Vivian Jungels gets the GWG for the Wolverines Sunday
Joey Pierce after he was named Tourney MVP Sunday
MAJOR
F Joe Miller, Badgers (MPLS) - has the most tools of any player in Minnesota. Period. He could make me look better out there.
F Landon Parker, Buckeyes (EGF) - big and fast is fun to watch, but add in ice smarts and you have a dangerous player. Parker lead the PWC with 11 points.
F Jackson Kuntz, Buckeyes (Grand Forks, ND) - talented player that had great size and a wicked shot.
D Owen Baumgartner, Wolverines (Owatonna) - one fan approached me on Saturday and asked, "who is 13 for Blue...kid can really play?" At that point, it confirmed what we already knew about the slick skater Baumgartner.
D Joey Pierce, Buckeyes, (Ely) - Pierce attended our NOW Prospects Combine this past Summer. Here is what one evaluator wrote of Pierce, "a do it all defenseman who made play after play in all zones over the course of the week. Very impressive hands and hockey sense that compliment his great natural skills of skating, shooting and puck handling." Pretty much sums up what hundreds saw this weekend at BIG.
G Kiron Morioka, Badgers (MPLS) - hard to beat on first and second attempts - if possible, seems to be improving his technical skills. One of three Minneapolis goalies that played this weekend at the PeeWee Challenge.
MVP Joey Pierce, Buckeyes (Ely)
Joe Miller, Minneapolis
Tyler Haskins after being named MVP Sunday
MINOR
F - Tyler Haskins, Badgers (Rochester) - Wiz Wyatt Winner did not disappoint this weekend. At some point in all five games he would completely take over a game. Had ten points to lead the event in scoring, but what is most impressive about his game at such a young age is his ability to know when to pass and when to shoot.
F - Isaac Howard, Irish (Hudson, WI) - lead the event with 10 points on 5G/5A...has breakaway speed and terrific finishing ability around the net.
F - Jackson Blake, Wolverines (Eden Prairie) - a jolt of lightning every time he hits the ice. Quick feet and even quicker hands...finished the weekend with six goals and two assists.
D - Leo Gruba, Wolverines (JCNSP) - great skater that always adds an extra dimension to his team's offense.
D - Ryan Chesley, Gophers (Mahtomedi) - a carbon copy of Gruba...can really jump the play and put pressure on the opponent. At the same time will defend the other team's best player.
G - Marko Belak, Badgers (Woodbury) - showed great composure, challenged shooters all weekend.
MVP Tyler Haskins, Badgers (Rochester)
Jackson Blake
Vivian Jungels after her team won the PWC and she was named MVP
GIRLS
F MacKenzie Bourgerie, Badgers (NWC) - great hands and lights out vision when holding the puck...finished with six points
F Ashley Halverson, Wolverines (Edina) - lead all skaters with six points, hard nosed player that seemed to use her hustle and skill to create opportunities for herself and her team.
F Sydney Phaneuf, Irish (Virginia) - displayed flashes of brilliance at the PWC..so dangerous, teams were accounting for her shift every time she hit ice. One team was rumored to follow her while warming up the goalie between periods.
D Vivian Jungels, Wolverines (Edina) - great feet and in some ways even better hands. Had three game winning goals on he weekend in five games.. Very humble, seemed embarrassed to be named POTG or MVP.
D Brenna Fuhrmann, Wolverines (Farmington) - as good of a pure skater you will find at any level, boys or girls. Tough as nails performer, who seemed to get better with each outing.
G Elsa Kurtz, Badgers (Minnetonka) - technically sound, very strong and balanced while in the blue paint. Seemed like she was very comfortable with any situations. Made a memorable save with the paddle of her stick in the shootout Sunday.
MVP Vivian Jungels, Wolverines (Edina)
Sydney Phaneuf