The Delano Tigers are back at the Class A MSHSL Boys state hockey tournament for the first time since 2021, and are seeking their first state championship.
Delano received the #2 seed and will open up play against #7 seed Mankato West at 6 PM on Wed. night March 4th, and you can hear that game starting at 5:45 PM with the pregame on KRWC Radio.
Below is a preview for the tournament. Good luck to the Delano Tigers this week at the state tournament.
The Teams:
#1 Seed: Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets, 24-2-2.
How they got here: Defeated Cloquet EC, 3-2 in overtime in the Section 7A final.
State Appearance: 14th. State champs in 1952 and 1973.
Key Players: Cole Swanson (28 goals, 32 assists.), Tate Swanson (27 goals, 42 assists), and Isiah Hildibrand, 55 points.
About the Bluejackets: Led by Mr. Hockey finalists Cole Swanson, they come into state angry! They blew a 5-2 lead against EG Forks last year in the semifinals, and are hungry for their first state title in 53 years. Loaded at the top with four players scoring over 40 points.
Cole Swanson, above, was just named Star Tribune player of the year in the state of Minnesota.
#2 Seed: Delano Tigers, 22-4-2.
How they got here: Defeated Blake, 6-2 in 2A final.
State Appearance: 5th.
Key Players: Daniel Halonen (39 goals, 31 assists), Brody Kangas (30 goals, 46 assists), and goalie Evan Geyen, 1.78 gaa.
About the Tigers: Delano is making it’s first state appearance since 2021, and has it’s own Mr. Hockey finalists in Daniel Halonen. The Tigers are scoring at a high level right now and getting great goaltending from Geyen. With a win over Warroad and a tie with Hibbing this season, the Tigers are a serious title contender.
Daniel Halonen, above, is up for the Mr. Hockey award for best player in the state Minnesota.
#3 Seed: Warroad Warriors, 22-5-1.
How they got here: Defeated Detroit Lakes, 3-0 in 7A final.
State Appearance: 26th. State champs in 1994, 1996, 2003 and 2005.
Key Players: Gavin Anderson (30 goals, 29 assists), Ryan Shougaboy, 43 points, and Finn Hanson (1.59 gaa, 5 shutouts, 93% save %.)
About the Warriors: Hard to believe it’s been 21 years since the Warriors won a state title, but this team has the talent to break that drought. Warroad is red hot coming into state, outscoring it’s section opponents, 27-1, while Hanson has six shutouts in the Warriors nine game winning streak.
Finn Hanson, above, is one of the top goaltenders in the state.
#4 Seed: Mahtomedi Zephyrs, 17-9-2.
How they got here: Defeated Chisago Lakes, 7-1 in 4A finals.
State Appearance: 17th. State champs in 2020, and 2023.
Key Players: Vinny Redpath, 30 points, Devin O’ Donnell, 33 points and Will Seevers, 23 points.
About the Zephyrs: Let’s see, they lack scoring punch and have had issues on defense and goalie all season, so why are they here? Because they always are! They play a brutal schedule and like every year improve down the stretch, winning six straight going into state. Don’t take this team lightly!
Vinny Redpath, above, is the top scorer on the Zephyrs team.
#5 Seed: St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders, 17-11.
How they got here: Defeated Monticello, 3-1 in 5A final.
State Appearance: 14th. State Champs in 2019 and 2024.
Key Players: Bo Schmidt, 51 points, Griffin Sturm, 44 points and Hunter Moreland, goalie with a 91% save percentage.
About the Crusaders: The runners up from last year are back in state behind one of the top lines in the state and the improved goaltending of Hunter Moreland who was outstanding in the section final against Monticello. Just like the Zephyrs are a dangerous team. Should be a great first round matchup.
Griffin Sturm, above, is one of the stars of a very talented first line for the Crusaders.
#6 Seed: Northern Lakes Lightning, 17-10-1.
How they got here: Defeated Sartell, 3-2 in 6A final.
State Appearance: 3rd.
Key Players: Parker Fulton (22 goals, 19 assists), Josiah Reier, 44 points and Jacob Peterson, 25 points.
About the Lightning: Now that they have settled on Sam Suja in the goal the Lightning are playing their best hockey of the year. Northern Lakes has shut out 4 out of 5 of it’s latest opponents, and are still scoring at a high rate on offense, so the Lightning could be the dreaded “No one wants to play them right now” team.
Hunter Moreland, above, #1 in white, has been stopping everything for the Lightning as they head into state red hot.
#7 Seed: Mankato West Scarlets, 19-7-2.
How they got here: Defeated Laverne, 2-1 in Section 3A finals.
State Appearance: 3rd.
Key Players: Jakobe Tosch (21 goals and 22 assists), Grady Schmidt, 43 points and Mason Schreiber, goalie with 4 shutouts.
About the Scarlets: West making it’s first state appearance since 2016, has rotated goalies all season, but might have settled on Blake Brekke who stopped 34 of 35 shots against a talented Laverne team in the Section finals. He will have to be on top of his game to slow down the Delano offense.
Mankato West, above, celebrates the game winning goal against Laverne in overtime last week, sending the Scarlets to state.
#8 Seed: Dodge County Wildcats, 19-8-1.
How they got here: Defeated Northfield, 4-2 in 1A final.
State Appearance: 2nd.
Key Players: Gabe Coshenet (28 goals, 33 assists), Cam Koch, 46 points and Nolan Steele, 46 points.
About the Wildcats: DC is making it’s second appearance ever at state, but the first time in 2021, they finished runner up! To make it that far again the top line will have to dominant, because there is no depth behind them, with zero players over 17 points after the top three scorers.
Gabe Coshenet, above, is the top scorer for the Wildcats with 28 goals.
2026 MSHSL Hockey Website Class 1A Bracket: https://www.mshsl.org/tournaments/2026-state-class-hockey-boys-tournament
