WINTER PARK, Fla. -- As the Minnesota Boy's High School hockey season counts down I want to take a look at what would be (in my mind) an amazing conference of high school hockey that would develop some of the best Junior Hockey or Division I college-ready talent and be only 23 miles a part from each other (farthest travel being Victoria to St. Louis Park, Holy Family to Benilde). Ladies and gentlemen I give you (drum roll) the Lake Eight Conference.
Let's face it, Holy Family Catholic High School should not be in the Wright County Conference. The Fire, which were combined with Waconia High School for many years, have developed a program that can compete with the likes of Wayzata, Benilde St. Margaret's and Eden Prairie. Benilde recently joined the Metro West Conference with Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy, Chaska, Richfield, St. Louis Park and Chanhassen. The school broke away from the North Suburban conference year's ago so they could play teams that would help them get ready for the State Tournament; it worked, the school won a State Title in 2012. And then there is Chanhassen High School. A new institution in its own right, which shares the Victoria Ice Center with Holy Family, is also a part of the Metro West Conference.
Schools a part of the "Lake Eight Conference"- Holy Family (6AA) (Victoria), Chanhassen (Chanhassen), Eden Prairie (6AA), Minnetonka (6AA), Wayzata (6AA), Hopkins (6AA), Edina, Benilde St. Margaret's (6AA).
Schools a part of the "Lake Eight Conference"- Holy Family (6AA) (Victoria), Chanhassen (Chanhassen), Eden Prairie (6AA), Minnetonka (6AA), Wayzata (6AA), Hopkins (6AA), Edina, Benilde St. Margaret's (6AA).
Imagine the rivalries that because of Section 6AA are already in place and could be even better rivalries with a great crowd atmosphere on hand if Edina and Benilde played twice a year, Chanhassen and Minnetonka played twice a year or (me included) wouldn't you love to see Holy Family and Eden Prairie play twice a year? It would also give all schools involved a chance to increase their state ranking and play double the amount of section games. This year Holy Family plays 7 section games. If this was how things were today HFC would play 13 section games. Think of how much better the players would be and how much more prepared they'd be for playoff time.
Here is Holy Family's Schedule this year and what it looks like:
HFC 2014-15 Schedule:
| November 21 | Edina | Wayzata | Friday | 5:00pm | |
| November 23 | TBD | Wayzata | Saturday | TBD | |
| November 29 | Stillwater | Holy Family | Saturday | 3:00pm | |
| December 2 | Breck | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 9 | New Prague | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 11 | Mound | Holy Family | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| December 13 | Moorhead | Moorhead | Saturday | 4:00pm | |
| December 16 | Benilde | Benilde | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 20 | Minnetonka | Minnetonka | Saturday | 7:00pm | |
| December 29 | Wayzata | St. Louis Park | Monday | TBD | |
| December 30 | Prior Lake | St. Louis Park | Tuesday | TBD | |
| December 31 | Benilde | St. Louis Park | Wednesday | TBD | |
| January 6 | Delano | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 10 | Wayzata | Wayzata | Saturday | 7:00pm | |
| January 13 | Mound | Mound | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 20 | Waconia | Waconia | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 22 | Orono | Orono | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| January 27 | Litchfield | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 29 | Delano | Delano | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| February 3 | New Prague | New Prague | Tuesday | 7:15pm | |
| February 5 | Hopkins | Holy Family | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| February 7 | Duluth Marshall | Holy Family | Saturday | 5:00pm | |
| February 10 | Hutchinson | Hutchinson | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| *February 14 | St. Thomas | Holy Family | Saturday | 7:00pm |
Here is what the Holy Family Schedule could look like if a part of the "Lake Eight Conference"
| November 21 | Edina | Wayzata | Friday | 5:00pm | |
| November 23 | TBD | Wayzata | Saturday | TBD | |
| November 29 | at Minnetonka* | Minnetonka | Saturday | 3:00pm | |
| December 2 | Breck | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 9 | Chanhassen* | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 11 | Eden Prairie* | Holy Family | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| December 13 | at Moorhead | Moorhead | Saturday | 4:00pm | |
| December 16 | at Benilde* | Benilde | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| December 20 | Hopkins* | Holy Family | Saturday | 7:00pm | |
| December 29 | Wayzata | St. Louis Park | Monday | TBD | |
| December 30 | Prior Lake | St. Louis Park | Tuesday | TBD | |
| December 31 | Benilde | St. Louis Park | Wednesday | TBD | |
| January 6 | Edina* | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 10 | at Wayzata* | Wayzata | Saturday | 7:00pm | |
| January 13 | at Hill Murray | Hill Murray | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 20 | Minnetonka* | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 22 | at Chanhassen* | Chanhassen | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| January 27 | Wayzata* | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| January 29 | at Hopkins* | Hopkins | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| February 3 | Benilde* | Holy Family | Tuesday | 7:15pm | |
| February 5 | at Edina* | Edina | Thursday | 7:00pm | |
| February 7 | Waconia | Holy Family | Saturday | 5:00pm | |
| February 10 | at Eden Prairie* | Eden Prairie | Tuesday | 7:00pm | |
| *February 14 | St. Thomas | Holy Family | Saturday | 7:00pm |
Pretty cool right? I know the best recruits would think so, maybe go to Benilde or Holy Family instead of Shattuck St. Mary's?
*Conference games
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-----------------------------------------------Preseason Rankings from August 7, 2014----------------------------
#1 Wayzata Trojans- The Trojans return their top scorer, Wisconsin commit Max Zimmer. Wayzata also brings back 45% of their scoring from last season and four of their top seven players. Wayzata lost 2-1 to Benilde in the Section 6AA Semifinals after having a phenomenal year going 20-6-1. Hank Sorensen should grow into a top defenseman this year. The Trojans host the annual Turkey Trot tourney to open the season with Edina and Holy Family.
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| Max Zimmer leads the Trojans into the 2014-15 season |
2013-14 Record: 20-6-1, Section Semifinalists
Conference: Lake
Youngsters You Should Know: Griffin Ness, Colin Schmidt, Andrew Urban
Last State Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: F Max Zimmer, Mark Senden, Alex Stevens, Luke Paterson, Billy Duma, Hank Sorensen
Key Losses from last season: Matt Freytag, Jack Sorensen 25 ponts, Chandler Lindstrand 13 points, Chad Olson 14 points, Brian Machut 8 points, Chase Heising 8 points, Alec Hemenway 11 points
Potential Lines:
C Max Zimmer, F _______, F _______
C Mark Senden, F Billy Duma, F Luke Paterson
C Jack Fetrow, F Nate Dingmann, F Erik Branyon
D _____________, D Hank Sorensen
D _____________, D Alex Stevens
D Carter Spindler, D Jake Moelk
G Vaughn Arens 15-5-1, 1.43 GAA, .935 SV
#2 Holy Family Catholic Fire- The Fire return the school's all-time leading scorer (191 career points), center John Peterson (62 points last season). Holy Family returns UConn commit Will Garin and Minnesota-Duluth commit Matt Anderson. HFC also brings back six of their top ten scorers. Holy Family lost the state's top scoring defenseman Ryan Swanson (Army) to graduation. Alabama-Huntsville commit Joey Marooney, USHL draft pick Dylan Woolf, first line forward Jake Dickison and starting goalie Derek LaCombe all graduated from last season and will be tough to replace.
The Fire made their first ever Section 6AA Semifinals last season and have scrimmaged Holy Angels, Cretin Derham Hall and Elk River this summer. HFC won 20 games for the first time in school history going 20-6-1, won their second straight outright Wright County Conference title and earned their spot for this upcoming season in the 6AA discussion after dismantling Benilde 7-3 last December. Matt Anderson should grow into a top scoring defenseman this year. Goalie Gabe Heifort (Bemidji) of the High School Elite team North moves into the net for Holy Family. Last season Heifort posted a .900 SV percentage while seeing 599 shots on goal for Bemidji.
The Fire made their first ever Section 6AA Semifinals last season and have scrimmaged Holy Angels, Cretin Derham Hall and Elk River this summer. HFC won 20 games for the first time in school history going 20-6-1, won their second straight outright Wright County Conference title and earned their spot for this upcoming season in the 6AA discussion after dismantling Benilde 7-3 last December. Matt Anderson should grow into a top scoring defenseman this year. Goalie Gabe Heifort (Bemidji) of the High School Elite team North moves into the net for Holy Family. Last season Heifort posted a .900 SV percentage while seeing 599 shots on goal for Bemidji.
Holy Family brings back 58% of the team's scoring (206 points out of 356) as they scored the fifth most goals in the state last season with 125 and allowed just the fifth least amount of goals with 48. The Fire begin the year for the third straight season against Edina in the Turkey Trot Tourney from Plymouth Ice Arena. HFC also plays in their first Holiday tournament this season at Benilde.
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| John Peterson takes over as the senior leader for Holy Family |
2013-14 Record: 20-6-1, Section Semifinalists
Conference: Wright Co.
Youngsters You Should Know: James Marooney, Ben Almquist, Brady Ziemer
Last State Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: F John Peterson 62 points, Will Garin 36 points, Matt Runyon 21 points, Patrick Reddan 20 points, Tyler Rock 17 points, Matt Anderson 14 points
Key Losses from last season: Ryan Swanson 51 points, Joey Marooney 46 points, Dylan Woolf 29 points, Jake Dickison 24 points, Derek LaCombe 9-4-1, 2.44 GAA, .914 SV, Dayton Rasmussen 10-1
Potential Lines:
C John Peterson, F Will Garin, F Matt Runyon
C Ben Almquist, F Pat Reddan, F Tyler Rock
C Wilson Jones, F Tommy Krueger, F Jaedin Ness
D Matt Anderson, D Hunter Ruschmeyer
D James Marooney, D Brady Ziemer (Bantam Elite)
D Devon Olson, D Bennett Hanson
G Gabe Heifort (High School Elite, Team North)
#3 Eden Prairie Eagles- The Eagles return just 22% of their scoring from last season (53 points out of 237), which may hurt in the long run. E.P. loses Nebraska Omaha commits Luc Snuggerud and Steven Spinner and both goalies to graduation. The Eagles only return two of their top eight scorers but have new blood waiting in the wings. One player to watch will be Ryan Lesko who played in the Bantam Elite League this summer. It will be tough for Eden Prairie to make the state tournament with this group, but with Lee Smith as Head Coach you always have a chance.
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| Riley Argetsinger must help Eden Prairie's lack of experience |
2013-14 Record: 18-10-3, Section Winner
Conference: Lake
Youngsters You Should Know: Ryan Lesko, Matt Molenaar
Last State Title: 2011
Top Returning Scorers: F Riley Argetsinger, F Michael Graham, D Brady Schoo, D Andy Aguilar, D Marc Sullivan
Key Losses from last season: Steven Spinner 39 points, Luc Snuggerud 38 points, Colton Schmidt 18 points, Harry Pajor 3 points, Michael Parrish 11 points, Jack Keeley 14 points, Jack Sullivan 17 points, Jesse Niederer 5 points, Jack Claeys 9 points, Erik Evers 2.35 GAA, Jake Gerdes 2.75 GAA, .897 SV,
Potential Lines:
C Riley Argetsinger, F Charlie Lawrence, F Michael Graham
C_____________, F Cole Lawrence, F ______________
C _____________, F ____________, F______________
D Brady Schoo, D Andy Aguilar
D Marc Sullivan, D Brett Boldenow
D ____________, D _____________
G ____________
#4 Benilde St. Margaret's- The Red Knights bring back four of their top six scorers in Carter Roo, UConn commit Ben Newhouse, Chase Jungels and Matt Kaske. However they do lose UConn commit Spencer Naas, Johnny Austin, Evan Fleming and Nate Meyer to graduation, but still have 48% of their returning scoring (149 points out of 305). BSM can look to Carter Roo and Chase Jungels to lead them this season while also having U.S selects Zach Risteau, Connor Mayer and Ryan Bischel to provide talented depth. Normally I would place BSM ahead of Eden Prairie for a preseason ranking but I feel E.P will get the benefit after winning the section last season.
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| Carter Roo takes over the leadership role for BSM |
2013-14 Record: 15-9-3, Section Finalists
Conference: Independent
Youngsters You Should Know: Zach Risteau, Connor Mayer and Goalie Ryan Bischel
Last State Title: 2012
Top Returning Scorers: F Carter Roo 35 points, Ben Newhouse 33 points, Chase Jungels 32 points, Mark Kaske 19 points, Nick Austin 15 points, Jack Lawton 14 points
Key Losses from last season: Spencer Naas, Johnny Austin, Evan Fleming, Nate Meyer, Zach Hale
Potential Lines:
C Carter Roo, F Chase Jungels, F Mark Kaske
C Auggie Moore, F Will Duda, F Zach Risteau
C Jacob Holmers, F Jerry Calengor, F ___________
D Ben Newhouse, D Peter Heimbold
D Jack Lawton, D Nick Austin
D Dylan Hewitt, D Connor Mayer
G Jalen Long 10-6-1 3.48 GAA, .865 SV/G Ryan Bischel 3-1-2, 2.93 GAA, .845 SV
#5 Minnetonka Skippers- The Skippers return 80 percent of their scoring from last season (103 points out of 129), lead by Gavin Payne and Nick Greene. Minnetonka also have a numerous amount of young talent coming from the Elite League this year so watch out because they will most likely play much faster than a season ago.
2013-14 Record: 8-18, Section Quarterfinalists
Conference: Lake
Youngsters You Should Know: K'Andre Miller, Ryan Elder
Last State Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: F Gavin Payne, F Nick Greene, D John Schuldt, Sam McNeil, Jacob Klein
Key Losses from last season: AJ Klein 12 points, Jack Kuehn 8 points, Jacob Nelson 6 points
Potential Lines:
C Gavin Payne, F Nick Greene, F Sam McNeil
C Max Cavanaugh, F ___________, F_________
C____________, F___________, F_________
D John Schuldt, D Pieter VonSteinbergs
D Ben Witta, D Ty Cousineau
G Jacob Berger 7-11, 2.98 GAA, .898 SV
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