Team Great Lakes celebrates after a win during last year's tournament.

Jefferson Conference Preview

Midwest

Team Midwest features a mix of players hailing primarily from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and one skater from New Brunswick. A possible advantage for Team Midwest will be its size, which could keep scores close for a group that finds its strength (and excellent shooting ability) on defense. Easton Walos and Tristan Lange are a pair of defenders that should anchor Team Midwest.   

Minnesota

Speed and depth will be the hallmarks of Team Minnesota, and combining the two could allow the group to wear down opponents throughout the week. With strong defense and rock-solid goaltending, Team Minnesota will have its chance to make a mark during The Show 2019.  

New England

Last year's champion, Team New England, returns to the state of hockey with another solid roster, pulling players from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and one skater who hails from Minnesota. Seven of the players skated this season for Top Gun Elite, which won 29 games last season playing a schedule loaded with quality east coast opponents. A robust defensive core includes 2018 Brick Invitational participants Wyatt Britton and A.J. Yeung, who suited up for the Boston Junior Bruins last year. 

True North

A large contingent of True North's group is part of the 2008 Bakken Oilers, who ran through May's The Big One Invitational going 5-0-1 and capturing the championship. Jace Panzer and Dallas Jackson topped the 10-point mark for the tournament, with Panzer scoring 11 goals over the six games. Offensive firepower should be no problem for True North. Joining the team for the Show is Greenway's Andrew Rajala, who showed well at this April's Minnesota Selects festival.  

North America

Team North America boasts players from Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New York, and Wisconsin, making up one of the continentally-diverse rosters in the Show's history. Forward Jay Anderson lit up last spring's Stars of Tomorrow tournament with four goals and nine total points for '08 West, with Team North America defenseman Blake McShane totaling three goals and six points, also for '08 West in 2018.   

South

Nine players on Team South's roster skated this past season for the Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club, a team that won 29 games and finished as the No. 11 team in the 2008 age group according to MyHockeyRankings. Joining the Lone Star skaters are Minnesota products Will Stricker, Krewz Harper, and Keegan and Kaden Julik. Helping round out the roster is North Carolina native and Carolina Rage defenseman Luke Schairer. If the Minnesotans and Schairer can jell with the Texans, Team South could emerge as a darkhorse champion candidate. 

Team USA

Boasting playmakers on both offense and defense, Team USA has both speed and skill in spades. Forward Filip Zizka skated for the Chicago Young Americans this season, a team that finished ranked No. 14 in the final MyHockeyRankings standings for the 2008 age group. Zizka also skated with the Chicago Jr. Blackhawks in last year's Brick Invitational.   


Mercury Bischoff, Team North American 2018.