Prior Lake Lakers boys hockey will host the Tradition Holiday Invitational, a showcase of some of the top high school teams in the state, January 1-3 at Dakotah! Ice Center. 

The event brings together one of the strongest collections of teams assembled in a tournament setting all season, with four of the state’s top five AA Let’s Play Hockey teams and six of the top 12 playing in the same building over the same weekend. The invitational is a non-bracket format, with all games counting toward the regular season standings.

The junior varsity teams will also play on Rink 2 all weekend.

Admission for all four games is daily, with the option for a three-day pass the first day. Tickets can be acquired at the door via cash or credit card.

Prior Lake enters the Tradition Holiday Invitational ranked No. 20 in the state, according to Let’s Play Hockey, and will test itself against one of the deepest fields assembled anywhere this season.

Schedule

Thursday, Jan. 1

• St. Thomas Academy (No. 4) vs. Lakeville North — 12:00 p.m.
• Shakopee (No. 5) vs. Prior Lake (No. 20) — 2:30 p.m.
• Moorhead (No. 2) vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (No. 12) — 5:00 p.m.
• Holy Angels (No. 7) vs. Edina (No. 3) — 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 2

• Lakeville North vs. Holy Angels (No. 7) — 12:00 p.m.
• Prior Lake (No. 20) vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (No. 12) — 2:30 p.m.
• Shakopee (No. 5) vs. Moorhead (No. 2) — 5:00 p.m.
• Edina (No. 3) vs. St. Thomas Academy (No. 4) — 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3

• St. Thomas Academy (No. 4) vs. Moorhead (No. 3) — 12:00 p.m.
• Holy Angels (No. 7) vs. Shakopee (No. 5) — 2:30 p.m.
• Cretin-Derham Hall (No. 12) vs. Edina (No. 3) — 5:00 p.m.
• Lakeville North vs. Prior Lake (No. 20) — 7:15 p.m.

Team Capsules

Moorhead enters the weekend ranked No. 2 in the state with a record of 9-1, trailing only Minnetonka, which handed the Spuds their lone loss of the season. 

The defending Class AA state champions return some of last year’s core, highlighted by a veteran group that chose to come back and play high school hockey rather than pursue junior opportunities. The lineup is led by junior forward Zac Zimmerman, senior defenseman Brandon Mickelson, senior forward Tyden Bergeson, and an impressive trio of Cullens: Max, a junior and Minnesota Duluth commit; Joey, a sophomore and one of the top 2010-born players in the country; and Will, a freshman.

Edina comes in ranked No. 3 in the state after a run to the state semifinals last season, where the Hornets fell to Moorhead. 

A 14-time state champion, Edina’s long-standing success continues under former Minnesota North Stars player Curt Giles behind the bench. The Hornets lost standout leader Mason West, now playing juniors after being selected in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, but have not skipped a beat, posting a 7–3 record against a demanding schedule. Junior forward Bode McConnell leads the offense with 18 goals in 10 games.

St. Thomas Academy enters the invitational ranked No. 4 in the state with an 8–2–1 record. 

The Cadets are led by senior forward Cole Braunshausen, who tops the team with 31 points, and freshman standout Maverick McKinnon. McKinnon emerged as one of the state’s top scorers last season while playing for Forest Lake as an eighth grader and has continued that production after moving to St. Thomas Academy this year. 

St. Thomas Academy reached the Class AA state semifinals last season.

Shakopee enters the weekend ranked No. 5 in the state with an 8–2 record. 

The Sabers are the defending South Suburban Conference champions and advanced to the state tournament last season out of Section 2AA, the same section as Prior Lake. Shakopee remains unbeaten in conference play so far this year and is led by senior forward Cooper Siegert and senior defenseman Carson Steinhoff.

Holy Angels comes in ranked No. 7 in the state with a 7–2 record. 

The Stars are driven by a potent senior forward duo in Lincoln Ayers-Assad and Cole Cheeseman, both of whom were named to the Star Tribune’s preseason 2025–26 Dream Team. Each has produced 25 points through nine games this season, anchoring one of the most dynamic offenses in the field.  Both players are in the top 10 in scoring this year in the state.

Cretin-Derham Hall enters ranked No. 12 in the state with a 7–3 record. 

The Raiders are led by sophomore standout Jonny Bloedow, regarded as one of the top players in his class statewide. Cretin also features another talented sophomore in forward Brody Ruprecht, a Prior Lake native who adds additional scoring depth.

Lakeville North enters the invitational with a 3–5–1 record after graduating a significant piece from last season’s lineup. 

The Panthers lost sophomore captain and leading scorer Gunnar Conboy, a University of Minnesota commit who is playing juniors this year. Lakeville North has also drawn attention through the return of Jax Taylor, the son of head coach Jake Taylor, who recently returned to the ice following a near career-ending incident and was featured on WCCO’s High School Sports Rally.