Minnesota’s Top Specialists in the Class of 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last but not least in our breakdown of Minnesota's best in the Class of 2024, we're getting into the top specialists, combining goalies and face-off men. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In goal, this is a really exciting group, and all are huge assets to their team as leaders on the defensive end that are good for a few big momentum-swinging saves each game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15543"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Listed at 6'6 and 220 pounds, Esco is a beast in the cage who doesn't give shooters a lot to look at with his frame.  Despite his size, he moves really well with great footwork and athleticism to get down on low shots as well.  He is a great competitor and not afraid to make his presence felt.  Whether that is putting a body on somebody near his crease or going out and scrapping for a loose ball near the goal, Esco sets the tone for the defense in front of him.  One of the more under-rated things I noticed about him was his passing ability. He throws crisp and accurate passes in the clearing game, allowing his team to get into transition of his big saves. The Queens commit posted a .693 save percentage last year for the Red Knights with a 4.26 GAA, good enough to earn him 3u003csupu003erd u003c/supu003eTeam All-State honors last season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["17891"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLindman is probably the most entertaining goalie to watch on this list.  While he certainly has strong technical abilities, it's his improvisation and clutch performances that stand out to me most.  We talk about players that are 'worth the price of admission' and Lindman is certainly one of those guys.  Posting a .629 save percentage last year, Lindeman single-handedly took over games with highlight reel saves. Playing for a team that did not score a ton of goals last year, he was a big reason why the Jaguars competed in close games with some of the best teams. Lindman has quick hands and great instincts in the cage, and if you watch closely, he's reading shots as he usually is on his way to a certain spot before the shooter even releases the ball. His work did not go unnoticed, as he earned himself 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e Team All-State honors as a junior in 2023.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["17893"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Meisterling has amazing footwork and lightning quick hands. Like Lindman, he is good for a couple show stopping saves each game and really anchors a strong Cadets team defense.  He is technically sound and extremely good at tracking shots that change levels, making shooters crazy as they have to take that extra second to think about how they can beat him. He has strong stick skills and is patient in the clearing game, providing a steady presence for his team to value possessions. Last year, Meisterling posted a .663 save percentage against a pretty tough schedule.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["17896"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Barnes is a big bodied lefty that is deceptively quick and athletic.  He is technically sound and takes up a lot of the cage with size and an aggressive arc.  On tape, I was impressed at how well he was able to track shots through traffic and reset his feet on skip passes or second chance opportunities.  From the one game I saw him play live last season, Barnes brought the energy and commanded his defense.  He has a spark that can generate momentum for his team and elevate those around him to play at a higher level.  A year ago, he posted a .620 save percentage and kept his team close in a lot of games against superior opponents.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3dae8bb433"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we move to the middle of the field to showcase a few of the top face-off specialists in the 2024 class. Minnesota has always had good FOGOs go on to contribute at a very high level in the college ranks - here's a few that caught my eye last spring and summer:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15602"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Arguably the most valuable player in the state - not just at his position, but across the board.  Quinn is a dynamic athlete that brings a unique level of competitiveness and leadership to his team.  While the state champion Lakeville North Panthers had an amazing all-around team last season, Power was the focal point in their success. He is extremely fast, technical and smart as a face-off specialist, giving him an edge in winning the draw clean and quickly to get his team early offensive opportunities. When he does, he also has a good enough skill set to be an offensive threat.  When he loses the initial clamp, which doesn't happen often, he is athletic and good enough defensively as a midfielder to not be a liability to his team's defense. Last season, Power recorded astounding 78.5% face-off win percentage while taking over 400 draws last season in arguably the best conference in the state while also adding 234 groundballs. I could stop there and that would be elite in and of itself, but, he also gave his team 33 points in the way of 22 goals and 11 assists.  His 2023 campaign was simply remarkable, earning him All-American, 1st Team All-State, Star Tribune's All-Metro 1st Team u003cemu003eand u003c/emu003ePioneer Press' Metro Player of the Year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["17899"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hornbuckle is a strong and athletic player that brings a good deal of toughness to the X, going 60% last year while taking 267 draws with 81 groundballs and five goals.  He is technically strong and able to win the ball forward to himself as well as to his teammates on the wing.  I was impressed with his ability to withstand pressure and deal with double teams on tape.  Even when he got into trouble, he was able to figure it out and make a play to save the possession or score a quick goal. Stillwater was a team that lived off strong defense and ball control so his face-off wins were important to letting his team play within their identity.  I expect his numbers to increase this year as the Ponies should be a much more powerful offensive team - this will lead to more goals scored and more opportunities for him to take face-offs and lead transition.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["17903"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Sandberg is the quintessential face-off guy that has a wrestling background and low center of gravity.  He is a master technician with his ability to win clamps, counter and diversify his exits.  He is a true chess player at the X, always thinking about his next move and how to play the game within the game. While Jonah's not the most physically imposing athlete on the field, he understands the position well and plays within his skill set. Last year, he posted a 73% face-off win percentage while taking 228 draws, adding 128 ground balls to help the Mound-Westonka team to an 11-4 record.  While the White Hawks don't play the toughest of schedules, Jonah was a large part of them having the best record and first winning season they have had since becoming a program in 2021.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba65f7b829b"} /-->