outlook2003AA5

2002-2003 CLASS AA SECTION OUTLOOK

Section 5AA
Last year, Section 5AA had three of the top five teams in the state, including the eventual 2002 State Champion, Academy Of Holy Angels. In 2002-2003, the Section should still have at least two of the best teams in the state.
Academy Of Holy Angels (26-4-1) graduated three big scoring forwards and lost at least one and possibly two returning scorers; still, four talented skaters will return and the Stars get a key transfer player back. Also, most of the defensemen and goalies were underclassmen last year. Gone from the offense is Dan Kronick, Tyler Howells, and Kevin Krmpotich. Senior forward Jim Kilpatrick is currently playing for Green Bay in the USHL and junior Matt Kaiser left to play in the NTDP in Ann Arbor. Returning are seniors Kevin Rollwagen, Kevin Huck, and Erik Heltne along with junior Mike Taylor. Rollwagen was the #3 leading scorer last year and Huck was #4. Senior forward Nick Ames transferred back to Holy Angels from Richfield. Ames led Richfield in scoring last season and played Holy Angels prior to te 2001-2002 season. On defense, Holy Angels loses outstanding sophomore Nate Hagemo, who also is going to the NTDP in Ann Arbor, while senior Doug Nelson, junior Jack Hillen, and sophomore Jared Hummel return. Senior Ben Luth returns for his second year in net.
Eastview (22-5-0) was an overtime goal away from beating Academy Of Holy Angels in the Section semifinals last year. The Lightning return one of the top players in the state, senior forward Darin Olver. Olver has 32 goals, 36 assists last year and was an Honorable Mention on the All-State team. He should have a shot at the Mr. Hockey Award in 2003. Returning along with Olver are senior forwards Tim Hartung and Nate Ryan. Senior defensemen AJ Panchenko and Bryan Plaszcz are back while junior goalie Tyler Brigl, who was 5-1 in spot duty last year, will likely be in goal.
Apple Valley (26-2-0) lost 12 seniors from last year's outstanding team. The top returnee is senior defenseman Mike Lundin who was Honorable Mention on the last season's All-State team. Junior goalie Matt Lundin looks to anchor the defense.
Bloomington Kennedy (7-16-3) returns five of their top seven scores and should have one of their better teams in recent years. Senior Ben Boulay was the #2 scorer last year and will get plenty of support from senior Ben Welken, juniors Jason Wiley and Jeff Wallis, and sophomore Ryan Stoa. Junior Nate Fellows is the top returning defender while senior goalie Shawn Lundquist was the backup last year.
Eagan (12-15-0) improved vastly last year and might keep improving this year. Although the Wildcats lost their top two scorers, senior Tom May and junior Tom Freeman will be back to pace the offense. Junior Evan Byers returns on defense as well as both goalies, senior Jake Vogt and junior Dan Shugarts.
Burnsville (6-21-0) could come back this year with a solid group of seniors. Senior forwards Mike Franks, Greg May, and Will Lubbesmeyer were the top three scorers as juniors last year. Junior forward John Lombardi is a prospect. Senior David Graden and junior Kevin Skwor head up the defense that also returns senior Pat McCarthy in goal, who split time time last year.

Section 6AA
This Section is probably the most interesting in the state because it contains three teams that were in the 1999-2000 State Bantam Tournament, including the State Bantam champ, along with two other teams that were rated in the Bantam Top Ten. Eden Prairie, Buffalo, and Edina were all participants in the 2000 State Bantam Tournament that was won by Eden Prairie. Bloomington Jefferson and Chaska were rated in the Top Ten at the end of the season.
Bloomington Jefferson (21-8-2) is the defending Section 6AA champion, but lost alot, including long-time head coach Tom Saterdalen. Saterdalen retired after 29 seasons at the helm of the Jaguars and was replaced by Jeff Lindquist, the head coach at Blake for the past 13 years. Lindquist guided Blake to be a power in Class A and made it to the Class A State tournament twice with Blake. The Jaguars return their top scorer in senior Brad Peterson. Seniors Cory Gilbert and Justin Wild look to be the best out of seven other returning forwards, but the offense still looks a little thin. Junior forward Drew Fautsch transferred from New Prague/Montgomery-Lonsdale where he was their leading scorer. Jefferson lost three strong defensemen including First Team All-Stater Adam Dirlam as well as goalie Jeremy Earl. Senior Ryan VanBockel is the top returning defenseman while part-time starter senior Ben Corbett is back in goal.
Eden Prairie (16-11-0) won the 1999-2000 State Bantam tournament behind forward Ryan Hawkins and goalie Marcus Paulson. Both are seniors and will return to try and get the Eagles back into the State Tournament. Hawkins was the leading scorer for Eden Prairie last year as a junior while Paulson started 24 of 27 games. Look for senior forward Dave Watters to contribute some points on offense while senior Nick Peters and junior Chris Berenguer head up the defense.
Edina (12-11-1) lost a group of six senior forwards along with defenseman and captain Will Wetterlin. The Hornets return senior goalie Matt Johnson to build around. Johnson was hot at the end of the season and collected six shutouts in the last nine games. Johnson played well against the week teams but had more trouble against the solid scoring teams. Leading scorer, senior forward Jeff Budish is back. Budish is a Division 1 caliber player but Edina doesn't have alot of offensive support behind him. Watch for senior Josh Reber and junior Anders Olson. On defense, seniors Mitch and Matt Mudra return with junior Robbie Leer.
Buffalo (23-5-0) was a game away from the State Tournament last year, losing to Jefferson in the Section Finals. Although the Bison lost plenty of good players, they return a solid core for 2003. Buffalo lost their top three scorers, Ben Geelan, Mike MacMillan, and Erik Ross, but return four seniors who all played well last year. Senior David Marshall is the leading returning scorer with Nick Gibbs, Chad Dehmer, and Craig Howey. Marshall is capable of putting up some big numbers this year. Buffalo lost heavily on defense with the graduation of four defensemen, but senior Mike Downer brings back alot of experience in goal.
Wayzata (9-17-0) could be an interesting team to watch. The Trojans could easily turn around their record to approach 17-9-0 in 2003. Wayzata lost only two seniors, their captains, but returns everyone else. The only stubbling block is that none of the returnees were really big scorers. One thing is for certain, senior Kevin Johnson will be solid in goal. The Trojans return four defenseman led by junior Sam Windsor. Senior forwards Brandon Brandt, Matt Sundberg, and Jeff Limberg are the top returning scorers.
Chaska (7-16-4) looks somewhat like Wayzata but with better scorers coming back. The Hawks are another team that could turn around their record and approach 16-7 in 2003. Chaska played alot of teams tough last year, despite their losing record. Chaska returns their top three scorers, seniors Jacob Obermeyer, Corey Stark, and Josh Thomas, and promising junior Aaron Stark. Senior Chris Gardeski returns in goal after splitting time last year.