For the past four Squirt seasons, readers of YHH have gotten a healthy dose of Edina, Rosemount and Andover coverage. But none has been thicker than Osseo Maple Grove. They have won the YHH Squirtacular three straight times and won Fargo once. Rosemount has won Fargo once and Andover won last year. Factor in Edina, they have made it to the final four once and the finals last year incredibly with split rosters the last three years. 

Guess what hockey fans, expect to get another menu full of the same subjects this year in Blaine. Osseo Maple Grove is the prohibitive favorite this year - but the favorite has not won two out of the last three (Rosemount '13 and Andover '15). Meanwhile teams like Woodbury, Andover, and Rosemount figure to make a name for themselves this weekend on the campus of the National Sports Center.

The 32 team Squirt A field has all 10 of the YHH Staff and NOW Ranked Top 10, plus many more teams from the state and a team from Madison, WI and Chicago, IL. The teams are evenly split into eight pools of four, with the winner of each pool moving on to the Quarterfinals Saturday night. 

Last year, we had a few epic games in the Quarters. Edina (White) beat Woodbury and Rochester got past Edina (Green) in an amazing back and forth game. All bracket play games will be live streamed for fans from around the country to tune in and see what great hockey talent is on display

Teams: #1 Osseo Maple Grove, Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Prior Lake

OMG with three challenging games in pool play, all of these teams have weapons and grit. Last year the Leafbirds barely escaped pool play.

Predicted Pool Winner: OMG

Pool B

Teams: #3 Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Shakopee, Elk River

Another really deep pool for a high seed to try to fight through...White Bear has the talent to sweep this pool, Shakopee and Elk River could give Woodbury a run.

Predicted Pool Winner: Woodbury

Pool D

Teams: #5 Rosemount, Champlin Park, Minnetonka, Madison Capitols

This is another great pool of Squirt A teams. One top five team in Minnesota (Rosemount), one team that beat Andover recently (Champlin), another that was in the final four of the EP tourney (Tonka) and the Madison Capitols from Wisconsin. 

Predicted Pool Winner: Rosemount

Pool F

Teams: #8 Edina (White), Sibley, #9 Moorhead, Blaine

One of the toughest and most balanced pools in the field. Edina (White) has already won two tournaments, this is the same coaching staff that took third last year. Moorhead has only lost once all year and Sibley has some great talent that has won 14 games so far this year.

Very hard pool to predict, very fun pool to watch.

Predicted Pool Winner: Edina (White)

Pool H

Danny Nelson, Osseo Maple Grove - an '05 birth year in an '03 body, can take over the game at times as a first year skater.

Charlie Owens, Sibley - another great two way player...puck rushing defenseman that can also play center in a pinch.

Landon and Luke Steffen, White Bear Lake - two players that make an impact every time they hit the ice. Talented and gritty playmakers who make the Bears a great darkhorse pick this weekend.

Jack Sweeney, Mahtomedi - the sky is the limit for his game, unbelievable hands and instant scoring ability.

Gavyn Thoreson, Andover - the most electrifying player we've seen this year. Powerful skater who doesn't take no for answer in the corners and refuses to lose.

William Whitelaw, Rosemount - it is amazing that we don't charge admission to see him play. Great speed and talent.