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First Round Pumpkin Picks

By Teams to Watch, 10/22/14, 5:30PM CDT

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Going as a Hockey Player for Halloween - 8 Scary Choices


Wiz Wyatt Player of the Year, Brock Faber looks to lead OMG to Pumpkin glory.

Staff Writer Teams to Watch will be in Moorhead to cover The Big Pumpkin next week. Here are his choices for First Round Winners.

The Big Pumpkin Tournament is right around the corner. Instead of filling up on candy this year, these kids will be filling up on concession stand food at the rink. What's better than that? This years site will be in Moorhead. On October 31st, the 16 Team Bracket Play will begin. Many of the top Peewee teams will be in Moorhead for this tournament. Last year's champions, the Edina Hornets will show up at the tourney again. The first round pairing were recently released, and here is a look at my predictions.    

Osseo - Maple Grove > Duluth East (6-2) 

 Reasoning: The Crimson will be loaded up front with players like Kyle Kukkonen, Tyler Oakland, Connor Kelley, and also last seasons YHH Wiz Wyatt Player of the Year winner Brock Faber. Standing between the pipes will be Parker Slotsve, who will be key for OMG. Duluth East will be ran by new Head Coach, Chris Locker.. which could be good for the Hounds. 

Prior Lake > White Bear Lake (4-3) 

Reasoning: The Lakers will lack size this year, but that won't stop them from winning. Owen Neuharth, who had three points during the Peewee Challenge, should be a astonishing player for Prior Lake. Carson Stokes will be in the crease this year for the Lakers. White Bear will be lead by Billy Rose, a powerful skater for the Bears. The Bears are going to need good chemistry to get past the Lakers.  

Andover > St. Cloud (4-1)

Reasoning: Andover will have some great 02's, which could be a problem in the physical part of the game. These players will have speed and skill that will make up for the loss of physicallity. They will rarely get outplayed in a game. St. Cloud will have Nate Warner and first year Cullen Hiltner who will definitely get people talking. 

Chaska > Blaine (5-2)

Reasoning: Chaska will have a solid defensive core. This team won District 6 two years ago as Squirts. Will Magnuson is a great player that will have a huge impact for Chaska this year, The Bengals aren't really on the radar this season, watch out for Chaz and Cruz Lucius who will have to lead this team to the top as first years. 

Rosemount > Eden Prairie (7-3) 

Reasoning: The Irish are going to be outstanding this season. Mitchell Kohner had 24 goals and 4 assists during the Velocity 3 on 3 Tournament this summer, which lead the tournament for goals. A handful also participated in the YHH Peewee Challenge, and did great. This team will be loaded with talent at all three lines. For the Eagles, look for John Mittelstadt to step up and light the lamp. 

Moorhead > Wayzata (3-2) 

Reasoning: The host team will have the place packed with fellow Moorhead fans. The Spuds will be lead by Caden Triggs, Carter Johnson, and Luke Gramer up front. At the piont, Wyatt Gunkel will be key. In the crease, Hudson Hodges is a top goaltender for this age. For Wayzata, Ryan Mulrenin will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet plenty of times throughout the weekend. 

Edina > Elk River (2-1) 

Reasoning: Edina were the champs last year, and are looking to do it again. Ben Dexheimer, Mark Overman, and many other players will be the core to the Hornets. They will have strong goaltending too. Elk River will be counting on players like Zach Michaelis and Austen Humphrey to run over the Hornets defence. The Elks have strong chemistry which might get them past the Hornets. 

Minneapolis > Hermantown (4-0) 

Reasoning: Minneapolis has peaked since Squirts two years ago. They have a lot of skill at all parts of the ice. The Hawks aren't on our radar this year, but don't count them out. The Northern Peewee AA teams always seem to compete as the season progresses.  

Scoresheet Superstars: These are the players I think will be inked on the scoresheet many times. 

John Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie)

Zach Michaelis (Elk River) 

Kyle Heffron (Rosemount)

Caden Triggs (Moorhead) 

Ryan Mulrenin (Wayzata)


Look for St. Cloud's Cullen Hiltner to find the scoresheet in Moorhead.

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