Fifteen players to watch at the boys hockey state tournament

The boys hockey state tournament begins Wednesday with Class 1A quarterfinals and turns to Class 2A quarterfinals Thursday.

Here are 15 players to watch:

Andover, senior goaltender

Cruitt anchors the defense for a scrappy Andover team that has clawed back from an 0-9 start to the season. He has a save percentage of 92.9 this season, landing him at third in the state.

Rogers, senior forward

Deschene leads the state in assists with 53. Keep an eye out for some sharp passes from the senior as Rogers makes its inaugural state tournament appearance.

Rogers, senior defenseman

One of the state’s top defensemen, Geerdes is committed to Western Michigan and is an integral part of the Royals.

Northfield, sophomore defenseman

Geiger’s definitely a defender, but his stat line could fool anyone. With 20 goals and 35 assists heading into the state tournament, the young standout will try to help his team improve on last year’s quarterfinal exit.

St. Cloud Cathedral, senior forward

The Star Tribune’s boys hockey player of the year has become St. Cloud Cathedral’s career assists and scoring leader. He’s logged 25 goals and 51 assists this season and is a Mr. Hockey finalist to boot.

Luverne, junior goaltender

Hoven has 18 wins this season, landing him in the top 10 in the state in that metric, and a strong save percentage of 91.9.

Moorhead, senior forward

Another Mr. Hockey finalist, Kraft has logged 37 goals and 47 assists this season. He’ll be coming into the tournament with fellow Moorhead standout Brooks Cullen by his side, a high-scoring duo following in their fathers’ footsteps.

Andover, sophomore forward

One of Andover’s top scorers, Langfeld logged two goals in Andover’s 3-1 victory over Rock Ridge in the Section 7 championship.

St. Thomas Academy, senior goaltender

Niesen sports the lowest goals-against average in the tournament field, 1.45. He saved 41 shots on goal during St. Thomas’ 3-2 double-overtime thriller against Cretin-Derham Hall in the Section 3 championship.

Edina, junior defenseman

Peckham has long delivered for the Hornets: He’s snagged state titles at peewee, bantam and high school levels for Edina. He is committed to Cornell.

Shakopee, senior forward

Before heading to play for North Dakota, the state’s leading scorer will look to add to his high school tally. His 47 goals pair nicely with 30 assists, numbers that have made him a Mr. Hockey finalist.

Moorhead, senior goaltender

Stenehjem leads the state in wins in goal (25) and is in the top 10 for goals-against average (1.83). He’s also a finalist for the Frank Brimsek Award for Minnesota’s best senior goalie, making him the only finalist in the tournament field.

Northern Lakes, sophomore goaltender

The young netminder has a save percentage of 91.9 and 18 wins in goal this season, making him the statistical equal of fellow 1A goalie Hoven of Luverne.

Hibbing/Chisholm, junior forward

Tate leads Class 1A’s top seed in goals and assists, for a total of 59 points — and right behind him is his brother, freshman Cole Swanson, with 48. Both contributed goals in Hibbing/Chisholm’s 4-3 takedown of state runner-up Hermantown in the Section 7 semifinal.

Stillwater, senior forward

Volkman’s section tournament performance earned him some extra eyes. The senior scored a hat trick and the game-winner in Stillwater’s double-overtime, 4-3 takedown of Hill-Murray in the Section 4 championship.