APX Hockey Athletes on the Big Stage

This year’s State Tournament features 30 APX Hockey athletes competing for a championship (full list below). We couldn’t be prouder of each of these players and the opportunity they have earned for themselves and their teams.

Here are some of the most exciting APX storylines to watch as the action unfolds this week:

WELCOME BACK

To say this year’s State Tournament features “fresh blood” would be an understatement. 12 of the 16 teams were not in last year’s tournament, a testament to the chaos and competition of section playoffs.

— St. Thomas Academy (STA) & Stillwater: Neither team made it last year, but they are back in dramatic fashion. STA avenged three consecutive years of heartbreak with a thrilling double-overtime victory over Cretin-Derham Hall. With a new coaching staff and a talented, hungry roster, the Cadets have what it takes to go all the way. Meanwhile, Stillwater also punched its ticket with a 2OT section championship win over Hill-Murray. The Ponies, one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season, enter the tournament as the #2 seed in Class AA.

— Lakeville South: After a one-year hiatus, they return, motivated by last year’s stunning section championship loss to Rochester Century/John Marshall. As the #8 seed, they face a tough test against another tournament newcomer, Moorhead, on Thursday night.

— Shakopee: No team has a story quite like Shakopee. The 2AA champions are in the State Tournament for the first time in 20 years (!)—and it’s their first trip ever as a Class AA team. Their Thursday afternoon matchup against STA is one to watch.

BREAKOUT SEASON

While team success is the key to winning at Xcel, individual star power will also be on display.

— Carter Ernst (Lakeville South, Jr.): Few players have had a bigger breakout campaign. After posting just 11 points last season, Carter has exploded for 58 points (25 goals, 33 assists) in 27 games. A high-compete, two-way player, expect him to make an impact whether or not he has the puck.

— Will Cashin (Northfield, Sr.): Northfield returns to the Class A Tournament, and Cashin is a big reason why. He has nearly doubled his point total from last year (59 this season, 33 last year) and tripled his goal count (30 goals this season, 11 last year). He will be a major challenge for Orono in their Wednesday afternoon matchup.

— Trey Fredenberg (Stillwater, Sr.): One of the most improved players in section 4AA. He has doubled his point total from last season (49 points this year, 23 last year) and enters the tournament on a 7-game point streak. Expect him to be a difference-maker when Stillwater faces Andover on Thursday morning.

SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE

For all the offensive firepower on display, strong defensive play has been just as crucial in getting teams to Saint Paul.

— Patch Cronin (STA, Sr.): STA has one of the lowest Goals Against Averages in the state, and Cronin is a huge reason why. His elite skating and shutdown defensive play will be put to the test against Shakopee on Thursday.

— Jonas Kohn (Stillwater, Jr.): A big-minute contributor on the back end, Kohn has 28 points in 27 games while also excelling in physical battles along the boards during section playoffs.

— Zach Zins (Mahtomedi, Soph.) & Landon Huh (Shakopee, Soph.): Two young defensemen making a name for themselves. Zins has been a defensive standout in his first year at the high school level, while Huh has embraced the physicality of the position and is trusted in both even-strength and penalty kill situations.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

— Will Dosan (STA, Sr.): A Princeton University commit, Dosan was the hero in STA’s section championship win, scoring both a shorthanded goal (his state-leading 5th SHG) and the double-overtime game-winner. His leadership will be critical in STA’s title run.

— Jackson Ernst (Lakeville South, Sr.): Carter’s older brother and team captain, Jackson has surpassed 100 career points, including 56 this season. His 200-foot game makes him the heart of the Cougars.

— Mahtomedi’s Senior Core: Forwards Winston Wright, Mac Appert, and Laken Decker, along with goaltender Wes Strub, have helped lead their team to the Class A Tournament. Their locker-room leadership will be key in their Wednesday matchup against St. Cloud Cathedral.

2025 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament | APX Hockey Athletes

Class AA

EDINA

3 Gordon, Aidan | Soph. | Defense

LAKEVILLE SOUTH

14 Ernst, Jackson | Sr. | Forward

15 Ernst, Carter | Jr. | Forward

19 Hartmann, Emmett | Jr. | Defense

13 Hartmann, Eddie | Soph. | Defense

1 Hauger, Carson | Sr. | Goaltender

29 Hunst, Charlie | Soph. | Defense

2 Lawrence, Tristan | Jr. | Forward

25 Moline, Adam | Jr. | Defense

6 Newgard, Trey | Sr. | Forward

SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY

17 Cronin, Patch | Sr. | Defense

9 Dosan, Will | Sr. | Forward

3 Kawaters, Charlie | Soph. | Defense

18 Kronberg, Cody | Jr. | Defense

12 Murray, Peter | Jr. | Forward

7 Powers, Lane | Soph. | Forward

11 Richardson, James | Sr. | Defense

SHAKOPEE

33 Huh, Landon | Soph. | Defense

STILLWATER

3 Fredenberg, Trey | Sr. | Forward

4 Kohn, Jonas | Jr. | Defense

Class A

MAHTOMEDI

4 Appert, Mac | Sr. | Forward

14 Decker, Laken | Sr. | Forward

16 Fuerst, Brayden | Jr. | Forward

33 Moen, Brody | Soph. | Defense

17 Seevers, Will | Soph. | Forward

35 Strub, Wes | Sr. | Goaltender

10 Wright, Winston | Sr. | Forward

20 Zins, Zach | Soph. | Defense/Forward

NORTHFIELD

7 Cashin, Will | Sr. | Forward

20 Kennelly, Miles | Fresh. | Forward