1. Osseo Maple Grove (Crimson) - in an April Fool's article this year, YHH projected that OMGHA would split into two Squirt A teams. Folks, it is no joke. The Leafbirds have split into two teams one with their top 15 skaters and another with the next 15. This group will be very strong - headlined by returner Danny Nelson who looks more like a Bantam when he's shooting the puck than a Squirt. But they are more than a one man show. OMG will be fast, well coached and very unselfish. They have won four straight YHH Squirtaculars - can they win their fifth?

2. Edina (White) - returning key players Barrett Dexheimer, Jackson Nevers and Ben Sanderson from the White's Fargo winning team in 2016 has them right in OMG's rear view mirror.

3. Chaska Chanhassen - a very talented group of skaters including Brodie Ziemer and Sam Scheetz, plus star goalie Caleb Heil make the Stormhawks a tough team every night.

4. Stillwater - one of the teams to watch on the east side will be the Ponies...Jake Lacosse and Bobby Dustin lead a group of second years that are very deep. They lost to OMG in the semis of the Squirtacular last year, will they make hay this year?

5. Eden Prairie - after a down year for EP's standards last, the Eagles will be back in full force this year. Boasting a line up with several great last names like Saterdalen, Orth and Crowley we expect big things this year. One name to remember is Teddy Townsend for the Eagles, he's got great quickness and a knack for scoring.

6. Blaine - Blaine has a very strong hockey program, producing top 10 teams at PeeWees, Bantams and High School on a regular basis. The Bengals haven't been a great Squirt organization...holding a top ten spot with YHH only once in 2012/13. We expect them to bust out and make some noise this year with proven scorers in Harper Searles and Easton Rooney.

7. Edina (Green) - sporting the Halvorson twins Hannah and John, this Edina team will be tough to beat...throw in pure goal scorer Bob Cowan and these Hornets will leave many green with envy.

8. Hermantown - one of the best teams in the state last year, the Hawks will have plenty of fire power this year with guys like Evan Gunderson and Dallas Vieau. Gunderson won the AAA state title with the '05 Lake Superior Stars can he and his mates take the Squirtacular in January?

9. Roseau - the Rams represent a thriving pocket of hockey every year - northwest Minnesota. Their A squirts came to the cities recently and made some noise. 

10. Mahtomedi - a team with all the tools to be very dangerous this year. Boasting one of the state's best Squirts, Simon Seidl, the Zephyrs will be in every game. 

A few teams 

Here are a few teams that don't crack our initial list, but will likely pay some rent in the top 10 this year: Luverne, Woodbury, Champlin Park and Andover

A few players

Silky Dangles (Hastings) - we aren't sure if this name is real or not or if he is any good, but if it is watch out for number four for the Raiders.

Tanner Henricks (Woodbury)...a move-in from California, will turn heads with his up tempo play and great hockey IQ.

Landon Stringfellow (Andover)....one of the best defenseman in the state, very athletic will give Huskies added scoring from the blue line.