Minnesota’s Comprehensive Goalie Guide: The Metro West
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As I continue to comb through the state looking at all sorts of goalies for this series, I have seen a wide variety of athletes, but the Metro West probably has the most prevalent skill gaps between their team’s goalies…
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Continue ReadingAs I continue to comb through the state looking at all sorts of goalies for this series, I have seen a wide variety of athletes, but the Metro West probably has the most prevalent skill gaps between their team’s goalies thus far. The conference has some of the state’s finest in the net, seasoned veterans rounding out their prep careers, and some wide open spots that will be won during the preseason position battles. Goalies of all shapes, skills, and sizes occupy this conference, so let’s take a look.
Chanhassen: Kam Hendrickson Kam Hendrickson 6'2" | Goalie Chanhassen | 2024 State MN
A 24-4 squad that missed out on the state tournament thanks to being in Minnetonka’s section, the Storm have the pieces to get over the hump and into the Xcel Energy Center, but they will need returners like Kam Hendrickson Kam Hendrickson 6'2" | Goalie Chanhassen | 2024 State MN at their absolute best. Fortunately for the Storm, Hendrickson’s best is absurdly good. In 21 games between the pipes this past season, he was a brick wall to say the least, allowing only 1.12 goals per game with a 17-4 record to show for it. Even better, Hendrickson posted the fifth best save percentage in the state at .940, which led all Class of 2024 goalies. The clear cut starter on the Storm in 2023-2024, he should pick up right where he left off once the first puck finally drops this coming season.
Benilde-St. Margarets: Mason McElroy Mason McElroy 5'10" | Goalie Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2024 State MN
Although the Red Knights were mostly known for their offense in 2022-2023, their goaltender was still a pivotal part of their successful season. Mason McElroy Mason McElroy 5'10" | Goalie Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2024 State MN is a rising senior set to start his third consecutive season in the net, and after facing stiff competition all last season, he is due to cap off his prep career in style. In 22 games for Benilde, McElroy saved 485 shots, went 13-9 as a starter, and had a .895 save percentage. While these numbers aren’t necessarily outstanding, McElroy has faced some of the best forwards in the country, putting up very respectable numbers in the process and leading his team to a winning record along the way. His stats regressed slightly from his outstanding sophomore campaign, but stayed similar enough to where it isn’t a concern. The Mason McElroy Mason McElroy 5'10" | Goalie Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2024 State MN era at Benilde will last one more year, a year in which both parties hope to build off their prior success.
Orono: Open Contest
Orono went with a two senior approach for their goalies in 2022-2023, but that might come back to bite them now that they have no goaltender with more than an inkling of varsity experience. Junior Peyton Anderson has just 17 minutes in the net, and besides that, no varsity returners at goalie have seen any ice time at all. This is a concern, especially considering many of Orono’s 24 wins came down to the wire, and were usually won thanks to stout defensive play late in the game. Time will tell who suits up for the Spartans in 2023-2024, but for now, it is anyone’s position for the taking.
Chaska: Tyler Nesheim
As an 8-17-1 squad in 2022-2023 that struggled significantly, the Hawks were always trying something new, and this included a carousel of goalies who all saw a few hundred minutes of playing time. Of the three who saw playing time though, I believe Tyler Nesheim is best suited to take over the reins this coming season. The rising junior led his goalie corps in all major statistical categories save for wins, and his .916 save percentage was far higher than anyone else. Odds are, he’ll be the guy once this winter season kicks off, but Logan Hutchings also has some experience in the net, and could emerge as the true starter if things go awry for Nesheim.
New Prague: Open Contest
New Prague had a goalie problem this last winter, as none of the three tendies they gave playing time could break a .900 save percentage, and the one who came the closest is now graduated. This leaves Cole Murphy and Oskar Pomerenke to battle it out for the starting spot. Their stats are eerily similar, with Pomerenke having the slightest edge on his teammate in both save percentage and wins. The margin between these two is razor thin, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they split time to start the season off until the clear cut starter makes his presence known.
St. Louis Park: Josh Middleton Josh Middleton 6'0" | Goalie St. Louis Park | 2024 State MN
The Middleton brothers run the nets down in St. Louis Park. Rising senior Josh Middleton Josh Middleton 6'0" | Goalie St. Louis Park | 2024 State MN will be back for his second varsity season as the main guy in the goal, and he will have the unique opportunity to tutor his little brother, Brett, who is a sophomore goalie on the team. In 25 games played last season, Josh had a .899 save percentage with a 11-13-1 record and two shutouts. Meanwhile, brother Brett also got in on the action and secured his first varsity win as a freshman, saving 13 shots against Bloomington Kennedy. While it appears Josh is still the main guy for the Orioles, I’m certain his little brother is just fine with spending another year sharing the ice.
Waconia: Brody Butler
Although he split time this last season, Brody Butler solidified himself as the superior goalie for his team thanks to a pair of shutouts, a winning record, and a proven ability to face top tier teams. The first example I can think of regarding this is a game versus Chanhassen where Butler allowed six goals. While this doesn’t sound ideal at first glance, a brief look at the box score will show that he faced 65 shots through the 51 minutes he was in the net, an average of over one a minute. The fact that he saved 59 of them was impressive enough, and although his team got blanked 0-6 that game, the fact that he stayed in the fight through all three periods was commendable. This is the type of guy you want anchoring your net, and Butler will finally get the chance to be the main guy for his team come this winter.
Bloomington Jefferson: Open Contest
Bloomington Jefferson’s 3-22-1 season was certainly dismal, but I have to give credit where it’s due. Senior Luke Swanson played solid hockey despite the less than ideal circumstances, and his team was better off because of it. He faced nearly 40 shots per game, and came out of it with a .890 save percentage, two shutouts, and didn’t miss a game for his squad. Gotta tip my hat to the guy, that takes guts. Unfortunately for Bloomington Jefferson though, Swanson is graduated, and whoever takes the mantle next won’t have a drop of varsity experience to their name. Is this a little concerning? Absolutely, but the road can only go up from here.