Minnesota's community based model flexed its muscles Thursday, ironically on the day its now famed State High School tournament kicked off. Eleven players from the state of hockey were chosen to try out for next fall's US National Development Team. Nearly a quarter of the players were Minnesotan and three of the five goalies. 

Heading the list are college committed players Ben Brinkman (Edina - Minnesota), Gavin Hain (Grand Rapids - North Dakota), Trevor Janicke (Maple Grove - Notre Dame), Blake McLaughlin (Grand Rapids - Minnesota), Jaxon Nelson (Luverne - Minnesota) and Jack Perbix (Elk River - Notre Dame) 

The list continues with the state's first ever Bantam player, Jack Jensen chosen to the tryout. The standout from Eden Prairie just helped lead his team to the state Bantam AA tournament to be played next weekend in Stillwater. The last skater is K'Andre Miller from Hopkins who skates for Minnetonka high school.

The deep goalie pool in Minnesota got some well deserved accolades Thursday when Todd Scott (Albertville), Keegan Karki (St. Cloud) and Ryan Ullan (Hibbing) all earned their way onto the list, we can see any of the three being chosen to play in the Michigan next Fall. 

A few notable players missing from the invite list:

Ethan Frisch, Moorhead - the most talented defenseman we've seen the past 12 months at this level. Moves and shoots the puck as any blue-liner. 

Ben Helgeson, Hill Murray - played varsity for the Pioneers this year - was co-MVP of Bantam Elite League along with Jack Jensen.

Devlin McCabe, St. Paul Academy - has been one of the hottest 2000 birth year players the last few weeks.

Colin Schmidt, Wayzata - was team's leading goal scorer as a sophomore, has some amazing physical measurements and hands.