Top 25 Minnesota high school boys hockey rankings (12/18/2023)

Chanhassen jumps to No. 3 in the second SBLive Minnesota high school boys hockey Power 25 rankings

The Minnesota high school boys hockey season continued with some top matchups last week. 

No. 2 Wayzata defeated No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret's 6-3 on Thursday, December 14. Luke Miller led the Trojans with one goal and two assists.

No. 3 Chanhassen had a strong week. The Storm defeated St. Thomas Academy, Bloomington Jefferson and Rogers by a combined score of 20-1.

Here is the Minnesota high school boys hockey Power 25:

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Minnesota high school boys hockey Power 25

No. 1 Minnetonka (6-0)

The only question coming into this season for Minnetonka was about its goaltending after star goaltender Kaizer Nelson graduated last spring. The Skippers turned to senior Hunter Bauer, who so far has been nearly perfect with four shutouts through six games. With Grand Rapids and Shakopee on the docket this week, we will see if Bauer and the Skippers can continue their momentum heading into the holidays.

No. 2 Wayzata (7-0)

It was a battle between two undefeated squads on Thursday as Wayazta took on Benilde-St. Margaret's. The Trojans offense proved to be too much for the Knights to handle as a three-goal third period helped Wayzata pull away, winning by a final score of 6-3. The Trojans and the aforementioned Minnetonka Skippers will meet in late December, which could be a battle for the top spot. 

No. 3 Chanhassen (5-3)

The Storm put together potentially the most impressive week of hockey we have seen so far this season, taking out St. Thomas Academy, Bloomington Jefferson and Rogers, all in dominant fashion. The eye test is the most important thing to look at with this squad, as though they are 5-3, the on-ice product has been top-three worthy. 

No. 4 Rosemount (7-1)

It's been four straight games of allowing two goals or less for this Irish squad as after a 10-3 drubbing to start the season against Minnetonka, they've been stout on the defensive end. A date with Hermantown this Friday will give Rosemount another crack at the best the state has to offer.

No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret's (5-1)

The Knights suffered their first defeat of the season to Wayzata, but handled business against Chaska earlier in the week. A tune-up game against winless Blake this Tuesday should give Benilde-St. Margaret's some added confidence heading into the Premier Hockey Classic at the end of the month.

No. 6 Edina (6-1)

A perfect 3-0 week for Edina highlighted by a win over top-15 ranked Eden Prairie sees the Hornets move up a couple spots. The early season loss to the previously mentioned Benilde-St. Margaret's, though, keeps them from entering the top five at this moment in time. 

No. 7 Holy Family (4-0-1)

Holy Family faced its biggest test of the season on Saturday against St Thomas Academy, a game which saw the Fire unable to convert in the third period as they settled for a 3-3 tie. A matchup against a scrappy Eastview squad on Tuesday will be another big test for this team. 

No. 8 Hill-Murray (4-1-1)

The Pioneers took down the defending state champions Mahtomedi earlier in the week to keep their strong season going. The emergence of junior Boden Sampair has given Hill-Murray a much-needed jolt this season as he will look to lead the Pioneers to another section championship.

No. 9 Hermantown (4-0-1)

It's a two-team race for the top spot in Class 1A between Hermantown and Warroad, but for now, the number one spot goes to the Hawks. A win versus number four Rosemount this Friday could catapult the Hawks into the top five of the overall rankings.

No. 10 Maple Grove (6-2)

When you outsource your last three opponents 24-2, a bump up in the rankings is deserved. The Crimson are as hot as any team in the state right now after losing their first two games of the season, they've rattled off five straight, all in dominant fashion. Maple Grove will take the week off and get some much needed rest as number three Chanhassen will be waiting in the wings on the other side of Christmas. 

No. 11 Rogers (6-1-1)

It may be time to hamper our expectations with this Rogers squad as an 8-1 thumping at the hands of Chanhassen gave the Royals their first loss of the season. There's still a lot to like about this team, and a win this week versus a solid Buffalo squad could get them back in the top ten.

No. 12 Warroad (6-1)

The Carson Pilgrim-led offense of Warroad has amassed five goals in every game but one this year. A 5-1 dispatching of Totino-Grace helped the Warriors extend their win streak to five games. 

No. 13 Andover (4-4)

The Huskies desperately needed a couple of wins last week, and that’s exactly what they got. Finally anchoring down on defense, Andover came up with wins over Champlin Park and Moorhead to get itself back to the .500 mark.

No. 14 Shakopee (5-1-1)

Shakopee's high-flying offense lived up to the billing last week, hitting the five-goal mark twice en route to a perfect 2-0 week. With the Sabers next three games being Minnetonka, Hermantown and Lakeville South, we're going to learn just how good this squad really is. 

No. 15 St. Cloud Cathedral (6-1-1)

The Crusaders suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Rock Ridge last week, falling 5-3. The schedule will not get any easier next week as St Cloud Cathedral will face three teams above the .500 mark, highlighted by last year's state participant, Orono. 

No. 16 Lakeville South (6-0)

The Panthers have flown a bit under the radar this season–partially due to a light schedule to start the season– but nonetheless are beating every team put in front of them. We’re going to learn a lot about this team, though, as they will face four top-five teams before the new year. 

No. 17 White Bear Lake (5-1)

 Other than an earlier season blemish to fourth-ranked Rosemount, the Bears have just kept winning. White Bear Lake will try and make it three straight shutouts as it takes on Champlin Park at home this Tuesday.

No. 18 Cretin-Derham Hall (2-2)

It's been a roller coaster start to the season for the Raiders, which is partially due to a very top-heavy schedule. Playing in a wide-open Suburban East Conference, expect Cretin Derham-Hall to keep rising up the rankings.

No. 19 St. Thomas Academy (3-3-1)

Speaking of top-heavy schedules, it’s St. Thomas Academy who enters the ranking in the 19 slot. The Cadets have run the gauntlet through seven games thus far, with their latest performance being a 3-3 tie to No. 7 Holy Family. The tough schedule will continue this week for St. Thomas Academy as it will go on the road Tuesday to face a pesky Centennial squad.

No. 20 Eden Prairie (3-3)

The Eagles have been a streaky team so far in this young season, with their latest streak being a two-game losing streak as they fell to Edina and Grand Rapids last week. Playing in the Lake Conference, things are not going to get any easier for Coach Terwilliger and the Eagles.

No. 21 Centennial (4-2-1)

A 4-2-1 record isn't the most aesthetically pleasing, but context is important when looking at this Cougar squad. Its two losses are to Hermantown and Wayzata, and they do hold wins against Eastview and Mahtomedi. With the toughest part of its schedule over, look for Centennial to climb the ranking slowly but surely.

No. 22 Luverne (6-0)

Luverne reminds me of that 12 seed you don't want to see your favorite team draw in March Madness. The way things are going for the Cardinals, they may head into the postseason with under three losses. For now, though, they hold wins over one-loss New Ulm and Waseca, both by a score of 2-1. Besides those two schools, no team has come within four goals of Luverne. 

No. 23 Eastview (5-3)

Eastview looks like a team that will hang around the top 20 all season long. When the Lightning play the best of the best, they usually play them tough. With Chanhassen, Lakeville South and Holy Family on the schedule for next week, expect three more hard-fought games to be played.

No. 24 Rock Ridge (5-3)

It's been a pleasantly surprising start this season for the Wolverines as they have won six of their first seven games. Rock Ridge was the first and only team to defeat St. Cloud Cathedral so far in the young season. With their only loss to Warroad, the Wolverines earned themselves a spot in the Power 25.

No. 25 Sartell (7-0-1)

Rounding out the list is undefeated Sartell, who picked up a Class 2A win against St. Michael-Albertville on Saturday. With four wins by one goal, the Sabers have found ways to win, which is a good trait to possess, especially come time for the postseason.

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