It's the most wonderful time of the year in the minds of many high school sports fans, not so much for the holiday season, but for the start of the varsity boys' hockey season.

Squads from around the north metro have taken to the ice, each with puck dreams of their own as the most storied of all Minnesota sports seasons has commenced.

Fresh off their third consecutive appearance in the Class AA State Tournament, the Blaine Bengals are in search of a hoped-for eighth trip to St. Paul this coming March.

However, coach Dave Aus' team was hit hard by graduations in the off-season after its 21-10 season in 2007-08 as the Bengals' top three scorers, forwards Ryan Johnson, Steffen Hansen and Mike Schaber - who accounted for 81 of a total 141 goals last year - each played their final game for Blaine last March.

Blaine's top returning scorer is center Nick Bjugstad, who tallied 10 goals and 17 assists as a freshman. Winger Zac Frischmon also returns after notching 21 assists with seven goals in 2007-08.

In the net, the Bengals appear solid with the return of junior goaltender Danny Harper. Harper, who saw just over 60 percent of the action as a sophomore last year, had a 2.625 goals-against-average with 396 saves. Entering the season, his backup is freshman Nick Marlin.

The Bengals open this season on Dec. 5, when they welcome fellow 2007 state participant Roseau to Fogerty Arena. Blaine hosts Osseo on Dec. 11.

Eagles return lots of talent

Seeking a return to the Class A State Tournament for the first time since 2002 is Totino-Grace. The Eagles saw their 2007 season come to an end with a loss to eventual state champion St. Thomas Academy in the Section 4A playoffs, but return a number of talented players.

While coach Mark Loahr's team lost top scorer Nick Nagel (32 goals, 24 assists in '07-'08) to graduation, forward Dan Delisle returns after notching 25 goals and 31 assists last year. A 10-goal scorer from last season, Billy Heck, is back, as is defenseman Mike Nagel, who tallied 13 assists with two goals.

Netminder Tyler Olson returns for his senior season after accruing a 2.77 GAA with 456 saves last year. Junior Joe Cullen begins the year as Olson's backup.

Totino-Grace began its quest to improve on last year's 16-10-1 season when the Eagles traveled to take on Simley on Tuesday (after this edition went to press). The Eagles begin a four-game homestand Friday when they host Thief River Falls.

Raiders open with a loss

Roseville, fresh off a 17-9-1 season, began its 2008 campaign on a down note with a 4-1 loss at Rochester Mayo on Nov. 29. Varsity newcomer, sophomore forward Spencer Sand, scored the first Roseville goal of the year at 1:25 of the opening period, but it would prove to be the visitors' lone score of the night in the three-goal loss.

Much is new for coach Jeff Pauletti's squad this season as Roseville bid adieu to all four of its double-digit goal scorers (Adam Mueller, Bobby Monsour, Paul Dettling, Justin Capistrant) from last year. However, starting goaltender Paul Podobinski is back after earning a 1.874 GAA in 2007-08 with 436 saves.

Roseville will look to get back on track tonight (Dec. 4) at Centennial. The Raiders begin their conference season Dec. 11 when they host Stillwater.

Raiders open with a loss

Roseville, fresh off a 17-9-1 season, began its 2008 campaign on a down note with a 4-1 loss at Rochester Mayo on Nov. 29. Varsity newcomer, sophomore forward Spencer Sand, scored the first Roseville goal of the year at 1:25 of the opening period, but it would prove to be the visitors' lone score of the night in the three-goal loss.

Much is new for coach Jeff Pauletti's squad this season as Roseville bid adieu to all four of its double-digit goal scorers (Adam Mueller, Bobby Monsour, Paul Dettling, Justin Capistrant) from last year. However, starting goaltender Paul Podobinski is back after earning a 1.874 GAA in 2007-08 with 436 saves.

Roseville will look to get back on track tonight (Dec. 4) at Centennial. The Raiders begin their conference season Dec. 11 when they host Stillwater.