Black Bears 

A mix of players from all over Minnesota, the Black Bears will be an interesting team to watch this weekend. Some nice pieces should keep the Black Bears competitive through Sunday’s games, with several players taking part in the Peewee Challenge last weekend in Bloomington. The coaching staff is adept at managing this type of roster, having coached a version of the Black Bears at multiple tournaments.  

Key Players: Cooper Rannow, Grayson Hanggi (G), Nate Larson (G)

Great Plains 

The Great Plains roster features a large number of players who skated to a second-place finish at the 2018 North American Hockey Showcase. There is no shortage of depth or balance throughout the lineup, with skill on all forward lines and defensive pairs. 

Key Players: Ryder Betzol, Gavin McNeil, Mason Jenson, Cash Cruitt (G)

Green Bay Jr. Gamblers

A strength for the Jr. Gamblers will be their team speed, which can wear down opposing teams over the course of three periods. With three solid lines, the Jr. Gamblers can roll through the entire lineup, unencumbered by line-matching. 

Key Players: Cullen Potter, Sam Kappell, Drew Shock, Landon Palmgren (G)

Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 

With arguably the best logo in the tournament, the Jr. Admirals feature a fast team that has impressive athletes on both sides of the puck. When the Jr. Admirals stay disciplined on the ice, they can run their effective power-play through multiple units.

Key Players: Blaine Krahn, Trey Schumacher, Wyatt Earhardt, Drake Maresca, Frankie Surma

Minnesota Fire 

Creativity is not a trait designated to most 12U teams, but the Fire has a mix of speed and puck-handling prowess that enables the team to take some chances on offense. Combine that with a physical and gritty style of play on defense, and the Fire have a balanced lineup that could give opponents fits all weekend. 

Key Players: Michael Mikan, Conrad Fondrk, Luke Myers, Sam Schulte 

MPH ’07 

The MPH group has experienced success throughout the AAA spring and summer seasons, growing as a group and gelling with undeniable chemistry. When the MPH defense and goaltending are on (and it usually is), the forwards have shown an ability to capitalize on opponents mistakes in both the offensive and neutral zones. 

Key Players: Owen Lunneborg (G), Avi Kasargod, Daylin Cline, Gabe Perron, Cole Cheeseman

Team Wisconsin 

Several players taking the ice for Team Wisconsin this weekend were a part of the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals last year, skating to a 30-19-3 record against Tier I competition. 

True North 

True North’s 12U team brings a mix of Minnesota and North Dakota natives, many of whom are playing together for the first time. There are playmakers on both offense and defense for True North, and the group should improve as they play together over the weekend. 

Key Players: Will Distad, Aiden Grossklaus, Will Shermoen, Brandon Mickelson