Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament 2021: preview, schedule, live stream, top players to watch

While things are a bit different these days in sports, one thing remains consistent – Minnesota’s annual boys’ hockey state tournament. This year the 16-team, single-elimination program – which produces two state champions – will begin on Tuesday at Hockey State.

Over the course of five days (four days of the game), the tournament grounds are down to the Class A and Class AA champions. While the 2020 Class A champion Mahatomi is not back, the 2020 Class AA champion is Hill-Murray. Aiden Prairie, who is looking for his first state title since 2011 for Hill-Murray (and who also lost in 2019’s Editina) in last year’s championship game.

What we can expect from this year’s show is still to be determined with COVID-19 effective teams, but one thing is certain – the flow should be as epic as ever. The Minnesota State Tournament is well known for its “Mineoflota” and it has emerged in the early 1990s as a hairstyle that surfaced during pregame introductions.

Here is all you need to know about the 2021 tournament.

NHL MOCK DRAFT 2021 v1.0: Saber cracks Owen Powers at No. 1, Kraken takes Luke Hughes with first pick

What is Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament?

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) is made up of about 200 schools from more than 20 conferences across the state, but only 16 teams participate in the state tournament. Conferences are divided into two classes – Class A and Class AA – and inter-class drama, common in Varsity Hockey.

At the completion of the regular season, the schools are divided into three classes, their respective classes for single-elimination playoffs, called “sectional”, eight sections per class. The winning schools of each section – eight appi for Class A and AA – are then relaunched for the right to play for the state championship to be held this week.

Where is the Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament 2021?

The tournament once again at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Min. Will, which is home to the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. Akhara has hosted the event since 2000.

When will the 2021 Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament take place?

This year, the tournament runs from March 30 to Saturday, April 3, with championship games for Class A and Class AA on the final day.

Play begins with the Class A quarter-finals, Tuesday at 11 a.m. CT. The Class AA quarterfinal will be held on Wednesday, beginning at 11 am CT. Friday will feature semi-finals for both classes, one slot for two opening games in Class A and one for two night games in Class AA. The Class A championship game will take place Saturday at 6 pm CT, followed by the Class AA title game at 8 pm CT.

NHL DRAFT 2021: Top 32 Towing Ranking | 10 options for the total number 1

On which channel is the Minnesota boys hockey state tournament aired?

• TV Channel (Minnesota): 45TV
• live stream: Prep45.com

Will fans be allowed into the 2021 Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, the general public and season-ticket holders will not be allowed to participate in the Games in 2021. Schools will receive a limited number of tickets and everyone in attendance will undergo screening at the venue. Once inside, all spectators are required to wear masks and maintain social distance.

Which schools are playing in the Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament of 2021?

There are 16 schools participating, with eight from each class. The winners of each class will be crowned the state champions.

How has COVID-19 influenced the 2021 Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament?

Class A No. 1 Seed Hermantown will suit the members of its Junior Variety Squad this week. The school was informed that many of its players should be in quarantine after being deemed as close contacts following their semifinal game against Virginia last Tuesday. Leader Zam Plante, who missed the game due to injury, is expected to play in the quarter-final matchup of the team.

On March 29, Hill-Murray, the No. 2 seed in Class AA, announced that it also had varsity players potentially exposed to the virus by an opponent.

2021 full schedule for Minnesota boys hockey state tournament

All Times Eastern / Central

Draft-eligible and drafted players in the 2021 Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament

Cade Ahrenholz, C, Lakeville South (Colorado College)

The Lakeville South captain has been ranked “C” by the NHL’s Central Scouting for the 2021 draft. This season, he skated the school’s top line, scoring 19 goals and 16 assists in 20 games.

Carter Bathshard, F, Eden Prairie (Colorado College)

One of eight Mr. Hockey finals in the tournament (the award is given to the state’s most outstanding senior high school boys player), battered skates on the top line of the Eden Prairie and games played as more than twice as many points (52) ( 21)) in 2020-21. He also played in four NAHL games with New Mexico. He is a member of the Eden Prairie leadership group.

Jackson Hallum, F, St. Thomas Academy (Michigan)

Drafted in the third round (91st overall) by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020, the Cadets captain left for the University of Michigan in the fall. Mr. Hockey finalist comes with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 20 matches this season. He scored eight points in nine matches with the Green Bay gamblers of the USHL.

NHL DRAFT PICKS 2020: Complete List of Rounds 1-7 Selection

Kyle Kukkonen, F, Maple Grove (Michigan Tech)

Another Mr. Hockey finalist, Kukkenenen has 72 points in 21 games (30 goals, 42 assists) and enters the tournament with 3.43 points per game in Minnesota State’s high school hockey. Kukkonen is rated a “C” prospect by NHL Central Scouting.

Mason Langbrenner, D, Eden Prior (Harvard)

A key member of Eden Prairie’s defense with Mittelstadt, Langenbrunner was selected in the fifth round (151st overall) in last October’s NHL Draft by the Boston Brins. He has 29 points in 21 games in high school sports. He skated four matches with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL.

Luke Mittelstaat, D, Eden Prairie (Minnesota)

Mittalstadt, younger brother of Sabers prospect Casey Mittelstadt, is a 2021 Mr. Hockey finalist who heads to the University of Minnesota in the fall. He has 30 points in 21 games from the Blue Line (21 goals, 21 assists). He played in six matches with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL before the high school season began. He is the highest-ranked player in the tournament for the 2021 draft; NHL Central Scouting rates him as a player who can be formatted in the second or third round (“B” rating).

Henry Nelson, D, Maple Grove (Notre Dame)

Another Mr. Hockey finalist, Nelson, is rated for the “C” -level draft prospect (fourth to sixth rounds). A blue-liner with a strong offensive game, he has scored 43 points in 21 matches for Maple Grove.

Joe Palodichuk D, Hill-Murray (Wisconsin)

Palodichuk is a strong defenseman and, like Nelson, a Mr. Hockey finalist who is rated “C” by Central Scouting. He played in 10 matches with Bismarck of the NAHL and has 33 points from 20 matches with Hill-Murray as the captain of the team. There is a chance that Palodichuk will not take action in the tournament as Hill-Murray is still trying to figure out which players need to quarantine it.