Prep Hockey Report Card: Straight A Edition
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At this point in the regular season, every team across the state has taken the ice to get in on the action, and some season-long narratives are slowly beginning to take shape. Minnetonka has looked nigh-perfect so far, New Ulm…
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Continue ReadingAt this point in the regular season, every team across the state has taken the ice to get in on the action, and some season-long narratives are slowly beginning to take shape. Minnetonka has looked nigh-perfect so far, New Ulm is averaging nearly nine goals per game, and Shakopee is shaping up to be a true contender for the first time in years. In this installment of the Prep Hockey Report Card, I will be taking a look at teams from across the state who had excellent weeks on the ice. There are plenty of performances that need to be discussed, so let’s take a look on how a handful of programs proved themselves this past week.
Chanhassen: A
The Storm squared off against a seemingly-unbeatable Minnetonka team on Thursday, and man, this team fought tooth and nail. Despite being vastly outnumbered solely from a prospect perspective, Chanhassen was able to take the game into overtime, practically neutralize a Minnetonka attack averaging well over seven goals per a game, and even notch two goals of its own en route to a heartbreaking, 2-3 overtime loss. The Storm did not go quietly into the night, and the fact that it was able to go goal-for-goal with the Skippers in their own house is a feat unlike any other we’ve seen this year. Standouts from the night included star goalie Kam Hendrickson Kam Hendrickson 6'2" | Goalie Chanhassen | 2024 State MN , who braved 44 shots from Minnetonka’s attack, saving 41 of them to finish with an impressive .932 save percentage on the night. If colleges aren’t looking at this guy yet, the fact that he stonewalled a group of division one recruits should get coaches calling. Storm senior forwards Caden Lee and Andy Earl propelled the attack with one goal each, and University of St. Thomas commit Owen Buesgens did a great job captaining the defense. Chanhassen may not have won, but considering it took five games for Minnetonka to win by less than six, I am giving this team an A on the week for reminding the state that the Skippers aren’t invincible.
Becker/Big Lake: A
A nice surprise so far on the year, Becker/Big Lake has turned its fortunes around thanks to an electrifying attack led by senior Brayden Graning. In 2022-2023, the Eagles finished 10-16 and were decisively bounced in the first round of Sections by Sauk Rapids-Rice. So far this season though, the Eagles have roared out to a hot start, and are currently riding a four game win streak after the attack began putting up some serious points. Becker/Big Lake is currently averaging 7.60 goals per game, and has no shortage of skaters who can dish out punishment. The aforementioned Graning currently leads the state with 24 points across only five games, and his resume already includes two hat tricks. Jase Tobako also lands in the top 20 for points statewide, and his well balanced spread of eight goals and seven assists has kept this offense churning. Not far behind these two is sophomore Tate Spilde, a guy who has racked up 10 points on four goals and six assists thus far. These three skaters have provided the brunt of Becker/Big Lake’s offensive prowess, and so far this season, the Eagles have been nothing short of excellent.
La Crescent-Hokah: A
The Lancers haven’t entered the meat of their schedule yet, but their performance so far has been dang-near perfect. An attack averaging 10.25 goals per game with a defense that holds opponents to 2.00 goals per game is the definition of a complete team, and some of the box scores have looked more like football scores than hockey. For case in point, the Lancers dispatched Red Wing by a final score of 14-0. Despite some questions about the Lancers’ lackluster competition so far, their early season dominance can’t be denied, and believe it or not, this team has three skaters inside the top five for points statewide. Noah Gillette, Michal Stojka and Wyatt Farrell Wyatt Farrell 5'7" | Forward La Crescent | 2024 State MN have put up 18, 19 and 20 points, respectively. The three senior forwards have quickly become arguably the most dangerous trio across Class A, and their unprecedented production deserves to be highlighted. On the other end of the ice, senior goalie Collin Morken has been holding down the fort nicely. So far, Morken has a 3-0 record to go with a 1.67 Goals Against Average and .918 save percentage, excellent numbers across the board. The Lancers have been rolling, and their upcoming matchup against a similar, attack-minded Dodge County team should prove to be a fun one.