Class of 2023 Player Rankings: Stock Risers Pt. 3

This edition of “Stock Risers” will feature players who moved up from the back end of the Class of 2023 Player Rankings. These are players who were previously under the radar, but had monster junior seasons, prompting us to move them up significantly in the updated rankings. This list will feature 1 goaltender and 2 forwards from out state teams. All three players were huge contributors on their respective teams as juniors and are poised for a very successful final year playing high school hockey.

 

Myles Gunderson Myles Gunderson 5'11" | Goalie Grand Rapids | 2023 State MN | Goaltender | Grand Rapids | Prep Hockey ’23’s #50

Myles Gunderson Myles Gunderson 5'11" | Goalie Grand Rapids | 2023 State MN was slated as the full-time starting goalie for Grand Rapids last season and stood up to the task. Gunderson struggled a little bit early in the season, especially against top AA teams, but really found his groove going into the section playoffs. In the Thunderhawks three playoff games, Gunderson faced 74 pucks and only 4 made it to the back of the net. In that section championship game versus eventually state champion Andover, Gunderson was the sole reason why that game was close. Grand Rapids will lose many core players from last season and most of their success this year will be defined by the play of Myles Gunderson Myles Gunderson 5'11" | Goalie Grand Rapids | 2023 State MN between the pipes.

Wyatt Mattfield Wyatt Mattfield 6'0" | Forward Bemidji | 2023 State MN | Forward | Bemidji | Prep Hockey ’23’s #70

Bemidji had another underwhelming season with an (8-16-2) record, but junior Wyatt Mattfield Wyatt Mattfield 6'0" | Forward Bemidji | 2023 State MN was very fun to watch. Mattfield led the Lumberjacks with 30 points, which included 18 goals and 12 assists. Especially early in the season, Mattfield was very tough to stop as he had a 10 game point streak starting in game 2. His best performance came versus Duluth East where he scored a hat trick and added an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Greyhounds. Bemidji is an interesting team going into next season as they return many players. Also, some players from the Bantam AA state tournament team will be sophomores on Bemidji. The Lumberjacks might be a solid team and Mattfield could breakout even more in his senior season.

Tyler Kludt Tyler Kludt Forward Alexandria | 2023 State MN | Forward | Alexandria | Prep Hockey ’23’s #76

Before our updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings, Tyler Kludt Tyler Kludt Forward Alexandria | 2023 State MN was near the bottom on the list. Now, Kludt was moved up close to 50 spots and deservingly so. Kludt was second in points on the Cardinals last season with 51 and 37 of the points were assists. With the departures of Gronholz and Berg due to graduation, it may make things a little more challenging for Kludt next season. However, Kludt proved that he his a playmaker and is showing no signs of slowing down. Alexandria could be near the top of Class A once again this year and the 1-2 punch of Kludt and Lamski could be interesting to watch.