BOYS: Minnetonka
2023 Record
8-8, Section 2 Semi-Finalist
Lost Notables
Ben Schuster - 48G, 12A
Jackson Blanks - 38G, 8A
JD Landstrom - 57GB, 22CT
Luke Miller - 39GB, 22CT
Cole Langevin (BSM Transfer) - 29GB, 29CT
Returning Notables
Gabe Miller - 17G, 17A
Quinton Restrepo - 25GB
Instant Reaction
Minnetonka will be looking to replace a 2023 group that not only was talented but also had been playing travel ball together for years. Ben Schuster was the focal point of the offense but there was a lot of good players around him that the Skippers ran with for the past three seasons. Of their 8 losses last year, 4 were by one goal. Their 2023 class was large and filled most of the contributing roles
The Future
Minnetonka will have no shortage of athletes coming up. A big youth program and robust HS program, there will be plenty for the coaching staff to work with. However, they will be throwing a lot of new players with limited varsity experience. On top of the two returning notables:
Laird Cassidy, So. - Midfield
Tate Jabs, So. - Defense
Charlie Kohler, So. - Midfield
These three guys above should find their way into meaningful roles heading into the 2024 season. I think this was more of a situation of such a massive senior class in 2023 taking varsity spots - I expect all three of these guys to jump in and contribute
2024 Schedule
Lake Conference games against Edina, Eden Prairie and Wayzata will continue to be competitive tough games for the skippers. OOC games look to be: Elk River, White Bear Lake, St. Thomas Academy, Orono, Eastridge and Mahtomedi.
I think all of these OOC games will be tough out of conference games for the skippers. Elk River and WBL, although not top 10 teams last year will be tough and ready to get a signature win against the skippers. STA and Mahtomedi are perennial top 10 type programs and will be tough matchups. Eastridge has been rolling with a very young team and is only getting better. Orono played everyone tough last year and had multiple overtime games. I know they lost a couple big name players but I do think they are rising as a program. None of the OOC games are easy wins, so, props to Minnetonka for scheduling tough games.
In Conclusion
The Skippers will live and die by the integration of a lot of new pieces this year. In addition to having to replace a ton of their offensive production… they will have new starters on defense and figure out who will start in goal. Minnetonka is a huge wild card this year. We have seen that 2023 class for the last few years, so, now graduated, it will be a fresh looking team. The nice thing for them is that both Shakopee and EP have been moved out of section 2, so, it seems like a two horse race between them and Chanhassen - making the road to state a little bit easier.
