Class of ‘27
The class of ‘27 locally, I think, has some solid talent, but eyes nationally don’t seem as impressed. Only one class of ‘27 Minnesotan (Apple Valley goaltender Finley Engfer) made the last U.S. team for the World U18 Championships. As a returner from that team, Ms. Engfer moves straight to the Select 18 National Festival. Other players will have to go through the National 16/17 Camp for the chance to move on to the Festival. Here are the Minnesota ‘27s going to the 16/17 camp:
G Vivienne Anderson (Orono)
G Ilamay Draheim (South Central*)
G Kaia Weiland (Centennial)
D Fiona Gallagher (Maple Grove)
D Addy McLay (Hill-Murray)
D Libby Moe (Edina)
D Lauryn Murray (Eagan)
D Noelle Noble (Wayzata)
D Maisy Tomlinson (Maple Grove)
D Josie Virnig (Benilde)
F Hadley Bakker (Maple Grove)
F Jaycee Chatleain (Hill-Murray)
F Audrey Davis (Edina)
F Talla Hanson (Benilde)
F Sarah Johnson (Mounds View)
F Grace Laager (Centennial)
F Jayden Miller (Elk River)
F Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray)
F Bailey Rupp (Bemidji)
F June Semling (Champlin Park/Coon Rapids)
F Kayla Starr (Edina)
F Harper Wieneke (Maple Grove)
I think the forward group here is quite strong. Defense not quite as strong as a group. Goalies I’m not as sure about at this point. Who are the most likely to be future Gophers? I think Emily Pohl is certainly the strongest possibility.
*South Central is made up of Waseca High School, New Richland-H-E-G H.S. , Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School , Waterville-Elysian-Morristown H.S. , Faribault High School , Randolph High School , Medford High School , Bethlehem Academy
2027-28 will be Clark's senior year and Hemp the Younger's junior year. I'm not sure if they'll grab a goalie in this class (although they will eventually need a practice goalie for 2026-27 with Johnson graduating).
It would be nice to grab Engfer though, local product with national team experience and the ideal size at 5'11".