Five girls' hockey story lines

1 STILLWATER COMES TO MIND

Stillwater still runs deep. Graduation claimed only four seniors from the 2008 Class 2A champion Ponies, and several veterans and budding stars return. Amanda Cartony, Caitlin Hewes, Kristina King, Cassandra Salmen, Marah Sobczak and Lisa Tuuri have contributed to two state championship teams. Talented young forwards Allison Eder-Zdechlik and Jenessa Philipczyk will play larger roles this season.

2 A SECTION BATTLE LOOMS

If the Ponies hope to repeat as champions, they must first survive Section 4, the state's toughest field. Four teams ranked in the Let's Play Hockey preseason top 10 will battle for the right to advance: Stillwater (1), Roseville (2), Hill-Murray (8) and White Bear Lake (10). "I love the competition, but it's unfortunate that just one of those teams will get through," Hill-Murray coach Bill Schafhauser said.

3 BATTLE BETWEEN THE B'S

In Class 1A, private schools Blake and Breck are likely to collide in the Section 5 final once again. Blake beat Breck last season en route to winning the small-school championship, the Bears' third since 2003. Breck defeated Blake in the 2008 section final and finished second at state.

4 COMING AROUND

Laura Slominski's hockey circle was completed last season as she took Edina to the state tournament -- a first for the program and her first since playing for Burnsville in 1996. "I'm excited for the parity in girls' hockey," she said. "The top-10 teams, more often than not, are three-line teams. It's not just about having one good line anymore."

5 PLANTING THE SEEDS

Seeding debuted in the state tournament last season. Four teams in each class received a seed, and their quarterfinal opponent was selected by blind draw. "It was a good first step, but I'd like to see us seed all eight teams," Hopkins coach Vin Paolucci said. "It gives you the best opportunity for the best teams to move on."

DAVID LA VAQUE

20 PLAYERS TO WATCH

(All seniors unless noted)

• Rose Alleva, D, Red Wing

• Kallie Billadeau, G, Hopkins

• Rachael Bona, jr., F, Coon Rapids

• Hannah Brandt, so., F, Hill-Murray

• Bethany Brausen, F, Roseville

• Corrine Buie, F, Edina

• Kayla Capistrant, F, Roseville

• Cara Johnson, F, Hopkins

• Kristina King, F, Stillwater

• Taylor Kuehl, jr., F, Mound-Westonka

• Christina LaCombe, D, Eden Prairie

• Sam LaShomb, so., D, South St. Paul

• Meghan Lorence, jr., F, Irondale

• Gina McDonald, F, Irondale

• Milica McMillen, so., D, Breck

• Maggie Pendleton, D, Hill-Murray

• Rachel Ramsey, jr., D, Minnetonka

• Sami Reber, jr., F, Edina

• Jocie Slattery, F, Centennial

• Marah Sobczak, G, Stillwater

PRESEASON METRO TOP 10

1. Stillwater

2. Roseville

3. Hopkins

4. Edina

5. Minnetonka

6. Blake

7. Breck

8. Irondale

9. Centennial

10. Hill-Murray