There were several great individual and team efforts last weekend on the range. We had high hopes for several teams to break through and hopes to see new players and teams emerge. Two new names emerged - Jacob Stender from Alexandria and Layten Liffrig from Mankato. These two made it look easy all weekend. Stender lead the tourney in points, while Liffrig lead it in goals scored. 

F - Owen Baumgartner, Owatonna - arguably the most talented player in the state...fun to watch.

F - Layten Liffrig, Mankato - had his hand in everything except the cookie jar last weekend..amazing performance.

F - Jacob Stender, Alexandria - man amongst boys, great two way player for the Cards.

D - Luke Roelofs, Mound Westonka - fluent with the puck on his stick, took over the game Saturday against Mankato.

D - Matthew Kochanowski, Apple Valley - very offensive defenseman that played great on both ends this weekend.

G - Conner Nelson, Park Cottage Grove - can put "held Owen Baumgartner to zero goals" to his resume. One of the best goalies we've seen this year.

MVP Tyler Haskins, Rochester - not much can be said about his first year star. Great play maker, rare player who hurts his opponents most the longer he holds the puck.

F - Drew Lingen, Rochester

F - Joe Palodichuk, Park Cottage Grove

F - Jared Wright, Apple Valley

D - Isaac Leeman, Rochester

D - Jacob Schreiber, Mankato

G - Carsten Lardy, St. Paul

Honorable Mention: Trent Bowe, Mound Westonka...Beau Courneya, Mound Westonka...Jacob Jeanette, Duluth East...Hunter Johnson, Forest Lake...Jacob Kanzenbach, Mankato...Joey Kerchner, North Branch...Brody Lamb, Dodge County....William Matzke, Osseo Maple Grove...Joe Miller, Minneapolis....Jack Novak, Apple Valley...Tanner Thompson, Champlin Park

Having four teams from the Iron Range in one tourney is a blast each year. Last year Greenway lost in Silver finals and Virginia in the White. This year Virginia rebounded and won the White. We are very lucky to see kids from this part of the state - as they try to become the next Harrington, Michaletti or Mayasich. Here is our All Iron Range team from last weekend.

Grant Bonicatto, Virginia

Christian Galatz, Hibbing-Chisholm

Tyler Jonassen, Hibbing-Chisholm

Brett Oakland, Virginia

Tommy Schlotec, Eveleth-Gilbert - Conner Willard, Hibbing-Chisholm - Blake Zadnikar, Virginia

On Saturday afternoon organizers of the Founder's Cup learned that the Virginia Miners building had their water main break. Facing pushed back games, games moved to Hoyt Lakes or potential cancellations or delay - the staff went into overdrive. Less than two hours later - still fighting water issues - John Bachman and his staff got 700 gallons of water trucked in, fresh bottled water for the players and rented porta-potties brought inside so fans wouldn't have to go out in below zero temperatures. All keeping the games on schedule with only one game missing a between period resurface.

Thanks John...your dedication and hard work, get you and your staff the Real MVP award last weekend!