129,721 fans attended the Minnesota Boys Hockey Tournament in 2008, this monumental number exemplifies how important hockey is to Minnesota citizens. Long known as the state of hockey, Minnesota is home to over 6,500 high school boys hockey players. Maybe it’s all the ice covering Minnesota in the winter, maybe Minnesota boys have ice flowing through their veins, or maybe the great number of hockey players is just tradition. Whatever may be the cause of so many boy hockey players, winter would not be the same without hockey games across the Iron Range.

Section 7A includes Duluth Central, Duluth Marshall, Virginia, Hibbing, Eveleth-Gilbert, Greenway, International Falls, Ely, Silver Bay, and Two Harbors. Last year Virginia represented Section 7A at the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament and hopes to repeat their section championship this season. This year Virginia has a record of 7-4-2. Led by forward Garrett Hendrickson, the team is ranked 7th in the state. Duluth Marshall and Duluth Central will challenge the Blue Devils for the title and have better records, but do not rank as high in state standings. Rounding out the top five teams in Section 7A are Hibbing and Eveleth-Gilbert.

Garrett Hendrickson leads Section 7A with 32 points, 15 goals and 17 assists. As a junior, he has been recruited to play for St. Cloud in college. International Falls’ Jordan Christianson, a senior, follows Hendrickson with 26 points, 14 goals and 12 assists. Ely Senior Sam Swanson is close behind with 22 points, 12 goals and 10 assists. Tied with 17 points are Ely’s sophomore Billy Foy, Greenway’s senior Adam Mendoza, and Hibbing’s senior Ryan Johnson.

The 2009-2010 season will continue to have its ups and downs, but will end with excitement. The close of holiday tournaments mark the countdown to playoffs, which will decide who competes in the largest high school tournament in the country!