Each year, District 8 hosts a Squirt A Preview for it's teams. It is a great day of 30 minute, running time controlled scrimmages between all teams in the league. Each team plays a handful of shortened games with coaches on the ice. It gives coaches a good idea of where their team is early in the season and it gives YHH a chance at who could be ranked in the top 10.

Last year, Park Cottage Grove and Apple Valley had their way with their opponents at the preview. Which is exactly how the league ended up to finish the season as well. This year, there was no clear cut team to beat after Saturday.

Four teams that made their mark were Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Rosemount and Woodbury (listed alphabetically).

Woodbury seems to have the most talent on paper with three great lines, some solid D, and one of the best goalies in the state. Lakeville North is a team that is deep top to bottom. They moved the puck well and seemed to be able to skate with any of the top teams. Lakeville South has a superstar, Austin Stoneking and a great goalie (Ethan Dahlmeir). Rosemount showed that they have team speed and a lot of grit in tight spaces. The Irish is a team you don't want to be paired against in a tournament.

Other teams of note: we believe there is a group of teams below that will have great seasons. Inver Grove has some talent - they showed some fight on Saturday. Farmington played tough in all of their scrimmages and won't surprise anyone. Park Cottage Grove has a few nice players and a great Goalie, which will make their season fun.