Marshall

A metro-heavy lineup awaits the gold-and-black uniforms, with Edina pacing the group with three players for Marshall. The forward group abounds with skill, while the back end is held down by a mix of size and speed. Defenseman Logan Hensler and forward Junior Podein both played for the Black Bears during the AAA State Tournament, finishing second in the 2005 Division as an underage group. Hensler led the division in scoring with 17 points from the blue line. Goaltenders Zachary Price and Logan Klaren should be a formidable duo between the pipes.

Moorhead

Just two players who skate for the Spuds during association hockey are on the roster for Moorhead, as defenseman Sam Laurila and forward Brooks Cullen will don their typical colors. The native Spuds are joined by a mix of players hailing from Rochester to Maple Grove, meshing together to form a speedy forward core and an offensive-minded defensive group. Dylan Otten, Gavin Kor, and Josh Toll all ranked among the leading scorers in the 2007 Division at the AAA State Tournament. 

Ramsey 

Ranging from St. Paul to Moorhead, Ramsey is one of the most diverse teams in the field in terms of player’s hometowns. Ramsey features the 2007 Division’s leading scorer from the AAA State Tournament in Holden Pajor (11 points) and a member of the 2006 Division champion Twin Cities Selects in Will Dosan. A rugged defensive set of players should mix well with the crafty forwards for Ramsey. Dosan was among the Boys Minor leading scorers at last year’s Peewee Challenge. 

Richfield 

Speed and skill have Richfield in prime position for a run at the Peewee Challenge title, with a multitude of players who can fill space all over the ice. Richfield could have the most balanced team in the tournament when all phases of the game are considered and have good size throughout the lineup. Defensively, Richfield has excellent depth, with six players who could slot in with the first pair. Forward Ashton Schultz finished second in scoring during last month’s AAA State with two goals and 10 total points and led all scorers during the previous year’s Peewee Challenge with 15 points in the Boys Minor Division.

Williams 

The east metro has found its niche with Williams, as seven players hail from teams that have (at one time) been a member of the Suburban East Conference. Among those players are three White Bear Lake standouts in Will Distad, Maverick Timmons, and Carter McLeod. Three Cottage Grove skaters Eli Daly, Maxwell Kaplan, and Caden Schwartz team up with Woodbury’s Cullen Ingebritson to round out the rest of the east side contingent. Williams has one of the more athletic groups in the tournament, with size and strength from top-to-bottom.