Just before we start the US Thanksgiving Holiday week(end), MYHockey releases Week #9 of the rankings. Most of the top spots remain unchanged over the past week, but expect some movement this coming week with a number of tournaments that could mix things up.

This week, we turn live Minnesota Boys Bantam and Peewee A rankings. A couple notes on Minnesota hockey... First, for something like the past 40 years, the highest level of winter youth hockey in Minnesota was "A". The state is making a change and allowing some programs to field "AA" teams. At least this year, they will be pretty much identical to "A" teams during the regular season but they will have a different post-season tournament. This will more closely mirror their High School programs. Also note that Minnesota teams are not mixed in with the rest of the country. The reason for this is that Minnesota youth teams contain kids up to six months older than what is allowed in the rest of North America. The cut-off dates correspond to school cut-off dates. In theory, squirts is grades 4 & 5, peewees is grades 6 & 7 and bantams is grades 8 & 9. All kids must play for the youth program that corresponds to the school district that they are attending. As such, there is no AAA hockey during the winter season. Minnesota Girls Peewee A rankings have also been released. Girls Bantam A rankings will take another week or two as many teams get started late as a result of High School tryouts.

Best of luck to all of you playing in tournaments this weekend! Safe travels.