A year ago YHH predicted Osseo Maple Grove to be the best team in Squirt A hockey.  In some ways we were right and some ways we were wrong.  At the end of the season, OMG knocked off previously unbeaten Rosemount in the YHH Squirtacular. The OMGs lost their share last year including losses to Rosemount in the EP tournament and two to Minneapolis in Fargo and again in the District 3 Tournament. 

This year, they return a host of impact players from last year's team including snipers Ethan Elias, Brock Faber, Kyle Kukkonen, Justin Janicke and Cal Thomas.  Add in newcomer Brandon Reller and Henry Nelson from last year's team and you have a lethal team of players bought into winning first and individual honors second.  Osseo Maple Grove is our pre-season number 1 team in Minnesota.

1. OMG (see above)

2. White Bear Lake - another team loaded with returning players and two very nice additions, one up front and one in the net. White Bear was a consensus top ten team last year and they return Leyton Roed, Chaz Lucius, and Cruz Lucius. In addition, they added new players Jack Sweeney and Anton Castro.  Sweeney a strong skating forward with a great shot and Castro a backstop of a goalie who starred last Summer for Team Minnesota in the Brick Super Novice in Edmonton. The Bears beat OMG in the Velocity 3v3 tournament in September and are considered the best or second best team in Minnesota depending on who you ask.

3. Chaska Chanhassen - Chaska and Chanhassen have a great crop of players and coaches for birth years 2000 to 2004.  Their success at the youth level is imminent.  Last year, CC won the District 6 Championship and finished third in the year end YHH Squirtacular. The Stormhawks have faired very well in the pre-season controlled scrimmage circle.

4. Edina Green - Both Edina teams are loaded for bear this year.  Last year, in their first year as two evenly chosen A teams, both did extremely well.  White won several big games and Green won tournaments and gained the semifinals of the YHH Squirtacular. This year Edina has the two same head coaches, Mike Wurst and Jason Williams. Williams will lead the Green team.  Green looks to be the stronger of the two teams on paper, but not by much. Watch out for Evan Pahos and Jackson Bisson for the Hornets up front and Mason Wordelman in the nets.

5. Wayzata - Wayzata experimented with two Squirt A teams the last few seasons and has opted to only field one team this year. The Trojans will be very strong and should challenge D3 powers OMG and MPLS this year for control of the league.

6. St. Cloud Red - The Huskies stormed into our heart with seven straight wins to start the season.  Including two or three very nice wins over the likes of Elk River, Hermantown and Stillwater. 

7. Edina White - This team may be one of the best teams in Minnesota by the end of the year.  Loaded with speed and talent up front with the likes of Johnny Devoe, Charlie Lindberg and Jackson Borst, the Hornets will be a very good team in February once coach Wurst gets a chance to work with these boys.

8. Apple Valley - The best team in District 8 to start the season...the Eagles swept through the D8 pre-season jamboree beating each opponent in decided fashion.  Watch out for Jack Novak and Jared Wright...these kids make plays all over the rink.

9. Eden Prairie - Here is a team with an abundance of first class second year players. Carter Batchhelder and Drew Holt up front, Luke Mittelstadt on the blueline and Cooper Czech in the nets. This team will make some noise this year in District 6.

10. Roseau - This team is very good.  They have a well balanced attack lead by Gavin Gunderson and Damon Furuseth. By the time Fargo rolls around Roseau will be right in the thick of matters.

Other Teams to Keep an Eye on: Andover, Bloomington Jefferson, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, North Branch, and Elk River.

Should be a fun season at the Squirt level as it is every year.