As the regular season approaches for Squirt A players, a lot of teams would like to lay claim to number 1.  There are three or four top teams, seven to ten contenders and what I believe a clear cut Pre-Season number 1.

Three or four top teams: Rosemount is arguably the best team in the state with arguably the most dominant player (Kyle Heffron).  Edina White is also right up there..several nice players and a great coaching staff.  And Stillwater, the winner of the Velocity 3 on 3 tournament is another top team.  Andover and White Bear Lake are also two very skilled teams with a lot to prove.

The next seven to ten features Eden Prairie, Rochester, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Jefferson, Woodbury, Farmington and Warroad. Based on talent spread around the state we will also be keeping a close eye on Blaine, Princeton, Moorhead, Forest Lake, Edina Green, River Lakes and St. Francis.  Each of those teams has a very talented player or two returning to their teams.

This year’s clear number 1 team is Osseo Maple Grove (OMG).  This association is dripping with talent in the ’01, ’02, and ’03 age classes.  They are athletic, smart and very well coached.  One local ref who has followed the younger classes told me this Fall…”that group of kids from OMG is special.”  He went on to compare them to several other prominent youth teams in Minnesota’s past.  Good luck to OMG and their players and coaches this year.

1. OMG (see above)

2. Rosemount – talented team top to bottom, they return a lot of kids from very good team last year.

3. Edina White – (see above) at this point the better of the two Edina SQA teams…several say they will be the best come season’s end.

4. White Bear Lake – a juggernaut association with some returning players from last year, a move in from California, and some very good B1 and first years make the Bears a dangerous team.

5. Andover – agruably the most talented roster in the state.  This team is littered with high end AAA players, good coaches, and a very tough District 10 schedule. This is another team we look to be higher than their pre-season ranking at the end of the year.

6. Stillwater – A very mature team with five returners from last year, new kids from two outstanding Squirt B teams last year, and a very experienced Head Coach.  This team will win a lot of games this year.

7. Eden Prairie – their Squirt team doesn’t re-build, they re-load.  Last year the Eagles were a perennial top ten team with several really good wins.  We look for more of the same from the Black and Red this year.  Keep an eye on John Mittelstadt  - a real player.

8.Warroad – this team features one of the best Squirts in Minnesota.  They have a very small team numbers-wise, probably the best team north of Osseo
9. Rochester – the Red Machine will not be a surprise this year.

10. Burnsville – they return almost their whole team from last year.  A lot of second year talent always bodes well in Squirt hockey.