The Three Key Door for Edina
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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. The state-runner up, the Edina Hornets, step up to the spotlight today.
Key #1: Climbing Atop a Stacked Conference
It is no secret in the Minnesota prep hockey hemisphere that the Lake Conference is among the best divisions in the state. Between state champion Minnetonka, second place Edina, and a strong 19-7 Wayzata squad, the top teams in this conference are all state tournament caliber in terms of skill, and this naturally poses a challenge to all three programs. For example, odds were high Wayzata could make a push for the state tournament last season, but they were unfortunate enough to draw Edina’s straw in the section championship, a game the Trojans still almost won. Minnetonka may have been in a different section, but the Skippers still faced Edina plenty last season, winning all three games against their conference rival, including the state title game. The Hornets are due for another big season, but will inevitably face both Minnetonka and Wayzata a handful of times each, seemingly two of the few teams in the state that can skate stride-for-stride with the Hornets. For this team to get over the hump and bring another state title home, it will need to win these tightly contested matchups.
Key #2: Tons of Talent
The Hornets are bringing back a handful of collegiate commits that include future Minnesota Gopher Jackson Nevers Jackson Nevers 6'0" | Forward Edina | 2024 State MN and University of St. Thomas commit Bobby Cowan Bobby Cowan 5'11" | Forward Edina | 2024 State MN , two of the best skaters in the state. Nevers and Cowan put up 40 and 38 points last season, respectively, and will both return to lead the Hornet attack for a second consecutive year. Speaking of offense, another bright spot on this attack is rising sophomore Mason West, who broke out on the big stage as a freshman when many of his peers were still toiling away in Bantams. West racked up 27 points that came from nine goals and 18 assists, and his support bolstered both Nevers and Cowan’s offensive prowess significantly. These three, among others, will man the Hornet attack, and the defense will be bringing back a powerful presence as well. Bemidji State commit Eddie Revenig Eddie Revenig 5'10" | Defense Edina | 2024 State MN brings an extra dimension to the Hornet defense due to his natural instincts, leadership and intelligence. His 21 points came from just one singular goal and 20 assists, and his support compliments Nevers, Cowan, and West nicely in the offensive zone. Thanks to Revenig, the Hornets are incredibly dangerous on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice, and with three guys already committed to play at the Division I level, this team is bringing back one of the most stacked rosters statewide.
Key #3: Joe Bertram’s Breakout Year
Joe Bertram was unfortunate enough to be rostered at the same time as Hornet legend Robbie Clarkowski, with only one year separating the two goalies. Due to this, Bertram has spent the majority of his varsity career riding the pine, but if there is one silver lining to take away from this unfortunate scenario, it seems like the guy has learned well behind a Mr. Hockey finalist like Clarkowsi. Last season, the two’s stats were nigh-identical, although Bertram admittedly had a much smaller sample size to go off of. Clarkowski put up a stellar .936 save percentage across 28 games, while Bertram accumulated a more-than-respectable .930 mark himself. Both goalies also posted winning records and allowed less than two goals per game on average, and while Clarkowski’s job may have never been in jeopardy, there is something to be said about Bertram’s ability to make the most of his limited opportunities. With Clarkowski now gone and graduated, the net seems to be wide open for the taking, but only one man on the roster seems fit for the job. Barring anything crazy happening in the preseason, it looks like Bertram will finally get his chance to compete as the clear-cut starter, showing that good things can in fact come to those who wait.
What Lies Behind the Door: When it comes to Edina and hockey, the two are practically synonymous with each other. The Hornets are almost as historic as the sport is in Minnesota, and for good reason. They have won 13 state titles as a program, including four in the 2010’s alone. However, the 2020’s have yet to see the green-and-yellow Hornet jerseys on the podium, despite how close they came as a unit last year. Edina’s dominance in the last decade has been unprecedented, and many fans hailing outside of the city probably wouldn’t mind a new face in the crowd of champions. Even so, the Hornets don’t seem to be going anywhere, and this team should be poised for another deep postseason run.