(03/07/2023) The Andover High School boys’ hockey team earned the No. 4 seed in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class AA State Tournament and opens play on Thursday, March 9, taking on No. 5 seed Lakeville South High School. 

The defending Class AA state champion Huskies (21-6-1) will make their fourth straight state tournament appearance when the puck drops at 8 p.m. against the Cougars at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Visit the MSHSL website for the bracket, ticket information and more.

The winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal between the Huskies and Cougars will advance to the semifinals at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 10, where they will play the winner of the Minnetonka/Hill-Murray game.  

Thursday’s game will be televised live on KSTC-TV Channel 45, and can be streamed online for free at 45tv.com/prep45.

Winners in 14 of their last 15 games to end the season, the Huskies cruised through the Section 7AA tournament to secure another trip to the state tournament. Andover defeated Duluth Marshall 11-2 in the quarterfinals before defeating Grand Rapids 5-0 to set up a section final match-up with Duluth East at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. 

Senior Cooper Conway scored four goals to help the Huskies earn their fourth consecutive section title in a 7-2 win over Duluth East. 

The Huskies are led by a high-scoring trio of senior forwards, led by Gavyn Thoreson (36g-54a-90pts). Conway enters the tournament with a team-high 45 goals to go along with 38 assists (82 points). Cayden Casey ranks third on the team with 21 goals and 52 assists (73 points).

Thoreson (first team) and Conway (second team) were both named to the 2023 Star Tribune All-Metro team. 

Senior defenseman Tristen May-Robinson has tallied seven goals and 21 assists (28 points) while Ben Doll has pitched in with seven goals and 12 assists (19 points). Senior goaltender Beau Altman enters the state tournament with a 14-3-1 record, a 1.66 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.