Dec. 7: Moorhead's Dave Morinville
Dec. 13: Grand Rapids' Bruce LaRoque
Dec. 19: Buffalo's Mike MacMillan
Dec. 19: Moorhead's Quinn Buckellew
Dec. 27: Virginia/MIB's Keith Hendrickson (Dec. 27)
Dec. 29: White Bear Lake's Sam Swanson (Dec. 29)
Dec. 29: Minnetonka's Brian Urick
Dec. 29: Hill-Murray's Bill Lechner
Dec. 29: Centennial's Erik Aus
Dec. 29: Holy Angels' Danny Mattson
Dec. 29: Edina's Curt Giles
Jan. 10: Red Wing's George Nemanich
Jan. 10: Fergus Falls' Mike Donaghue
Jan. 17: Little Falls' Tony Couture
Jan. 17: Little Falls' Wesley Waytashek
Jan. 17: Little Falls' Izaak Berglund
Jan. 22: Detroit Lakes' Chris Denardo
Jan. 24: Moorhead's Dave Morinville
Jan. 27: Roseau's Scott Oliver
Jan. 31: Alexandria's Scott Woods
Jan. 31: Sartell's Ryan Hacker
Jan. 31: Cathedral's Erik Johnson
Jan. 31: Cathedral's Joe Nessler
Jan. 31: Cathedral's Alex Koopmeiners
Feb. 28: Duluth East's Max Tardy
Feb. 28: Duluth East's Mike Randolph
Feb. 28: Elk River's Tony Sarsland
Feb. 28: Hermantown's Bruce Plante

Click on the play button at the far left of the video to start.

Tartan at Mahtomedi (Feb. 9)

Our hockey content has now been moved to the MN Hockey Hub. Please visit our page at http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/page/show/145188-the-breakdown

Our second hockey edition is now out!

"The Breakdown has quickly established itself as the leader in offering the high school sports fan the most comprehensive preview information for their chosen sport. Minnesota's high school hockey coaches are thrilled to become a part of Breakdown's family of publications."

-- Ken Pauly, Promotions Director,
Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association

For ordering information, please visit our order page.

The complete guide to the State Tournament!

By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor and Pete Waggoner, MNHockeyHub.com
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 03-09-2009)

Class AA tournament guide

The complete guide to the Class AA tournament is now here!  Please click on each link to download the team preview (PDF format), or click here to download the entire 24-page preview guide (please note, it may take a minute to download the entire guide).

Welcome message

Class AA bracket

Rochester Century
Edina
Cretin-Derham Hall
Hill-Murray
Blaine
Eden Prairie
Duluth East
Moorhead

Class A tournament guide

The complete guide to the Class A tournament is now here!  Please click on each link to download the team preview (PDF format), or click here to download the entire 24-page preview guide (please note, it may take a minute to download the entire guide).

Welcome message

Class A bracket

Rochester Lourdes
Breck
Hutchinson
Mahtomedi
St. Cloud Cathedral
Little Falls
Virginia/MIB
Warroad

Your complete guide to the Class AA sections
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-23-2009)
The Breakdown previews all eight Class AA section tournaments, giving you the top seeds, top scorers, top goalies and a look at how it all might shake down.

Your complete guide to the Class A sections
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-23-2009)
The Breakdown previews all eight Class A section tournaments, giving you the top seeds, top scorers, top goalies and a look at how it all might shake down.

Class A rankings: Flyers complete unbeaten regular season
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-23-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

Class AA rankings: Three Section 2AA teams in top-5
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-23-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class AA...

Class AA rankings: Tartan breaks through
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-15-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class AA...

Class A rankings: Red Wing climbs, Hermantown falls
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-15-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

The Week Ahead: Feb. 16-22
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-15-09)
Call it winner take all in the final week battle between Iron Range Conference and Section 7A heavies Hibbing/Chisholm and Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl. 

Mr. Hockey finalists announced, O'Connor is top goalie
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-12-09)
Last night, the 10 finalists for the 2009 Minnesota Mr. Hockey award were announced, as well as honoring Bloomington Jefferson's Casey O'Connor as the top senior goaltender in the state. Following is a short breakdown on each player, including a preseason comment from each player's coach as given to The Breakdown for our annual hockey preview book.

Photo gallery: Mahtomedi and Tartan square off
By Ben Stewart
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-09-09)
For more of Ben's photos, please see his site at http://bdstewart.smugmug.com

Class A rankings: Hanowski sets record, Flyers keep winning
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-09-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

The Week Ahead: Feb. 9-15
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-08-09)
Some may not agree, but at this point in the season, these two teams are playing like the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state.  Tuesday night at Eden Prairie, the Lake Conference’s behemoths collide in a game that could either solidify Jefferson’s hold on No. 1 – or shake up Class AA even more than has already happened in the last two weeks.

Class AA rankings: Jefferson hangs onto No. 1
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-02-2009)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class AA...

Class A rankings: the North is rising
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 02-02-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

Photo/video gallery: Detroit Lakes at Sartell
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
The Breakdown was at the Detroit Lakes at Sartell-St. Stephen hockey game Saturday afternoon. After trailing 3-0, the Sabres rallied for six unanswered goals against Detroit Lakes, including five in the third period alone. Coach Ryan Hacker wasn't pleased with his team's slow start, but he began to see his true team in the final 17 minutes.

Photo/video gallery: Holy Family at SC Cathedral
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-02-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Holy Family at St. Cloud Cathedral hockey game Saturday afternoon at the MAC in St. Cloud. The Crusaders overcame a slow start to beat the visiting Fire, 7-1. Kyle Kudak netted a hat trick in the game, while Sam Lommel had a goal and two assists.

Photo/video gallery: Bemidji at Alexandria
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-02-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Bemidji at Alexandria hockey game Saturday night in Alex. The host Cardinals captured a hard-fought 2-1 victory on a third period goal that broke a 1-all tie.

The Week Ahead: Feb. 2-8
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-02-09)
It’s rematch time for the two defending state champions from Hill-Murray (Class AA) and St. Thomas Academy (Class A).  There are no playoff implications in this game, obviously, but bragging rights in the Classic Suburban Conference are enough. 

Photo gallery: Totino upends Irondale
By Ben Stewart
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 2-02-2009)
For more of Ben's photos, please see his site at http://bdstewart.smugmug.com

Chambers brings thunder to Lightning
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-27-2009)
It may be cliché to call a former athlete a warrior, but the description fits second-year Northern Lakes coach Shawn Chambers perfectly. Despite more than 20 surgeries on his knees during a 13-year NHL career, Chambers endured long enough to win two Stanley Cups as a hard-nosed, tough defenseman.

Photo/video gallery: Roseau at Moorhead
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-27-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Roseau at Moorhead game Tuesday night, along with a big crowd of fans and the boys from MyFoxHockey (check out their site for video of the game, including a special second period guest). The Spuds continued their resurgence off an eight-game losing streak, winning their third straight overtime game, this time a 4-3 thriller over the Rams.

Photo/video gallery: Warroad at Moorhead
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-26-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Warroad at Moorhead game last Saturday night in Spuds' country, an important 5-4 overtime victory for the Spuds, helped by Alex Altenbernd's natural hat trick and some spectacular glove saves from goaltender Michael Bitzer.

Photo/video gallery: Northern Lakes at Detroit Lakes
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-26-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Northern Lakes at Detroit Lakes game last Thursday and will have a full feature story soon on the Lightning program. Northern Lakes continued to push its record further into impressive territory with a 6-3 defeat of the Lakers on their home ice.

Class AA rankings: Jefferson nabs the top spot
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-26-2009)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class AA...

Class A rankings: Little Falls emerges unscathed
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-26-09)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

The Week Ahead: Jan. 26-Feb. 1
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-25-09)
Until stumbling badly this week, Mahtomedi has been consistently ranked above the Packers all season long, despite losing a 5-2 game at South St. Paul on Dec. 18.  That hasn’t sat well with Packer fans, who are sure to get fired up for the rematch between these Section 4A rivals this Saturday.

Q and A with Apple Valley's Chris Fischer
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-25-09)
After winning just eight games last season, the Apple Valley Eagles have surprised more than a few observers with a team that appears ready to soar past that number and beyond.

Flyin' high in Little Falls
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-21-2009)
Despite leading a team that scores nearly seven goals a game, Little Falls coach Tony Couture has a frightening thought for future opponents of the Flyers.

Class AA rankings: Hornets or Jaguars?
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-20-2009)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class AA...

Photo gallery: Blaine bounces Maple Grove
By Ben Stewart
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-19-2009)
For more of Ben's photos, please see his site at http://bdstewart.smugmug.com

Wayzata runs winning streak to 10
By David Walsh
Special for The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-19-09)
The Wayzata boys varsity hockey team extended its winning streak to 10 games Saturday with a 10-0 victory over Shakopee at Plymouth Ice Center.  The Trojans (11-3-1) have out scored their opponents 48-12 in the past 10 games.  Four of the past five wins were shutouts.

Class A rankings: South St. Paul, Hibbing and Hutch join in
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-19-2009)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

Photo/video gallery: Little Falls at Fergus Falls
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-19-2009)
The Breakdown was at the Little Falls at Fergus Falls hockey game Saturday night in snowy Fergus Falls to see the top-ranked Flyers face their longtime rivals. The Otters came out flying, opening up a 2-0 lead late in the first period before the Flyers woke up.

The Week Ahead: Jan. 19-25
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-19-09)
It might be tough to tab a rematch of an earlier game as the game of the week, but this tilt between No. 1 Edina and surging Wayzata gets the nod.

Q and A with Moorhead's Jason Strand
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-16-09)
The Moorhead Spuds began the season with a great 5-0-1 streak, surging up in the Class AA rankings in the process. The high point was a 5-0 victory at Section 8AA rival Roseau, in which the Spuds completely stymied the Rams' offense throughout.

Class AA rankings: Edina stays at No. 1, but Jefferson's hot on its heels
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-13-2009)
After a long break since winning the Schwan Cup Gold Division in impressive fashion, the Hornets came back with a 9-0 rout over Cloquet/Esko/Carlton.

Q and A with Winona's Devon Grossell
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-12-09)
When Winona leading scorer Joey Nadeau graduated this spring, opponents of the Winhawks likely breathed a sigh of relief.  They figured they no longer had to contend with Winona’s all-time leading scorer.  Not so fast. 

The Week Ahead: Jan. 12-18
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-12-09)
I’m not sure there’s a better high school rivalry in any sport, anywhere in the country than the annual Roseau-Warroad clash.

Class A rankings: Little Falls stays at No. 1
by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1-11-2009)
The Breakdown takes its weekly look at the top 15 teams in Class A...

Photo/video gallery: Red Wing at Fergus Falls
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1/10/2009)
Red Wing continued to rise up with a 4-2 victory at Fergus Falls Saturday afternoon. The Wingers pushed their record to 8-4-0 with three victories last week. Next up is a tough stretch of section games, including Albert Lea and New Prague.

Wayzata wins Schwan Cup Silver
By David Walsh
Special for The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-07-09)
The Wayzata High School boys varsity hockey team defeated two top-10 ranked teams on its way to winning the silver division of the annual Schwan Cup holiday tournament last week.

The Week Ahead: Jan. 5-11
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 01-04-09)
It’s difficult to say that these two defending state champions need this victory to rebound after a tough holiday break, but that might just be the position they both find themselves in. Add in bragging rights in the Suburban East Conference and it should be a great game over at Aldrich Arena this Thursday night.

Photo/video gallery: Schwan Cup Gold
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 1/02/2009)
Upsets were the order of the day in the four quarterfinal games at the Schwan Cup Gold Division at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. It all started with White Bear Lake's 6-5 thriller over previously unbeaten Centennial and continued with a 3-1 Minnetonka victory over No. 1 Hill-Murray. The Breakdown talked to players and coaches after each of the games to get their take on the proceedings.

Photo/video gallery: Virginia romps in Eveleth, 9-0
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/27/2008)
The Breakdown was at the Virginia/MIB at Eveleth-Gilbert/ME hockey game Saturday night to catch a bit of old time Range hockey on a misty late-December evening. The Blue Devils dominated play in winning, 9-0, getting scoring up and down the lineup.

The Week Ahead: Dec. 29-Jan. 4
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-27-08)
It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t decide, as that I didn’t want to decide on a top game from this “state tournament.” Each and every one of the Schwan Cup Gold match-ups holds interest – and as a bonus to hockey fans statewide, each will be broadcast live on FSN North (And don’t forget to check out the MyFoxHockey webcasts from the Silver Division games over at Aldrich Arena, either). 

The Week Ahead: Dec. 22-28
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-22-08)
Aldrich Arena will be hopping Tuesday night for arguably the greatest rivalry between two Twin Cities programs – call it an early Christmas present for hockey fans.

Photo/video gallery: Buffalo stumbles in Moorhead, 8-0
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/19/2008)

Top defenses: Greyhounds can really shut 'em down
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-18-08)
Tuesday, I looked at the best forward lines in the state, asking what's the best way to beat your opponent? Why, to score more goals, of course. But that isn't the full story. The other way to is to not allow your opponent to score. Just as many of the top teams in the state have great forward lines, they also have outstanding defensive corps. But no one stood out more than the Duluth East blueliners.

Top offenses: Pioneers lead the top lines in the state
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-16-08)
What's the best way to beat your opponent? Why, to score more goals, of course. And there's no better way to do so than to have a high-powered, high-scoring line that can notch a goal on any given shift every night. Many of the top teams in the state have such a line (or even two) and most are represented on our list of the top lines in the state.

The Week Ahead: Dec. 15-21
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-15-08)
A great early-season showdown between the two elite teams in Section 8AA should give a good indication of which team will be the favorite coming out of the northwest this winter.

Photo/video gallery: Stormy night, Rapids falls in Moorhead, 5-2
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/13/2008)

Photo/video gallery: Moorhead romps over Bemidji, 7-1
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/11/2008)

The Week Ahead: Dec. 8-14
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-08-08)
The early-season Class A rankings should really sort themselves out this week, as there are a handful of great games featuring top-10 ranked teams. 

Photo gallery: Moorhead rolls past White Bear Lake, 6-3
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/07/2008)

Jefferson's Herbert headed to UMD
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-05-08)
Earlier this week, Bloomington Jefferson junior forward Caleb Herbert made an oral commitment to the University of Minnesota-Duluth to play for the Bulldogs.

Play it again, Sam
By Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12-04-08)
The originals were so good, they just had to call for a sequel. After meeting in the state boys’ hockey championship games last year, the quartet of Hill-Murray, Edina, Duluth Marshall and St. Thomas Academy get together this Saturday, Dec. 6 to see if they can outdo their first performance. Odds are the games will be more Godfather II than Rocky V.

Trotting out a new season (with photos)
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/01/2008)
PLYMOUTH – If the crowds waiting for the start of Wayzata’s sixth annual Turkey Trot tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend were any indication, Minnesota was ready for its boys’ hockey to begin.

Photo gallery: Breck downs Hilltoppers, 5-1, in opener
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/01/2008)

Photo gallery: Jefferson takes care of Burnsville, 4-2
By Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 12/01/2008)