Class of 2024 Player Rankings: Newcomers Pt. 3

Here we are again, it’s time to welcome three more players that are new to the Prep Hockey Class of 2024 Player Rankings. So far, we have met six players that don’t only have a lot of potential in their high school careers, but also had quality seasons as first year players. Just like in “Newcomers” Pt. 2, we will be featuring two forwards and one goaltender in this edition. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Johnny Conlin Johnny Conlin Forward Mounds View | 2024 State MN | Forward | Mounds View | Prep Hockey #66

In the 2021-22 season, Mounds View had an 8-17-1 record, which doesn’t look good at all on paper. However, if you look closely at their schedule, they had many close games against pretty tough teams. Their matchups vs. Warroad, Armstrong/Cooper, Elk River/Zimmerman, and Blaine were all one goal losses. Johnny Conlin Johnny Conlin Forward Mounds View | 2024 State MN played as a sophomore on this team and was third in points with 37 and led in assists with 25. Conlin also played on Mounds View as a freshman, contributing a solid 14 points. In Minnesota Tier I hockey, Conlin had plenty of success as well, tallying 18 points in 15 games this year. Looking at this upcoming season, the Mustangs return their top three scorers, which includes Conlin. They showed glimpses of success last year, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can put it all together in their next campaign.

Taylor Berg Taylor Berg Forward Northern Lakes | 2024 State MN | Forward | Northern Lakes | Prep Hockey #72

In his first year as a varsity high school hockey player, Taylor Berg Taylor Berg Forward Northern Lakes | 2024 State MN entered with a bang at Northern Lakes. Berg was third in points on the Lightning with 35, which included 15 goals and 20 assists. He had three four-points games, including four assists in a 5-2 victory over Park Rapids early in the season. Berg is another player who has been playing in the Minnesota Tier I program, where he has delivered 14 points for the Minnesota Blue Ox since 2020 on the 14U and 150 teams. No matter how you look at it, carrying 35 points as a 10th grader is not an easy task to do. If Berg continues to get better in the next couple seasons, Northern Lakes could have one special player right there.

Josh Middleton Josh Middleton Goalie St. Louis Park | 2024 State MN | Goaltender | St. Louis Park | Prep Hockey #74

Josh Middleton Josh Middleton Goalie St. Louis Park | 2024 State MN had a pretty solid season between the pipes for St. Louis Park as a sophomore. His record was 9-12-1 and played the majority of minutes with an amount of 1,140 in the crease. Other stats included a 3.44 GAA and SV% of .893. They may not be the flashiest numbers as a netminder, but it is never easy making that jump to high school hockey as a goalie. You also have to consider the tough schedule the Orioles play, which includes powerhouse teams such as Edina, Minnetonka, Roseau, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, and Wayzata. Those games were pretty tough for the young goaltender, but they are only going to make him better in the future. Middleton played very well as a 10th grader for the most part and look for him to be a shutdown goalie in the next couple seasons.