This year YHH plans to hand out a Player of the Year award to the best Bantam player in Minnesota. Different from the Wizzy Wyatt award we hand out at U10/Squirt and U12/PeeWee, which is handed out to a great student and all around athlete, the Bantam POTY will be based solely on hockey ability and his contribution to his team's success.
The following is a list of players on our Watch List. This is not a final list, but merely a list of kids that have caught our eye in the past 12 months watching association hockey, AAA hockey and/or Selects.
This list may contain players that may end up playing high school hockey this season. Those players list will not vie for the award at season's end.
Brady Tatro, Bemidji, '98 - Big kid, skates hard both ways and sees ice very well. Goal scorer with quick wicked shot for his age.
Brock Larson, White Bear Lake, '98 - another great player from WBL who is the kind of player you notice even in warm ups. Great balance, hard to knock off his skates. His goal scoring will keep the Bears in every game.
Jensen Zerban, Elk River, '98 - tough kid who plays hard every shift, will score a lot for the Elks this year.
Jax Murray, Elk River, '98 - talented forward that is both a scorer and a playmaker. Coming into the season, one of the top players in Minnesota.
Jake Begley, Mahtomedi, '99 - a great combination technical and athletic skill in the nets, Begley has D1 scouts drooling. Begley plays under control and with an amazing level of confidence.
Matt Valure, Hermantown, '98 - this kid can fly up the rink but yet has hands and scoring ability to go with the speed. He has the ability to turn a Defenseman with his feet but can also walk a guy with his hands, after all that he can bury the puck. He is the first forechecker on offense and will be the first back checker coming back into the d zone, the kid covers the ice.
Nick Lieverman, Eden Prairie, '98 - an absolute beast on the blue line, virtually unstoppable when carrying the puck. Probably the best Defenseman in the state.
Casey Mittelstadt, Eden Prairie, '98 - a highlight reel goal in almost every game. Mittelstadt is fast as lightning and has a shot as good you will find in Minnesota.
Graham Brickner, Centennial, '98 - fun player to watch…has a great finishing gear, a danger to score every time he hits the ice.
Mitchell Andres, Brainerd, '98 - the oldest of five Andres brothers, Mitchell is one of the hardest working kids you will find. A never quit type of player.
Michael Spethmann, St. Cloud, '98 - great shot and nose for scoring. Grandson of Minnesota Hockey legend Ted Brill.
Ryan Copeland, STMA, '98 - a strong player with a high hockey IQ. Gives opponents fits on both sides of the rink.
Todd Scott, STMA, '00 - one of the state's best goalies as a PeeWee last year, Scott can dominate a game from inside a goal crease.
Luke Manning, Stillwater, '99 - one of the best players on one of the best teams in Minnesota. Manning is a natural goal scorer who has been dominant so far this year for the Ponies.
Kyler Yeo, Woodbury, '99 - son of Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo. Kyler is a great combination size and speed. Besides great physical tools, Kyler plays with an edge that wears opponents down as a game goes on.
Henry Enebak, Lakeville North, '98 - recent transfer from Lakeville South, Enebak, son of former Gopher Jake Enebak, is a special talent that will likely play Varsity for the Panthers. One of the best motors you will find, Henry makes something happen on every shift.
Chase Gackle, Prior Lake, '98 - a standout player with amazing skill. Figures in a lot of plays every time we see him play. Great skater, hard worker with great knack around the puck.
Reed Smith, Lakeville South, '98 - strong on the puck, smart player…the kind of kid who will score a ton this season for the Cougars.
Jack Bowman, Minnetonka, '98 - great skater, good size..makes a difference on every shift. Sees the ice well.
Nolan Sullivan, Eden Prairie, '99 - strong kid whose size can be imposing to most Bantams. His game translates well to the the High School level.
