It’s no secret the Lake Conference is a girls hockey powerhouse, and all indications point toward another explosive season in 2011-12.

The Lake Conference has three of its five teams ranked in the Class AA top 10 preseason poll. Defending champion Minnetonka is No. 1, while Edina is ranked No. 3 and Eden Prairie is No. 8.

Can the Skippers repeat? They'll certainly be in the conversation. But coach Eric Johnson said the regular season schedule will prepare each of these teams for the playoffs every single night.

“It’s a very great benefit to all of us to be able to play at that level in January when most of our games occur,” Johnson said. “I know that not all conferences can say the same top to bottom that all their teams are that competitive.”

Patch spoke with Lake Conference coaches to preview the upcoming season. Here’s what to expect this winter.

Teams to Watch

Minnetonka — The Skippers went unbeaten in the conference last year and won the school’s first-ever state championship. 

Edina — The Hornets took Class AA state runner-up for the second straight year, but they return seasoned goalie Maddie Dahl in net. “As everybody knows, the goalie can be the biggest difference in any game,” Hornets coach Laura Slominski said.

Eden Prairie — Even though the Eagles didn’t make state last year, they gave the Hornets a run in the section tournament and start the season as Class AA’s eighth-ranked team.

Key Returners

Marielle Mankey (Hopkins) — Mankey, a gifted athlete and role model on the Royals squad, finished last season with 15 goals and 11 assists. “She plays harder than anybody else. She tries to out-work you, and I’m partial to kids who are three-zone players,” Hopkins coach Vin Paolucci said.

Allison Rolandelli (Hopkins) — Rolandelli, a Division I prospect, is a team leader who scored 11 goals and 12 assists last year.

Maddie Dahl (Edina) — Dahl finished last season with a 25-4-1 record, including a 1.11 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. 

Amy Peterson (Minnetonka) — Peterson scored 34 points during the regular season last year, then capped the season with the game-winning goal to win the state title.

Ellen Rethwisch (Wayzata) — Rethwistch was a top scorer for the Trojans a year ago, notching 11 goals and 11 assists in 24 games.

Paige Marcy (Wayzata) — The Trojans’ goalie played in all but two games for Wayzata last year, compiling a 9-11-2 record and a 3.09 GAA.

Top Losses to Graduation

Rachel Ramsey (Minnetonka) — The Skippers’ all-time leading scorer tallied 78 goals and 96 assists in her career. A 2011 Ms. Hockey finalist, she is currently a freshman for the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team.

Julie Friend (Minnetonka) — Friend backstopped Minnetonka to the state title, going 23-0-1 with a 0.76 GAA and .975 save percentage in 2010-11.

Sami Reber (Edina) — Reber finished the season with 29 goals and 44 assists last year, including six goals and 10 assists in the playoffs. She tallied two assists in the championship game against Minnetonka.

Christie Brauer (Edina) — Another standout forward, Brauer had 32 goals and 18 assists as a senior with Edina.

Allie LaCombe (Eden Prairie) — The Eagles’ leading scorer a year ago notched 37 goals and 17 assists.

Key Matchups

Dec. 10: Wayzata @ Edina — The Lake Conference schedule opens up in early December with this matchup. “I think it will be Wayzata that has a kid who really steps up this year,” Slominski said. 

Jan. 3: Minnetonka @ Hopkins — The Royals get tested early in the new year against the defending state champions.

Jan. 10: Minnetonka @ Edina — The last time these two teams met was in the state championship. The first rematch comes at Braemar Arena.

Feb. 2: Eden Prairie @ Minnetonka — The final game of the regular season could have major conference implications.

Preseason Conference Player of the Year

Maddie Dahl (Edina) — The conference’s top returning goalie will be a big advantage, especially after the Hornets lost a big share of its scoring from a year ago. Look for Dahl to have a big season in net.

2010-2011 Lake Conference Standings

Overall Conference

Minnetonka 29-1-1 7-0-1

Edina 26-4-1 6-1-1

Eden Prairie 18-8-2 3-5-0

Wayzata 11-12-2 2-5-1

Hopkins 9-14-4 0-7-0

Postseason results

Minnetonka: Won Class AA state title 3-2 over Edina

Edina: Class AA state runner-up

Eden Prairie: Lost 4-1 in Section 2AA championship to Edina

Wayzata: Lost 2-1 in Section 6AA quarterfinals to Buffalo

Hopkins: Lost 4-0 to Benilde-St. Margaret’s in Section 6AA semifinals