If Hermantown wins the Class A title this year, expect Mr. Hockey Finalist Wyatt Aamodt (background) and Ryan Sandelin (foreground) to be right in the middle of things
Can They Do it?
You would have to have been living under a rock to not know about the streak of Hermantown losses in the state tourney final. Well, okay..not everyone knows that the Hawks have made it to the title game the last six years, but have not won the big one. This year, like last year, they come into the State Tournament the number one team in the state. They will face a few challenges on their way to their destination.
All four seeded teams below them have been playing great hockey the past few weeks. Especially their potential semifinal matchup teams SPA and St. Cloud Cathedral. If they find their way back to the title game they will likely see either Breck or Thief River Falls. Two very good clubs with a lot to prove.
Game 1
11 a.m. - Mankato West (15-11-2) vs. No. 2 seed Breck (24-3-1)
Mankato West is making their first appearance at the State Tournament since 2008, and is led by senior forward Tyler Loe (22-25-47) and junior forward Kyle Looft (16-21-37). Breck is no stranger to high school hockey's biggest stage, and the Mustangs could be primed for their first title since 2010. Mr. Hockey finalist Chase Ellingson (36-36-72) leads the Mustangs in scoring.
Unsung Heroes: Dalton Weigel, Breck and Nick Wieben Mankato West
Prediction: Breck
Chase Ellingson scores for Breck against SPA earlier this year
Game 2
1 p.m. - Princeton (21-7-0) vs. No. 3 Seed Thief River Falls (22-6-0)
Prolific goal-scorer Ethan Johnson (46-19-65) lead the Prowlers in their first tourney appearance in four years. Fellow senior forward Michael Johnson (16-34-50) is also capable of a big game. Back for the first time since 2003, Princeton relies heavily on talented forwards junior Jake Carlson (16-39-55) and senior Tyler McAlpine (25-27-52).
Unsung Heroes: John Swanson, Princeton and Kade Nelson, Thief River Falls
Prediction: Thief River Falls
Ethan Johnson with big goal to knock off 2-time defending champ EGF last week - Photo Credit Bruce Brierley (@BruceBrierley, East Grand Forks)
Game 3
6:00 p.m. Litchfield-Dassel/Cokato (20-8-0) vs. No. 1 seed Hermantown (24-2-1)
Hermantown has finished as the runner up six straight times going into this week, but the Hawks return another talented lineup to St. Paul. Senior forward Cole Koepke (35-22-57) paces the Hawks up front and Wyatt Aamodt, a Mr. Hockey finalist runs the blue line. The Dragons are making their first appearance since 2008, and will look to high scoring senior forward David Raisanen (41-32-73) for offensive production.
Unsung Heroes: Jared Pedersen, LDC and Jesse Jacques, Hermantown
Prediction: Hermantown
Hermantown leading scorer Cole Koepke
Game 4
No. 5 seed St. Cloud Cathedral vs. No. 4 seed St. Paul Academy
The Spartans are making their first ever MSHSL tourney appearance, and featurea high powered offense. Junior Matt Dahlseid (25-32-57) and senior forward Justin Jallen (23-25-48) lead SPA in scoring. Senior Logan Neu (25-32-54) and Jake Van Halbeck (23-19-42) pace the Crusaders, who are in their first year with head coach Derrick Brown.
Unsung Heroes: Andy Beran, SPA and Keegan Karki, Cathedral
Prediction: Cathedral
Jake VanHalbeck scores earlier this year against rival Apollo
Player Profiles
Much like we did for our Player of the Year award, we went out and met a handful of our favorite players. These players aren't committed to college yet, but are very talented and extremely important to their team. We do 15 Questions in 60 seconds and fictitiously share something unique about each player.
We met Mr. Hockey finalist Wyatt Aamodt at the DECC last week the day after the Hawks won the section 7A. His interview skills were way better than our camera skills.
Our interview with Jack Petroske was after a recent practice, apparently he's a big deal in St. Cloud. Petroske interviewed with a local media outlet prior to ours. He was very well polished in front of the camera - and very excited for the tournament.
Other Class A players headed to the tourney we would have like to have interviewed (time permitting):
Chase Ellingson, Breck - gifted player with all of the tools to play D1 hockey
Tyler McAlpine, Princeton - this senior can take over a game at any time
Jack Johnston, SPA - fun player to watch...has uncanny speed and goal scoring ability.
Wyatt Aamodt
Player: Wyatt Aamodt
School: Hermantown
Year: Senior
Position: Defense
Something Unique: sings in a barber shop quartet
Jack Petroske
Player: Jack Petroske
School: St. Cloud Cathedral
Year: Senior
Position: Forward
Something Unique: drives a 1984 Trans Am
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