Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

[mnstate0fhockey]

Rogers has grown a ton over the past 20 years, and was probably headed towards AA anyway. They've had some really good players go through their program; just not much depth. Same deal down the road at St. Michael-Albertville, who had to move up to AA last year, and should be pretty good in a couple years.

I do wonder if Rogers made their decision before realizing which teams were staying in 5A. That section should be a cakewalk for Spring Lake Park.

Thanks for the response. Have to admit, I am less familiar with that section than I am with others. Have been trying to pay more attention the past few years.

It's refreshing to see schools opt up instead of having to be forced. It's good for the competitive balance.

 

[MavHockey14]

Made some changes to Section 1A to. Le Sueur-Henderson ended up not getting re-aligned to Class AA. They appealed not to be and were allowed to stay in section 1A. Winona was re-aligned to Class A, Section 1 from Class AA, Section 1. Hope my head isn't the only one spinning.

Le Sueur will have a good team this season, and Winona will be fairly decent (they graduated a lot), so my seedlings predictions changed some.

How on earth will leSuer have a good team?

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

How on earth will leSuer have a good team?

"Good" is a relative term

They won't have a team the caliber of Mankato West, New Prague, or Fairbult, but they do have some nice players returning. They have three of the Top 25 leading returning scorers in the section.

As I mentioned to someone on Twitter, I don't have the time or resources to scout the kids coming up the ranks for every program (I do with the District 6 kids), so I am basing my seeding predictions based in large part on returning rosters and what I have seen of these teams. For instance, it is very likely Lourdes will finish higher than the 7th seed, but they lost an awful lot after last year.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

Rogers has grown a ton over the past 20 years, and was probably headed towards AA anyway. They've had some really good players go through their program; just not much depth. Same deal down the road at St. Michael-Albertville, who had to move up to AA last year, and should be pretty good in a couple years.

I do wonder if Rogers made their decision before realizing which teams were staying in 5A. That section should be a cakewalk for Spring Lake Park.

It just seems like a team like Rogers wouldn't want to make that jump before they have to. Even if they are looking to improve in the near future, it would be nice to get a step up in class A while they still can.

I like the idea of schools wanting to play up, but I think they need to be smart when they do it. Rogers just seems like an odd one to want to move up. Hopefully it works out for them, though.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

Based on your 1A predictions, I take it my high schools plummet to obscurity has hit rock bottom. Didn't think I'd ever see them picked last in the section back when I was in high school and it was regular trips to state, and title game appearances.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Based on your 1A predictions, I take it my high schools plummet to obscurity has hit rock bottom. Didn't think I'd ever see them picked last in the section back when I was in high school and it was regular trips to state, and title game appearances.

Will probably be a rough year for Red wing. Can't imagine a program like that will be down for long though.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

Based on your 1A predictions, I take it my high schools plummet to obscurity has hit rock bottom. Didn't think I'd ever see them picked last in the section back when I was in high school and it was regular trips to state, and title game appearances.

FWIW, I'd say they're a middle of the pack team in the section, anywhere from a 5-7 seed. They'll definitely be better than St. Peter, Mankato East, Austin, LaCrescent, Waseca, and Winona.

Red Wing or Lourdes play the hardest schedules, by far, each season in Section 1A. Like it was stated, the previews are done a lot off of stats and nothing more, which can be very misleading.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

FWIW, I'd say they're a middle of the pack team in the section, anywhere from a 5-7 seed. They'll definitely be better than St. Peter, Mankato East, Austin, LaCrescent, Waseca, and Winona.

Red Wing or Lourdes play the hardest schedules, by far, each season in Section 1A. Like it was stated, the previews are done a lot off of stats and nothing more, which can be very misleading.

I didn't say they are ONLY based off stats, so I wouldn't say nothing more. I do watch quite a bit of games. I just admitted that I don't see some of the sections as much as others, and I certainly don't have the time to scout JV and bantam games around the state (though I do see quite a bit in District 6). So it's really difficult to project for incoming players.

The previews and predictions are for fun, and are one man's viewpoint. I stand by my predictions, but if I am off (even quite a bit off) on a few, no harm no foul.

Like I said above, I am totally open to comments, criticism, and discussion, and would love to see your rankings for the sections and what changes you'd make. I enjoy that type of discussion.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

My <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-4a">Section 4A Preview and Predictions</a> has been posted.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

As for Red Wing, they may play a tough schedule, but they only averaged about 2 goals a game and gave up close to 4.5. And they are losing two senior defenders and their starting goaltender, Preston Blaney. Unless they brought in a transfer, and I'm not aware that they did, they are going to be starting a goaltender with very little if any varsity experience this season. Junior Adam Defore only played 51 minutes last season. Up front they lost 78% of their scoring and 3 of the 4 players who put up double-digit points last season. Even if guys step up to replace some of that lost scoring, I think they are going to be as bad or worse defensively. I'd say finishing middle of the pack in terms of seeding is certainly a possibility, but I don't think the ceiling is any higher and I wouldn't be surprised if they finish much lower.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

As for Red Wing, they may play a tough schedule, but they only averaged about 2 goals a game and gave up close to 4.5. And they are losing two senior defenders and their starting goaltender, Preston Blaney. Unless they brought in a transfer, and I'm not aware that they did, they are going to be starting a goaltender with very little if any varsity experience this season. Junior Adam Defore only played 51 minutes last season. Up front they lost 78% of their scoring and 3 of the 4 players who put up double-digit points last season. Even if guys step up to replace some of that lost scoring, I think they are going to be as bad or worse defensively. I'd say finishing middle of the pack in terms of seeding is certainly a possibility, but I don't think the ceiling is any higher and I wouldn't be surprised if they finish much lower.

I think my cousin's kid is going to be one of the top forwards....I don't think he's that good.
His little brother though, is going to be a stud in 4-5 years. He's effing good, but I'm afraid he'll end up going to somewhere like St. Thomas, or go to Rochester to Lourdes.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

I think my cousin's kid is going to be one of the top forwards....I don't think he's that good.
His little brother though, is going to be a stud in 4-5 years. He's effing good, but I'm afraid he'll end up going to somewhere like St. Thomas, or go to Rochester to Lourdes.

Can't wait to watch him play! That's what I love about MNHS hockey, you get to see kids grow up and advance thru high school, to college, to the pros. Hopefully he sticks around. Hopefully I'm wrong about Red wing too

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

My <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-5a">Section 5A Preview and Predictions</a> has been posted.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

My <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-6a">Section 6A Preview and Predictions</a> has been posted.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

My <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-7a">Section 7A Preview and Predictions</a> has been posted.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

My <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-8a">Section 8A Preivew and Predictions</a> has been posted.

Class A previews are complete. Class AA previews coming soon.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

Gotta say, it's amazing that you can be so current on HS hockey in Minnesota... living in Milwaukee and all.

 

[MavHockey14]

Gotta say, it's amazing that you can be so current on HS hockey in Minnesota... living in Milwaukee and all.

What else is there to do in that hell hole?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

What else is there to do in that hell hole?

Cocaine? Crack-whores? Burgle? Drive-bys?


There's stuff to do.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota High School Hockey Section Previews and Predictions

I've begun my Class AA Section Previews. The <a href="http://www.mnhockeycentral.com/section-1aa">Section 1AA Preview and Predictions</a> has been posted.