Minnetonka Tops Pre-Season Rankings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn - It is hard to believe, but the puck is about to drop on another high school hockey season. Every year, it seems we utter "we can't possibly top what we saw a year ago", and every year it seems as though we do. The Minnetonka Skippers led from pillar to post as they worked their way to their first state tournament in girls hockey. That version of the Skippers was deep and boasted the top goalie in the state in Julie Friend. This year, the Skippers begin the journey as the top team in girls hockey in the "Let's Play Hockey" poll, the question is will the end there.

Minnetonka Skippers:
Last Season: 29-1-1 - State Champions (AA)
Conference Record: (7-0-1) Lake Conference
Letterwinners returning/lost: 10/5
Head coach: Eric Johnson

Top Returning Players: Laura Bowman (jr) - 23G 30A- 53 Pts; Amy Peterson (jr)- 21G 24A - 45 Pts; Kira von Steinbergs (sr) 7G 11A - 18 Pts; Hadley Cookson (sr) 9G 8A - 17 Pts; Sidney Morin (jr) 5G 22A - 27 Pts; Sydney Baldwin (soph) 6G 18A - 24 Pts; Hannah Behounek (jr) 1G 7A - 8 Pts - Goaltender: Sydney Rossman (jr) 6-1-0 ; 1.70 GAA ; .920 SVP

Even with the losses of Rachel Ramsey, Laura Bowman, Paige Baldwin and the above mentioned Friend, the Skippers will be solid on the blue line. The Skippers allowed 30 goals all of last season and will be defensive minded once again. The Skippers won't be as deep as last season, but they will be just as tough to beat.

Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights:
Last Season 24-3-1- Lost to Minnetonka in section 6AA Championship Game
Conference Record: (11-0-0) North Suburban Conference
Letterwinners returning/lost: 16/2
Head coach: Dave Herbst

Top Returning Players: Kelly Pannek (soph) 34G 22A - 56 Pts; Caitlin Reilly (soph) 18G 27A - 45 Pts; Brittany Wheeler (soph) 19 G 23 A - 42 Pts; Sara Taffe (jr) 5G 16A - 21 Pts; Goaltender: Abbey Miller (soph) 5-0-0; 0.20 GAA; .980 SVP

Led by a trio of sophomores, the Red Knights return a ton of talent that will keep them in the upper echelon of the rankings all season long. Defenseman Jordyn Burns and goaltender Tiana Press graduated, but Pannek, Reilly and Wheeler led the way for the Red Knights offensively a season ago and will do so once again this season.

Edina Hornets:
Last Season: 26-4-1 - State Runner-up (AA) Lost to Minnetonka
Conference Record: (6-1-1) Lake Conference
Letterwinners returning/lost: 11/7
Head coach: Laura Slominski

Top Returning Players: Sarah Nielsen (sr) 17G 33A - 50 Pts; Hannah Burns (sr) 9G 13A - 22 Pts; Liz Trautz (jr) 4G 6 A - 10 Pts; Kelly McGarvey (sr) 1G 6A - 7 Pts; Megan Armstrong (sr) 8G 13A - 21 Pts; Ali Austin (sr) 4G 11 A - 15 Pts; Lizzt Austin (sr) 7G 3A - 10 Pts; Emily Eide (soph) 0G 3A - 3 Pts; Goaltender: Maddie Dahl (sr) 25-4-1; 1.10 GAA ; .943 SVP

With seven seniors that left the program from a season ago, the Hornets may take a little time to gell. Then again, they have one of the state's best between the pipes in Maddie Dahl, so she may carry them while the underclassmen figure life out at the varsity level. Sarah Nielsen and Hannah Burns return for their senior campaigns and will lead the way for the Hornets who look to make another deep run into March.

Roseville Area Raiders:
Last Season: 22-6-0 - Section 4AA Runner-up Lost 4-3 to Hill-Murray
Conference Record: (5-3-0) Suburban East
Letterwinners returning/lost: 18/2
Head coach: Vic Brodt

Top Returning Players:Hanna Brodt (sr) 12G 22A - 34 Pts; Katie Flug (jr) 35G 14A - 59 Pts; Lee Stecklein (sr) 13G 14A - 27 Pts; Paige Jahnke (sr) 1G 4A - 5 Pts; Goaltender: Erika Allen 1.57 GAA; .943 SVP

Talented and experienced are just two adjectives to describe the Raiders. With leading scorer Katie Flug back, the Raiders have the ability to score in bunches. They also have the ability to beat you defensively as well. Two of the last three state champions have emerged from section 4AA, so getting to the 'X' in March won't be an easy get for Roseville.

Hill-Murray Pioneers:
Last Season: 22-7-0 - Section 4AA Champions - Lost to Coon Rapids 5-4 (OT) -3rd Place Game
Conference Record: (12-1-0)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 11/7
Head coach: Bill Schafhauser

Top Returning Players" Hannah Brandt (sr) 36G 20A - 56 Pts; Tory Heller (sr) 11G 14A - 25 Pts; Sarah Brobrowski (soph) 4G 12A - 16 Pts; Brittney Anderson (soph) 7G 11A - 18 Pts; Jenny Magill (sr) 2G 13A - 15 Pts

The Pioneers graduated their previous top two netminders. While they figure the goaltending on the Hill, Hannah Brandt will do plenty to put pucks in the back of the net. Brandt tallied three goals and added two assists during last years state tournament.