As YHH expanded its coverage to the high school ranks this season - it was a natural fit to expand our player of the year awards. The criteria was the same as Bantams. Who was the best? Who was critical to their team's success? We didn't care what position they played, what grade they were in or what class they play in. Were they the best? Our research started last Summer, watching Summer training programs all over the state and then finally into the high school elite league and the regular season.

Several players came to mind...included in that bunch were those that didn't make the list like No. 4AA Holy Family's Will Garin and Matt Anderson...those two were amazing contributors to the Fire's great run this year. Breck's Chase Ellingson was also tempting to select...the senior center was the glue for the No. 2A Mustangs this year. Another player we loved was Ryan Poehling from No. 3AA Lakeville North. The junior forward was a standout all year for the Panthers.

School: St. Cloud Apollo
Position: Goalie
Stats: GAA - 1.47, Save % .930, 8 Shutouts
Scouts Say: "Athletic goalie that gets better every time he plays...best goalie in the state..."
Future Plans: Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) post '16 HS season 
Awards: Frank Brimsek Finalist

Over the past three seasons, Nick Althaus has been one of the most valuable players to his team than any player in the state. The Eagles shoot for their third trip to the X in the last four years next week as the 6A playoffs begin. He will again take center stage. Apollo Head Coach Pete Matanich said earlier this year, "he's our rock, our guys sort of take him for granted out there...well until after the game, then they don't...they love that kid."

School: Benilde St. Margaret's
Class: Senior 
Position: Forward
Stats: 22 goals, 36 assist and 58 points
Scouts Say: "Late bloomer, whose has great hockey IQ, plays both ends of the rink really well...reminds me of a right handed Jake Wahlin"
Future Plans: Undecided
Awards: Mr. Hockey Finalist

Gleekel has been a welcome addition to the Red Knights since transferring from Blake last season, notching 91 points the last two years. He is not flashy, but if you blink he will blow right by you. He isn't overly big, but he will overpower you in the corners. Those are his shortcomings...his strengths are easy to see: great goal scorer and passer. This year Cade was the leading scorer on by far the best team in the state.

School: Eden Prairie
Class: Junior 
Position: Forward
Stats: 21 goals, 36 assists and 57 points
Scouts Say: "Will be Minnesota's top ranked player in next year's NHL draft...as gifted a scorer you will find..."
Future Plans: Minnesota
Awards: N/A (2014 YHH Bantam POTY)

Not since Kyle Rau has a player come out of Bantams and taken over high school hockey like Mittelstadt has the last two seasons. A rare talent that can sometimes score at will against his fellow high schoolers. "Coaching Casey is a lot of fun. He brings a strong work ethic and tremendous hockey knowledge to our practices and games." said Eden Prairie Head Coach Lee Smith. 

He has had a point in every game this year and has scored a point or more in 43 of 50 career regular season games. "He is a warrior for us," said Smith. The sky is the limit for this future Gopher. 

School: Hibbing
Class: Junior 
Position: Defense
Stats: 13 goals, 55 assists and 68 points
Scouts Say: "Astounded at his ability every time I watch him - makes everyone on the ice better..."
Future Plans: Minnesota-Duluth
Awards: N/A (2014 Bantam POTY finalist)

Scott Perunovich is an opposite player. He is the opposite of every player scouts rave about. He is not big, but his balance and puck skill is so good that his lack of size is a non-factor. He does not have blazing speed, but skates so well with the puck that he seems faster than really he is. He doesn't score, in fact he only scores when it is absolutely necessary, which is just about the opposite of every player.

Perunovich is a once in a lifetime type of player for the Blue Jackets. Not better than the legends that proceeded him, just different. One observer who saw him for the first time entered it onto his calendar, "Saw Scott Perunovich play for the first time." 

School: Blaine
Class: Senior 
Position: Forward
Stats: 44 goals, 30 assists and 74 points
Scouts Say: "First round draft pick this Summer, has major upside...projects as a top six in the NHL"
Future Plans: Minnesota-Duluth
Awards: Mr. Hockey FInalist

Superlatives are part of the business of writing. When you write about Riley Tufte, it is hard to make come up with the right words to describe him. He's supernatural. He's 77 inches tall, your neck hurts from looking up at him. He has every necessary tool to play in the NHL next season...but the one skill that stands out the most is his shot. He's scored 44 times this year many with his patented slap shot.

In an era of players leaving to play junior hockey or to the next best thing, Tufte is a throwback. "I just wanted to play for something...something that would mean a lot to me and to my community (playing for a state title)." He's also a throwback choosing ACDC as his favorite band and the use of his time machine to visit his parents in high school.

This kid is totally awesome!