On the National scene, Minnesota is known for it's Defensemen. It almost seems like it is an NHL requirement to have a Minnesota kid on your team these day.  The class of '99 birth years is no different. Loaded with big, skilled D-Men. Michael Anderson, Matt Anderson, Jack Harris, and Nate Knoepke, who all fit that bill, were all chosen. As were skill players Connor Mayer, Carson Kosobud, and Josh Ess.

Minnesota's reputation for Forwards has two characteristics - fast and talented. The '99 class had plenty to choose from in the Fast and Talented Department. Speedsters Ben Copeland, Tommy Klans, Chase Brand and Isaac Johnson would fit in well at the Indy 500. Hill Murray represented well on the Forward front, Dylan Mills, Marko Reiffenberger, and Kyler Yeo all made the show (as did Michael Anderson on the blue line). As did Shattuck St. Mary's with Scott Reedy, Grant Mismash and Austin Pratt. Peter Johnson, Ryan Poehling, and Sam Walker round out the final 13 Forwards selected to the National Camp in July.

Reedy, Poehling and Mismash attract the most eyeballs...but skill players like Walker, Copeland, and Mills played so well the Committee had to take them.

Our headline says, "typical" for a reason because one area National growth for Minnesota is goaltending. Jake Begley and Ryan Bischel were chosen by the Selection Committee. Minnesota will soon be a player in the Goalie ranks as well. South St. Paul studs Alex Stalock and future NHLer Adam Wilcox currently lead a nice list of top end Goalies, but there are a lot more to come from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Yesterday we listed ten players the committee will likely take...we missed on two. We stand by Clayton Phillips and Jack Robbel as outstanding and players deserving of a ticket to New York. Selecting only 20 is a challenge.