Sports

Boys' hockey preview: Star Tribune preseason metro dream team

Meet six players at the head of the class as the 2015-16 season begins in earnest.

November 23, 2015 at 8:26PM

PRESEASON METRO-AREA DREAM TEAM

Michael Graham, sr., F, Eden Prairie

Dynamic player capable of taking over games. Two-way player who keyed Eden Prairie's state tournament run. Scored 26 goals. Committed to Notre Dame.

Casey Mittelstadt, jr., F, Eden Prairie

Silky-smooth hands helped produce 26 goals and 26 assists as a sophomore making varsity debut. Mature beyond his years. Tallied 41 points to lead the Elite League this fall. Committed to Minnesota.

Riley Tufte, sr., F, Blaine

Tremendous size (6-5, 210 pounds) and skill. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Scored 29 goals and added 34 assists to spur Bengals to the state tournament for the first time in four years.

Jason Smallidge, sr., D, St. Thomas Academy

Next in a solid lineage of top-end Cadets' defensemen. Rushes the puck with aplomb. Should surpass solid junior season totals of five goals and 16 assists.

Casey Staum, sr., D, Hill-Murray

Sees the ice well, makes a smart first pass to get his team moving. Agile, fast skater not afraid to mix things up. Committed to Nebraska-Omaha.

Josh Benson, sr., G, Stillwater

Strong goalkeeper won 15 games last winter, stopping 90 percent of shots faced. Key component of Stillwater's improved defensive corps. As a sophomore he anchored the Ponies' first state tournament trip.

DAVID LA VAQUE