The moment everything changed for Sam Laurila's hockey development didn't come during the 2021-2022 regular season. 

Yes, his Spuds went 47-5-5. They captured the Bantam AA state championship while outscoring their opposition 311-89 and were generally seen as one of the most talented Bantam AA teams in recent memory. 

Laurila was at the forefront of that season, earning co-Most Valuable Player honors during November's Battle for the Blue Ox in Moorhead while ranking near the top of the Spud lineup in scoring.

His strong play continued through the dead of winter and into the spring. In mid-March, Laurila was invited to try out for the National Team Development Program's Under-17 team, and a few weeks later, he was selected to the final roster. 

Laurila's play last season made him the strongest candidate for the 2022 Bantam Player of the Year Award, and YHH wishes him the best of luck sporting the NTDP U-17's red, white, and blue.