Shakopee High School’s hockey team is making its first-ever Class AA appearance in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, marking a historic milestone for the program. But this achievement may only be the beginning, as the team is poised for continued success in the coming years. With many key players eligible to return and a strong group of skilled bantams ready to move up, Shakopee’s future looks incredibly promising.
I know, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,…. but Shakopee is not a one and done at the Tourney, as this group has set the foundation.
While the team will lose some top talent to graduation, including one of the state’s best players and prolific scorers, Cooper Simpson, the potential for the next season is still bright. Several players expected to return next year could play a significant role in keeping Shakopee at the top of the state rankings.
Among the standout players eligible to return are Nate Pederson and Cooper Siegert, both of whom are potential 2026 Mr. Hockey candidates. Tristen Wassengeso, Daylin Cline, and Cody Sawyer are also expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s success. On defense, Jack Kultgen and Carson Steinhoff will be two of the top defenders in the state, while Landon Huh, Jaxon Johnson, and Cole Davis provide a strong defensive core with plenty of room to grow.
In goal, sophomore Niklas Huson gained valuable experience this year. Standing at 6’7″, Huson’s growth and development over the summer will be crucial to his progression as a top-tier goalie. Give him some time to grow into that huge frame.
The Shakopee Bantam Program is also a key factor in the team’s bright future. With talented young players like Gavin White, Owen Moulton, and Joey Stewart leading the way, the program is producing a skilled pipeline of talent that will continue to feed into the high school team.
While Shakopee still has work to do this year in the State Tournament, this historic appearance is just the beginning, and this group of guys are trailblazers for the future. With the talent returning and more on the way, Shakopee could soon become a dominant force in Minnesota High School Hockey for years to come.