Minnesota Advancement Program

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Click here to Apply for the 2012 Training Season

 The MAP South staff is proud to have so many current and former members on the teams that finished well at the 2012 Minnesota State High School Tournament. It was a terrific week of hockey to finish the season on and we congratulate the following players on their accomplishments in the tournament...

CURRENT MEMBERS:

Breck - 3rd Place (Class A)
Andrle, Conor
Johnson, Henry

Hill-Murray - 2nd Place (Class AA)
Dolan, Danny
Mills, Zach
Sampair, Conrad
Schwandt, Jordan

Lakeville South - 3rd Place (Class AA)
Baumann, Weston
Heller, Charlie
Kloos, Justin
Lauderdale, Patrick
Schumacher, Tyler
Wiitala, Johnny

St. Thomas Academy - Champions (Class A)
Bretzman, Tony
Johnson, AJ
Krieger, Peter
Novak, Thomas
Samec, TJ
Schmidt, Wyatt
Schurhamer, Eric
Zevnik, David

FORMER MEMBERS:

Benilde-St.Margaret’s - Champions (Class AA)
Jablonski, Jack
Jungels, Chase
Labosky, Dan
Moore, TJ
O’Borski, Jake

Breck - 3rd Place (Class A)
Hibbs, Geoffrey

Hill-Murray - 2nd Place (Class AA)
Cashman, Dan
LaChappelle, CJ
Sampair, Charlie

Lakeville South - 3rd Place (Class AA)
Freemark, Ben
Freemark, Joe
Gangeness, Grant
Harvey, Alex
Hill, Shane
Radford, Jack
Rahbain, Jacob
Schumacher, Tyler
Ziniel, Hunter

St. Thomas Academy - Champions (Class A)
Commers, Andrew
Geiser, Jake
Hart, Henry
Jenson, Jack
McFadden, Pat
McManus, Danny
Perry, Matt
Regan, Gunnar
Sattler, Austin
Sattler, Austin
Sattler, Grant
West, Ian

 Newt is also having a big year in his final season of high school hockey. Through 19 games played with the Minneapolis Novas Varsity team, Newt ranks 2nd overall in Class AA Metro scoring with 25 goals to along with 32 assists. Newt also has a 3.1 GPA this year and scored a 24 on the ACT.

 Josh is having a terrific senior year for the Woodbury Royals Varsity team. Through 20 games this season, Josh has posted an impressive .924 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average to along with 2 shutouts. Josh has also maintained a 3.0 GPA for the year.

 In just his first year of high school hockey, Tyler is already an impact player for Burnsville's Varsity team. With 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 20 games, Tyler currently ranks 11th in the state amongst sophomores in scoring. He also played in games for Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) this year before the start of the high school season. Tyler also does very well in the classroom, finishing last year with a 3.8 GPA.

 Connor is enjoying his senior year on the Chanhassen Varsity squad. Through just 17 games, Connor has 24 goals to go along with 15 assists for 39 points. He has also been a very consistent offensive threat for the Storm, scoring goals in every game this season except for 2. Connor has also maintained 3.35 GPA and scored a 25 on the ACT.

 Brandon is having terrific year in his second season playing for the Hastings PeeWee A team. With steady defensive play and a very dangerous offensive skill set, Brandon is one of the top players in his age group in the Metro area and has helped his team to a 18-7-4 record so far this season. Off the ice, "BK" has maintained a 4.0+ GPA and is also U-Crew leader at school, mentoring younger students.

 Conor Andrle (Breck HS)

Shane Bernhardson (Eastview Bantam A)

Kevin Fellows (Prior Lake PeeWee A)

Sam Rossini (Rosemount Bantam A)

Daniel Swail (Lakeville South Bantam A)

Cretin-Derham Hall senior forward and MAP South member Luke Dietsch scored the overtime game-winning goal in the 2012 Ted Brill Great 8 Championship game to lead Section 3A/AA over Section 7A/AA for the title. Other MAP South members on the championship team are Josh Erickson (Woodbury), Derick Kuchera (Eagan), Nick Kuchera (Eagan), Zach Doerring (Blake), Nate Flynn (Hastings), Evan Erickson (Woodbury) & Andrew McDonough (East Ridge). Click on the photo above for a link to the Hockey Hub article.

Hill-Murray senior forward and MAP South member Conrad Sampair (Hill-Murray) scored both goals (including the overtime game-winner) against Moorhead in the semifinals of the 2012 State High School Hockey Class AA Tournament to put his team in the championship game. Click on the picture above for a link to Hockey Hub story on Conrad and his clutch performance.

Click on the picture above for a link to a MN Hockey Hub article on Lakeville North senior forward and MAP South member Blake Winiecki. Winiecki is enjoying a successful senior season with the Panthers and discusses his start to hockey when he was young. In 25 games during the regular season, Blake led his team in points with 50 (24 goals, 26 assists).

Congratulations to Eagan HS senior captain and long-time MAP South member Eli May on his commitment to play college hockey at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The skilled defenseman had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 31 games last season as a junior, helping the Wildcats to a 3rd place finish at the Class AA State Tournament. Click on the picture for a link to the article on the Minnesota Hockey Hub website.

Stillwater, MN native and a graduate from Hill-Murray school in 2010, Willie Faust has made his commitment to play college hockey for Army. Faust had played for the Owatonna Express of the NAHL during the 2010-2011 season, scoring 8 goals and 20 assists for 20 points in 49 games. Through 26 games this season with the Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL), Faust is the leading goal scorer with 11, and is second on the team with 17 points. Faust will join fellow MAP South alum Jonathan Gehrt at West Point, who also commited in November of 2010 to play for the Black Knights.

Click on the photo above for link to article

Long-time MAP South member and University of Connecticut freshman forward Emily Snodgrass was named Pro Ambitions/Women's Hockey East Rookie of the Week for the week ending November 20th, 2011. Snodgrass, an Eagan, MN native, was a star at Eastview HS where she scored 36 goals and 27 assists for 63 points in 28 games as a senior during the 2010-2011 season with the Lightning. Through 19 games, Snodgrass is second on the team in points with 9.

Click on the photo above for link to story

Part of the Burnsville Blaze in high school, a Florida Panthers draft pick, and currently skating for the Waterloo Black Hawks, defenseman Eddie Wittchow will also be a Badger during his hockey career, a decision which was made official by his commitment to the University of Wisconsin Thursday.

The USHL rookie played high school hockey in Minnesota last winter for the Burnsville Blaze.  An impressive season led to his selection with the fourth overall pick during the USHL Entry Draft and made him a sixth round choice for the Panthers a month later.  Joining the Hawks, he has played in every game during 2011-2012.  Wittchow’s +8 plus/minus rating leads the team, and he has recorded one goal – a game-winner versus the Dubuque Fighting Saints on November 18th – with five assists.

Click on picture for link to story

Lakeville South star forward and MAP South member Justin Kloos has committed to play college hockey for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Kloos followed up a monster season during his junior year in 2010-11, scoring 34 goals and 47 assists (81 points), by leading the Upper Midwest HS Elite League in all major statistic categories (17 goals, 30 assists, 47 points) and leading Team Southeast to both a regular season and playoff title. Kloos plans to return to Lakeville South HS for his senior year in 2011-12.

Click on photo above for link to article

Long-time MAP South member and former Hill-Murray defenseman Kevin Schulze made a verbal commitment to play college hockey at Wisconsin.

Schulze, currently playing with Muskegon of the U.S. Hockey League, captained the Pioneers last season and led their defenseman with 29 assists and 33 points.

Cretin-Derham Hall graduate and MAP South member Bob Kinne (St. Paul, MN) has made his college hockey commitment to Bemidji State University (WCHA). The senior forward had 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points in 27 games for the Raiders during the 2010-2011 season. Kinne will play for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) this season.

Congratulations to Lakeville South senior forward and MAP South member Justin Kloos on being named 2012 Mr. Hockey. Kloos beat out fellow South Siders Eric Schurhamer (St. Thomas Academy), Will Merchant (Eagan) and former members Michael Zajac (Eagan) & Charlie Sampair (Hill-Murray). Kloos was also named 2012 Metro Player of the Year by Star Tribune. Click on the photo above for a link to the article on Hockey Hub.

 Lakeville South senior forward and MAP South member Justin Kloos has been named 2012 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year. Kloos has accomplished just about as much as any high school player possible can in the last year. After committing to play college hockey for the University of Minnesota in April of 2011, Justin went on the lead the Upper Midwest HS Elite League in goals (17), assists (30) and points (47) and capturing both a regular season and playoff title. Justin then followed up with a Metro scoring title (81 points in 25 games) during the 2011-12 regular season and finishing 2nd in the state in points (1st in assists). He also led the state in points (18) and assists (13) during the section playoffs while leading his team to a 1AA Section Championship. Justin is also Mr. Hockey finalists and will be participating the State Tournament this weekend in St. Paul.

Rookie defenseman Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, MN) represented the Carolina Hurricanes (and MAP South) in the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa. One of the 12 rookies chosen to participate, Faulk took part in the Hardest Shot contest during Saturday's Skills Competition. Called first to shoot, Faulk's clapper clocked in at 95.9 MPH.

For full coverage of Faulk & the happenings at the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend via the Hurricanes website, click the photo above.

On Thursday, February 9th, the top 10 finalists were announced for the 2012 Mr. Hockey Award. Of the 10 finalist from throughout the state, five were MAP South members: Justin Kloos (Lakeville South), Will Merchant (Eagan), Eric Schurhamer (St. Thomas Academy), Michael Zajac (Eagan), and Charlie Sampair (Hill-Murray). Other finalists named were Jake Randolph (Duluth East), Dom Toninato (Duluth East), Grant Opperman (Breck), Judd Peterson (Duluth Marshall), Jared Thomas (Hermantown). Having 5 Mr. Hockey finalists sets an all-time high for Minnesota Advancement Program & FHIT players. We are very proud of these players and all that they have achieved during their years in high school hockey.

Eric Schurhamer, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound defenseman who led St. Thomas Academy to the Minnesota Class 1A state championship last season, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine on a hockey scholarship.

He will attend Maine beginning in the fall of 2013.

Schurhamer, who had eight goals and 18 assists in 25 regular season games last season, will turn 18 next month and will captain St. Thomas Academy this season.

He said he intends to play junior hockey in the 2012-2013 season.

Click the Photo above for link to story

The St. Olaf women's hockey team scored a sweep of conference rival Hamline over the weekend, with goalie Ali McKeever (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray) and her performance in the net serving as the biggest lasting image from the two wins. McKeever - just a freshman - played beyond her years while stopping 52 of the 53 shots she faced en route to a pair of victories and one shutout to help her team keep pace near the top of the league standings. For her performance, McKeever has been named the MIAC Women's Hockey Athlete-of-the-Week.

Click on photo for link to story

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to announce that 91 D Walker Hyland has committed to the Division 1 hockey program of the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) of the NCAA.
 
“Walker is well deserving of this commitment. He has come in as a new player to the league and led by example,“ comments Head Coach/Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Paul  Esdale.
 
“Walker will be a very good offensive defenseman in college hockey,”states Esdale.
 
Hyland will attend Michigan Tech University in the 2012-2013 season.
 
“I would like to thank the entire organization of the Bulldogs, my friends, family and former Coaches for supporting me throughout my hockey career,” said Hyland. “I would like to thank the Michigan Tech staff for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to having a successful season in Alberni,” said Hyland.

Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with University of Minnesota-Duluth defenseman & long-time MAP South member Justin Faulk on a three-year, entry-level contract. In his freshman year at UMD, Faulk led the Bulldogs to a National Championship Title in 2010-11. Faulk will immediately join the Hurricanes’ top minor-league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), for the 2011 Calder Cup playoffs.

Click on photo above for link to article

ATLANTIC HOCKEY ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Cole Gunner, Air Force

Freshman, Forward, Richfield, Minn.

Two goals and two assists in a win and a tie at Alabama-Huntsville...Scored AFA’s only goal in the 1-1 overtime tie on Friday...First career game-tying goal came with 3:31 left in the third period...One goal and two assists in the 7-2 win on Saturday...Leads AFA with seven assists and tied for team lead with nine points this season...Is the top scoring freshman in the nation with nine points in six games.

Congratulations to MAP South members Conrad Sampair (Hill-Murray) and Justin Kloos (Lakeville South) on being named to the 2012 Minnesota State High School All-Tournament Team for Class AA and also to MAP South members Eric Schurhamer, Tom Novak and David Zevnik (all St. Thomas Academy) on being named to the All-Tournament team for Class A. Former members Andrew Commers (St. Thomas Academy) and Daniel Labosky (Benilde-St.Margaret's) were also named to the Class A and AA teams, respectively.

Congratulations to MAP South members Justin Kloos (Senior forward, Lakeville South), Eric Schurhamer (Senior defenseman, St. Thomas Academy) & Will Merchant (Senior forward, Eagan) on being named to the 2012 All-Metro Hockey First Team.  The Star Tribune's All-Metro teams were chosen based on nominations from metro-area coaches and conversations with a panel of coaches and staff observations. Congratulations also to Eli May (Senior defenseman, Eagan), who was named to the All-Metro Second Team. All four of the South-Siders will be participating in the 2012 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament as well.

Click on the photo above for link to article

Austin Bruins (NAHL) forward and MAP South alum AJ Reid (Lakeville, MN) has committed to play college hockey for the Army Black Knights. Reid, a 2011 graduate from St. Thomas Academy, has 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) through 11 games with Austin after starting the 2011-12 season with the Fargo Force (USHL). In his senior year with the Cadets, Reid finished the regular season with 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points in 25 games before leading his team to a Class A State Championship. Reid joins fellow MAP South alums Jonahtan Gehrt and Willie Faust, who are also committed to West Point.

Click on the photo above for link to article

Eagan HS forward Will Merchant has commited to play college hockey at the University of Maine. The senior captain is enjoying a terrific season with the Eagan Wildcats (currently ranked #3 in Class AA), totaling 42 points through 23 games. Merchant also currently leads the team in goals with 22 goals. Following Eagan teammate Sam Wolfe and St. Thomas Academy defensemen Eric Schurhamer, Merchant is the third MAP South 2012 grad to commit to the Black Bears this year.

Click on the photo above for a link the Hockey Hub article about Merchant and also Wolfe.

Eagan HS standout and MAP South member Sam Wolfe has commited to play college hockey at the University of Maine. Through 22 games in the 2011-12 season, the senior defenseman has 2 goals to go along with 21 assists for 23 points. Wolfe's solid two-play has helped his Wildcats to a 20-2 record and remaining in the top 5 AA Rankings. Wolfe will join fellow MAP South member Eric Schurhamer (St. Thomas Academy), who is also committed to play for the Black Bears.

 Click on the picture above for a USHL.com article on NHL draft pick and MAP South member Eddie Wittchow (Burnsville, MN) and his decision to play junior hockey with the Waterloo Black Hawks before joining the Badgers at the University of Wisconsin. Wittchow was selcted by the Florida Panthers with the 154th overall pick (6th round) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Click on the picture above for a link to a terrific story on brothers Aaron & Justin Crandall (Lakeville, MN) and their season at the Universtiy of Minnesota-Duluth. Both are long-time MAP South members and recently experienced their first game together on the same team.

Eagan Senior Forward and MAP South alum Michael Zajac has committed to play college hockey at Princeton University. Through 19 games in the 2011-12 season, Zajac ranks third on his team in points with 36 (17 goals, 19 assists).

Click on picture above for link to article

The Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have announced second-year Bruins defenseman Jonathan Gehrt recently committed to play Division I hockey on a full athletic scholarship for Army at West Point next season.

Gehrt told the Austin Daily Herald that he has been thinking about playing college hockey since he was a kid and he new it was a possibility by the time he started playing high school hockey.  “Growing up in Minnesota, playing hockey at the next level is everyone’s dream,” said Gehrt, a 19 year-old from Woodbury, Minn. “It feels good, but I also know I’m not there yet. I have to stay hungry and do what it takes. Winning a Robertson Cup this year is my top priority.”

Gehrt, who has 25 career points for the Bruins, faced plenty of adversity in the past two seasons. Last year, he missed 10 games due to a concussion and this past summer, he suffered with a bout of mononucleosis.  “Those things motivated me,” Gehrt said. “It gave me the extra effort when training and it made me strive for what I needed.”

Click on picture for link to story

Charlie Lindgren posted a 1.63 goals-against-average and a .956 save percentage over two appearances for the Stampede.  He came on in relief during the third period on Friday and stopped all five shots he faced in just over 13 minutes of action in the 5-0 loss to Sioux City.  Making just his second USHL start, the 17-year-old made 38 saves in the 3-2 win vs. Tri-City on Saturday.  It was the first career USHL victory for the Lakeville, Minnesota native. 

Click image above for story.