The Best Boys Hockey Players at State

I saw part or all of every game in the State Tournament except for the first Boys Quarterfinal on Thursday between USM and Eau Claire North (which of course was the game I wanted to see the most!). I understand Derrick LaPoint played 49 1/2 of the 51 minutes of the game from people I've talked to. Sure he's a guy who's going to play in the WCHA for North Dakota in a year, but don't you think he needs a rest once in a while? It will be interesting to see if he can add some weight to his frame, and how things work out for him with the Sioux.

In the other games, players that were fun to watch included a trio from Stevens Point: Scott Pavelski, Travis Erstad and Brandon Busse. Erstad is a big (6'4") Junior forward that skates very well and can handle the puck. I think he could play D1 hockey after his Senior year and a year or two of Junior Hockey. Scott Pavelski is the brother of the Badger's leading scorer, Joe Pavelski. Like his brother, Scott doesn't blow you away with his size, skating or stickhandling, but he finds a way to score. Scott is a Junior and following his career will be interesting. Maybe he can make a Junior team and follow the path of his brother. Brandon Busse is a Senior D that really handles the puck well and has some wheels. He regularly took the puck coast to coast and got things set up offensively for Point.

Senior Cole Holmes of University School was very impressive, and there really hasn't been much talk about his future plans. I have heard that Boston College was interested, but he obviously needs some time in Juniors to show he is durable enough for that level. Andy Kuechler, the Senior from Fond du Lac is also quite a player who would like to play Juniors. The USHL draft and potential tenders from NAHL teams are probably possibilities for both of these guys. Finally, Sean Little from Fond du Lac is quite a player, and only a Freshman. He played on Fondy's first line, and has a brother, Ryan, who is a Senior in High School but left the Cardinals to play with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. Sean has a high ceiling and it will be fun to watch his growth over the next 3 years.