Unranked Skaters who have Defied Expectations
I had a feeling I would be leaving a few skaters out to dry in my Class of 2023 Rankings list, but even so, there have been a multitude of guys who have proven me wrong, and we aren’t even…
Access all of Prep Hockey
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI had a feeling I would be leaving a few skaters out to dry in my Class of 2023 Rankings list, but even so, there have been a multitude of guys who have proven me wrong, and we aren’t even at the halfway point yet. These senior skaters have been electric all year, bringing their teams to victory with a combination of skill and leadership that takes years to develop. That being said, let’s look at the seniors who have made a splash on the ice so far this winter.
Nate Miller, Breck
Breck has been a streaky team so far this year. After starting 5-5-1, the Mustangs have been red-hot, winning six of their last seven games to push their record to 11-6-1. Coincidentally, senior forward Nate Miller has also been red-hot. The senior forward is as unselfish as they come, yet this exact play style is a big reason why he currently ranks in the upper echelon of point scorers state wide. So far, the senior has already racked up 50 points on 18 goals and 32 assists. Since December 19th of last year, Miller has not gone a game without scoring less than two points. In his last 10 games, he’s put up 29 points. Long story short, this guy is unstoppable, and he should continue to be Breck’s first option as this team begins to make its postseason push.
Roman Thompson, Monticello
The anchor of Monticello’s big three, Roman Thompson has been bringing up the rear of a trio that could rival even Northfields in terms of Class A dominance. All three forwards on this Moose team have put up 40+ points, and Thompson’s total has come with the well-balanced spread of 21 points and 20 assists, making him the most versatile of the trio. Long story short, if the puck ends up on Landen Scherber, Gunnar Simon, or Thompson’s stick, opposing defenses are in for a bad time. Thompson leads his team in goals, and comes in at third in assists. His contributions on the ice for Monticello have been invaluable, and thanks in part to his efforts, the Moose are out to a 13-2 start, one of the program’s best all time.
Jack Christ, Chanhassen
Not having this guy on my original rankings was a pure oversight on my end, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Jack Christ is legit, and he’s only proven his legitimacy further throughout his stellar senior campaign. Chanhassen is 13-4, arguably one of the best teams in the state, and Christ still stands out on such a stacked program. Through only 17 games, he has notched 37 points on 11 goals and 26 assists against cut throat competition, cementing himself as a puck merchant with on-ice vision that is far beyond his years. Odds are, this is part of the reason why Christ is committed to Minnesota State, a team that is on the rise and should continue to improve with guys like him coming into the program. Christ can pass the puck, he can score it and his senior leadership has helped the Storm rebound from last year’s heartbreaking, 2-1 defeat to Minnetonka in the Section championship last season. This guy should continue to succeed, and he has an unprecedented opportunity to topple the almighty-Minnetonka come playoffs.
Zac Bick, Prairie Center
If there’s any clear cut star on this list that helps carry his team to victory, it would be Zac Bick. Flanked by sophomore James Rieland, these two forwards are at their most dangerous in tandem, and the 55 points they have combined for is among the best metrics in the state. While Rieland’s 21 assists make up for the brunt of his points, Bick is the inverse of this. His 18 goals on the year are over double the next best guy on Prairie Center, meaning a lot of pressure is put on this guy week-in and week-out to produce. Yet through all of it, Bic has been stellar. His team’s 5-10-1 record is admittedly dismal, but Bick has put up 12 points in his team’s five wins, proving himself to be the X-factor more times then not. The senior still has half a season left to turn this ship around, and if Prairie Center can tighten up defensively, this could very well happen thanks to Bick’s level of production on the attack.