Benilde-St. Margaret’s seniors Spencer Naas and Johnny Austin live in the same neighborhood, so it’s only natural they share rides to and from school. In between, they attend classes together, work out together and eat together. They spend pretty much all of their summers together, too. 

Oh, yeah, did we mention that Naas and Austin, hockey teammates since they were 12, have been mainstays on the Red Knights’ varsity for the past three years?

“We’re basically together all the time, except when we’re sleeping,” Austin said. “We’re pretty ripe for jabs here and there. It’s all in good fun, though.” 

Yes, the inseparable nature of Naas’ and Austin’s relationship provides plenty of fodder for school jokesters. After all, most married couples don’t spend as much time together as these two.”

“They are incredibly close,” Red Knights coach Ken Pauly said. “They just do a ton together. 

“My goodness, when the UConn came calling they both took their college visit together.”

Pauly advised the pair to make their college choices independently, “I said, ‘Whatever your decision is, you are going to have to make it apart from the other guy.’ But I’m not so sure they did that.” 

Both say they were impressed with Connecticut’s academics, campus, coaching staff and direction they see the Huskies’ hockey program is heading. Both have committed to play for the Huskies. 

“That is kind of everyone’s dream to go play Division I hockey,” said Naas, a forward with 30 goals in 26 games this season. “To be able to play college hockey with your best friend, that is just what we were hoping for. That’s an opportunity you don’t get very often.”

Austin, a do-everything defenseman with 22 points in 25 games, said they will likely be roommates when they arrive on campus.

Was there any doubt?

Friendships that stem from youth hockey tend to conquer the test of time in Minnesota, one of the few remaining states where top high school players can find elite-level competition without leaving their friends and family to play in other leagues. Hours spent practicing, working out, and competing together allows for a special bond, and from a hockey point-of-view, spectacular chemistry.

The Naas-Austin relationship, while unique, certainly isn’t one-of-a-kind.

Eden Prairie seniors Steven Spinner and Luc Snuggerud share pretty much the same story.

“We’ve been friends twenty-four seven, ever since mites,” Spinner said. “Hanging out up at the cabin and the rink; it’s a basic thing.”

“We hang out all the time,” Snuggerud said. “We’re at a comfortable level to push each other every day in practice; always pushing each other to get better ever since we were young.”

Year after year the two have played with each other on at least one team and often more -- in leagues spanning the spring, summer, fall and winter. 

"We were both second-year Bantams when things really started clicking," Spinner, a forward, said of the chemistry with Snuggerud, a defenseman.  "We were both the leaders on the team, racking up the points, and knowing where each other was; it’s just never stopped.  That’s the year we won the Bantam A state championship."

Eden Prairie coach Lee Smith had the luxury of watching Spinner and Snuggerud grow up as hockey players then plug them into his varsity roster when they were sophomores.

“I’ve been watching them from Pee Wees all the way up knowing they’ve had a special talent,” said Smith. “You can see that Steven has an extra gear and is able to break away from a pack with his speed, and Luc is such a gifted stick handler and puck mover that I knew that he was going to be a special player, too.”

In October of 2012, Snuggerud gave his verbal commitment to play under Dean Blais at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  About a month later Spinner, too, committed to UNO.

Spinner, who has 19 goals and 26 assists in 27 games and Snuggerud (9 goals, 36 assists) are Mr. Hockey finalists and potential NHL draft picks this summer. Naas also is a Mr. Hockey finalist drawing attention from NHL scouts. Austin also fits comfortably in any grouping that lists the state’s elite defensemen.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Eden Prairie square off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis in the Section 6AA championship. No matter the outcome, the game is guaranteed to have a bittersweet conclusion. For one duo, it will mark the end of a long and storied chapter in their careers. For the other, it will offer the coveted opportunity to play in the state tournament.

“There is nothing else like high school hockey in Minnesota,” Austin said. “Even going to the rink and watching the state tournament games, you just get the atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.”

Eden Prairie and Benilde-St. Margaret’s met three times in the regular season. The Red Knights won the first meeting 5-2. Eden Prairie won the last two by scores of 6-5 (in overtime) and 5-2.