The landscape of girls hockey starts and ends with Edina…right?

The Cake Eater Tournament at Braemar in Edina is like the preview for the State Tournament at various levels every year.  It can also give us a glimpse of the landscape and future of girls hockey in Minnesota in combination with the State Tournament at the end of the year.

Three years ago at U12A White Bear Lake with Sydney Shearen (F), Abby DeLarosa (D) and Calla Frank (G) were the talk of girls hockey with the exception of a once in a generation shot from the stick of Mound-Westonka’s Sydney Breza.  

This shot, however, left for greener pastures at Breck and now Shattuck-St. Mary’s.  Other top end talent could be seen in Minneapolis, Wayzata and Stillwater.   Edina with Cece Bowlby (F) and company were right there at the top.

The following year it was Forest Lake with Brieja Parent (F), Ellen Nelson (D), Courtney Peterson (D) and Rachel Golnetz (D) that served notice that they can really play in the northeastern suburbs.  They later added to that talent pool by with the addition of Josie Bothun (G).  

Top end talent to be seen nightly in St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Lakeville, Stillwater, Eagan, Brainerd, Roseau and Andover.  Coach Bowlby with Vivian Jungles (D), Audrey Wethington (F) Hannah Chorske (F), Tella Jungles (F) and Sophie Doll (D) were right there hear the top.

Last year it was Andover’s Gabby Krauss (F) and Peyton Hemp (F) that led a two horse race along with Coach Bowlby’s Edina Hornets led again by Vivian Jungels and Hannah Chorske.  Teams without the depth but some top end talent were scattered about in Forest Lake, Stillwater, Maple Grove, Minnetonka and others.  Andover edged Edina in the end.

Fans had an early look at Braemar over Thanksgiving weekend, and the early returns on this season are clear; Edina is still Edina. 

However, Stillwater may be stockpiling the most talent and depth of any association without a Hornet on its jersey. 

In the U12A field, Edina took Stillwater 3-2 in the championship and in U10A Stillwater rolled to a championship just steamrolling the competition.  

Edina took the title without two-time Pee Wee Challenge MVP Vivian Jungels as she moved up early to U15A. 

Stillwater was also without key players, with two Pee Wee Challenge All-Tourney Team members Morgan Wohlers and Alexis Huber that moved on to play high school hockey as opposed to staying back in U12.