The Bantam season is just around the corner.  Many teams have been formed, scrimmages are getting scheduled, and tournaments have been picked. No better time to take a stab at who a few of the top teams are:

10. Centennial – Two seasons ago, this crew of kids walked through the Moose Goheen PeeWee tournament and came one game away from the state tournament in Alexandria. With several starters returning to their team from last year’s successful Regional team last year, we think that the Cougars have a great shot at state this year.

9. Edina – In an odd twist, the Hornets will not be the team to beat this year. However, the Hornets will be very strong again this year, three-peat State Champs? Not quite.  But a very good team that is strong top to bottom. Coach Greg Dornbach will have his team ready to play every night.

8. Minnetonka – The Skippers will be talented top to bottom.  Head Coach Brian Murphy is a great teacher of the game. His Skippers were a game away from state last year after a slow start.  We think their script will be similar this year.  A slow start, due to eight first year players on their roster. But as the season progresses, they will win more than they lose.

7. STMA – If you have never seen the Knights play, the first thing you will notice is their size.  But don’t be fooled, they are not just a bunch of football players. These kids are skilled.  Lead by returning blue liner Jack Kelly and stalwart goalie Todd Scott, the Knights will be a great team this year. This is arguably the best group of kids up and coming STMA will put on the ice in their young history.  STMA’s Bantam AA and PeeWee AA team’s both finished fourth in state last year.

6. Wayzata – One of the state’s mystery teams entering play this year.  Wayzata has a wealth of talent hitting the ice this year.  They are a mystery because two years ago the Trojans had two evenly balanced PeeWee A teams that both fared well. Boasting two great goalies in Jaxon Stauber and Reid Waszczenko, the Trojans will be in every game they play.

5. Prior Lake – Another association on the rise is Prior Lake, especially at this age class.  Two years ago, the Lakers won both the PeeWee A and PeeWee B state championships. Boasting a ton of talented ’98 birth year players, the Lakers will be very strong despite losing scoring threats Kevin Fellows and Scott Reedy. Prior Lake will have way too much talent in their system to ignored come March.

4. Eden Prairie – The Eagles will not sneak up on anyone this year.  Returning top end talent like Casey Mittlestadt, Nick Lieverman, and Noah Deraney, EP will be a force to reckon with in District 6. Long time coach Tom Gerdes, will use his talent wisely and get the most out of this talented bunch all season long.

3. Stillwater – The Ponies return 8 players from last year’s successful Bantam AA team.  Coupled with incoming second year talent from a state third place team Bantam B1, Stillwater will be loaded with second year players poised to win their association’s first state title. The Ponies roster only one first year player which tells YHH that they are ready to take on all comers.

2. Hermantown – Two years ago the Hawks had a banner season. They finished second to Prior Lake and they return that entire team, losing no players to private school or high school. They will sneak up on no one this season en route to a certain spot in the state tournament in Rogers. Last year’s Hermantown Bantam AA team struggled early but improved the entire season beating a host of good teams late in the season. Keep an eye out for snipers Matt Valure and Ryan Sandelin and blue liner Willy Stauber as the Hawks make a move at AA state title.

1. Elk River – Being the number 1 team in the state is never any fun.  Every team they play every night will be gunning for you.  Elk River returns a very talented roster from a PeeWee A team that finished third in Alexandria two years ago.  The Elks have star power up front with Jax Murray and Jensen Zerban on their first line and a bunch of crafty supporting cast in Nate Horn and Max Michaelis.  On top these individuals, the Elks have a great defensive corps and one of the best goalies in the state Ben Meyers. They also have a great fan following beyond the mom and dad crowd, this group has the best fan base of any YHH has seen in our short time of covering youth hockey in Minnesota.

Should be a great season for Bantam AA hockey.  On top of the top 10 teams, YHH thinks there are a few more teams who will have something to say this season: Woodbury, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, White Bear Lake, Eastview, Duluth East, and Osseo Maple Grove.