Casey Mittelstadt, this years odds on favorite to win Mr. Hockey
If you can’t wait until November for high school hockey, make sure to stop by Braemar Arena from July 22-24 to get your fix before the regular season.
Twenty teams, with one double-team, will compete in a pool-play tournament, with the winners of each pool advancing to a playoffs round.
The games will have two periods of 22:30 each, with each team being guaranteed three games, with a possibility of six depending on how far a varsity squad advances.
2016 MSHSL Class 2A state champion Wayzata will field two teams, and 2015 Class 2A title winner Lakeville North will also have a team. Other 2016 state tournament teams participating include: Eden Prairie, Grand Rapids and Class 1A teams St. Paul Academy/Summit School and Princeton.
For a full list of teams and corresponding pools, along with 2015-2016 records and (presumed) returning scoring leaders, see below.
One of our favorite features each week during high school hockey is our "Seeds by Section."
With very little data at our disposal - which top players will return, who has transferred in/out, and more comings and goings - we take a shot at what things could look like come section seeding next February.
Section 1AA, Lakeville North - The loss of Ryan Poehling may be enough to tip the scales to their neighbors to the south.
Section 2AA, Eden Prairie - A loaded team with Mr. Hockey favorite Casey Mittelstadt on board, likely pre-season number one. Toughest section in Minnesota.
Section 3AA, St. Thomas Academy - The most talented team in the newly formed section - the Cadets will be tough to beat.
Section 4AA, Stillwater - Winners of the section two of the last three years, the Ponies will be loaded again this season.
Section 5AA , Centennial - A section totally up in the air, the Cougars have the most returning talent. Don't count out Blaine, Anoka or Maple Grove.
Section 6AA, Wayzata - The defending champs will be tested by Benilde, Edina and an improved Cretin team.
Section 7AA, Grand Rapids - The Thunderhawks return a great nucleus - have three division one commits and a barrel of confidence. A section with five great teams - the big three (GR, Elk River and Duluth East), Duluth Marshall and Cloquet.
Section 8AA, Bemidji - The Jacks look to return to the X for the third straight year. A great group of athletes that will be challenged by Moorhead and Brainerd.
Noah Cates with the goal and celly of the year in '16.