Danny Nelson, OMG
YHH started in 2011, with a huge emphasis on Squirts and PeeWees. A group of Squirt-dad enthusiasts approached us about doing an unsanctioned tournament. We called it the "Squirt B State tournament". It wasn't big and their wasn't much glamour, but it was memorable. There were some great players playing B hockey back then....Luke Gramer from Moorhead, Mannon McMahon from OMG and tourney MVP Ramsey Bell from tourney champion Edina Silver.
This weekend, we will see some already developed stars on the A side like Brodie Ziemer from Chaska Chanhassen and Danny Nelson from Osseo Maple Grove. But we will also see some future stars at the B level from all over the state and a few from outside Minnesota.
What we started in 2012, is now the largest squirt tournament in Minnesota. One thousand players, 64 teams and throngs of fans and pin trading in one building. The farthest thing from our mind was a group of kids playing their hearts out to get their name on a trophy with a pair of skates under glass.
Here is a peek at some things you might see at the Super Rink this weekend.
Teddy Townsend, Eden Prairie
With nearly 1,000 players coming to Blaine, you can only imagine some of the names we see on the rosters. This year we got some tasty Italian names...we got some funny names, or at least names we could make a remark about. We also noticed nine last names with familiar division one dads.
5. Pin Trading - each team will bring pins to Blaine and trade their pins, making for a great exchange of energy and community.
4. Drama - Pit 9 and 10 year old "future NHLers" against one another on a big stage and the intensity can hit high levels.
3. Rivalries - Over the years the Squirtacular has been the birth place of some great youth hockey rivalries and bonds. In 2013 who can forget the Rosemount team cheering for Moorhead. Or watching Osseo Maple Grove and White Bear battle in 2014 in the first of their three championship games? Last year, the best game of the tourney came between Stillwater and Rosemount - a back and forth classic that eventually ended in a shootout.
2. Out of Towners - Unlike most events in Minnesota, the Squirtacular attracts teams from outside the state of hockey. This year teams from Arizona, Illinois, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin will make their way to Blaine. Making their pins very valuable.
1. Fun - One Super Rink employee told YHH after last year - "that is the most people, we've ever seen in this place...that was crazy." We expect there to be more crazy again this year. Best of luck to all teams. We hope you stay safe, meet new people and have a ton of fun.
2016 Moorhead Spud pin - winners of the Super Large division last year
Sam Scheetz, CC
SQUIRT A
Assuming all eight of our top seeds make the quarterfinals Saturday...here is what it could look like Saturday afternoon.
6;00 pm - OMG vs. Hermantown
6:45 pm - Edina Green vs. Eden Prairie
7:15 pm - Edina White vs. Chaska Chanhassen
8:00 pm - Woodbury vs. Mahtomedi
Don't sleep on number two seeds like Orono, Blaine, Dallas Stars Elite or Moorhead. A lot of very good teams in the field. Most teams will have to run a gauntlet to gain the quarterfinals Saturday.
The Call: Since losing in the State Squirt B semis, Osseo Maple Grove has won four straight Squirtacular titles ('13 > Rosemount, '14 > WBL, '15 Chaska Chan and '16 > Woodbury). No sense bucking the trend...the Leafbirds have way too much going for them this year, not to pull the 5-Peat.
Ben Miller, Woodbury
SQUIRT B
The B side will be just as exciting as the A, with the potential of even more fireworks. Good B hockey teams usually have a budding super star, less experienced goalies and really enthusiastic fans...making for instant excitement. Our projections for top seeds weren't as scientific as the A, we had very limited data three weeks ago prior to posting. Here is a best guess on potential quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.
5:30 pm - Edina (Green) vs. Mahtomedi (Gold)
4:45 pm - Moorhead (Black) vs. Edina (Black)
4:15 pm - Chaska Chan (Black) vs.Mahtomedi (Blue)
3:30 pm - Stillwater vs. Edina (Gold)
We wouldn't be surprised to see the '07 Coyotes do well, two years ago the '05 team went all the way to the finals. Edina Black has beaten Kennedy-Richfield and Edina Black in back to back games, they are a threat. Moorhead had a great run last year...the Black team is a threat.
The Call: Edina Green is the team to beat....if they can be consistent for six straight games, the Green Hornets should be all the buzz in Blaine.
Michael Risteau, Lakeville North
John Halverson, Edina Green - great speed and skill, cut out of the mold of many recent Edina squirt greats like Ben Dexheimer, Nick Williams and Tommy Cronin.
Ben Miller, Woodbury - has precision hands like a surgeon - makes opponents miss - does a great job sharing at the right times.
Danny Nelson, Osseo Maple Grove - he's big, he shoots it hard...he can take over a game. No more words necessary.
Michael Risteau, Lakeville North - quick feet, has great energy when he has the puck. Hard to stop in tight spaces...will have a big weekend in Blaine.
Sam Scheetz, Chaska Chan - fun to watch a player like Sam develop into a superstar. Hard worker with a non-stop motor.
Teddy Townsend, Eden Prairie - hard not to miss him...make an impact with his speed. Crafty player that has a nose for the net.
Brodie Ziemer, Chaska Chan - plays at a speed only light can measure. Is really hard to stop if given an inch of space.
John Halverson, Edina Green