Section 7AA Top Players
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The seedings for Section 7AA have been released and the top three teams are: Andover, Grand Rapids, and Blaine in that order. Quarterfinal action will get underway Wednesday and the semifinals will take place Saturday evening at Amsoil Arena in…
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Continue ReadingThe seedings for Section 7AA have been released and the top three teams are: Andover, Grand Rapids, and Blaine in that order. Quarterfinal action will get underway Wednesday and the semifinals will take place Saturday evening at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Unlike other Class AA sections, 7AA lacks parody this season and it should be the top 3 teams battling it out for the title. Lets meet the Top 5 Players in this section and then we will provide our predictions at the end!
Chase Cheslock Chase Cheslock 6'3" | Defense Rogers | 2023 State MN | Andover | Junior | Forward | Prep Hockey #21 ’23’s
Chase Cheslock Chase Cheslock 6'3" | Defense Rogers | 2023 State MN has been a great addition for Andover as he worked his way over from Elk River during the offseason. The junior is the leading point getter on the Huskies with 55 in the regular season and most recently committed to St. Lawrence University to further purse his hockey and academic career. Like I said, Casey is only an 11th-grader and is a special talent. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do next season as a senior.
Hampton Slukynsky Hampton Slukynsky 6'0" | Goalie Warroad | 2023 State MN | Andover | Junior | Forward | Prep Hockey #14 ’23’s
This season, it’s literally been the Casey and Hampton Slukynsky Hampton Slukynsky 6'0" | Goalie Warroad | 2023 State MN show on the Andover Huskies. These two have created a dangerous 1-2 punch with Thoreson also having over 50 points in the regular season. Gavyn is also a junior and if these two decide to stay next season, along with Colorado College commit Conway who has been hurt most of the season, this team will be even more dangerous next season. They could quite possibly be the best team in the state and they are already an upper top 10 team this season.
Joey DelGreco Joey DelGreco 5'10" | Forward Grand Rapids | 2022 State MN | Grand Rapids | Senior | Forward | Prep Hockey #9 ’22’s
Joey DelGreco Joey DelGreco 5'10" | Forward Grand Rapids | 2022 State MN is probably one of the best uncommitted seniors in the state. With 61 points in the regular season, DelGreco could quite possibly be a Mr. Hockey finalist. Joey was outstanding all season long, tallying a point in every game but two. It will be interesting to see what Delgreco does after high school and watch out for a college commitment from this player. On a side note, Joey’s USHL rights belong to the Waterloo Blackhawks.
Easton Young Easton Young 5'11" | Defense Grand Rapids | 2022 MN | Grand Rapids | Senior | Defenseman | Prep Hockey #34 ’22’s
Easton Young Easton Young 5'11" | Defense Grand Rapids | 2022 MN is another top player in the state who isn’t committed as a senior. Young has filled the shoes left behind by Peart well and had 43 points in the regular season. Grand Rapids has a very nice D-core once again this season, with Easton leading the pack. Young is capable of playing on both sides of the rink as he produces offensively and defensively. Good all around player in this Thunderhawk senior defenseman.
Finn Loftus Finn Loftus 6'0" | Defense Blaine | 2022 State MN | Blaine | Senior | Defenseman | Prep Hockey #16 ’22’s
Finn Loftus Finn Loftus 6'0" | Defense Blaine | 2022 State MN has been the heart and soul of this Bengal team this season. As a defenseman, Loftus leads the team in points with 37 during the regular season. Finn has proven to be a great two-way defender and has really helped in making Blaine a contender in the section playoffs. Loftus is another player in this section who was drafted to the USHL as his rights belong to the Sioux City Musketeers. If Blaine makes any noise in the playoffs, look for this player to be leading that charge.
Section Predictions:
Carter: Andover
Carter believes the 2X reigning champions in Section 7AA will win the title once again for the third year in a row.
Blake: Grand Rapids
Blake sees the Thunderhawks making it back to the Xcel Energy Center for the first time since 2017, the year Grand Rapids won it all.