Colten Crook: From Shanghai to Minnetonka, A Unique Hockey Journey

Colten Crook’s hockey journey is far from the typical Minnesota-born route. It’s a story that stretches across continents, from the bustling city of Shanghai to the heart of one of Minnesota’s top hockey scenes, Minnetonka. What sets Colten apart isn’t just his exceptional skill on the ice, but the unconventional path he’s taken to become one of the state’s rising young prospects.

Colten began his hockey journey in an unlikely place: Shanghai, China. In 2018, Colten was introduced to hockey in a city not traditionally known for its hockey culture. Colten took his first steps toward becoming the player he is today through the instruction and tutelage of Russian and Chinese coaches in Shanghai. Though far from the hockey hotbeds of North America, Shanghai provided an important foundation for Colten’s early development.

After his time in Shanghai, the Crook family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Here, Colten continued his hockey journey, joining a Peewee team in a city where hockey wasn’t the first sport on most kids’ minds. Colten worked on his skills, rounded out his game, and made an impression at a level that would eventually lead him to one of the most prestigious youth hockey programs in the state of Minnesota.

Minnetonka, with its rich tradition of producing top-tier talent, became the new home for Colten to hone his skills. He quickly made an impact on the Peewee AA team, and over the past two seasons, Colten solidified himself as a key player for the Skippers Bantam AA team, contributing heavily to their success. His versatility and ability to take over games made him one of the most dangerous players in the state.

In the 2024-2025 season, Colten’s game truly elevated. With 36 goals and 62 points in 46 games. But what was impressive this season was Colten’s ability to perform against top-tier competition. In matchups against Minnesota’s best Bantam teams, Colten showed he was more than capable of rising to the occasion. For instance, In three games against Moorhead, Crook netted 3 goals and added 5 assists, recording an astounding 2.66 points per game….. against the State Champions!

So, what makes Colten Crook such a force on the ice?

Crook is a difficult player to defend, combining a broad physical presence with a diverse skill set that makes him a constant threat. His soft hands allow him to handle the puck with precision in tight spaces, whether it’s working along the boards or navigating through traffic. Colten excels at receiving hard, difficult passes, effortlessly controlling the puck and quickly transitioning it into scoring opportunities.

Colten is strong on his skates, he uses his body effectively in puck protection, especially along the boards and in front of the net. Colten’s shot is another weapon in his arsenal, delivering a quick, whip-like release that generates significant torque. His overall combination of skill, strength, and shot makes him a multi-dimensional forward that is tough for defenders to handle.

From Shanghai to Atlanta to Minnetonka, Colten Crook’s unconventional journey has made him one of the most exciting young talents in Minnesota hockey. With his blend of skill, power, and clutch performances, Colten is ready for the next challenge and will be ready to contribute at the high school level next season.