The Rogers High School Boys hockey hockey team makes after 21 years of debut in the Staatsturnier

The last quarter -finals of the boys’ state -of -the -art state hockey tournament on Thursday will be the Powerhouse defender Edina against newcomer Rogers and make their state debut.

“Definitely a little emotional for all of us. We have worked so hard in the past few years and especially this year,” said Mason Jenson, Senior striker from Rogers, and remembered the victory of the Royals Section Championship. “I don’t think someone cried pretty much, but we were so happy and smile.”

In their 21 years, the Rogers Boys’ Hockey Team has never made it to the State Tournament.

“There was a lot of heartache,” said Rogers head coach Dave Brown. “In my time you have lost a lot of section finals to Hermantown. We have lost a section finale to Maple Grove. To overcome the hump and play in the Xcel Energy Center, I hope that all these alumni means the 20 boys in this room for you.”

After a disappointing ending a season, this was the year in which it was done. But in today’s preparation hockey it meant that key boys had to return to the team.

“From June, when these children decided to come back when some of them did not have to come back, they could have continued and played junior hockey,” said Brown. “They had a massive chip on their shoulder. When they started beating teams like Shakopee and Stillwater and White Bear Lake at the beginning of the season, they really saw that they really saw an opportunity.”

Jenson was at the top of this list. He came back and dominated. He is second in Minnesota with 85 points.

“It will be great,” said Jenson. “I just saw it. I am very excited to finally play in it and make a show.”