Finding the Goalie of the Year is a tall task. Our YHH staff saw over 500 games this year and we polled over 30 coaches at all three levels to come to a consensus on these final 12. Our criteria is simple...was this player the best player on the team, did the player win games they didn't deserve, and possibly the most difficult is - did YHH ever see the Goalie play?
We saw a lot of goalies. Some big, some small...some quick, some tall. We saw shootout heroics, we saw a kid make 59 saves in a Regional game, and one single handily lead his team to their first to state.
Unfortunately, like year's past we never saw a goalie stand on his head or her ear.
Disclaimer: This list is simply a list of who we saw and played out of this world when we saw them. Some we see more than others.
Uma Corniea making one of her several big saves this year for Edina White
Tomas Anderson, Stillwater - great technician that seemed to play better as the game wore on. Very confident goalie that always played very high on the crease, cutting down angles on opposing shooters.
Uma Corniea, Edina White - fun goalie to watch, she uses her athleticism and technique to keep her team in games. You always knew when she was in net, after every big save you could hear the crowd chant, "OOOOOOOma."
Oliver Judd, Moorhead - one of the smartest and aggressive goalies we saw all year. Judd wasn't afraid to play the puck and help his team make plays. A left hander who has a very bright future.
Louden McCoy, Andover - very athletic goalie who came up with big saves for the Huskies all year. Showed great balance and puck control for a player of his age and experience.
Tomas Anderson was a rock for the Ponies this year
Konrad Kausch, Duluth East - if you are looking for spectacular saves, there is this kid from Duluth that delivers one or two every game. "We would not be where we are if it weren't for Konrad, he is a joy to coach," said Duluth East coach Chris Locker. Kausch is a smaller goalie that plays much bigger than his size.
Dylan Halliwill, Mound Westonka - Mound Westonka was number one in the state at PeeWee A for most of the season. They took second in the Founder's Cup and won state in Coleraine last weekend. Dylan was a big reason for the Whitehawks success...making big saves at big times. Very confident goalie with one of the best glove hands we've seen in a long time.
Conner Nelsen, Park Cottage Grove - one of the big reasons the Wolfpack are headed to state this year. A goalie who uses his size to his advantage - he is more than just a big kid. He's smart, controls the puck well and gives his team a chance in just about every game.
Skylar Vetter, Lakeville North - a great talent with great bloodlines. Vetter's older sister Christi is a skater for Penn State and her mom Jane played softball for Nebraska. Vetter's consistent play and flair for the remarkable were the key to the Panther's success.
Connor Nelsen, Park Cottage Grove
Joe Daninger, Blaine - one of the best goalies we've seen all year. Daninger was a big goalie during his PeeWee years, over the past two years he's more than a space eater, he's a great athlete that can be counted on to make first, second and third shot opportunities. Had an amazing season in the Bantam Elite League last Fall stopping 92% of shots faced.
Danny Fraga, Wayzata - Fraga has great ability handling the puck and even better ability in pressure situations. Last weekend was a perfect case, in a relief role Fraga faced over 40 shots keeping his team alive into a fourth overtime before finally losing to Moorhead. Sometimes it is like he puts saran wrap on the net.
Ben Fritsinger, Andover - had such a great year was nominated for YHH Bantam Player of the Year. Fritsinger won or tied 43 of 55 starts this year on a team that was very young. Left handed goalie that is a tremendous competitor.
Cade Kujawski, Prior Lake - nominated for the Goalie of the Year award for the third straight season, a pretty big accomplishment and testament to his consistency and ability. Cade is a great talent that has been one of the hardest goalies to score on year in and year out.
Ben Fritsinger, Andover