Section 7A Championship- Players to Watch

Section 7A has their championship set between the no. 1 seed Hermantown and the no. 2 seed Duluth Denfeld. In this article, we will cover the most impactful players in this game. There will be 3 players covered from Hermantown that are the most impactful to help the Hawks make a trip back to the X. Then we will cover the 2 most impactful players that could play a part in an upset bid by Denfeld. Let’s get right into it!

No. 1 Seed Hermantown

Hawk Brother Duo

Noah Urness Noah Urness 5'9" | Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN | 5’6 Forward | #3 Ranked ’24

Noah Urness Noah Urness 5'9" | Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN is like the QB of this team: he sets up a lot of the goals, as he has 43 assists: which is up there for tops in the state. Noah Urness Noah Urness 5'9" | Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN ’s Sophomore year was a huge season as he is really emerging and is the future for the Hawks. Noah Urness Noah Urness 5'9" | Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN has 15 assists and 43 goals for 58 points in 26 games he has played (before section championship). Noah Urness Noah Urness 5'9" | Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN has a really good chance at joining his brother at Duluth, as he can be contacted by coaches this summer. Max will be looking to use his playmaking ability to send the Hawks to state.

Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN | 5’9 Forward | #2 Ranked ’23 | University of MN Duluth Commit

Prep Hockey has covered Plante quite a bit, but it is well deserved. Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN missed about half the season this year with an injury, and he has still had a phenomenal year. Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN hit 50 points this season only playing 18 games to this date. In those 18 games, he finished with 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 total points. Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN is most definetly the top single A player in the state. Zam will likely have a huge game, he missed the last time Hermantown faced Duluth Denfeld this year. Looking like a 3+ point game for Zam. He is must a must watch player going forward, as it might be his last year in high school.

Tanner Luedtke Tanner Luedtke 6'0" | Forward Lakeville South | 2023 State MN | 5’9 Defenseman | #6 Ranked ’23  | University of MN Duluth Commit

The talent that Hermantown has is literally on a whole different level. Two D1 commits and a handful of D1 future players for the ’A’ level is flat out unfair. Tanner Luedtke Tanner Luedtke 6'0" | Forward Lakeville South | 2023 State MN is one of the top defenders in the state and we have said that multiple times over his career. Hanosn has 14 goals and 23 assist for 37 total points from the blue line this season. If Hanson ends up staying next year he would for sure be in the early favorite list for Mr. Hockey. Hanson is an explosive scorer/playmaker from the point, and he also is a really good defensive defenseman. Hanson could be the most important player on the Hawks, as good defenseman are so valuable to a team.

No. 2 Seed Duluth Denfeld

Connor McClure Connor McClure 5'9" | Forward Duluth Denfeld | 2022 State MN | 5’9 Forward | #24 Ranked ’22

Connor McClure Connor McClure 5'9" | Forward Duluth Denfeld | 2022 State MN is having a heck of a season this year. Connor is averaging 2.19 points per game for the Hunters. Connor is a very balanced scorer, as he has 26 goals and 31 assists for 2.19 total points. The last time Denfeld played Herantown, Connor didn’t have a point. He has had a great season, but he has to have a great game for the Hunters to have any chance against the Hawks. His best game all year was his first game of the year when he had 5 points against Woodbury.

Andy Larson | 5’4 Forward | Unranked ’23

Andy Larson is likely the X factor in this game. Larson has came out of essentially nowhere this season to lead his Hunters to a no. 2 seed. Larson averages 1.96 points per game, with 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 total points. The Hunters need some scoring out of him if they can keep up, as the last time the Hawks score six goals. Larson and McClure need about 2 goals each for the Hunters to have a good chance to win. Larson will surely be ranked in the class of 23 rankings this upcoming spring.

 

 

Picks

Carter- Hawks

Blake- Hawks