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U12A: Preseason Top 10, Go Bears

By Tony Scott, 11/05/13, 9:30AM CST

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Don’t count out MPLS this year…they will be tough to beat.

PeeWee and U12 hockey in Minnesota is some of the purest community based hockey you will find anywhere. First of all, very few kids have gone onto greener pastures (high school, prep school, or moved up to Bantams). The kids have hit a growth spurt and are now playing at a high level.  My Brother-In-Law from Colorado took in a PWAA game last winter and said within the first minute of play, “Oh my God, these kids look like miniature pros!” He was impressed with how well these 11 and 12 year old played to say the least.

This year’s crop of U12A players are no exception.  Most of the girls playing U12A hockey are committed year round athletes that take their hockey serious. One aspect of girls hockey that an observer makes is how well they skate and move the puck. The strength of power definitely leans to the East side of the Metro. District 2 is probably the best league featuring White Bear, Stillwater, Forest Lake and Highland (pretty much a great game every night in that league. Here is a taste of ten or so teams YHH sees will make some noise this year on the rinks of Minnesota.

1. White Bear Lake – they return seven great skaters, including Sydney Shearan and Abigail DeLarosa who really fill out a score sheet,  from a team that got better as the year wore on. They also have an outstanding returning goalie, Cella Frank.

2. Edina – the most balanced team in the state featuring the Sister Act of Wethington and Bowlby, they are the class of District 6 again this year.  Watch out for Evelyn Adams for the Hornets, she is one of the best defenders in Minnesota.

3. Minneapolis – arguably one of the best teams as U10′s two years ago, the Storm will not be overlooked this Winter.  The early favorite in District 3 this year.

4. Mound Westonka – another team with a lot of returning talent and good goalie.  Sydney Breza is a superstar that needs to be accounted for every night.

5. Wayzata – strength in numbers, the Trojans have 4 U12 teams this year which suggests they will be a lot like Edina, top to bottom very hard to beat.

6. Stillwater – great speed and strong goaltending will carry the Ponies a long way. Watch out for Forwards Jordyn McAlpine and Katie Kaufman for the red and black.  Like White Bear Lake, the Ponies have great goalie in Olivia Knox. Should be a team that gets better as the year  goes along.

7. Woodbury – Likely the best team in a District 8, a great group of players that has done well over the past three years.

8. Andover – the Huskies are a team that could threaten the top 5 when given the chance.

9. Brainerd – a well polished group of young skaters, the Warriors have a young team.  This group will be right there come March at the state tournament.

10. Forest Lake – easily the youngest top end team in Minnesota.  These girls are fast, well coached and play together year-round.  A lethal combination at any level

Don’t Count Out: Highland Central, Blaine, Chaska Chanhassen, Lakeville South and Bloomington/Shakopee.

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