My brother-in-law visited for the holidays a few years back. We took him to a Squirt A game between two top ten teams. He said to me afterwards, "Tony, I'm absolutely stunned." To which I replied, "did I oversell how good these kids were?" He said with exclamation, "no sir, that was unbelievable...those kids look like pros out there, I'm still in awe."

Yep, that is Squirt hockey at its best in Minnesota. Five or six kids that skate and handle the puck like TJ Oshie or Zach Parise on all of the top 15 or 20 teams in the state of hockey. 

This year is no different than so many in the past at the Squirt level. Several teams with a very bright future for the season. This year, there are a lot of teams from all over the state who are poised to win some big time hardware.  District 8 has three teams in this year's Pre-Season poll, District 2 and 10 each have a pair.

What makes this year's list of ten unique is there are no teams from District 6 and Edina on the list. Here is that list and a quick preview of those teams and a few players to watch.

Jimmy Clark (’04, Edina Green) – Clark is a tremendous talent that has a great knack for inking the score sheet every time he hits the ice. 

Landen Gunderson (’04, Osseo Maple Grove) – A great combination of hard work and skill. Gunderson is the complete package player who can pass, score and defend.

Matthew Magnuson (’05, Chaska Chanhassen) – A physical specimen who can take over a game instantly. Some say Magnuson has the hardest shot in Minnesota.

Charlie Owens ('05, Sibley) - Great hands and high IQ, can play any position on the ice -- makes players better around him.

Jack Sweeney ('04, Mahtomedi) - If given any time or space, Sweeney will make the opposing team pay. He has unbelievable hands and a quick and accurate shot. Very fun player to watch, given you aren't the opposing coach.

Gavyn Thoreson (’04, Andover) – Tenacious player who is impossible to miss when watching a game. A cross between a wrecking ball and torpedo, Thoreson will be a game changer for the Huskies this Winter.

William Whitelaw (’05, Rosemount) – A gifted offensive player who can play both forward or defense. Hard nosed and athletic type of skater who always needs to be accounted for when on the ice.