Class of 2024 Player Rankings: Newcomers Pt. 2

In the first edition of “Newcomers” for the Class of 2024, we introduced three forwards that are new to the rankings. In this article, we will be introducing three more players. There are plenty of new players to cover in this rankings update, as we increased the list from 50 to 75. Like I mentioned before, the Class of 2024 is very forward heavy, so we are going to cover two forwards and one goaltender in this edition. Finally, we would once again like to welcome these players to the Prep Hockey Network!

Landon Stringfellow Landon Stringfellow Forward Andover | 2024 State MN | Forward | Andover | Prep Hockey #63

Landon Stringfellow Landon Stringfellow Forward Andover | 2024 State MN helped solidify a very solid defensive core at Andover. The defending state champions were very tough to score on, with production coming from seniors and underclassmen like Stringfellow. Offensively, the sophomore defenseman notched one goal and seven assists on the season. When it comes to his offensive game, it will come within the next couple seasons. Stringfellow had 62 points in 41 games on the Andover Bantam AA team, so I think he is bound to be a dangerous two-way defender for the Huskies. Stringfellow and Andover will be a very tough team again and they will look to defend their state title in 2022-23.

Max Varner Max Varner 5'11" | Goalie Buffalo | 2024 State MN | Goaltender | Buffalo | Prep Hockey #64

Max Varner Max Varner 5'11" | Goalie Buffalo | 2024 State MN had a pretty solid season for his first year between the pipes for Buffalo. Varner played a little under 1,500 minutes and carried a 3.26 GAA and .900 SV%. Considering the schedule the Bison play since joining the Lake Conference, Varner faced a lot of shots and kept his team in games. Especially later in the season when the sophomore netminder worked the kinks out, you saw Buffalo playing in more four, three, and two goal games against Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata, instead of being blown out. Good goaltending and a physical team made Buffalo very pesky towards the end of the season. They will look to continue that style of play going into this year and look for Varner to have a breakout campaign in the crease.

Gavin Jensen Gavin Jensen Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN | Forward | Roseau | Prep Hockey #68

Gavin Jensen Gavin Jensen Forward Roseau | 2024 State MN and the rest of the Roseau underclassmen from last season will have big shoes to fill this upcoming year. The Rams lost many players and they will look for other kids to step up. As a sophomore, Jensen had a pretty productive campaign with 13 points. This total included five goals and eight assists. Jensen’s biggest goal of the season came vs. their rival Warroad, where he scored to give his team a 3-2 lead. That goal proved to be huge as the Rams squeaked out the victory, 4-3. There were only a couple Roseau 10th graders listed on the varsity roster last season, so it’s going to be a big step up for Jensen. Sophomore N. Urness was second in points and was one of the only players from that grade (besides Jensen) to play significant minutes. The performances of Jensen and Urness will be key in Roseau’s success this year.