Bismarck Demons

2008-09: 24-2-0, first in West Region; first at West Region tournament; second at state.

Coach: Mike Peluso, second year, 24-2-0.

Top returnees: Calvin Krueger, sr., F (11-22-33). Carson Winkels, sr., F (10-16-26). Ben Peterson, sr., F (4-11-15). Paul Sorensen, sr., D (2-12-14). Jake Erickson, sr., F (4-4-8). Lawrence Dvorak, jr., G (17-2-0, 1.87 GAA, .889 save pct.).

Notes: The Demons tied a school record for wins last season. ... All-state defenseman Nick Romanick gave up his senior year of eligibility to play with the USHL's Fargo Force. ... The Demons lost three other all-staters - Tyler Richter, Patrick Anderson and Tyler Peterson - to graduation. ... Bismarck has had 16 straight winning seasons. The West Region team with the second-longest streak is Williston with six.

Bottineau Braves

2008-09: 9-14-0, seventh in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: David Hoff, 21st year.

Top returnees: Myles Brooks, sr., F (7-14-21). D.J. Tooke, sr., D (3-9-12). Trenten Metcalfe, sr., F (10-2-12). Dana Hall, sr., F (2-8-10). Seth Serhienko, jr., F (4-3-7).

Notes: Trenten Metcalfe, Myles Brooks and Jackson Bernstein will skate on the top line, with Dalton Cote, Seth Serhinko, and Logan Millican on the second. ... D.J. Tooke and Cody Longie head up the defense. ... Michael Kornkven and Cody Brooks are competing for the goalie position. ... Bottineau's last state tournament appearance came in 1993.

Century Patriots

2008-09: 14-11-1, fourth in West Region; fourth at West Region tournament; 0-2 at state.

Coach: Troy Olson, fifth year, 40-56-6.

Top returnees: Logan Rauhauser, jr., F (19-18-37). Jace Kusler, jr., F (12-25-37). Dan Kovar, jr., D (8-18-26). Matt Andre, sr., F (15-6-21). Garrett Mindt, sr., F (12-8-20). Tanner Megal, jr., D (3-3-6). Aaron Nelson, so., G (11-9-1, 3.40 GAA, .884 save pct.).

Notes: Seth Blair, who was Century's leading scorer as a freshman with 15 goals and 23 assists, is playing AAA hockey in Omaha, Neb. He is leading his team with 13 goals in 24 games. ... Garrett Mindt, Matt Andre and sophomore Zach Holmen will form one top line, while Logan Rauhauser, Jace Kusler and Brady Spooner skate on another. Rauhauser was an all-region pick. ... Dan Kovar, a returning all-stater, heads up the defense. ... Aaron Nelson returns between the pipes.

Dickinson Midgets

2008-09: 6-19-0, ninth in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tourney; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Tom Folske, second year, 6-19-0.

Top returnees: Cole Reisenauer, sr., F (14-9-23). Colby Mink, sr., F (2-6-8). Cole Ohlheiser, jr., F-D (3-3-6).

Notes: Ross Kovacs, who would have been Dickinson's top defenseman, has opted to play for the Russell Stover Stars, a AAA team in Olathe, Kan. ... The Midgets have only 16 players, but the lineup has been bolstered by a couple of exchange students. ... Dickinson has never had a winning season.

Hazen-Beulah North Stars

2008-09: 6-13-2, sixth in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament.

Coach: Mark Schmitt, fourth year, 12-49-3.

Top returnees: Conor Borud, sr. (17-5-22). Kerby Duewel, jr. (6-9-15). Brady Hillerud, jr. (5-6-11). Preston Landenberger, sr., G (6-13-2, 4.48 GAA, .872 save pct.).

Notes: Preston Landenberger returns in net. ... Seven players new to varsity hockey have Hazen-Beulah's numbers at their highest level in several years.

Jamestown Blue Jays

2008-09: 4-16-2, eighth in West Region; did not qualify for West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Matt Stockert, sixth year, 41-71-3.

Top returnees: Devyn Schauer, sr., F (7-5-12). Zach Spitzer, sr., F (6-2-8).

Notes: Jamestown lost its opener to Devils Lake 2-0. ... Devyn Schauer and Zach Spitzer are skating on the first line with sophomore Ben Sorenson. ... Ross Prichert and Alex Looysen lead an otherwise young defense. ... Austin Hoggarth played well in goal against Devils Lake.

Mandan Braves

2008-09: 8-14-1, fifth in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament.

Coach: Dennis Budeau, third year, 24-23-2.

Top returnees: Austin Riopelle, sr., F (16-11-27). Trevor Huck, jr., F (4-8-12). Jon Dobier, jr., F (6-2-8). Brandon Austad, sr., D (3-5-8). Nick Helmers, sr., G (3-6-0, 3.56 GAA, .884 save pct.).

Notes: Mandan has 13 seniors. ... Leading scorer Austin Riopelle is back, skating on a line with Brett Bryan and Geoff Hellman. Coach Dennis Budeau is still mixing and matching after that, but the second line will start with Trevor Huck, Tyler Cadotte and Jon Dobier. ... The Braves have four returnees on defense _ Dwight Mack, Brandon Austad, Mitch Helbling and Steve Serr. ... Nick Helmers, who split time in goal last year, takes over full time.

Minot Magicians

2008-09: 16-11-0, third in West Region; second at West Region tournament; sixth at state.

Coach: Chad Burckhard, fifth year, 60-40-3.

Top returnees: Sam Ebert, so., F (8-14-22). Rand Hammer, sr., F (10-9-19). Cody Pardon, sr., F (7-7-14). Cliff Butler, sr., F (1-9-10). Darren Medler, jr., G (14-11-0, 2.86 GAA, .894 save pct.).

Notes: Minot's two leading scorers from a year ago, Bryce Schmitt and Jaden Martin, both opted to play elsewhere. ... Schmitt, an all-stater who scored 31 goals as a junior last season, is playing with the Bismarck Bobcats. Martin, who had 37 points as a sophomore, is playing AAA hockey in Arizona. ... Rand Hammer, Sam Ebert and Jory Bright will skate on the first line. ... The Magicians have a core of four returning defensemen - Devin Blada, Cliff Butler, Zac Smith, Tyler Loeffler... All-stater Darren Medler is back between the pipes.

Williston Coyotes

2008-09: 18-5-1, second in West Region; third at West Region tournament; 0-2 at state.

Coach: Dustin Bratlien, fifth year, 59-28-7.

Top returnees: Cote Dickerson, sr., F (24-24-48). Jordan Nelson, sr., F (24-24-48). Alex Hanson, sr., D (6-11-17). Chaz Mosby, jr., F (6-8-14). Casey Axtman, jr., D (3-8-11). Colton Brostuen, sr., D (3-8-11). McCade Evanson, sr., G (17-5-1, 2.68 GAA, .892 save pct.).

Notes: McCade Evanson, an all-region performer last year, returns for a third season in goal. ... Jordan Nelson will center Chaz Mosby and Cote Dickerson on one of the West Region's premier lines. Nelson and Dickerson were both all-region and tied for the West's scoring lead. ... Alex Hanson, another all-region selection, heads up the defense along with Casey Axtman.

Coaches' Poll

West Region (first-place votes)

1. Century (6)  62

2T. Bismarck (2)  54

2T. Williston (1)  54

4. Minot  40

5. Mandan  37

6. Bottineau  29

7. Dickinson  19

8. Jamestown  18

9. Hazen  11