Not since the 2013 season has there been such a prohibitive favorite to win a state tournament than the Minnetonka Skippers. Edina's PeeWee AA team returned several second year players including Ben Brinkman (Wiz Wyatt Player of the Year), Grant Silianoff (Notre Dame commit) and Jack Jensen (Bantam Elite MVP) and went on to win State that Spring in Thief River Falls. This year, Minnetonka returns several key players from their Bantam AA State Championship team last year. Besides their strong coaching staff lead by Brian Murphy, the Skippers return second year Goalie Jon Howe, forwards Luke Loheit, Josh Luedtke and Jack Bayless. On the blue line the Skippers return superstars Grant Docter and Clay Hanus. If that wasn't enough, Chaska Chan goal scorer Bobby Brink will trade in his purple and gold for royal blue this Winter. B

The talent pool is deep all over Minnesota this year, especially from the north. Cloquet does not boast the big names Tonka does, but they should not be overlooked. 2014 Wiz Wyatt Finalist Landon Langenbrunner is a talented and feisty forward for the Lumberjacks. There are many more just like Langenbrunner. Gavin Rasmussen, Kade Bender and the Baker twins Jon and Nick are the type of players players would likely avoid in the corners.

Jack Jensen's move from Edina to Eden Prairie immediately makes the Eagles a contender for the state tournament this year. Other teams to watch include Edina who will be without 2015 Bantam Player of the Year finalist and 2104 Wiz Wyatt Winner Ben Brinkman for most or all of the season due to an injury. The Hornets will be strong number three this year.

Another team to watch is Blaine. The Bengals will have two very strong lines up front and outstanding goaltending (Joe Daninger and Brandon Benson). As the season progresses, this is the kind of team that could emerge as a contender for number one.