Wayzata
Wayzata had a good season last year finishing the regular season at 18-7-1. They played Blake to a 1-1 tie but had far too many losses in games they should not have lost. I count three of them. I expect that to be different this season. Clarkson commit Gretchen Branton led the team in scoring last year as a freshman. She is not a flashy player. It takes watching a few games to truly appreciate her abilities. What she does is very subtle but very effective. Her greatest strength is her vision in finding open lanes to the net with AND without the puck. Maddie McCollins will provide senior leadership with the forward group. Senior Alexa Ocel/Sacred Heart will provide some goal scoring. She’s really good in front of the net. Junior Sophie Urban is big and strong and provides some much needed tenacity. Sloane Matthews had 23 points last year as an 8th grader. She is one of the best 04s in the state. On the defensive side of the puck you will have net minder Stephanie Garvis and she will provide a steady presence. Clarkson commit Emily Wisnewski will anchor the D and will get some help in steady, consistent junior Addy Hackley.
Maple Grove
It looks like Mannon McMahon is back from her injury. At least that is what we can tell from her fall soccer stats! She, unfortunately, had to miss all of the HP/USA Hockey stuff this summer or else she would have been a lock to make the USA U18 National Team. Mannon will certainly get some help this year from sophomore Lauren Stenslie and sophomore Quinnipiac commit Tristana Tatur. Lauren had a great summer making the HP 16/17s USA Hockey National Camp. She parlayed that success into a roster spot on the Elite League 16U Grey team and she fit right in with that very talented group. Senior goalie Lucy Morgan is very good and very underrated. Senior Franklin Pierce commit Emma Larson will provide some much needed leadership to a VERY young defensive group. Depth at forward AND defense could be an issue this year for the Crimson.
Brainerd/Little Falls
Junior forward/Bemidji Sate commit Gabbie Smith and Junior defenseman/Dartmouth commit Sophie Robinson will lead the way for the Warriors. Brainerd surprisingly has some depth that you don’t typically see from non metro teams. Cheyenne Abear is a senior forward and Union commit who has some scoring ability. Senior forward Abby Pohlkamp will put up some points. I expect junior forward Josie Kramer and junior D Emma Smith will contribute at a higher rate this year. Lindsay Booth is an enigma- great athlete who had a really good freshman year but dropped off significantly last season. Can she find her mojo again?
Up Next…….Teams on the rise
Sota Girls Hockey 