A.J. Michaelson is the best sophomore hockey player in the state. At least, that's what Minnesota Hockey Hub, a web site associated with the Minnesota State High School Hockey Coaches Association, says.
It rated Michaelson No. 1 among state sophomores. He had 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points this past season for the Eagles who won the Section 3AA title and appeared in the state tournament.
He is 5-11, 175 and in late March participated in USA Hockey's national team development program evaluation camp in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Michaelson played so well there, he was invited to join the under-17 national team but he declined.
His father Jeff said A.J. will be making an unofficial visit to Minnesota in the near future, and then other similar trip to Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota. When A.J. was injured, he also made an unofficial visit to Wisconsin in January.
Wisconsin coaches told A.J. he could play for the Badgers if he wanted to, his father said. It was his first offer.
The fourth-rated sophomore is a familiar name: Mario Lucia, the son of Gophers coach Don Lucia. The 6-2, 175-pound Lucia was Wayzata's third-leading scorer (15-27-42) and the Trojans were one of the state's best Class 2AA teams.
Lakeville North defenseman Brady Skjei, the fifth-rated sophomore, also attended the invitation camp. He accepted an invitation to join the under-17 team which plays in the USHL and also faces a number of college teams.
Skjei is 6-0, 170. He was second in scoring (11-18-29) for the Panthers.
Skjei has been contacted by about a dozen colleges since he returned from Ann Arbor. He plans on making several college visits, too, in the offseason.
