State Hockey Tourney Talk

The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament features 12 of the best teams in Minnesota each year, oh wait....16.  They are divided into 2 classes: AA (the real teams) and A (small enrollment schools and teams who don't belong in the AA). As we approach end times, one of the true signs of that is kids play hockey and train for it all year long in Minnesota.  For the fans of hockey it's great (this year's product was showcased some remarkable skill). For most of the parents and some of the players, it sucks.

A Class summary: St. Thomas Academy with it's 800 person all boys enrollment (the equivalent to almost all AA co-ed schools) beat Hermantown (aka Duluth West) 5-1. Yawn. It's gotta get old for New Ulm to get beat by two touchdowns each year it arrives in St. Paul.

AA Summary: For as much attention the Jack Jablonski story has gotten and probably deserved, one kid from Benilde St. Margaret's did something on Saturday night that may will never be done again. His name is Grant Besse and he scored five goals in the state final.  An incredible feat...but to make it even more incredible, three of them were shorthanded.  Not a typo...THREE SHORTHANDED GOALS IN ONE GAME. If there was ever a year to give the Mr. Hockey Award to an underclassmen, this was it.  His second goal got him to 50 G's in one year.  Congratulations to Benilde, Grant Besse, their fans and a special shout to Jack Jablonski and all kids who have had traumatic injuries related to sports.

Other highlights: Edina Lost (twice).

Two Great Videos

To see a video montage of the tourney, my good friend Pat O'Connor, the Director and Producer of the Channel 45 TV production edited a nice piece, view it here.

To see a funny video on the sweet hair of the players of the tournament, another friend (who remains nameless) edited this beauty the 2012 All Hockey Hair Team. My nephew David finished #2 last year with an unbelievable flow.

Enjoy.

-Z