USA Hockey High School National Championship: Minnesota Teams Shine as National Winners Crowned

USA Hockey High School National Championship: Minnesota Teams Shine as National Winners Crowned

From March 18th through the 22nd, over 60 teams from across the country descended on the Plymouth Ice Center to compete for the USA Hockey High School National Championship. Three divisions of boys teams and two divisions of girls clubs battled out to end their season with one of the most prestigious accomplishments in high school hockey.

One of the most exciting aspects of the tournament is how it showcases hockey’s nationwide growth. Traditional powers from traditional hockey markets like Minnesota and Massachusetts are still well represented, but they’re joined by elite teams from Florida, Texas, California and other emerging markets. 

While every team represented their community well, only five teams could skate away as national champions.

State of Hockey Represented at High School National Championships

Minnesota is known as the State of Hockey, and the moniker is well-earned. Minnesota churns out professional and collegiate athletes at a level among the best in the country, and the game is ingrained in the state’s fabric.

One of Minnesota hockey’s crown jewels is the talent at the high school level. Public and private schools across the state alike enjoy massive fan support and are pillars of their communities. As such, a tournament bringing together the best of the United States’ high school hockey programs wouldn’t be complete without a significant Minnesota contingent.

This year, four teams represented Minnesota at the event. The Osseo Maple Grove Saints (Boys 2A), Shattuck St. Mary’s (Boys 3A and Girls 2A), and Sunflower Gold (Girls 1A) all took the ice vying for their respective division’s titles.

Minnesota teams didn’t just take part in the event; they played a major part in the championship’s outcomes. Three teams (Osseo Maple Grove, Shattuck St. Mary’s girls and Sunflower Gold) played in their division’s championship games. The four clubs combined for a 14-6 record throughout the event.

Each of the Minnesota teams was impressive in their tournaments, but only Sunflower Gold captured their division’s national championship. Congratulations to Sunflower Gold, along with all the other winners, for ending their season with a national championship.

Boys High School Tournament

1A

Winner: St. Francis Red Raiders (NY) 

The St. Francis Red Raiders rolled through their division to capture the 2026 Boys 1A National Championship. The team went 6-0 at the tournament, outscoring opponents 30-4 throughout their run.

St. Francis’ run of dominance included wins over the Northern Kentucky Norse (KY), Park City (UT), Edwardsville Varsity (MO), Gillette Grizzlies (WY) and Bishop Gorman (NV). That stretch of games culminated in a championship showdown with Frisco (TX).

Frisco took the early lead in the game on a goal from Wyatt Waldron, but the Red Raiders stormed back and scored six unanswered goals. Tyler Dusza, Ryan Werner (x2), Tanyon Aquila and William Fattey (x2) notched goals for St. Francis in the championship game.

Head Coach Jordan Farnham spoke after the tournament about his team’s mentality in the event. Farnham says the team raised their play to a different level in Plymouth.

“Our kids were dialed in all week,” Farnham. “It was just a different look in their eye this week, and they knew that if they stuck together and played the way we wanted to play, we could get this done.”

The victory gave St. Francis Hockey its first-ever high school national championship.

2A

Winner: Springfield Thunderbirds (MA)

The Springfield Thunderbirds kicked off their National Championship run with a loss to the Rushmore Thunder (SD). That loss was the last time they trailed to any team. The Thunderbirds went on to defeat Middletown Valley Knights (MD), Coyotes Gold (CO), North Broward Prep (FL) and Denver East (CO) by a combined score of 31-2.

That run of dominance set up a matchup against the Osseo Maple Grove Saints in the National Championship final. 

The Thunderbirds got off to a quick start against the Saints, building a 3-0 lead on two goals from Wolfgang Zinger and another from Gabe Kolodjay. Springfield extended their lead early in the third period on a Mason Thayer tally. 

Despite the 4-0 lead, the game was far from over with Osseo Maple Grove mounting a furious comeback in the third period. The Saints scored four of the next five goals to bring the score to 5-4 with 2:16 remaining. The Thunderbirds ultimately fended off the rally and won the game 6-4.

Head coach Ryan Cloonan spoke about the third period after the game.

“It was a little nerve-racking, but I think we held strong,” Cloonan said. “That goes to show kind of how mentally strong they are to be able to bounce back to an early loss at the beginning of the tournament.”

3A

Winner: Desert Christian (CA)

When Desert Christian dropped the puck on its 2025-26 campaign, the club was doing so on its first season as a hockey program. The Conquerors ended that first season as the Boys 3A National Champions.

The California Academy went 3-1 leading into their championship game with wins over Nest Hockey (FL), Culver Academies (IN) and Norwich Hockey Club (CT). The Conquerors’ lone loss came in a 2-6 defeat to South Kent (CT).

Desert Christian’s strong tournament set up a rematch with Nest Hockey with the National Championship on the line. The game was a tightly contested affair, with neither team able to score in the first period. 

The Conquerors broke the deadlock midway through the second frame on a goal from Jake Barckholtz. Gavin Gillis added a goal in the third period to extend their lead to 2-0. Nest Hockey scored to bring the game within one, but Desert Christian’s Carsen Somers scored an empty net goal to seal their championship victory.

Head coach Steven March spoke after the game about the support the team received from the community in their first year as a program.

“The support from the community’s been unbelievable,” March said. “We’ve got billet families here that made the trip to be with the guys and support them. We just couldn’t say enough good things about the community there — they’ve been fantastic and above and beyond any expectations.”

Girl’s High School Tournament

1A

Winner: Sunflower Gold (MN)

Sunflower Gold entered the tournament as a select team of 12 skaters from high schools around Minnesota. Despite having fewer players than most other teams in the tournament, they ended their run as the Girls 1A National Champions.

Sunflower Gold lost their first game to Team South Dakota before rattling off five straight wins to capture the national title. That run included wins over Lady Chargers (CO), Team Wyoming (WY), Bay Reps (MI) and Team Texas (TX). Sunflower Gold faced off with WEHL Western (WI) in the championship game, ultimately securing a 2-0 win.

As in the championship game, goaltending and defense defined Sunflower Gold’s play when it won. In their five victories, Sunflower Gold registered three shutouts and allowed only two goals. The duo of Rylee Lorton (Eden Prairie HS) and Brooke Frey (Shakopee HS) evenly split time in net for the team throughout their run, including the high school national championship game.

Meanwhile, Cara Peterson and Lucy Mitshulis (Anoka HS) tallied the goals for Sunflower Gold in a 2-0 victory.

Head coach Gregory Piepkorn spoke after the game about the team’s resilience throughout the tournament.

“It’s been a grueling week for our team,” Piepkorn said. “This game showed it, but they came to play.”

2A

Winner: Lovell Academy (MA)

Lovell Academy captured a high school national championship last year with an overtime victory over Shattuck St. Mary’s. The two teams met again in 2026 to decide the winner of the Girls 2A division. While the 2026 final didn’t need overtime, Lovell Academy once again came away with the victory for their second-straight championship.

Lovell Academy’s tournament run was an undefeated streak of games in which they defeated WEHL North Central/North East (WI), Fairmont Prep (CA), Shattuck St. Mary’s (MN), and Islanders HC-Winchendon School (MA). The Lions defeated each of their opponents by multiple goals, except for Shattuck St. Mary’s, who they beat by one goal in a 3-2 victory during their third game of the tournament.

Like that matchup, the championship game against Shattuck was a closely contested affair that appeared headed to overtime, with a 0-0 deadlock persisting deep into the third period. Remi Karsh scored on the power play with 56 seconds remaining to secure a 1-0 victory. 15-year-old Olivia De Lisle made 29 saves for Lovell Academy in the shutout.

With Lovell Academy winning its second-straight high school national championship, the program is establishing itself as one of the strongest in the country. Head coach Caitrin Lonergan spoke about the program’s growing success after the game. 

“Our program the last couple years is starting to prove ourselves, and people are respecting our organization and what our players do, and I do believe we’re the best team in the country.”