Every year the Bantam Elite League has a host of star players that get a chance to see how they measure up against the other top players in Minnesota. In most cases, stars like Clayton Phillips, K'Andre Miller, Jack Jenson and Ben Helgeson are easy to predict as standouts. 

This year it was expected that Matt Gleason, Garrett Pioniemi and Bobby Brink would be instant offense in the BEL (and they were). But what makes the league so much fun to cover are the untold players who burst onto the scene. In 2014, Tyler Watkins lead the Rangers with 23 and was chosen MVP in front of such big names as Gavin Hain, Blake McLaughlin, Luke Lamaster and Zach Stejskal. In 2015, players like Jack Bayless and Robert Christy made their mark on the championship bound Bolts.

This year, Shane Lavelle made himself welcome in the spotlight hogging it in most cases every game. Working with his line mate Austen Humphrey, they combined for 40 points in 14 games and a regular season championship. Lavelle has an amazing burst of speed, great hands and an accurate shot. Lavelle was the player who would make opposing fans groan when he got the puck because they knew any minute something bad might happen to their team. With many great talents in the BEL this year, Shane stood out like a sore thumb. In this case that was a very good thing - he was our choice for BEL MVP.

Shane Lavelle, Bruins (Chaska)

Noah Tussey, Penguins (Stillwater) - another player who had a breakout season in the BEL. Had 19 points in a short season, was very rugged in tight spaces. 

Matt Gleason, Penguins (St. Paul) - the most important player to his team in the league. Strong leader who did everything except strap on the pads and play goalie.

Nolan Krenzen, North Stars (Duluth) - elusive puck handler who was an offensive force as well as very responsible in his own end.

Brett Oberle, Penguins (Woodbury) - had 15 points from the blue line for the champion Pens. 

Ethan Haider, Kings (Maple Grove) - Statistically the best goalie in the league winning both the GAA and Save % titles. Very confident goalie who is a great talent and leader.

Austen Humphrey, Bruins (Elk River) - lead the league in scoring with 21 points - has an amazing first step for a big man...another division one prospect from Elk River.

Garrett Pinoniemi, Kings (Delano) - an electric skater who makes very few mistakes with the puck. The St. Cloud State commit had 17 points on some of the prettiest plays when paired with Bobby Brink and Luc Laylin.

Jack Smith, Blackhawks (St. Cloud) - the Blackhawks finished third in the league with an entire roster of under age skaters. Smith was their catalyst doing most of his talking with his play. He finished with 16 points and was a physical force in the corners.

Jake Boltmann, Penguins (Edina) - a complete player who has a huge upside physically. Showed ability to rush the puck and shut down the opposing team, especially in crunch time for the Pens. 

Nick Williams, Blackhawks (Edina) - the Wiz Wyatt finalist showed no signs of slowing down since his great season last Winter for the Hornets. He has great quickness, lateral movement and a very high hockey IQ. Had seven points in 14 games for the Hawks.

Will Pinney, Penguins (St. Louis Park) - hard to imagine the Penguins at center ice with champions shirts without Pinney. 

MVP: Shane Lavelle

Double Your Pleasure: Jake and Tyler Braccini, twin brothers from Buffalo were great players in the BEL. The twins had a combine 28 points skating together.

Action Jackson: one of the most entertaining players in the BEL this year was Jackson Kunz from Grand Forks, ND. Coming from a nice pipeline of Sioux fans like Judd Caulfield ('15) and Mason Salquist ('14), Kunz blew away the older competition with a point a game.

Stone Will: Will Pinney carried the load for the Penguins almost the entire season logging 654 minutes. He had his ups and downs giving up a 10-spot to the Kings. The freshman from St. Louis Park got the last laugh beating the Kings in the semifinals and stopping league MVP Shane Lavelle on the final shot of the title game shootout to win the BEL for the Penguins. If the BEL had a Conn Smythe winner, Pinney would have won.