Each year, the Minnesota Blades attempt to bring a great team to Edmonton for The Brick. In 2012 and '13 they were able to gain the playoffs. Last year they stumbled out of the gate and could not fully recover before finishing 3-3-0. 

This year, Team Minnesota heads into The Breck as a "Team to Watch". In other words, they aren't bad, but they have not been able to string together a cluster of wins versus high level of competition. Participating as the Blades at the ChiTown Shuffle, they beat the Chicago Brick handily (7-2), but could not beat them on Sunday. In Winnipeg, they were close, but a tie to the Wild All Stars prevented MN a shot at a North American Jersey. Prior to Winnipeg, they played the Boston Jr. Bruins tough, but weren't able to win it when it counted most.

Since their two tournaments in May and June, Team MN has retreated and begun to build toward the big prize in Edmonton. Can Coach Reggie Berg get this team to gel at the right time? Can they get Grade A Goaltending and a few breaks to go their way? If yes, this is a team to be careful come Thursday or Friday. 

Their two hardest games come Thursday (BC) and Friday (Bulldogs) as single games. Their most difficult stretch prior to Thursday, will be Wednesday when they face Detroit and Pennsylvania four hours apart.

Regardless, it should be a great week of hockey and likely some fun overtimes (they play 3x3 and 2x2 OT format at The Brick). We can't wait to sink our teeth into these juicy games this week.

Toronto Bulldogs - The Bulldogs had won three straight Brick titles heading into last year's Brick. Losing to Toronto Pro likely hasn't sat well for the Dogs. We expect them to return with a vengeance this year.

Detroit Red Wings - the Wings got a taste of Bracket Play last Summer, this team could be even better. They knocked off Pennsylvania and Winnipeg in May.

Team Minnesota - the hometown team is primed and ready to go. They are in a perfect position to make a run for the playoffs. They have a great coach, some star power up front (Oliver Moore and Connor Brown) and great defensemen (William Whitelaw and Troy Maldanado). 

Team Pennsylvania - PA has struggled a little since first coming onto the scene two years ago. This could be their year, they have a nice team and nothing to lose. Griffin Erdman is a kid you have to see, the Philly kid is a very smart player who protects the puck well.

BC Jr. Canucks - Lead by Connor Bedard and Lukas Dragicevic (say that ten times), the Canucks will not surprise anyone in the Brick this year. Their toughest foe may be Wednesday when they face Toronto.

Saskatchewan Jr. Pats - a really nice team out of Sask this year. Kalan Lind and Riley Heidt will light up the scoreboard this week. They have to win one of their first two games Monday (BC, Minnesota) for a shot in the Playoffs.

Team California - likely the best American team in the field. Christian Kim and Phillipe Lalonde are proven scorers. They can take over a game for Cali in a blink of an eye. They have a favorable schedule, playing 1 game per day the first four days. 

Winnipeg Jr. Jets - lead by Brandon Funk up front and Carter Southern on the blue line, the Jets are looking to break through the Brick's glass ceiling for the first time in the YHH era. Beat Minnesota in the North American, but lost to Alberta and Sask.

Team Brick Alberta - a legit contender for the second or third seed coming out of Division 2. Their game against Boston Wednesday night will be vital. Nick Johnson and Tommy Wilander are two home town faces to keep an eye out for this week, they can fill it up pretty quickly.

Chicago Jr. Blackhawks - this Blackhawks team could make a run this year. Over the last three years the Junior Hawks have won only three games. Not exactly on parallel with the pro team in the Windy City. Watch out for Joy Dunne, she is the younger sister of US National Team member Jincy Dunne - Joy plays Defense and will also be the Jr. Hawks emergency Goalie. Gabe Perrault is another Chitown star. The son of former NHLer Yanic, Perrault has a great feel for the game. 

Boston Jr. Bruins - one of the best groups to come out of Bean Town in a while. Lead by Will Smith and Michael Calabrese, the B's should be playoff bound again this year.

Toronto Pro Hockey - the defending champs will trot out a team of stars from top to bottom. The only question that remains for TPH is will they wear home white or away blue in the Championship.

Connecticut Jr. Rangers - coached by NHL legend Martin St. Louis, the Rangers will need to be on their game the entire tournament in order to advance.

Montreal Ice Storm - last year the Storm took the tourney by notice by tying and losing to Boston in OT and beating Minnesota all on the first day. This year, they will surprise no one. 

After Pool Play, there will 6 teams remaining. Considering the fact that the two Toronto teams have lost only 2 Pool Play games in three years, we look for history to repeat itself again. We also think that Team California and the Boston Junior Bruins are the teams who will take second in each pool.

Division 1 (in order)

1. Toronto Bulldogs
2. Team California
3. BC Jr Canucks

Division 2 (in order)

1. Toronto Pro
2. Boston Jr. Bruins
3. Team Brick Alberta

Semifinalists: Team Brick Alberta > Team Cali and BC > Jr Bruins.
Finals: Toronto Pro >  Toronto Bulldogs

Not much of a surprise. Don't worry hockey fans, my predictions are always a bit off the mark.

Here are a few names we liked while scanning the rosters:

Lefty Markonidis, Team Cali

Giacomo Martino, Toronto Bulldogs

Rocco Bruno, Team Penn

Max Chakrabarti, Team BC

Phoenix Ramage, Team Sask

Francois Gagnon, Winnipeg Jr. Jets

JR Battaini, Boston Jr. Bruins

Louis Felix Charrois, Montreal