MN Hockey Mag Special Tournament Edition

Eden Prairie
The Eden Prairie Eagles delivered on one of
their goals this year and that was to represent
the Section 6AA as back-to-back champions.
That feat has not been accomplished for 15 years when Edina last
worked it in 1996 and 1997. Graduating 13 seniors that included a pair
of Mr. Hockey semifinalists from last year’s state tournament team did
not deter coach Lee Smith’s program as the Eagles skated to an 18-9-0
record this year.
Senior goalie Shaun Durocher (14-7-0, 2.70, .904) provided
stability in goal that allowed the Eagles to build their team from the
net out.
It doesn’t hurt to have a pair of high-end Divsion I recruits on the
offensive end, either: junior Michael Graham (23-23-46) who is
committed to UMD, and sophomore whiz Casey Mittlestadt (24-
26-50pts), who is committed to the University of Minnesota. The
saying for the Eagles is that the small things lead to big things and the
team is following through on that promise.
With a combination of returning players, junior
varsity players, and incoming bantams the Eagles’
glue has been a team first approach and leadership
provided by their three captains. Seniors Andy
Aguilar (1-15-16), Brady Schoo (4-10-14) and
Graham. The defensive corps is anchored by Aguilar
and Schoo and they are joined by a well rounded
defenseman in junior Louie Roehl (0-5-5).
Michael Graham
Each season provides lessons learned by a team that is beginning
to make a habit of punching its ticket to St. Paul with four trips in six
years. They have two state titles to their credit over that time and have
delivered as much highend-next level talent as any program in high
school hockey. The Eagles are well coached and will be prepared for a
deep run this year.
— Pete Waggoner
18-9-0
Quick Facts
Section: 6AA
Conference: Lake
Past State Appearances: 1992, 99,
2001, 03, 09 Champs, 11 Champs,
14, 15
Head Coach: Lee Smith
Home Rink: Eden Prairie Community
Center
Road to the X
Date Opponent W-L-T
Nov. 25 at Maple Grove W 8-3
Nov. 29 PRIOR LAKE W 2-1
Dec. 4 EASTVIEW W 5-3
Dec. 6 at Farmington W 3-0
Dec. 9 at Cretin-DH W 4-3
Dec. 12 BENILDE-STM L 1-2
Dec. 18 Elk River W 6-3
Dec. 19 Grand Rapids W 6-1
Dec. 20 at Edina L 3-4
Dec. 23 BLAINE L 3-8
SCHWAN CUP GOLD (Dec. 29-31)
Dec. 29 Hill-Murray W 3-2
Dec. 30 Burnsville L 4-5
Dec. 31 Minnetonka L 4-7
Jan. 9 at Cloquet-E-C W 5-1
Jan. 10 at Duluth East W 4-2
Jan. 15 at Wayzata L 2-4
Jan. 17 MINNETONKA L 2-4
Jan. 22 at Bloom. Jefferson W 7-1
Jan. 24 at Hopkins W 6-5
Jan. 29 EDINA L 0-5
Jan. 31 WAYZATA W 3-1
Feb. 3 at Benilde-StM W 5-0
Feb. 5 at Minnetonka W 4-1
Feb. 12 HOPKINS W 7-5
Feb. 14 at Edina L 0-3
SECTION 6AA PLAYOFFS
Feb. 21 Benilde-StM W 1-0
Feb. 25 Minnetonka W 2-1
Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown.zenfolio.com
LEADERS
# Name Gr G-A-Pts
11 Casey Mittlestadt 10 24-26-50
16 Michael Graham 11 23-23-46
20 Marc Sullivan 12 7-19-26
8 Riley Argetsinger 12 10-15-25
12 Nolan Sullivan 10 10-13-23
# Name Gr GAA SV%
1 Shaun Durocher 11 2.70 .904
Puck Heaven trivia
Q What Eden Prairie forward was
all-tourney in both 2009 and 2011 as
the Eagles claimed Class AA titles
both years?
2015 Minnesota state high school boys’ hockey tournament guide
15