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Western States Invitational Preview

By Peter Odney, 09/07/17, 2:45PM CDT

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Brody Biller of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks nets a goal last spring.

Major Talent Touches Down in Bloomington

Some of the top Bantam Major talent in North America will be on display this weekend at Bloomington Ice Garden, as Youth Hockey Hub hosts a six-team showcase featuring teams from Minnesota, Texas, California, Colorado and Manitoba. 

The teams representing Minnesota, Great Plains and Gentry Academy, will both play four games, while the remaining teams will play five games each. 

Coming in from outside Minnesota are the Dallas Stars Elite, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Colorado Thunderbirds, and Rink Hockey Academy of Winnipeg.

Continue reading for highlighted players from each team.


Ben Palmersheim, Anaheim Jr. Ducks.

Team-by-Team Breakdown

Anaheim Jr. Ducks 

Head Coach: T.J. Miller

Three players made their mark in the 2017 Stars and Stripes tournament earlier this year for the Ducks, led by the rock-solid Ben Palmersheim who scored four goals and totaled six points in the tournament. Brody Biller and Luke Stengler each totaled seven points at the Stars and Stripes.  

Colorado Thunderbirds

Head Coach: Dave Fromm 

Take note of where forwards Kelson Evenson and Evan Pahos line up on the ice. The Minnesota-native Pahos' soft hands and hockey sense, combined with Evenson's power and physical tenacity make for a potentially devastating duo. Evenson can line up at either forward or on defense, earning another plus for his versatility.  

Dallas Stars Elite

Head Coach: Stan Tugolukov 

Brent Johnson and Brayden Cook have each proven they can put the puck in the net, leading the Stars in the 2015-2016 Dallas SuperSeries in scoring. Johnson scored six goals and totaled 14 points in the tournament, while Cook racked up eight goals and 11 points.


Kelson Evenson, shown here playing for the Colorado Kodiaks, will suit up for the Colorado Thunderbirds.

Team-by-Team Breakdown

Gentry Academy

Head Coach: Billy Hengen 

Bantam Elite League scoring leader and recent Minnesota commit Chaz Lucius should pace the Gentry team in tandem with his brother and fellow Golden Gopher commit Cruz. Other players to keep an eye on include Bennett Schimek and Nick Sajevic. 

Great Plains

Head Coach: Casey Rooney 

The bulk of the Bantam Elite League playoff runner-up roster comes together again for Great Plains in the Western States Invitational, led by forwards Justin Janicke and Tristan Tabucol and defenders Joe Greniuk and Luke Mittelstadt. 

Rink Hockey Academy 

Head Coach: Brad Purdie

Canadian representative Rink Hockey Academy has playmakers on both offense and defense, and should make some serious noise over 400 miles past their province’s southern border.

Defenseman Carson Lambos tied for the scoring lead last season among defenders in the Canadian Sport School League as a 13-year old, while forward Eric Alarie scored nearly 100 points in Winnipeg’s AAA league in 2015-2016.  


Justin Janicke, Great Plains.

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