The Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine and the Maple Grove Community Center will host the second annual "The Big One" invitational tournament, featuring some of the top spring-season AAA programs in the state.

The tournament holds six divisions, spanning from 2005-2010 birth years. A handful of the teams competing this weekend have already begun their AAA season, while some squads are beginning their maiden voyage into the warmer months of hockey. 

The following is a brief breakdown of each division with Players to Watch in each group. 

2005 Division

With solid teams throughout the division, the championship could come down to depth and goaltending, not typically the hallmarks of summer hockey competition. Standout netminders abound at this level, including recent Bantam A state champion Hampton Slukynsky of Warroad, who will suit up for Red Army this weekend. 

Players to Watch

Javon Moore, Blue Army

Danny Nelson, Euro American Red

Zach Nehring, Red Army

Carson Musser, Black Bears 

Jack Christ, Wisconsin Evictors

C.J. Sheffield, My Edge Hockey

Predicted Champion: Blue Army 

2006 Division

A pair of Minnesota Blades teams (2006 Hoogsteen and 2007) may have top billing due to the overall strength of the program, but the 2006 Division won't be won easily by whichever team comes out on top. The relative unknown in the division is the Northern Outlaws group, which features quality goaltender Connor Roff. 

Players to Watch 

Cameron Dean, Euro American Red

Bobby Cowan, Blue Army 

Alex Doshan, 2006 Minnesota Blades

Henri Ament, 2007 Minnesota Blades

Connor Roff, Northern Outlaws 

Predicted Champion: Twin Cities Selects

2007 Division 

Smaller than the other levels with four teams, the 2007 Division will be decided by squads that will be incredibly familiar with one another by the time bracket play rolls around. Balance abounds in this division, and this weekend features the first time the 2007 Twin City Selects will compete in a Youth Hockey Hub event. 

Players to Watch 

Chaz Lentz, Blue Army 

Cade Sherman, Tommy Chicago 

Holden Pajor, Twin City Selects 

Maverick Timmons, Minnesota Mosquitos

Predicted Champion: Blue Army 

2008 Division 

The 2008 Division welcomes new AAA team the Minnesota Generals into the spring fold in what should be an exciting set of games at this level. The Jr. Islanders represent the northern part of the state, and will do battle against four metro teams in the Generals, Blue Army, Euro American Red, and the Twin Cities Selects. 

Players to Watch 

Ander Rajala, Jr. Islanders

Logan Lutner, Euro American Red

Hunter Boeckmann, Blue Army 

Liam Schultz, Twin Cities Selects

Nate Chorlton, Minnesota Generals

Predicted Champion: Minnesota Generals

2009/2010 Note: Despite not seeing enough of the 2009 and 2010 birth-year spring teams to offer a preview, YHH is excited to see how the competition pans out and how the next year's Squirts shape up.