The Three Key Door for Andover
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Every team in the state, whether it is a defending state champion or a struggling squad, starts their season out with a door that stands between them and success. Nonetheless, every team is just as capable of unlocking their potential…
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Continue ReadingEvery team in the state, whether it is a defending state champion or a struggling squad, starts their season out with a door that stands between them and success. Nonetheless, every team is just as capable of unlocking their potential through an interwoven combination of skill, strategy, leadership, and coaching. In this new series kicking up here for Prep Hockey, I will be taking a look at the three keys each and every team in the state needs to open up the door that stands between them and a great year by their unique standards. Andover, the reigning third place finisher in Class AA, will get the feature today.
Key #1: Starfall
Andover’s third place-finishing 2022-2023 roster was chalked full of superstar starters on every end of the ice, a group that included multiple collegiate commits, a goalie whose save percentage eclipsed the .930 mark, and three skaters who all finished with over 70 points, a stat no other team came close to last season. That being said though, the Huskies are graduating all three of their top scorers from last year, meaning the team could leave over 200 points on the table if no one else can step up. As of now, some of the top guys expected to pick up the slack include Landon Stringfellow Landon Stringfellow 5'11" | Defense Andover | 2024 State MN , rising sophomore KJ Sauer, Brooks Cogswell, and Ben Doll Ben Doll 6'0" | Forward Andover | 2024 State MN . Stringfellow provides offense near the blue line, Sauer brings the most potential after a 14-point freshman season, Cogswell is a plug-and-play guy that can step in wherever the Huskies need him, and Doll returns as the top scorer remaining on this roster. Together, these four skaters have the tall task of climbing the nigh-impossible mountain of expectation left by Andover’s old star trio, but either way, these four should be on any opposing coach’s radar.
Key #2: Xcel Residency Center
Andover has made it to the Xcel Energy Center for the state tournament in four consecutive seasons now, a feat that not many prep teams have ever achieved. Across these four successful campaigns, the Huskies have secured one state title and a third place finish, proving that when they make it to the state tourney, the expectation is to bring home some hardware. However, thanks to the aforementioned mass graduation of Andover’s core skaters, this streak could be in jeopardy. With arguably Andover’s best trio in school history all graduated, it will be a must for this team to keep the qualifying streak alive.
Key #3: Cal Conway Time
Beau Altman put up one of the best single seasons between the pipes in Andover history, racking up a .933 save percentage, 16-4-1 record, five shutouts, and 1.80 Goals Against Average, all numbers that put him among the best in the state. While most teams would be nervous with a guy as good as Altman gone, it looks as if Andover has stashed a star in the form of rising junior Cal Conway. As an underclassman doing mostly spot work last season, Conway showed out, posting a 7-3 record, 1.79 Goals Against Average, and .919 Save Percentage, even recording two shutouts against Rosemount and Blaine. With Altman gone and the net wide open for the taking, it seems like Conway’s time to shine will finally come over in Andover. The guy is entering his junior campaign with a lot of momentum, and people have been taking notice of him during his summer scrimmages. Conway is looking good thus far, and could be due for a breakout year if the stars align for the Huskies.
What Lies Behind the Door: Andover has a history of making the state tourney, and this team is definitely not short on talent, but losing three superstars is something any squad will have trouble with going forward. It might take a little time, but if this team can adjust and find its groove, I see no reason why the Huskies can’t make it back to state.