There are 21 teams headed to Rochester this weekend to skate their way to the Founders Cup title. Rochester AA, Rochester and A and Dodge County are all staying in their own beds, the rest will travel.
We have two from Chicago - Hoffman Estates Wolf Pack and Geneva Cyclones - two from Duluth (Denfeld and East) and several from the Twin Cities. Including No. 4AA Woodbury who comes into the event the number one seed. The number one seed hasn't won the cup the last two years. A PWA state champ has been in the finals (St. Paul and Mound Westonka) - we think that could happen again this year.
Full Field
Alexandria, Chaska Chanhassen "A", Dodge County, Duluth Denfeld, Duluth East, Farmington, Geneva, Hastings, Hoffman Estates, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Mahtomedi, Mankato, Minnetonka, Rochester "AA", Rochester "A", Prior Lake "A", Sartell, Sibley, Stillwater, STMA, White Bear Lake and Woodbury.
Matt Donovan and Brody Lamb look to show why No. 2A Dodge County will be a contender this weekend
What we love about the Founders Cup field each year is the diversity of teams. So often you see the same teams playing each other in tournaments. Pretty sure no one in Minnesota has seen Hoffman or Geneva. The same goes for Dodge County, Duluth Denfled and Alexandria - those three come from different parts of Minnesota for bragging rights. In addition to those differences, we have AA and A teams mixing - which always makes for some good drama in the lobby and the rink.
Once the puck drops, what level you are registered for never matters.
Here are a few things we find great about the weekend
Best Uniform: Lakeville South (Away)
Best Rink: Graham Arena...4 rinks, one roof (nice)
Best Name: Kash Kindgren, STMA
Best Name (1st Runner Up): Luke Savage, Hastings
Rock Star Name: Josh Cheseney, Hoffman Estates
Favorite Disney Show: "Axel and Allie"...two great players from Mahtomedi that make goalies tremble when they shoot.
Best Nickname: Duluth Denfeld Hunters
Lakeville South...you look marvelous!
Kaden Nelson, Duluth East
Drew Fisher, Woodbury - has all the tools to be tourney MVP. Fast, hard shot and high compete level.
Brody Lamb, Dodge County - an amazing skater, very athletic player who makes plays with and without the puck.
Max Nagel, Sibley - great all around player, can take over a game at any time.
Kaden Nelson, Duluth East - fun player to see...dynamic skater with pro-like hands and shot.
Austin Stoneking, Lakeville South - an impact player on every shift...has great speed and a nose for the net.
Hayden Walters, Sartell - has great hands and great jam to his game, wins puck battles and has great offensive upside.
Goalies - we mentioned Marko Belak in the names section..this year's net minders are as good as any event we have ever hosted. Tate Cothern (Rochester), Ethan Dahlmeir (Lakeville South), Ben Dardis (Mahtomedi) and Jackson Kohnen (White Bear Lake) are all top notch.
Ben Dardis making a great save two years ago as a Squirt
Team | Team | Winner |
---|---|---|
Minnetonka | Mankato | Anchors away, Skippers win |
Sibley | Rochester "A" | Warriors will be rude to hosts |
Farmington | Hoffman Estates | Best game of the am session Tigers by a whisker |
St. Paul | Chaska Chanhassen "A" | Caps in a close one |
Duluth East | Alexandria | Two good teams with a lot to prove, Hounds win |
Rochester "AA" | Geneva | Rockets will be red glare Friday am |
Lakeville North | Duluth Denfeld | Hunters in an upset |
White Bear Lake | Prior Lake "A" | Da Bears |
Team | Team | Winner |
---|---|---|
Woodbury | Minnetonka* | Woodbury will sink Skippers |
Sartell | Sibley* | Warriors will tame the Sabres |
Stillwater | Farmington* | Stillwater will catch the Tigers by the tail |
Dodge County | St. Paul* | The Caps won't be able to dodge the Wildcats attack |
St. Michael-Albertville | Duluth East* | STMA will have the right armor to send East to the lockers with a loss |
Hastings | Rochester AA* | Raiders will be ready to take down the defending champs |
Mahtomedi | Duluth Denfeld* | The Zephyrs will blow by Denfeld |
Lakeville South | White Bear Lake* | Great matchup - loser likely favorite in Black bracket |
Panelist | Tony Scott | Todd Hauch | Kurt Rolling | TJ Madisen | Peter Odney |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | Woodbury | Dodge County | Mahtomedi | Woodbury | STMA |
Darkhorse | STMA | Lakeville South | White Bear Lake | Hastings | St. Paul |
Tony says Predators win the cup