Section AA Minnesota Highschool Hockey

Earlier this year I wrote an article on section double A hockey we are almost to the finals and I need to look at the choices I made and- re-discover my thoughts.

1AA: A very competitive division with most of the teams losing lots of there talent. Rochester Century is the narrow favorite with Marshall and Rochester Mayo coming from behind. This section is going to be a dog fight and sadly the winner is not going to make it to the second round of the State Tournment.

New Outlook: It is a dog fight between Rochester Century 9-10-1, Marshall 13-6-0, and Rochester Mayo 10-8-1. I going to stay with my prediction of Rochester Century to make it to state, but once there not making it out of the first round.

2AA: Tartan went to State last year and lost most of there talent in the off-season. Cretin-Derham Hall has a very soild team, but I like Hastings and Woodbury in this division they are returning the most talent and have come a long way in there programs. Watch out for St.Paul Johnson they have some talent and they have been to State before.

New Outlook: Well the overall dominate team of this division is Cretin-Durham Hall with a 17-3-1 record, there big competition is either Woodbury 13-6-2 or St. Paul Johnson with a 13-5-2 record. The under horse team is Hastings with a 10-8-2 record and was a pre-season favorite.

3AA: I was superised that White Bear Lake took a early exit last year in the tournment. This is a two team race between White Bear Lake and the power house of Hill Murray, this is going to be a very interesting section and I think the winner between these two teams will be in the State Tournment Finals. Also watch out for that dang Centennial.

New Outlook: Hill Murray on all accounts are heading back to state with an impressive 17-1-1 record. There only competition looks like White Bear Lake 11-7-2, and Centinnial 10-8-2. If Hill Murray wins there section look for them to take state.

4AA: Wayzata is the big team to beat in this section with Blaine and Osseo a close 2nd and 3rd. This is another division where they have lost many of there seniors to graduation. This is going to be a beating with Wayzata getting ready for a tournment birth.

New Outlook: This section is another weak section and it is between Wayzata 12-8-0, and Blaine 15-4-0. I think Blaine is going to take this section, but there not going to make it to far up the state brackets.

5AA: Holy Angels wants to repeat and has a very good chance too. They are returning many juniors and seniors and both of there goalies. Apple Valley has a chance to beat them but it is probably not going to happen. Rosemount is another big team in this section but I think Holy Angels is too big and strong to loss out.

New Outlook: Like I said before Holy Angels is a bigger stronger team and should win this section easy with a 15-1-2 record so far. The other teams with a chance Rosemount 11-7-1 and Eagan 11-7-1. I am looking for a Holy Angels vs. Hill Murray final at state.

6AA: Minnetonka looks like a pretty good team this year, but they will have to beat Bloomington Jefferson to get to State. I think Minnetonka has a very good chance returning most of there talent and goalies. But Bloomington Jefferson has the experience and the pristege of being to state many times. Watch out for Eden Prairie and Chaske in this section too.

New Outlook: This section is a three way dog fight between big dog Bloomington Jefferson 14-4-1, Minnetonka 11-8-0, and Eden Prairie 14-2-2. I think Bloomington Jefferson is going to win this section but Minnetonka could give them some problems.

7AA: Duluth East is the top range team and should return to state. Elk River now joins there section and could make a run at state. This division is going to be a two team race since Cloquet and Grand Rapids lost lots of talent . East has two soild lines and seems to find talent around the range.

New Outlook: This section is very competitive section with four teams with great records having a chance to win the section. Duluth East has a 14-5-1 record and has played some hard teams. Elk River switched sections and has a 13-4-2 record, Cloquet a team that I have downplayed has a 16-3-1 record and has looked strong in the division. And finally Grand Rapids has a 12-7-0 record and has a chance to make the section finals.

8AA: Moorhead lost alot of talent and will have to work really hard to make it back, they lost there starting goalie to another team and looks like they won't repeat. So enter Roseau who has been working hard to get back on top. They have lots of talent returning and should make it to state again. Buffalo switched sections and could have a chance to make it to state.

New Outlook: This is a two team race between Roseau 17-4-0 and just had a tough loss againest Warroad, and Moorhead who is 13-4-1 and has lost most of there big name players. I think Roseau will win this section but look for a dog fight againest Moorhead.

So my new picks for Minnesota Boys Hockey section AA:

1. Rochester Century
2. Cretin-Durham Hall
3. Hill Murray
4. Blaine
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Roseau

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