Carter Ernst’s Breakout Season Powers Lakeville South’s Surge

Lakeville South junior Carter Ernst has emerged as one of the top offensive forces in high school hockey as of late, leading his team with an impressive 56 points in just 26 games. After a solid, but modest sophomore campaign, Ernst has taken a massive leap forward, becoming a driving force behind Lakeville South’s success.

Last season, Ernst tallied 6 goals and 5 assists over 27 games, respectable numbers for a sophomore, but a far cry from the dominant presence he’s become. This year, he’s flipped the script entirely. Since the calendar turned to 2025, Ernst has been nothing short of unstoppable, recording at least a point in all 15 games played in the new year, racking up 41 points during that stretch alone.

So What’s changed?

Carter has always had the skill, but now he’s asserting himself in the high-danger areas and making a real impact every shift. This assertiveness has been the biggest key to Ernst’s breakout. He’s learned how to be effective in the slot, consistently finding soft spots in the defense and using his strength and body positioning to hold his ground. Carter draws defenders in, creates space, and finds ways to make something happen. Whether it’s crashing the net or setting up teammates with slick feeds, Ernst has turned the slot into his office and business is booming.

His growth has fueled Lakeville South’s offensive explosion. The Cougars have seen its goals per game jump from 3.04 last season to a potent 4.54 this year. The result? A scorching 13-2 record in the new year, with their only losses coming against top-tier opponents Edina and Shakopee.

With his confidence soaring and his game reaching new heights, it’s clear that Ernst isn’t just having a breakout season, he’s becoming one of the more dangerous players in the state.