1 BEVY OF TOP BLUE LINERS
Attempts to list the top six or even eight defensemen in girls' hockey fall short. Coaches are lauding this group as one of the state's deepest. At least 15 defensemen throughout the state have made college commitments, led by Hill-Murray's Mekenzie Steffen (Wisconsin), Hopkins' Grace Bizal (Boston College) and Eden Prairie's Lauren Boyle (Ohio State).
2 GOALIE LEAVES FOR BOYS' TEAM
Andover goaltender Maddie Rooney will join the Huskies boys' team this winter, returning to her hockey roots.
Rooney, a senior who committed to Minnesota Duluth, said facing bigger, faster and stronger boys' players will better prepare her for college success. She played boys' hockey her entire career until joining the Andover girls' team as a sophomore. A Star Tribune All-Metro third team selection last season, Rooney helped the Huskies make their first Class 2A tournament appearance.
3 FUTURE GOPHERS
Five varsity players, from sophomores to seniors, have made verbal commitments to Minnesota: Forwards Kippin Keller (Minnetonka), Taylor Williamson (Edina) and Grace Zumwinkle (Breck), defensemen Katie Robinson (Dodge County) and goalie Emma May (Cretin-Derham Hall).
4 MINNESOTA MOVES PENALTY NEEDLE
Minnesota's tougher rules to make high school hockey safer are now the national standard. In May, the National Federation of State High School Associations adopted Minnesota's model, which elevated boarding and checking from behind to automatic major (5-minute) penalties. If the hits are flagrant, a misconduct penalty and possible ejection can be called. Minnesota's 2½-season experiment with this penalty structure, launched after a life-changing injury to Jack Jablonski, created a less-reckless game.
5 ACHIEVER ACADEMY OUT
Achiever Academy, the school that withdrew its girls' hockey team from competition on the cusp of reaching the state tournament last spring amid allegations of using ineligible players, has left the Minnesota State High School League. It has a new name — Bauer-Emerson Prep Academy, based in North St. Paul, and plays a Tier I schedule against teams such as Shattuck-St. Mary's.