Star Tribune boys' hockey preseason dream team

All players seniors unless indicated. College commitment in parentheses.

Grant Anderson, jr., D, Wayzata (Nebraska Omaha)

A phenomenal skater who will quarterback the Trojans power play and log a ton of ice time for the defending Class 2A state champions.

Matt Anderson, D, Holy Family (Minnesota Duluth)

A two-way defenseman known for his offensive skills, he posted 10 goals and 29 assists last winter.

Noah Cates, F, Stillwater (Minnesota Duluth)

Crafty player led the Ponies to the state tournament with a team-best 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists). His spin-o-rama goal in overtime of the Section 4 final went viral.

Mike Magnuson, G, Cretin-Derham Hall (undecided)

Returning starter boasted a 2.09 goals-against average and .923 save percentage last season.

Ben Meyers, F, Delano (Maine)

A rare player who can take over games and control all three zones with or without the puck. An elite skater with great vision, he is second in the program for career goals (71) and points (158).

Casey Mittelstadt, F, Eden Prairie (Minnesota)

An electrifying player, he's the only Minnesota high school player to receive an A-rating in the NHL Central Scouting's 2016-17 list of preliminary players to watch list. That means he's a projected first-round pick in the 2017 NHL draft next June.

David La Vaque