Just after Labor Day, six teams made up of players from all over Minnesota and North Dakota began an odyssey that didn't last as long as Homer's rendition, but still featured a victory against all odds. 

The Sharks and the Bruins entered the Bantam Elite League Minor Division playoffs as the fifth and sixth seeds respectively. The road to the finals was blocked by a smattering of obstacles, much like Odysseus'. Both teams were banged up, with several Bruins still exhausted by a frantic and physical battle with North Dakota the previous weekend in Grand Forks, and Sharks leading scorer Wyatt Olson was making his league return after tending to a rib injury. Both teams were facing solid opponents, with the Kings facing the Sharks and the Penguins meeting the Bruins, teams they had fallen against earlier in the regular season. 

But like Odysseus, the Bruins and Sharks prevailed, advancing to the championship game in which the Sharks found their own hero in Jack Kernan. Kernan netted the game-winning goal with just 29 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Sharks to the title, his second game-winner in as many days.

Kernan's Osseo-Maple Grove counterpart Wyatt Olson facilitated the winning goal with a rush into the Bruins' zone, an impressive recovery after his shot was rejected, and a precise centering pass to Kernan in the slot. Despite missing three games with his aforementioned injury, Olson finished as the league's second-leading scorer with 10 goals and 17 points. For his efforts, Olson was named the league's Most Valuable Player.   

Olson and Kernan is just two members of the Bantam Elite League Minor Division's All-BEL team, which YHH is proud to present after a careful selection process.       

Aidan Willis, Bruins 

The Farmington native and wrecking ball of a power forward dished out nine assists and totaled 11 points for the Bruins on their ride to a runner-up finish. Centered the "Blonde Bomber" line between wings Tyler Lafferty and Tanner Ludtke. 

Ashton Dahms, Kings 

A crafty forward with a heavy shot, Dahms had four multi-point games for the Kings. Dahms saved his best for last with a hat-trick and assist in the Kings' 7-6 loss to the Penguins in the playoffs' consolation game.

Jobe Freier, North Dakota 

While his contributions may not show up on the scoresheet or in the stat column, Freier's smooth skating and unflappable demeanor on the ice proved pivotal for North Dakota's success. Prior to the BEL season, Freier timed as one of the fastest skaters at the NOW Prospects Combine in June. 

Max Roby, North Stars

The Brainerd native scored in five of the North Stars' last six games, including a four-game streak in which he averaged nearly two points-per-game with four goals and three assists. Roby assisted on the North Stars' game-winning goal in their decisive win over North Dakota during the regular-season.  

T.J. Gibson, Penguins 

Gibson's offensive production coupled with the Penguins' midseason explosion, as the gritty forward totaled four goals and seven points during the four-game winning streak. Teamed with All-BEL forwards Carter Krenke and Tommy Cronin, Gibson played a key role in the trio's ability to lead the Penguins in scoring. 

Beck Picconatto, Sharks

Tied for seventh overall in scoring and ranking second in assists, Picconatto put his stamp on the term "offensive defenseman" with his play during the BEL season. Picconatto was held off the scoresheet just twice in 11 games, and his lockdown defense factored heavily in the Sharks' postseason wins over the Kings, North Stars, and Bruins.