Each year, a team of boys represent the state of Minnesota in the Brick Super Novice in Edmonton, Alberta. The tournament is held each year during a week long span in late June and early July. Super teams from all over Canada and the US come to Edmonton's
Former Team Minnesota players that have represented the Land of 10,000 Lakes were current NHLer's Blake Wheeler, Jack Hillen, Jamie McBain, Tyler Pitlick, Peter Mueller and Erik Johnson and another long list of former NHL and D1 stars.
This year's team is coached by Ed Zepeda, a long time successful coach in the Minnesota Blades organization. Ed has coached in the Brick twice and is really looking forward to the campaign this Summer.
Here is a look at this year's roster alphabetically:
Jackson Anderson (Prior Lake)
Brooks Bond
Gavin Brindley
Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi)
Jimmy Clark
Finn Dexheimer* (Edina)
Jacob Fowler*
Trey Gnetz
Luke Hause (Highland)
Isaac Howard
Brady Ingebritson
Gavin Lindberg (Fergus Falls)
Nick Mikan (Edina)
Quinn Schliesman (Eden Prairie)
Aaron Schwartz
Gayvn Thoreson (Andover)
*Goaltender
Commentary: The roster has 14 skaters and two goalies. We've seen eight of these kids at the association level (listed in parentheses). Here is what we've seen from these eight:
Jackson Anderson was a standout first year player for Prior Lake...had enough skill to play either forward or defense.
Ryan Chesley and Luke Hause are likely the top two defensemen Team MN has going into the Spring Training...both have size, speed and great hockey skill.
Gavin Lindberg is a wrecking ball of a player...he had 13 points in the Fargo International for the Otters as a first year Squirt.
Quinn Schliesman played a big role in Eden Prairie's success this year. Similar to his linemate Drew Holt, he had no problem finding the net as a first year Squirt. Could be a goal scorer in any line combination.
Nick Mikan and Gavyn Thoreson are both speedy players who play with an edge. Both have a nose for the puck. Thoreson could play Center or Wing, Mikan is the type of Winger who will win puck battles along the boards.
Finn Dexheimer was a great goalie this year for Edina...he possesses a great glove hand, great puck skill and really good sense of the game.
With only 14 skaters, one only wonders if the coaching staff and Team Minnesota brain trusts have an ace up their sleeve for a fifteenth player. If they think they lack scoring, look no further than an age eligible player who nearly lead the Brick in scoring last year (Cruz Lucius).
YHH caught up with Coach Zepeda and here is what he had to say about this year's team. “We feel we have fielded a highly competitive team to represent Team Minnesota at the 25th Annual Brick Invite...and we can’t wait to get started. Our goal is to build on the success of the last two years that saw the '02 group get to the final 6 and the '03 group to the final 4. Our goal is to take the next step and believe we have the players to accomplish this goal."
When asked about the team's preparation plans for the Spring leading into the season, Zepeda said, "Team Minnesota will begin practicing as a group in early May. Our first tournament will be held over Memorial Day in Boston and all teams in the tournament will be Brick teams. In mid-June we head to Winnipeg to compete in the North American Classic which is always a great primer for The Brick. At the end of June, we make the trek to Edmonton to compete at The Brick, we can't wait.”
YHH will follow the progress of the 2004 Team Minnesota...from training camp to prep tournaments and all the way up to Edmonton. The last two Summers have been fun following our homegrown kids perform well.
