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BAA: And They Are Off

By Tony Scott, 10/21/19, 7:00AM CDT

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Bantam AA teams kicked off their season with a Scrimmage-Fest in St. Louis Park


Osseo Maple Grove's Grant LeNeau

The lid has been lifted


Rosemount's Caden Hegarty

A new informal Bantam AA event was launched this past weekend in St. Louis Park called The Lidlifter.  Played at the Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC) at the St. Louis Park Rec Center, it was a fantastic back drop for some good early season action.

Each of the ten teams played three games Thursday to Saturday. Each game was played with two-22 minute halves and a resurface between each half. 

With teams from all over the metro area, hockey enthusiasts got a glimpse of who will challenge for a spot in the State Tournament this year in Edina.

Lidlifter Results

Date Team 1 Team 2 Score
October 17 Osseo Maple Grove > Lakeville North 6-3
October 17 Wayzata > Blaine 3-2
October 17 Centennial > Rosemount 6-5
October 17 STMA > Champlin Park 7-2
October 17 Minnetonka > White Bear Lake 8-2
October 18 STMA vs. Rosemount 2-2
October 18 Centennial > White Bear Lake 6-4
October 18 Lakeville North > Wayzata 4-1
October 18 Osseo Maple Grove > Blaine 7-0
October 18 Minnetonka > Champlin Park 9-0
October 19 Wayzata > STMA 4-2
October 19 Lakeville North > Champlin Park 9-2
October 19 Minnetonka > Centennial 10-2
October 19 White Bear Lake > Blaine 5-4
October 19 Osseo Maple Grove > Rosemount 4-2

White Bear's Nolan Roed

Teams to Watch

No surprise that Minnetonka and Osseo Maple Grove ran the table early in the season. Both line-ups have two first lines up front and a bevy of talent on the blue line to keep things in order in their own zone. Osseo Maple Grove may have the early season edge on most teams...many of these players have played together since they were Squirts in the associaton or in the off-season. Minnetonka has seven or eight forwards that really know their way around the net. Beckett Hendrickson has always been a stand out for the Skippers. This could be his break out youth season for the blue and white. OMG has Wyatt Olson, who is a very straight forward player who relies on his size, speed and skill to get the puck to the net. Olson is never afraid to get to the dirty areas of the ice and win battles for his team. 

Centennial, Lakeville North and Wayzata all went 2-1 on the weekend. North has a nice team that had some moments of brilliance against OMG. With the right seasoning, the Panthers could be a team to reckon with later in the year. Centennial is a team that showed signs over the weekend. But, proved it wasn't ready for prime time getting put into running time by Tonka. Kaleb Pitman and Harper Searles will give District 10 foes trouble all year. 


2019 Wiz Wyatt Winner Drew Stewart (Minnetonka)

Players to Watch

Finn Brink, Osseo Maple Grove - usually the fastest player on the ice and often the most productive. Brink always make his teammates look better with his speed and unselfish play.  Could see him playing on any line for coach Kurt Halstrom and it being their best line. 

Johnny Hendrickson, Wayzata - no relation to Beckett, but another contender to have a great season for the Trojans. Skates well, makes the right hockey play all the time. For as much skill as Hendrickson has, his biggest asset is grit and determination.

Hayden Konik, Lakeville North - a bigger version of Finn Brink. Very productive player who will get a lot of ice time for long time Panther coach Bill Schommer.  


Wayzata's Johnny Hendrickson

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