ended up playing a good amount of defense in his sophomore year last year. Prep Hockey has him listed as a defender, but right now he is playing as a forward. In his sophomore year, he had 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points. This year, Yoon is exploding production-wise. In 20 games played this season he has 25 goals and 23 assists for 48 total points. He is also averaging 2.4 points per game.

Kai Weigel Kai Weigel 5'9" | Goalie Moorhead | 2024 State MN | 5’6 Forward | La Crescent-Hokah Lancers | #25 Ranked ’24

Farrell is a young phenom and has been starting for varsity since 8th grade. He is currently number two in the state for goals scored, as he has 40 total goals. As a sophomore, Farrell has 107 total points- which is a very crazy feat. Farrell should easily finish with 200+ points in his career. Farrell is the type of scorer that can propel his Lancers to an upset win or two. They should be seeded either 4th or 5th, and it would definitely take an upset or two to bring them to the X. Farrell is a player to watch out for over these next couple of years for sure.

Will O’Donovan Will O’Donovan Forward Cambridge-Isanti | 2024 State MN | Forward | Northfield Raiders | #37 Ranked ’24

Kaiser is the second player from Northfield to be on this list. When we previewed the Raiders in the offseason we said Klotz and Monson will be their top two players in points. While that is partially true, as Klotz is number one for them and Monson number three. It has been so huge to have a Sophomore come in and produce like Kaiser is doing right now. He is currently at 41 points with 24 goals and 17 assists, in 20 games played. This is Kaiser’s first season in high school, and he is definitely a breakout player. His emergence is a big reason for Northfield’s regular-season success thus far.

Xander Carter-Kleven | Goalie | Rochester Lourdes Eagles | #45 Ranked ’24

Carter-Kleven is arguably the best goalie in this section. Lourdes is surprisingly having a very strong season, at 16-6: Carter Kleven has been the X-factor. He has 6 shutouts on the year with a save percentage of .922 and a GAA of 2.21. He has what it takes to shut down a team or two in the section tourney to at least advance his squad to the semifinals. The Eagles could be a darkhorse pick in this section. He may be the only goalie that has what it takes to stop the potent Raider offense.

Prep Hockey Section Predictions:

Carter: Northfield

Blake: New Prague

We pick different teams to win this section, as Carter goes with the likely one seed in the Northfield Raiders. He thinks they will win this section pretty easily and have a good shot at winning a game in the state tourney.

Blake picks the New Prague Trojans off the basis of the strength of the schedule. They started off the year really well and now they are starting to fizz out. But they play a lot of AA teams in the Metro West. Which might really help them come tourney time.