GOALIE
Reid Waszczenko, sr., Wayzata
That the Trojans were in position to upset Eden Prairie was largely due to the heroics of Waszczenko. He repeatedly turned away quality chances and, had it not been for a pair of deflected goals in the third period, would have posted one of the most memorable shutouts in tournament history. He finished with 35 saves.
DEFENSE
Dawson Klein, jr., Lakeville South
Teammate Josh Ess, who is committed to Wisconsin, garners the attention but Klein was big at both ends in the upset of St. Thomas Academy. He swept a loose puck away from his own goal line early and scored a second period goal.
Nick Leivermann, sr., Eden Prairie
Fellow blue liner Noah Deraney got the tying goal and Leivermann, a Notre Dame recruit, buried the game winner as Eden Prairie escaped defending champion Wayzata 3-1 in the tournament’s most anticipated game.
FORWARDS
Bradley Golant, sr., Lakeville South
The engine that drives the Cougars offense, the 5-foot-8 Golant had a goal and an assists, was a plus-3 and repeatedly mucked up St. Thomas Academy breakouts with an active forecheck. If that’s not enough, he sported the best hair of the day, an afro that would have made Dr. J jealous.
Gavin Hain, jr., Grand Rapids
Part of the Thunderhawks formidable first line along with Micah Miller and Blake McLaughlin, Hain was a force of nature in spurring Grand Rapids’ onslaught of goals. He scored one, assisted on another and generated 11 shots on goal.
Jacob Holtgrewe, sr., Moorhead
Just recently recovered from a leg injury suffered during soccer season, the scrappy 5-10 junior got the Spuds off off to a fast start with a goal at 2:44 of the game and added a second-period assist. The team awarded him with its Player of the Game hardhat.