outlook2003A3

2002-2003 CLASS A SECTION OUTLOOK

Section 3A
Section 3A had two of the best Class A teams in the state last year, Red Wing and Mahtomedi. Red Wing edged Mahtomedi 2-1 in overtime for the Section title and went on to finish second in the Class A State Tournament. The Wingers (24-6-1) had a very solid team last season but lost most of their best players. All-State second team defenseman Reid Cashman, who tallied an outstanding 15-37-52 last year, has graduated along with the #3, #4, and #5 scorers, Mike Pohl, Joe LaPlant, and Aaron Underwood. Leading scorer senior forward Tom Pohl is playing for Tri-City (USHL) and his return for 2002-2003 is doubtful. This leaves the Wingers with returning senior forwards John Loquai and Brad Furlong, off last year's #2 line, along with senior defenseman Jeremy Doden and senior goalie Adam Hendel.
Mahtomedi (17-7-4), on the other hand, returns two of their top three scorers in senior Brent Borgen and juniors Ryan Gunderson. Borgen and Gunderson led Mahtomedi to the State tournament in 2001 and are the early season favorites to return in 2003. Borgen scored 38-25-63 last year, is a candidate for Mr. Hockey, and is committed to play for the University of Minnesota in 2004-2005. His 38 goals was tied for third best in the state last year and Borgen is the second leading returning goal scorer behind Garrett O. Regan of Hill-Murray who netted 39 goals in 2001-2002. Gunderson may follow in Borgen's footsteps and be a Division 1 player as well. #3 leading scorer junior forward Sam Kelly transferred to Hill-Murray. While the offense looks great, the defense needs a little rebuilding. The Zephyrs lost two quality defensemen and their goalie, but the defense will try to solidify behind seniors Jared Martz and Dan Brass with junior Mike Eggert.
St. Paul Academy (15-11-0) could make it to the semifinals of the Section again this year. Although the Spartans lost two of their best scorers, #2 scorer senior Blake Turnquist returns with senior Jim Cody and junior Jamie McMillan. The defense will be led by senior Joe McDonald and senior goalie Brenden Goetz, who was 7-1 last year while splitting time in net.
Chisago Lakes (17-7-1) had a fine season last year but was not able to beat St. Paul Academy in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats lost their three best players in forwards Matt Cottingham and Zach Gorg along with defenseman Greg Harding. Chisago Lakes has alot of returning forwards which could give the Wildcats some depth. Senior Phil Hoffman will anchor the defense with junior goalies Chris Walz and Ryan Rose, who split time in net last year.
Farmington (8-18-1) made a run in the playoffs last year before losing to Red Wing in the semifinals. The Tigers leading returning scorer is sophomore Kevin Kratz. Senior Ian Bing is the top blueliner while junior Bob Barlau finished the season in goal last year.
Simley (10-16-0) could show some improvement. Senior forwards Zach Weber, John Rouse, and Adam Hoaglund give the Spartans some scoring while the defense should be better than average six returning defensemen and two returning goalies.
St. Bernard's/St. Agnes (10-14-0) is another team with a good chance for improvement. SBSA didn't lose much and returns their top three scorers in junior Andrew Longen, senior forward Bill Adolph, and junior defenseman Eli Vlaisavljevich. Also, both goalies, senior Ricky Paul Jr and junior Ben Ueland are back.
Henry Sibley (7-20-0) probably won't win alot of games again this year but seniors Scott Bann , Luther Deutsch, and Jay Harrison should make up a formidable top line.
Minnehaha Academy (11-14-2) has a good, young goalie in sophomore Dylan Eastman.

Section 4A
Trivia Question: Who was the last team to represent Section 4A other than Fergus Falls? The Otters have amassed an outstanding run by winning the Section title for the past six years. Little Falls almost beat them last year. Detroit Lakes should have beaten them in 2001. Wadena-Deer Creek could have beaten them in 2000. For the last time someone other than Fergus Falls represented Section 4A, you have to go back to 1996, when Detroit Lakes defeated the Otters 4-3 in three overtimes.
Fergus Falls (18-9-1) will be going after their seventh straight Section title. Last year's team was probably the best ever at Fergus Falls. The Otters really outplayed eventual Class A champ Totino-Grace in the semifinals at the State Tournament and could easily have been in the Final. Fergus Falls will have a new head coach as Brad Bergstrom moved to Austin. Tim Bergland, last year's assistant coach, will take over. Bergland played for Thief River Falls, the U of Minnesota, and a couple NHL teams. On the ice, the Otters lost one of the best forwards in Class A in Ryan Miller. Miller is the all-time leading scorer for Fergus Falls. #2 scorer Ryan Kantrud also graduated along with three defenseman and the goalie. Fergus Falls returns a decent group of senior forwards, though. The #3 and #4 scoreres are back in Tyler Gagner and Dan Perry. Senior forwards Mike Gaustad and Chris Orcutt showed they could be production as well. Throw in junior forward Jack Underwood and it gives the Otters a solid offense. Senior Jake Axell is the only returning defenseman, but he displayed some offensive talent last year and could be a big contributor in 2002-2003. Junior Clayton Nestor may inherit the starting goalie spot. Nestor play sparingly last year in compiling a 3-3-0 record.
Little Falls (19-9-0) has had solid teams for the past two year and should be above average again this year. The Flyers lost six good players, but return some offensive and defensive talent. Senior forward Bo Corrow is the leading returning scorer. Sophomore forward Steve Festler has a great season as a freshman as he ended up at the #5 scorer for Little Falls. Also returning forwards are senior Paul Flahave and junior Morgan Cekalla. The defense didn't lose anyone from last year, only the backup goalie. Seniors David Sperl, Kyle LeMieur, Brandon Staab, and Bryan Pender are all back along with junior Anthony Turk. Junior goalie Aaron Jorgenson returns after starting 19 games last year.
Sauk Centre/Melrose (15-8-0) is a team that could surprise everyone in Section 4A. The Streeter Rats had a good team last year that was ousted in the quarterfinals in a surprising upset by Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin. Sauk Centre/Melrose lost high scoring forward Nathan Sunderman, but return six solid regulars. Senior forwards Andy Jenc, Erik Freeman, and Kevin Hoffman are back to lead the offense. Senior defensemen David Engebretson and Nick Marthaler return with both goalies, senior Chris Kulzer and sophomore Charlie Doth.
Wadena-Deer Creek (14-7-3) lost their #1 scorer and top goalie but returns an impressive group of forwards. Seniors Robbie Johnston and Chris Sperling are back with juniors Tyler Neu, the #2 scorer from last year, Brandon Currie and Andrew Murray. On defense, junior Kyle Dickhaus was the leading scoring defenseman last year and will be joined by senior Derek Witthuhn and junior Dustin Anderson.
Mooris/Benson Area (10-13-1) returns their top four scorers from last year and three of them are juniors. Junior forward Brady Sharstrom led the team in scoring in 2001-2002 followed by junior John Wittenburg, senior Wade Gunderson, and junior Jon Mikkelson. Junior forward Kris Poppe can also be counted on to contribute on offense. The Storm lost some defenders but returns senior goalie Jake Beauregard and junior defenseman Brady Griffith.
Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin (9-15-0) may be under .500 again this year but watch for junior forward Josh Riskus and sophomore forward Brandon Laffin.