The Big Pumpkin marks the start of PeeWee hockey. It makes for a great measuring stick for the coming season. Teams that do well sometimes end well. In 2013, the Pumpkin Champ was Edina, who went on to win state that year. Some teams don't fair as well, like Prior Lake in 2014, the Lakers went 2-2 but went on to win state last March in Woodbury.

This year the Pumpkin has expanded to 24 teams, with several top AA teams and even a few A teams that are hoping to make their mark in Moorhead. We can't wait to kick the season off, starting Friday.

On Friday 16 teams will vie for the Sweet 16 Friday night against YHH's pre-season top 8 teams. The losers Friday head to the White Bracket. The losers of the Sweet 16 games head to the Orange and the winners head to the Championship Black Bracket. Editor's Note: Last year, St. Cloud won the Orange Bracket and finished fourth in the state. Chaska Chan went 1-3 in Moorhead last year and took third in state.

YHH takes a look at each Play-In Game:

• Lakeville South vs. Moorhead 'A' (LVS) - Cougars will have too much fire power for the Spuds.
• Cloquet vs. Elk River (CLO) - toss up game, both teams have plenty of individual talent - should be a great game.
• Moorhead vs. Jefferson (JEFF) - Another close one, Jefferson has been together as a team for two weeks, Spuds will only have 2 days...edge to Jags.
• Stillwater vs. Prior Lake (PL) - two teams with a lot of high end young talent, the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
• OMG 'A' vs. Duluth East (OMG) - picking a slight upset here, OMG is young but very skilled.
• Mound Westonka vs. Blaine (Blaine) - two clubs with a lot of speed, Chaz Lucius will be the difference for Blaine
• Brainerd vs. Chaska Chan (CC) - CC has a seasoned team with only three first year skaters - they could make a serious run at the Pumpkin.
• Wayzata vs. Roseau (WAY) - very similar to JEFF/MHD, the metro team has a two week foundation...Trojans win by a goal or two.

Big Bodies

Here are five kids hockey fans will notice this weekend, partly for their size, but mostly because of their productivity.

• Joe Greniuk, Elk River - explosive puck rushing Defenseman
• Drew Holt, Eden Prairie - goal scoring machine
• Jacob Jeanette, Duluth East - talented Forward that is everywhere
• Landon Parker, East Grand Forks - high skill playmaker
• Mason Wordelman, Edina - athletic goalie who can win games

Last year there was all kinds of drama in the middle of the pack, but pre-season favorites Edina and OMG ended up in the Finals. We see a very similar script for both teams this weekend. The depth of teams last year was stronger 1-5 (Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Blaine, and Prior Lake all emerged as top teams). This year the jury is out on the the teams after OMG and Edina. This weekend that same jury will get 50+ games to make some early season decisions. 

Hard to argue with OMG repeating, or even Edina getting their second Pumpkin in three years. But don't fall asleep on teams like Apple Valley, East Grand Forks, or Eden Prairie. These teams have "that one guy" or two that can change a game. 

Predicted Champion: Osseo Maple Grove

Sleeper: East Grand Forks