Stars, Studs, and Sleepers: Mounds View
A star is the go to guy on the team, more times than not their best all around player. A stud usually supports the star, and has plenty of fine tuned skills in their own right. A sleeper is a…
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Continue ReadingA star is the go to guy on the team, more times than not their best all around player. A stud usually supports the star, and has plenty of fine tuned skills in their own right. A sleeper is a guy you might not hear the student section fawning over, but his coaches and teammates are well aware of how much he contributes. In this new series here at Prep Hockey, I’ll be predicting each team’s star, stud, and sleeper heading into the 2023-2024 season, and today, the Mounds View Mustangs will be under the microscope. This team had an up and down 2022-2023 season, but they have plenty of star power to match, and are bringing back a lot of key pieces for this coming winter. Let’s take a look.
The Star: Johnny Conlin Johnny Conlin 5'9" | Forward Mounds View | 2024 State MN , Forward
One of Mounds View’s premier scorers since his sophomore year, Johnny Conlin Johnny Conlin 5'9" | Forward Mounds View | 2024 State MN has a wide range of abilities and one more season to tack on to his already stellar career point total. He breached the 100 point threshold this last winter in a season where he scored 61 points, making him the clear cut first option on this Mustang squad. Conlin has an absolute motor, and when you match this with his unparalleled effort, it is a scary sight for opposing defenders. He never seems to tire out on the ice, and he uses his aforementioned abilities to wear down the defense and punish them with scoring chances he always seems to capitalize on. One of my favorite traits to see in a star is their ability to get others involved, and Conlin definitely knows how to do this. His 36 assists in 2022-2023 were good for first on the team, and he also led the Stangs in goals, a rare combination that shows just how versatile Conlin is. He has already had a prep career that will be talked about at Mounds View for years to come, and he has another full season in a Mustang uniform to keep etching his name into their record books.
The Stud: Sam Schulte, Defenseman
A stud of a defenseman goes perfectly with a star forward, and Sam Schulte works with Conlin in a way that enhances both of their best traits on the ice. As a pass first defenseman, Schulte is always looking for Conlin, and the 30 assists he racked up were often the result of those two having solid chemistry and knowing where the other would be. Inversely, Schulte is always available in the offensive zone for an outlet pass and a slap shot near the blue line, and the 16 goals he scored in 2022-2023 were good for second on his team. Keep in mind this guy is a defenseman. Clearly, Schulte is a problem offensively, and defensively, he is just as good. The 6 foot flat, 170 pounder is long, lean, and quick, all traits that allow him to shut down the opposing attack with his size and speed. His well rounded defense and devastating offensive capabilities are all great, but one of the best parts about Schulte’s play is he was only a sophomore when he put up these kind of numbers last season. He still has a full two varsity seasons in front of him to keep improving his already stellar play, and if the upward trend he’s been on is any indicator of how this next season will go, then expect a breakout year for Schulte.
The Sleeper: Aiden Bale, Forward
Aiden Bale may not have been as prominent of a goalscorer as Conlin or Schulte in 2022-2023, but he’s my pick for a sleeper on the Stangs that could have a breakout year if put in the right position. The 6 foot, 160 pound shooter had 16 points off 7 goals and 9 assists, but will be tasked with stepping into a bigger scoring role this season now that Mounds View graduated one of their top scoring forwards in senior Jack Loucks. This will mean some more time for Bale on the first line, an increased role in the power play, and most importantly, many more scoring chances for the rising senior. This increased role is a lot to ask out of any player, but Bale’s new opportunity to anchor a big three is one that many athletes spend their careers working towards. Bale’s role will surely increase once the 2023-2024 season kicks off, and it will be up to him to be a leader and step in as Conlin and Schulte’s top support.
The Bottom Line: After a 12-13-1 season that saw the Stangs fall in the first round of sections, it is clear they will be aiming higher this winter in terms of postseason success. They have graduated a handful of their top scorers, but bring back plenty of key contributors from the 2022-2023 squad. With guys like Conlin, Schulte, and Petrich all reaching the pinnacle of their prep careers, odds are Mounds View could have a pretty solid year if they continue to build around these three over the offseason.