Prep Hockey Report: What to Know Heading into the New Year
The 2024 prep hockey season is in full swing, and with a new year upon us, it is time to take a look at some of the narratives that have taken shape as the standings have begun to cement themselves.…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 prep hockey season is in full swing, and with a new year upon us, it is time to take a look at some of the narratives that have taken shape as the standings have begun to cement themselves. Minnetonka and Wayzata have been leading the charge thus far in Class AA, while New Ulm, Detroit Lakes and Rock Ridge have been great stories in Class A. That being said, let’s take a look at the players and programs that have made a splash so far this season.
The Lake Conference is absolutely stacked. There is no question about it. Between Minnetonka, Edina, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie, there is no one program that is guaranteed to take the conference title home. Despite Minnetonka’s dominance this year, it is the third place team in the conference, although conference play is just beginning. Edina, Wayzata, and Minnetonka occupy the top three, respectively, while Eden Prairie is close behind in fourth. All of these teams are loaded with collegiate-level talent, and it’s frankly anyone’s contest for who can bring the title home. In terms of pure star power, Minnetonka is likely the top dog of this group. Between forwards like Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN and the Garry brothers, strong defenseman such as John Stout John Stout 6'2" | Defense Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , and a goalie like Hunter Bauer, this team has talent on every end of the ice. Five players on the Skippers have already eclipsed 15 points, a feat only one other team in the conference can boast. This other team is Wayzata, a program with its own cast of stars. Brittan Alstead Brittan Alstead 5'8" | Forward Wayzata | 2024 State MN has put up an astounding 25 points on the year, and Rhys Wallin Rhys Wallin 6'2" | Forward Wayzata | 2024 State MN is not far behind with 18 points of his own. Brooks Gengler and Luke Miller round out this impressive attack, and goalie Evan Turek hasn’t lost a game in the net yet. The Edina Hornets may not have the same power on the attack, but the Hornet defense has held opponents to an impressive 1.27 Goals per game, while goalie Joe Bertram has put up three shutouts and a .941 Save Percentage to boot. Finally, the dark horse to win the conference would likely be Eden Prairie. The Eagles’ margin of victory hasn’t been as lopsided as some of the other Lake Conference powerhouses, but they have had some impressive skaters make names for themselves. Sophomore Mason Moe has been a nice surprise, as he leads the team with 19 points so far this season. Cole Saterdalen and Alex Hall have both eclipsed the 15-point mark, and goalie Isaiah Paulnock’s .946 save percentage is one of the best figures in the state. No one team is guaranteed to win this conference, so it will be interesting to see who ends up on top of the Lake Conference when it is all said and done.
On the Class A side of things, high-scoring bouts have been the norm. Between high scoring programs like New Ulm and La Crescent-Hokah as well as the skaters that take the ice for them, goals have been coming in droves. The 11-3 New Ulm Eagles have been led by Austin Uecker Austin Uecker 6'0" | Forward New Ulm | 2024 State MN , Bryan Lang and Kaden Larson, three skaters who have put up 32, 29 and 27 points, respectively. Thanks in part to their efforts, New Ulm has averaged 5.86 goals per game, and are a favorite to clinch the Big South. However, there is another team in Class A that eclipses even New Ulm’s absurd levels of production. The La Crescent-Hokah Lancers have roared out to a 12-1 record thanks to an attack that puts up nearly seven goals per game. On top of this, the Lancers have the two highest scorers in the state on their team. Wyatt Farrell Wyatt Farrell 5'7" | Forward La Crescent | 2024 State MN and Noah Gillette have racked up 46 and 40 points, respectively. No one else in the state has eclipsed 40. These two have spearheaded a troublesome attack, with other scorers like Michal Stojka and Colton Holzer Colton Holzer 5'8" | Forward La Crescent | 2024 State MN bringing up the rear with 20+ points each. Other Class A teams such as Detroit Lakes, Northfield and Monticello are all averaging well over five goals a game themselves. Long story short, this group has a load of talent on the attack, making Class A hockey electrifying to watch.