Here’s a quick “Tradition at the Park Tournament” recap with the list of players we feel NHL teams should be watching as the second half of the Minnesota High School Season gets going
The annual tournament held in St. Louis Park displayed 8 AA teams that were all looking to make a mark at the half way point of the season. The event displayed 4 top 10 ranked AA across the state who all came in with a purpose. There were teams from different Sections that may well face each other in March during the State Tournament. There was no winner to this event as there were pre-determined games all 3 days.
Among the top teams were Rosemount, Andover, Maple Grove and Minnetonka. Not to mention a very talented Benilde-St. Margaret’s team who can beat anyone when playing well. All 4 teams ended up with a 2-1 record over the tournament proving that anyone is beatable amongst the best teams in the state. A young Lakeville South team went 1-2, but showed that they should only get better with experience down the stretch.
Jake Ratzlaff (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Defense
Big strong athletic defender who has National League potential. Who ever drafts Jake will be getting a player who just be starting to train for hockey. Incredibly intriguing prospect.
Jake Ratzlaff (D, R, 6’2″, 197, Rosemount HS, 06/23/2002, Minnesota) – Jake used his size and length to be very disruptive defensively. He separated players from the puck and ended a lot of offensive pushes by opponents. His strength and stick were hard to play against down low and he closed on opposing forwards quickly. He blocked shots and showed leadership in the way he played. Offensively he kept it simple and looked to move the puck up ice. He showed he can shoot it from the blue line with velocity.
Wyatt Kaiser (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Defense
Right now Wyatt is the best high school prospect playing defense in Minnesota. He skates very well and can defend with his feet or physicality.
Wyatt Kaiser (D, L, 5’11”, 171, Andover HS (MN), 07/31/2002, Minnesota Duluth) – Wyatt is amongst the top defenseman in the state if not the best this season. His all-around game was very sound over the weekend while playing a high volume of minutes in every situation. He can skate, make plays, shoot and defend. His game was impressive in that he can dominate more offensively, but he showed pride in defending and took what was given to him offensively. He was a threat on the power play with shooting it as well as passing the puck. His reliability along with talent made it hard for other teams to generate while he was on the ice.
Henry Nelson (3.75 Stat Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — B-) Defense
Eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft. We expect Henry to get bigger and stronger over the next 16 months, but his agility and decision making will keep him in the draft discussion.
Henry Nelson (D, L, 5’11”, 159, Maple Grove HS, 03/25/2003, Notre Dame) – Henry has been known the past couple of years for a great two-way defender with skating ability. He showed this weekend that his offensive game has really taken a step as he made a ton of plays. Much more aggressive with the puck and joining the rush. His skating ability allowed him to get involved and he made opponents pay by creating offensively. He was sharp on the power play and moved the puck very well by snapping it off hard to the open man. Impressive to see him adding to his already strong game.
Nate Schweitzer (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Defense
NHL teams love offensive minded defenseman who can continue to develop physically while in college.
Nate Schweitzer (D, R, 5’11”, 170, Benilde St. Margaret’s, 02/21/2002, Colorado) – Nate was dynamic offensively because of his great skating ability. He got up in the rush and made plays. He moved very well laterally and was able to open up lanes to shoot the puck on the power play or distribute it to his shooters. Although up in the play a lot this weekend he was able to get back with ease because of the pure skating ability. He defended better as he was able to shut down some rushes with his positioning and feet.
Duke Kiffin (3.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — C) Defense
Duke’s continued improvement and hockey IQ will have NHL teams watching as the season progresses.
Duke Kiffin (D, R, 6’0″, 181, Minnetonka HS, 11/15/2002) – Duke was impressive and has taken a large step from last season. His head was always up with the puck surveying the ice and moving the puck around. He made great decisions and was able to draw defenders in and then move the puck to the open player. His sense and poise were very impressive. He took command of the power play and set it up along with finding the right player to get scoring opportunities.
Griffin Ludtke (4 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — C) Defense
Griffin is a year away from being eligible, but he is an elite talent that scouts will keep an eye on.
Griffin Ludtke (D, L, 5’10”, 156, Lakeville South HS, 02/01/2003, Nebraska Omaha) – Quick feet and aggressive in putting the puck to the net. His first couple steps helped him to elude pressure and make a pass up ice. In the offensive zone his quickness allowed him to open up shooting lanes to fire the puck. He was often involved up ice in the offense and looking to make plays. Strong enough to dig in on opponents when he needed to take pucks away
Jack Malinski (3.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Defense
Jack will probably not get drafted, but NHL teams will be wise to keep track of him because of his upward trajectory is very similar to his older bother Sam’s.
Jack Malinski (D, R, 5’10”, 154, Lakeville South HS, 01/01/2002) – Jack was great here last season and has only gotten better. He is the younger brother of Sam Malinski who was a late bloomer playing in the NAHL through his 20-year-old season before having an impact at Cornell. Jack has strong sense and feel for the game. He defended well with his positioning and stick taking away time and space. Also showed he can dig in and separate opponents from the puck. Offensively he was smart and read plays extremely well. He made proper reads and moved the puck up ice. In the offensive zone he moved on the blue line well and opened up lanes to get shots through.
Teddy Lagerback (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Teddy is as strong as a bull and has an excellent motor. He also has an NHL caliber release right now.
Teddy Lagerback (F, R, 5’11”, 182, Minnetonka HS, 08/21/2001, Arizona State) – Much like Hunter Jones, the biggest thing that separates Teddy from other good players is that he is very competitive. He went after loose pucks with conviction and determination. A strong and thick frame made opponents pull up on him on 50-50 pucks. When he has the puck he was different from other players in terms of the ability to score from anywhere. An aggressive mindset and a great release caught goaltenders off guard. His shot it also heavy and accurate. A very difficult player to contain for opponents
Luke Levandowski (4 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Another prospect who won’t be eligible until 2021, but the combination of his speed and elusiveness are something that NHL scouts will be watching.
Luke Levandowski (F, L, 5’11”, 154, Rosemount HS, 09/26/2002, Wisconsin) – Luke at times was electric with his skating ability in the open ice. If he was even with another player, then he was leaving. Very few players around the state can match his top speed through the neutral zone. Along with the speed, he showed above average puck skills as well as the ability to shoot the puck while moving. So dangerous off the rush and hard for defenders to turn and skate with. His skill and speed made him a play waiting to happen at any moment.
Austen Humphrey (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
We saw Austen earlier this year at the NAHL Showcase and came away impressed with his continued development and we feel the same way after watching him here. He has NHL size and is improving. Austen is a player to track for the long run.
Austen Humphrey (F, L, 6’2″, 201, Elk River HS, 01/01/2001) – Skating is improving every season and he keeps growing into his long body. He handled the puck well and made some plays under pressure. Tough to get the puck back from him with his long reach. He held the puck with guys on him and was able to make plays happen with his size. Footwork and puck skills continue to improve
Jackson Bisson (3.5 Star Amateur Rating, 2021 NHL Grade — C) Forward
You love to watch players who are always around the puck and making things happen. Jackson is that kind of kid. His second effort is never up fr debate.
Jackson Bisson (F, R, 5’11”, 165, Benilde St. Margaret’s, 11/03/2002) – Displayed a great mix of energy along with his quick stick while producing in the tourney. He played hard and with pace very consistently. Always seemed to be around the puck and knew what to do with it when he got it. Due to his second efforts he found himself around the net with the puck and was able to make plays with it. His team seemed to feed off his work ethic.
Blake Mesenburg (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Blake is a pro prospect. It’s obvious he is still getting his legs under him
Blake Mesenburg (F, L, 5’11”, 174, Benilde St. Margaret’s, 06/05/2002) – Blake showed his dynamic ability with the puck on occasion. Smooth skating and a great stick offensively. He is coming off a tough upper body injury and didn’t seem quite himself yet. He was held in check but still managed to make some skilled plays and show he was a threat. A player the Red Knights will rely on down the stretch and hopefully he gets fully healthy.
Zachary Michaelis (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
He has a pro mentality while protecting the puck and trying to attack the net. He is another long term prospect.
Zachary Michaelis (F, L, 6’0″, 207, Elk River HS, 05/30/2002, Nebraska Omaha) – He was held off the score sheet while his team got shutout in each game, but his talent level was obvious. Such a strong and powerful skater through the neutral zone as he attacked off the rush. In space with time to shoot was dangerous with a heavy shot. Hard to get off the puck with his strong base. He played a bit too much one on one, but it seemed to be in good faith trying to make a play for his team who needed offense.
Zach Oelrich (3.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
Zach is a shooter and has the ability to bury it.
Zach Oelrich (F, R, 5’11”, 181, Lakeville South HS, 03/16/2002) – Zach showed his ability to find the back of the net with 4 goals on the tournament which included a hat trick against Elk River. He shot first and asked questions later when touching the puck in the offensive zone. The puck jumped off his stick and was accurate. He found dead spots in the offensive zone and got himself in position to shoot the puck quickly. His two-way game was strong as he played with energy.
Cooper Gay (3.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
6’4 and getting better every viewing. Cooper is a player NHL teams will keep an eye on.
Cooper Gay (F, L, 6’4″, 201, Benilde St. Margaret’s, 03/15/2002) – The big power forward was at it again while using his size and reach to his advantage. Again this weekend he got around the ice well and simplified the game. He used his smooth feet and hands to find ways to get to the net and create trouble. Very hard to handle coming down the wing with his size and strength.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images