HOCKEY TODAY: Top-10 Teams Faceoff Friday as Hockey Begins

Holy Family Begins the 2014-15 Season Friday. Will Garin (left), John Peterson (center), Matt Runyon (right)

PLYMOUTH, Minn. - The two-time defending state champion and preseason No. 3-ranked Edina Hornets begin the season against the No. 8 Holy Family Catholic Fire on Friday, November 21 at 5 p.m. in the 2014 Turkey Trot Tournament, hosted by Wayzata High School. Game two of the Turkey Trot Tournament features No. 5 Wayzata and No. 11 Maple Grove beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ct).

No. 3 Edina Preview: The two-time defending champions won the State Title in impressive fashion over Lakeville North, but it came with losing key talents early on the roster for this season. The Hornets were hit hard losing Boston U-commit Kieffer Bellows and defenseman Ryan Zuhlsdorf. Notre Dame-commit Dylan Malmquist is the leading candidate for Mr. Hockey as he'll try to help Edina win their third straight title, which hasn't been done since the Bloomington Jefferson teams of the early 90's. 

Remaining on Edina's roster are more Division I future talents, junior forward Garrett Wait (Minnesota) and senior forward Henry Bowlby (St. Lawrence). The Hornets lost leading scorer Miguel Fidler, Cullen Munson and Ohio State-commit Tyler Nanne. Andrew Rohkohl is also gone so filling in for him will be either senior goalies Kobi Boe or Andrew Enriquez.

No. 8 Holy Family Preview: The Fire are coming off their first 20-win season, back-to-back Wright County Conference championships and their best postseason finish in school history after making it to the Section 6AA Semifinals at Braemar Arena last year. This year they look to take it another step closer with goals of reaching Mariucci Arena and the Xcel Energy Center. Helping them achieve those goals is the school's all-time leading scorer, senior center/forward John Peterson. Peterson has 191 career points, 62 last season, with the majority of those points coming as a freshman and sophomore when he combined forces with North Dakota-commit and Washington Capital draft pick Shane Gersich. University of Connecticut-commit Will Garin will also need to score and help replace some of the offense that graduated last year. 

The Fire lose the state's leading scorer on defense from last season, Ryan Swanson and it will be impossible to replace him. However, the Fire hope that sophomore defenseman and Minnesota-Duluth commit, Matt Anderson can help fill that void. Holy Family also loses forward Joey Marooney (Alabama-Hunstville-commit), defenseman Dylan Woolf and both goalies Derek LaCombe and Dayton Rasmussen. 

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 also play in their first Holiday tournament in school history this year playing Wayzata, Prior Lake and Benilde St. Margaret's from the St. Louis Park Community Center.

Edina's Dylan Malmquist (left) and HFC's John Peterson (right) faceoff for the final time on Friday

Series History: Edina holds a 2-0 series lead. 

2013- Edina 8, Holy Family 0. 2012- Edina 7, Holy Family 2.

Potential Lines (predictions):

Edina

C Dylan Malmquist (captain), F Garrett Wait, F Henry Bowlby

C Sam Walker, F Parker Mismash, F Matt Masterman

C Casey Dornbach, F Ben Copeland, F Patrick Haug

D Ben Foley, D Paul Meyer

D Sam Fuss, D Clayton Phillips

D Jack Foley, D Luke Perunovich

G TOSS UP- Andrew Enriquez, G Kobi Boe

Holy Family

C John Peterson (captain), F Will Garin, F Matt Runyon

C Ben Almquist, F Pat Reddan, F Tyler Rock 

C Wilson Jones, F Ben Wilson, F Jaedin Ness

D Matt Anderson, D Hunter Ruschmeyer

D James Marooney, D Bennett Hanson

D Brady Ziemer (Bantam Elite), D Devon Olson

G Gabe Heifort (High School Elite, Team North), G Jaxson Stauber

Game One: No. 3 Edina (0-0-0) vs. No. 8 Holy Family Catholic (0-0-0)
Dates	Friday, November 21 (5:00 p.m.)
Location	Plymouth Ice Center | Plymouth, Minn.
Watch Online	TurkeyTrot Channel 12
Social Media	Twitter | Instagram
Game Two	No. 5 Wayzata (6AA) vs. No. 11 Maple Grove (5AA)

WAYZATA- 2013-14 Record: 20-6-1, Section Semifinalists

Conference: Lake 

Youngsters You Should Know: Griffin Ness, Grant Anderson

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, GK Vaughn Arehns

Potential Lines:

C Max Zimmer, F Nate Dingmann, F Luke Paterson

C Mark Senden, F Billy Duma, F Jack Fetrow

C Griffen Ness, F Davis Kirkendall, F Erik Branyon

D Alex Stevens, D Hank Sorensen

D Carter Spindler, D Jake Moelk

D Tristan Moss, D Grant Anderson

G Alex Schilling

BENILDE ST. MARGARET'S- 2013-14 Record: 15-9-3, Section Finalists

Conference: Metro West

Youngsters You Should Know: Zach Risteau, Jordan Roo 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 Jordan Roo, F Jerry Calengor, F Luke Horton

D Ben Newhouse, D Peter Heimbold

D Jack Lawton, D Nick Austin

D Cade Gleekel, 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

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC- 2013-14 Record: 20-6-1, Section Semifinalists

Conference: Wright Co.

Youngsters You Should Know: James Marooney, Ben Almquist, Brady Ziemer, Jaxson Stauber

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

EDEN PRAIRIE- 2013-14 Record: 18-10-3, Section Winner

Conference: Lake 

Youngsters You Should Know: Casey Mittelstadt, Nolan Sullivan

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 Casey Mittelstadt , F Michael Graham

C Charlie Lawrence, F Cole Lawrence, F Carter Pattison

C Nolan Sullivan, F Matt Hastings, F Spencer Steen
C Wesley Young, F Alex Pezon, F Evan Cocallas

D Brady Schoo, D Andy Aguilar

D Marc Sullivan, D Brett Boldenow

D Nicky Leivermann, D Louie Roehl

G Shaun Durocher OR Nick Wiencek

MINNETONKA- 2013-14 Record: 8-18, Section Quarterfinalists

Conference: Lake 

Youngsters You Should Know: K'Andre Miller, TJ Rogers

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 Brendan Skarda

C Jacob Klein, F Max Cavanaugh, F Dominic Picciano

C K'Andre Miller, F TJ Rogers, F Jack Bowman
C Brendan Ryan, F Pierson Pass, F Mario Bertogliat

D John Schuldt, D Pieter VonSteinbergs

D Zachary Van Sant, D Ty Cousineau
D Jack Kuzma, D Ben Hersman

G Jacob Berger 7-11, 2.98 GAA, .898 SV, GK Thomas Hanson

6. Hopkins, 7. Robbinsdale Cooper/Armstrong (Trey Rooney SR returns)

MNHSPuck Top-20

1. Lakeville North (1AA) 

The Panthers return nearly the entire core of last year's state runner-up team and they should only be better this year. The three Poehling brothers give them one of the top lines in the state, and on the blue line, Jack McNeely and Jack Sadek are excellent defenders, and two of only a handful of players still playing high school hockey that will be considered as potential NHL Draft picks this summer.

College commitments: Jack Poehling(St. Cloud), Nick Poehling(St. Cloud), Ryan Poehling(St. Cloud), Jack McNeely(Omaha), Jack Sadek(Minnesota), Ryan Edquist(Minnesota)

Newcomer to Watch: The Panthers lost star freshman goalie Jake Oettinger to the NTDP, but found a pretty solid replacement. Minnesota commit Ryan Edquist returned home from Shattuck-St. Mary's to give Lakeville North one of the top goalies in the state.

2. St. Thomas Academy (3AA)

The Cadets lost their top forward in Tommy Novak, but return one of the most dynamic duos in the state in Odeen Tufto and Christiano Versich, and Alec Broetzman adds some muscle and scoring punch. Their defense, which was a weak point last year should be much stronger with senior Seamus Donohue and sophomore Brian Hurley, both top-end talents, with an extra year of maturity.

College commitments: Seamus Donohue(Air Force), Christiano Versich(Colorado College), Brian Hurley (Ohio State).

Newcomer to Watch: Sophomore defenseman Robbie Stucker played sparingly with the varsity squad last year, but spent the majority of the season on the JV squad. Stucker is a big kid that was a bit overlooked because of a late birthdate, but impressed Waterloo of the USHL enough over the summer to earn a spot on their affiliate list despite being undrafted.

3. Edina (2AA)

The late departures of Ryan Zuhlsdorf and Kieffer Bellows were a huge blow to the Hornets--Zuhlsdorf especially as depth on defense always seems to be a concern for Edina. But it's just hard to pick against the depth Edina has year after year. There's not another school in the state that can roll three lines like Edina can.

College commits: Garrett Wait(Minnesota), Dylan Malmquist(Notre Dame), Henry Bowlby(St. Lawrence)

Newcomers to Watch: Sammy Walker, the brother of former Hornets Ben and Jack is a small, speedy forward that should make an immediate impact. Fellow freshman Clayton Phillips can be one of the most dynamic skaters in his age group when he's playing well.

4. Elk River (7AA)

The Elks will rely heavily on the duo of Jake Jaremko and Reggie Lutz, who combined to tear up this fall's Elite League. Veterans like Dylan Bouten and Ben Johnson just missed out on playing in the Elite League this year, but had strong fall seasons elsewhere and should be great contributors. Matt Kiersted gives them one of the most exciting offensive defensemen in the state. The big question will be in goal, where they will likely have to rely on Ben Meyers in a goal, a sophomore that is talented, but untested at the high school level.

College commitments: Matt Kiersted(North Dakota), Jake Jaremko(Minnesota State)

Newcomers to Watch: Jax Murray and Jensen Zerban formed one of the best Bantam duos in the state last year, and should add some offensive punch behind Jaremko and Lutz this year.

5. Wayzata (6AA)

Every year, Wayzata is one of the toughest defensive teams in the state. They lost star goalie Vaughan Ahrens juniors over the summer, but his replacement, Alex Schilling, should fill that role very effectively. The defense in front of him is very deep too, led by Alex Stevens and Hank Sorenson. Junior Max Zimmer can be one of the most electric forwards in the state and the duo of Mark Senden and Luke Paterson should have breakout seasons after being solid contributors last year as rookies.

College commitments: Mark Senden(North Dakota), Max Zimmer(Wisconsin)

Newcomers to Watch: Freshman Griffin Ness made big strides over the fall Elite League season and should make an immediate impact for the Trojans.

6. Hill-Murray (4AA)

The Pioneers lost a lot of talent off of last year's squad, including NTDP forward Joey Anderson, but that's not unusual for Hill-Murray, and they always seem to find a way to reload with talent. Their defense has a great mix of physicality with Jacob Olson and Mikey Anderson and finesse with Casey Staum and Davis Zarembinski. The offense isn't as explosive as last year, but there are some very good young players that should become more effective as they gain experience throughout the year.

College commitments: Jacob Olson(Harvard), Mikey Anderson(Minnesota Duluth)

Newcomers to Watch: '99-born forwards Dylan Mills, Kyler Yeo, and Marko Reifenberger all have the potential to be solid contributors this year and will be closely watched by scouts this year. Though he'll likely at least start the season as the back-up, sophomore goalie Jake Begley has lots of potential.

7. Benilde-St. Margaret's (6AA)

As usual, there are a lot of offensive weapons for Benilde-St. Margaret's. Seniors like Mark Kaske and Chase Jungels are backed up by talented youngsters like Zach Risteau and Auggie Moore. Keeping pucks out of their net will be the big challenge. They have a very mobile blue line, but a lack of shutdown defenders may hurt them against better teams.

College commitments: Ben Newhouse(Union)

Newcomers to watch: Power forward Cade Gleekel followed in the footsteps of former Knights Spencer Naas and Johnny Austin in transferring in from Blake. He should be an immediate contributor. Sophomore defenseman Connor Mayer is a very skilled offensive defenseman that will make a big impact.

8. Holy Family Catholic (6AA)

Holy Family is coming off their first 20-win season in school history and have climbed in the Section 6AA rankings every season since they came in to Class 2A. In 2011-12 they debuted at No. 6 losing to eventual state champion Benilde. In 2012-13 the Fire were the No. 5 seed losing to No. 4-seeded Eden Prairie. In 2013-14 Holy Family hosted as a 4-seed as the Fire defeated Minnetonka and lost in the semifinals to Eden Prairie.  

College commitments: Matt Anderson(Minnesota Duluth), Will Garin(Connecticut), John Peterson (To Be Announced in the near future).

Newcomers to Watch: Senior goalie Gabe Heifort transferred into Holy Family from Bemidji last year, giving Holy Family a strong, experience replacement after Dayton Rasmussen left the school to play AAA hockey in Colorado over the summer. Sophomore goalie Jaxson Stauber (son of Hobey Baker Award winner, Robb Stauber) transfers from Benilde to Holy Family and will be seeing playing time at some point this year. Brady Ziemer, a ninth grade defenseman comes in to the program and played in the Bantam Elite League this past year.

9. Duluth East (7AA)

The Greyhounds almost always find a way to be a strong team, and this year, led by the offense of the Altmann brothers, they should have another strong squad that should be in the hunt for a return to the state tournament.

College commitments: None

Newcomer to Watch: Freshman Luke LaMaster is a strong kid capable of playing either forward or defense and should have no difficulty adjusting to the stronger, faster competition of high school hockey.

10. Eden Prairie (6AA)

Eden Prairie is one of the biggest schools in the state, and as a result, always has a deep, mature team, even if they don't quite have the same top-end talent as the rest of the state. Michael Graham and Casey Mittelstadt will be relied on for scoring, but there are a lot of above average upperclassmen on their roster that will keep them competitive against anyone in the state.

College commitments; Michael Graham(Minnesota Duluth), Casey Mittelstadt(Minnesota)

Newcomers to Watch: After a great performance in the Elite League that earned him a scholarship to Minnesota, it seems weird to think that Casey Mittelstadt hasn't played a high school game yet. Sophomores Nolan Sullivan and Nick Leivermann will be key contributors too.

Rest of the Top-20, 11-20:

11. Maple Grove

12. Grand Rapids

13. Burnsville

14. Stillwater

15. Moorhead

16. Blaine

17. Prior Lake

18. Cretin Derham-Hall

19. Minnetonka

20. Centennial

Section Favorites:

Class AA: 1AA: Lakeville North 2AA: Edina 3AA: St. Thomas Academy 4AA: Hill-Murray 5AA: Maple Grove 6AA: Wayzata 7AA: Elk River 8AA: Moorhead

Have a Wonderful Year Hockey Fans!! 

Twitter: @AVJ21

Instagram: Aaron Morem