Slept-on Skaters Worth a Second Look: The Big Nine
Over 100 teams across the state of Minnesota lace up their skates and go to war on the ice every winter, but nonetheless, some programs tend to have more of a draw than others. Many Class AA dynasties like Minnetonka…
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Continue ReadingOver 100 teams across the state of Minnesota lace up their skates and go to war on the ice every winter, but nonetheless, some programs tend to have more of a draw than others. Many Class AA dynasties like Minnetonka and Edina are household names now, practically synonymous with the word hockey, but what about the dozens of other teams that have to clash for the spotlight? In this new series here at Prep Hockey, I will be taking a hodgepodge approach to giving well deserved recognition to guys who have fallen under the radar for one reason or another. These lists will consist of top dogs, fringe starters, and skaters who are trying their absolute best to ball out in less-than-ideal circumstances. That being said, let’s dive right into it.
Ellis Petersmeyer of Red Wing is a guy I have covered in the past with my comprehensive goalie guide series, and for good reason. This guy manned the net valiantly in 25 of the 26 games for the Wingers, putting up solid numbers considering his team’s 1-24-1 record. Petersmeyer faced over 48 shots per game on average, adding up to over 1,200 on the year, yet he still stood strong between the pipes and gave Red Wings its best chance to win week in and week out. His .871 save percentage is an incredible feat when looking at the big picture, and while I’m sure this guy has some bumps and bruises from his 2022-2023 campaign, the Wingers are likely thrilled he’s back for another year of hockey.
Gahvin Schaefer of Austin entered the 2022-2023 season with only three assists and an inkling of varsity experience to his name, but the guy built off this to rise up and be the team’s leading scorer last season. Schaefer put up 21 points on 11 goals and 10 assists, being the only guy on his team to crack double digits in both metrics. The 5-foot-10, 170 pounder is bringing two years of varsity experience and a leading role on Austin this upcoming season, two solid accomplishments for a guy who hasn’t even played his junior season yet. The Packers are coming off a 4-20-1 season where they struggled to get any kind of momentum, but with Schaefer quickly entering the prime of his career, this could change quickly for the better.
The Winona Winhawks struggled to earn much of its namesake in 2022-2023, posting a 10-14-2 record that was heavily bolstered by Michael Dubek Michael Dubek 5'11" | Goalie Winona | 2024 State MN ‘s excellent play between the pipes. His 8-13-1 record as a starter last year won’t necessarily jump out at you, but every other one of his stats will. His .916 save percentage is top-notch, and the three shutouts paired with 700+ saves on the year all make for one impressive resume. Dubek has flourished in his first year on varsity as Winona’s main goalie, and with his senior year still on tap, odds are he will only get better.
Oliver Linnemann was Faribault’s clear cut top skater last season, with his point total nearly doubling the next highest scorer on his team. No matter how the Falcons tried to drum up offense, it always seemed to involve the rising senior, who capitalized on his expanded offensive role and put up a career year in the process. Linnemann put up 40 points, and while only 12 of these were goals, the 28 assists this guy racked up showed just how integral he was to the Faribault attack. Nine of Faribault’s top 10 scorers from last season are returning to the roster, including Linnemann, so odds are this team is due for a big burst in production.
Derek Stierlen of Mankato West is a sizable defenseman coming off a solid year for what was otherwise a struggling squad. The Scarlets are coming off a 8-16-3 season in which they struggled on both ends of the ice, but Stierlen was a bright spot on this defense that could both keep opposing attacks at bay and generate some offense of his own when the time was right. The 6-foot, 170 pounder is lengthy and does a great job at keeping defenders in front of him, and can poke out pucks with ease if he catches a opposing forward flat-footed. Offensively, Stierlen finished fourth on his team in scoring with three goals and 13 assists, proving himself as a great outlet option for the times when Scarlet forwards had trouble breaching opposing defenses. Stierlen was a do-it-all guy for his team last year, and should be poised for a solid senior year on the ice.