There’s no category in the state record books for Most Anticipated Varsity Debut, so let’s start that list with Eden Prairie sophomore Jackson Blake’s ascension to varsity against the Bison.
Relegated to the junior varsity because of eligibility issues incurred in a return from Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault to Eden Prairie last winter, Blake, a North Dakota commit who was one of the top scorers in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League last fall, becomes varsity-eligible on Jan. 28.
The timing is great for Eden Prairie (13-4-1, 3-1-0), as the No. 1-2A Eagles have lost two straight and could use a spark.
Buffalo (5-14-0, 1-6-0) has had a disappointing debut season in the Lake Conference, but the Bison have the high-end talent in twin brothers Tyler and Jake Braccini (16 goals each) that make them capable of beating any opponent.