Lake Conference Boys Hockey: How Will Hopkins Finish?

Just how competitive was the Lake Conference last year?

Six athletes were taken in June’s NHL Entry Draft, Eden Prairie won the conference and Class AA state titles and Edina, who took fourth at state, finished with a .500 conference record.

“It’s no secret we want to be playing our best hockey at the end of the year,” first-year coach Rolf Ulvin said. “These conference games prepare us for that. You’ve got to show up or you won’t have a chance.”

The Royals are coming off an 11-15-0 season, and there is room to grow. But with many of the conference’s top-end athletes graduating, that leaves the door open for improving their place in the standings.

Hopkins Patch spoke with coaches across the conference to get a quick look at some of the teams and athletes to watch this winter.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Eden Prairie—The Eagles won the program’s second state championship last year, finishing the season with an unbeaten 10-0-1 record in their last 11 games.

Edina—Coming off a state championship year, the Hornets took fourth at state last winter. Edina’s rich hockey tradition and 33 state tournament appearances always makes them a favorite.

Minnetonka—The Skippers had stretches of brilliance last year, including winning nine of 10 games in January and February.

KEY RETURNERS

Erik Baskin (Minnetonka)—Baskin saved his best work for conference play. He scored 21 goals and 12 assists on the year, but scored in all but one Lake Conference game in 2010-11—including two goals in five of those seven games.

Vinni Lettieri (Minnetonka)—Lettieri scored 17 goals and 23 assists last year for the Skippers.

Louie Nanne (Edina)—Nanne scored 13 goals and 16 assists as a sophomore a year ago.

Tanner Holmquist (Hopkins)—Holmquist showed his playmaking ability with 14 goals and 29 assists last year.

Aaron Dingmann (Wayzata)—Dingmann, who went 6-1 a year ago in the regular season, will be an important part of the Trojans’ success this winter, according to coach Pat O’Leary.

KEY LOSSES

Kyle Rau (Eden Prairie)—Rau, who scored the game-winner in last year’s state title game, racked up 99 points last season. He is currently a freshman with the Gophers.

Tony Cameranesi (Wayzata)—The Trojans’ standout scored 15 goals and 39 assists a year ago. He’s now with the Waterloo Black Hawks.

Mario Lucia (Wayzata)—The son of Gophers coach Don Lucia is playing Canadian Junior Hockey with the Penticton Vees. He scored 25 goals and 22 assists last winter.

Steven Fogarty (Edina)—Fogarty was a Mr. Hockey Finalist a year ago. He is Lucia’s teammate at Penticton this season.

Max Everson (Edina)—Another 2011 Mr. Hockey Finalist, Everson is now in his freshman year at Harvard.

John Groom (Hopkins)—Groom scored 20 points for the Royals a year ago as a senior.

TOUGHEST ROAD TRIP

Braemar Arena—Edina’s home rink soaking in tradition. Green and white stretches from floor to ceiling, photos of past champions line the walls and banners celebrate a lineage of winners. Not an easy venue for opposing teams.

Pagel Center—Minnetonka has a 38-2-3 record in its last four seasons at home, according to minnesota-scores.net.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Vinni Lettieri (Minnetonka) and Louie Nanne (Edina)—The pair are both Gophers recruits and grandsons of Minnesota North Stars great Lou Nanne. Each will impact their teams as juniors.

2010-11 STANDINGS

Overall Lake

Eden Prairie 24-5-2 5-1-2

Wayzata 20-6-2 5-2-1

Minnetonka 17-8-2 4-3-1

Edina 19-10-1 4-4-0

Hopkins 11-15-0 0-8-0

POSTSEASON RESULTS

Eden Prairie—Won Class AA state championship with 3-2, triple overtime win over Duluth East

Edina—Placed fourth at Class AA tournament, beating Blaine and losing to Duluth East and Eagan at state

Wayzata—Lost to Eden Prairie 4-3 in double overtime in a Section 6AA championship thriller

Minnetonka—Lost to Eden Prairie 4-0 in the Section 6AA semifinals

Hopkins—Lost to Minnetonka 5-1 in the Section 6AA quarterfinals