YHH is gearing up for another big year of coverage and events in Minnesota. PeeWee (12 and Under) hockey has become a sweet spot for our camera lens over the past five years. One fan told YHH, "it's the best of the best. No one has left to high school, juniors or the pros. Everyone in Minnesota plays PeeWees."

In addition to four AA/A events (Big Pumpkin, Lumberjack, Danglefest, and Founders) YHH hosts a PeeWee B tournament over Thanksgiving called The Gobbler. 

As the season kicks off, here is a look at 12 teams that we think will have a say in the state tournament. We would have picked a PeeWee B team, but we already know it will be an Edina team - we're just not sure which one.

Andover (12A) - The defending state champs will be very young (only one player returns), but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. The Huskies 10A team went undefeated in 2017-18 and will make an immediate impact at the 12A level. Key Players: Mackenzie Jones, Layla Hemp, Cailin Mumm, and Ella Thoreson. 

Chaska Chanhassen (PWAA) - The Stormhawks will likely enter the season as YHH's number one team. Winners of the Fargo International Squirt tourney in 2017 and an even stronger roster gets them the early target on their chest. Key Players: Adam Kleber, Javon Moore, Sam Scheetz, and Brodie Ziemer are just a few of the stars the Stormhawks will roll out this Winter.

Eden Prairie (PWAA) - The Eagles return more than half their roster from last year, many of which are late '05 birth year skaters. They will be sound on the back-end with star goalie Isaiah Paulnock and defensemen Dylan Vornwald and Andy Earl. Up front, the Eagles will be very deep with Marcus Fechko, Teddy Townsend and Cole Saterdalen inking the scoresheet.

Edina (12A) - Edina took second in state last year, they return one of their best defenders Taylor Porthan and will have some scoring punch up front with Hannah Halverson and Nora McConnell.  Longtime Edina coach Scott Bowlby will have this team ready. He will have to find another great goalie comparable to Sarah Peterson to make another deep state tournament run again this year.

Edina (PWAA) - The Edina PeeWee AA team has a returning Halverson (John, Hannah's twin brother) who will carry the mail for the Hornets. The fiery second-year forward will have a great supporting cast in all three zones. On the back-end, they have three great defensemen (Barrett Dexheimer, Eddie Revenig and Chas Sabre). In the net, the Hornets have as good of a goalie duo as they've had in a long time with Joe Bertram and Landon Palmgren.

Hermantown (PWAA) - If you had to pick one PeeWee team to see this year, the Hawks would be the one this author would pick. They will work hard, they will score a bunch of goals and have a great blue line. Oh, and they have one of the best PeeWees in the state whose motor is stuck in fifth gear (Max Plante). Key Players: Nolan Barker, William Esterbrooks, Evan Gunderson and Dallas Vieau.

Orono (PWA) - Orono was one of the best Squirt A teams two years ago in Minnesota.  A very deep group that put constant pressure on its opponents.  Orono should make a deep run in the PWA state tourney, and if they do, expect to see second-year forwards Hagen Burrows, Ben Norris, and Weston Quirk to make a big impact. 

Osseo-Maple Grove (PWAA) - Another group with a bunch of late '05 talent that has had a lot of success so far in their youth careers. It won't take long to find superstar Danny Nelson for the Leafbirds, a power forward's power forward. He must be accounted for on every shift. OMG is not a one-man team, featuring several highly skilled players and have a lot of depth. Key Players: Gavin Anderson, Luke Giuliani, Connor Steljes and Evan Villagomez.

Stillwater (12A) - The Ponies will come into the season as the number one team in Minnesota. Coached by former Gopher and Finnish Olympian Mira Jalosuo, Stillwater boasts quality depth on both sides of the puck. Up front, Josie St. Martin will be a scoring machine. On the back end, Stillwater has Lily Timmons who has been known to slam the door in key situations between the pipes.

Stillwater (PWAA) - The Ponies had a magical run last season at the PeeWee AA level, winning two YHH events (Lumberjack, Founder's Cup) and qualifying for the state semifinals before taking fourth. Gone are Sawyer Seidl and Ty Tuccitto - which means a void will need to be filled. Enter one of the best lines in the state last year as first year's - Brody Dustin, Simon Seidl, and Matthew Volkmann.  These three will easily pick up the slack and potentially lead them back to the state tournament on their home ice.

Warroad (PWA) - The Warriors will be one of the most high-powered teams in the state this year. The defending PWA state champs return studs Ryan Lund and Carson Pilgrim, whom both played a key role in their state championship run in Duluth last March. YHH will get a look at this group in the Big Pumpkin in a couple of weeks.

Woodbury (PWAA) - The defending state champs again have an excellent team,  ranked in the pre-season top three. They have three dynamic forwards up front in Lucas Mann, Ben Miller, and Tanner Zolnosky. The Predators will (again) have the best defensive corps in Minnesota led by Tanner Henricks, Logan Hensler, and Will Skahan. Each of those three has the ability to take over a game in a blink of an eye.

Here are few more teams that you can't sleep on when they hit your schedule.

Alexandria (PWA) - With Brayden Berg and Gavin Olson returning, the Cardinals will be a force.

Apple Valley-Burnsville (12A) - Way too much talent with Kendra Distad and Mackayla Moran to not be a factor this year.
 

Duluth East (PWAA) - The East boys will be tough again this year - Thomas Gunderson stood out as first-year last year and in the PeeWee Challenge this fall.

Orono Westonka (12A) - Alexa Niccum is a rock star and had some big goals in the PeeWee Challenge last fall.

Roseau (PWAA) - Gavin Jensen and Noah Urness will wreak havoc on northern teams this year.

Here are just a few players that should make an immediate impact at the 12A/PeeWee level this winter.

Hannah Christenson, Andover

Ian Christian, Duluth East

Cameron Dean, Osseo-Maple Grove

Joe Fankhanel, Bemidji

Logan Hensler, Woodbury

Danny Klaers, Orono

Luke Myers, Stillwater

Ashton Schultz, Chaska Chanhassen

Sam Spehar, Edina

Bryce Wiitala, Minnetonka