Minnetonka lost several key pieces from last year's team that fell to eventual Class AA State Tournament champion Eden Prairie in the Section 6AA finals. 

Among those departing the program was talented freshman Beckett Hendrickson, who accepted a spot with the National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. 

Senior Wyatt Chartier (7-8-15) is the top-scoring returning forward, and senior defenseman Nick Baer (4-11-15) may be asked to contribute more offensively. 

Junior Beau Motzko is the only returning goaltender from last year's trio, which also included seniors Kyle Briesemeister and Anders Irene. Motzko, son of University of Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko, stopped 33 of 35 shots in 100 minutes of action last year. 

Even after graduating talented forward Paul Huglen and goaltender Andrew Tuttle, the Rams return with a battle-tested lineup, led up front by seniors Max Strand (14-25-39), Gavin Gunderson (11-20-31), and Kellen Murphy (6-18-24). On defense, one of the best names in high school hockey is senior Thor Byfuglien (9-21-28), who can bring it at both ends of the ice.

Perhaps the biggest question for newly minted Rams head coach Greg Lund is who will he look to carry the baton between the pipes. Junior Dylan Johnson appeared in four games last season for the Rams, and is the on-paper favorite to take over for Tuttle.