Nov 28, 2008 - 04:05:25 CST
Bismarck Demons2007-08: 24-3-0, first in West Region; first at West Region tournament; fourth at state.
Coach: Mike Peluso, first year.
Coaches' poll: 62 points, first place (coaches do not vote for own team).
Top returnees: Jared Hochhalter, sr., F (15-16-31). Tyler Richter, sr., F (13-15-28). Patrick Anderson, sr., F (15-8-23). Nick Romanick, jr., D (7-11-18). Carson Winkels, jr., F (4-11-15). Tyler Peterson, sr., D (5-8-13). Calvin Krueger, jr., F (6-6-12).
Notes: The Demons set a school record for wins last season, but lost all-staters Andrew Seeberg, Sean Sullivan and Jared LaBere to graduation. ... Nick Romanick was an all-region pick last season. ... He heads up a defense that includes veterans Tyler Peterson and Ben Peterson, plus foreign exchange student Adam Peterson. ... Coach Mike Peluso said he will keep lines flexible, but starting out on the first line will be Jared Hochhalter, Tyler Richter and Patrick Anderson. ... The goaltending spots is up for grabs. ... Bismarck has had 15 straight winning seasons. The West Region team with the second-longest streak is Williston with five.
Bottineau Braves
2007-08: 8-16-0, eighth in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.
Coach: David Hoff, 20th year.
Coaches' poll: 14 points, eighth place.
Top returnees: Trenten Metcalfe, jr., F (12-9-21). Myles Brooks, jr., F (6-15-21). Tom Kornkven, sr., F (9-6-15). Collin Thompson, sr., F (4-6-10). Darwin Getzlaff, sr., G (8-16-0, 4.38 GAA, .872 save pct.)
Notes: This is the most experienced - and largest _ Braves team in years. ... Offensively, Bottineau returns its top two lines. Myles Brooks will center Trenton Metcalfe and Jackson Bernstein. Collin Thompson will be flanked by Dana Hall and Tom Kornkven. ... Four defensemen also are back, led by seniors Jordan Kippen and Luke Artz. ... Darwin Geztlaff is a third-year starter in goal. ... The Braves opened their season with a 5-0 win over Boissevain. ... Bottineau's last state tournament appearance came in 1993.
Century Patriots
2007-08: 11-13-2, fifth in West Region; fourth at West Region tournament; 0-2 at state.
Coach: Troy Olson, fourth year, 26-45-5.
Coaches' poll: 40 points, fourth place.
Top returnees: Dan Kovar, so., F (15-10-25). Jace Kusler, so., F (13-10-23). Logan Rauhauser, so., F (6-5-11). Richy Weisz, sr., F (0-7-7). Matt Menge, sr., F (4-3-7). Dan Rothberg, so., D (0-7-7). Mike Knutson, sr., D (1-6-7).
Notes: Century is still a young team one that coach Troy Olson says is still in "a getting-to-know-you phase," but last year's huge freshman class gained plenty of experience. Included in that group are Century's two leading returning scorers, Dan Kovar and Jace Kusler. ... Brandon Megal returns after getting experience playing in Omaha. ... Richy Weisz and Dan Rothberg, with Shane Vettel providing a physical presence. ... Three young players, Andrew Prokopyk, Aaron Nelson and Jared Hruby, are vying to replace the graduated Cam Knutson in net.
Dickinson Midgets
2007-08: 10-12-2, seventh in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.
Coach: Tom Folske, first year.
Coaches' poll: 27 points, seventh place.
Top returnees: Cole Frenzel, sr., F (14-14-28). Cole Reisenauer, jr., F (8-13-21). Ross Kovacs, jr., D (4-14-18). Blake Reis, sr., F (11-7-18). John O'Brien, sr., F (8-3-11).
Notes: Cole Frenzel heads up a group of six seniors motivated by barely missing the state tournament last year, falling to Century in a triple-overtime state qualifier. ... Tom Folske, who has been an assistant coach the past three years, steps into the head coaching role. ... Joel Otto takes over for former all-stater Grant Kovacs, who graduated. ... Dickinson has never had a winning season.
Hazen-Beulah North Stars
2007-08: 3-15-1, ninth in West Region; did not qualify for West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.
Coach: Mark Schmitt, third year, 6-36-1.
Coaches' poll: 10 points, ninth place.
Top returnees: Conor Borud, jr. F, (9-10-19). Riley Olson, sr., F (13-6-19). Brady Hillerud, so., (6-9-15). Cameron Dietz, sr., D (3-7-10). Preston Landenberger, jr., G (1-2-0, 5.25 GAA, .850 save pct.).
Notes: The North Stars have just 14 players on their roster. ... H-B has a handful of veterans, starting up front with Riley Olson, Cameron Dietz and Conor Borud, who will be split among the top two lines. ... Brady Hillerud heads up the defense. ... Preston Landenberger, last year's backup takes over in goal.
Jamestown Blue Jays
2007-08: 8-15-0, sixth in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.
Coach: Matt Stockert, fifh year, 37-55-1.
Coaches' poll: 31 points, sixth place.
Top returnees: Erick Paiement, sr., F (27-17-44). Kyle Walden, sr., D (1-20-21). Zach Spitzer, jr., F (4-4-8). Tyler Lindberg, sr., G (8-15-0, 3.13 GAA, .904 save pct.).
Notes: The Blue Jays have a big scoring threat in all-state forward Erick Paiement. Paiement, who finished fourth in the state and first in the West in goals last season, scored four times in Jamestown's season-opening win over Devils Lake. ... Tyler Lindberg is back for a second season in goal. ... The Blue Jays' numbers are also down, with just 24 players to man the varsity and JV programs.
Mandan Braves
2007-08: 16-9-1, second in West Region; third at West Region tournament; 0-2 at state.
Coach: Dennis Budeau, second year, 16-9-1.
Coaches' poll: 38 points, fifth place.
Top returnees: Austin Riopelle, jr., F (15-16-31). David Dobier, sr., F (10-10-20). Sam Salveson, sr., D (4-6-10). Jordan Bullinger, sr., F (3-6_9). Kyle Roberts, jr., F (5-4-9). Casey Mischel, sr., F (3-5-8).
Notes: Mandan set a school record for wins last year and qualified for state for the first time since 2001. ... Austin Riopelle was the highest-scoring sophomore in the state last year. He will play on the top line with Casey Mischel and David Dobier. ... Jordan Bullinger, John Dobier and Branden Boff will skate on the second line with Trevor Huck, Kyle Roberts and Shelby Skytland on the third line. ... Mandan will also be experienced on the blue line, with Tyler Ruff, Brandon Austad and Sam Salveson among the returnees. ... The Braves lost all-staters Caleb Haugen and Ethan Kline to graduation. ... Looking to replace Kline in goal are Nick Helmers and Alex Lewis, though Helmers may miss the start of the season due to strep throat.
Minot Magicians
2007-08: 9-13-2, fourth in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.
Coach: Chad Burckhard, fourth year, 44-29-3.
Coaches poll: 45 points, third place.
Top returnees: Bryce Schmitt, jr., F (19-8-27). Brett Fiddler, sr., F (4-9-13). Rand Hammer, jr., F (5-5-10). Ben Stremick, sr., F (4-4-8).
Notes: The Magicians will be young, but coach Chad Burckhard said the attitude is good. ... Minot's strength is its defense with four returnees - Kyle Stephens, Kellen Tollefson, Derek Blasing and Devin Blada. Tyler Loeffler, a transfer from Edmonton, also joins the blueline. ... Leading scorer Bryce Schmidt, an all-stater, is also back. He will be on a line with Rand Hammer and Jadin Martin. ... Darren Medler will get the early nod in goal. ... Minot is coming off its first losing season since 2000-01 and missed the state tournament for just the second time since 1982.
Williston Coyotes
2007-08: 14-8-3, third in West Region; second at West Region tournament; sixth at state.
Coach: Dustin Bratlien, fourth year, 41-23-6.
Coaches' poll: 57 points, second place.
Top returnees: Jordan Nelson, jr., F (18-10-28). Jake Axtman, sr., F (14-7-21). Cote Dickerson, jr., F (12-7-19). Casey Gardner, sr., D (4-5-9). Alex Hanson, jr., D (2-6-8). McCade Evanson, jr., G (12-8-3, 2.81 GAA, .887 save pct.).
Notes: Williston picked up its first state tournament victory ever last season. ... The Coyotes have their two leading scorers back in Jordan Nelson and Jake Axtman, plus Williston is one of only three West Region teams to have its starting goalie (McCade Evanson) returning. ... Axtman, Sheldon Kihle, and Casey Gardner - up from defense - will form one line. Nelson, an all-region pick, will skate with Cote Dickerson and Chaz Mosby on another. Coach Dustin Bratlien said developing a strong third line is a priority. ... The Coyotes will have to replace all-stater Colby Rehak on defense. Alex Hanson will play on the blue line, along with Colton Brostuen and Casey Axtman, who moves back from forward.
- By Lou Babiarz
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.