Graduation and junior hockey defections have made the west metro boys' hockey scene almost as notable for who's not playing as who is. High-profile players such as Shane Gersich of Holy Family, Connor Hurley of Edina and Jack Ramsey of Minnetonka are among the players who have decided to further their hockey careers away from the spotlight of Minnesota high school hockey.
But looking ahead to the 2013-14 season isn't about who is gone. When one player leaves, an opportunity opens for another.
Here's a look at what Minneapolis and its western suburbs have to offer in boys' hockey this winter.
top teams
CLASS 2A
Edina: Familiar names dot the defending Class 2A champion Hornets' roster. Kieffer Bellows, Miguel Fidler and Tyler Nanne all boast Minnesota North Star lineage. High-scoring junior Dylan Malmquist gets plenty of publicity, but Edina, which defeated Wayzata 3-1 on Saturday, is deeper than most believe.
Wayzata: Coach Pat O'Leary has four of his top five scorers back from the Trojans' 2013 state tournament qualifiers. Junior Matthew Freytag and sophomore Maxwell Zimmer are the scoring whizzes and have plenty of senior leadership to depend upon.
Eden Prairie: The Eagles' strength is their experience and their blue-liners, led by senior Luc Snuggerud, who is equally adept at offense and defense, and scoring leader Steve Spinner. Both are Mr. Hockey candidates.
Benilde-St. Margaret's: Senior forward Spencer Naas has scored 77 goals in the past two years but was often outshone by the now-graduated Grant Besse. This season with Naas, defenseman Johnny Austin and transfer Carter Roo, the Red Knights have plenty of offensive firepower.
Minnetonka: The Skippers are young, having lost nearly all of their scoring punch from last year. They welcome Gavin Payne, a high-scoring transfer from Orono, and a host of talented underclassmen ready to impress. Tonka won't fall far.