Casey Mittelstadt, this years odds on favorite to win Mr. Hockey - Photo Nick Wosika
The Summer Hockey Festival got off to a flying start Friday night at Braemar with 20 varsity and a handful of JV teams taking the ice for some live game action. YHH was on site to take in a few games with our eyes (and lenses). Here is what we saw.
Most teams had a lot of skaters carrying sometimes more than 20 on a bench. Some teams played all four lines and others played a rotation of top and bottom players. With no rosters or game jerseys worn it was difficult to make out exactly who was who.
The one score that jumps out was Lakeville South beating Benilde St. Margarets 8-0. No sign of Connor Mayer for the Red Knights.
Luke LaMaster fires a shot for Duluth East Friday - Photo Nick Wosika
Team | Score | Team |
---|---|---|
Delano* | 5-5 | Duluth East |
Lakeville South | 8-0 | Benilde St. Margarets |
Wayzata | 2-1 | Bloomington Jefferson |
Lakeville North* | 2-2 | Holy Family |
Eden Prairie | 9-2 | Eastview |
Maple Grove | 6-2 | St. Paul Academy |
Grand Rapids | 4-2 | Prior Lake |
Elk River | 9-1 | Chanhassen |
Patrick Reddan fires a shot Friday for Holy Family - Photo Nick Wosika
Grant Anderson, Wayzata - Nebraska Omaha commit has great puck handling skills, will run the power play for the Trojans this year.
Karl Huther, Bloomington Jefferson - looked great, stopping over 40 Wayzata shots including several second chance attempts by the defending state champs.
Ben Meyers, Delano - was all over the ice for the Tigers...gave Duluth East trouble the whole game. A likely Mr. Hockey finalist this year.
Jared Moe, Holy Family - YHH's top '18 uncommitted player showed why the Fire will be a top ten team all year.
Tevin Neegard, Maple Grove - the crafty senior had two goals and was very productive for the Crimson.
Jake Olson, Eden Prairie - always known for his speed, grit and determination - Olson showed great skill Friday scoring on a pretty bar down back hander.
Ben Meyers, Delano - Photo Nick Wosika
With every new season brings a few changes. With no printed rosters of teams it was hard to tell who was who and where some players will be headed next season. Here are a few we confirmed last night.
Joe Hankinson and Peter Tabor - both played for Edina last year, they leave the Hornets for Holy Family further bolstering a solid returning core for the Fire.
Hank Sorenson - the hammer was not in uniform for Wayzata Friday, has not trained with the Trojans this Summer and appears to be headed to Waterloo in the USHL this fall.
Jack Olsen - the 2013 Wiz Wyatt winner played forward as a freshman and had 29 points. Last year he held down the blue line for the Cougars. On Friday, the Junior skated with Cory Checco and Bradley Golant and that line went crazy scoring 6 of their 8 goals.
Cory Checco scored for Lakeville South Friday