Minnesota’s 10‑year‑old hockey squad captured the 2024 Brick Invitational championship, beating the Detroit Jr. Red Wings 7‑2 on July 5 and ending a 37‑year title drought for the state.
The young roster, composed of 16 players born in 2016, opened the tournament with convincing wins over the Connecticut Junior Rangers, Team Pennsylvania and CCM Chicago before advancing through Western Selects and the British Columbia Jr. Canucks.
A Coach’s Long‑Awaited Triumph
Billy Hengen, who has guided Team Minnesota since 2008 after stints in high school and women’s hockey, described the victory as the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition to bring a Brick title to his home state. His staff, which includes former NHL forward Kyle Okposo, added veteran depth to the campaign.
The Brick Invitational is renowned for its distinctive setting, where fans watch from tiered floors and a sunroof, creating an immersive, family‑friendly atmosphere that has become a rite of passage for aspiring players.
Beyond the excitement, the tournament serves as a major pipeline for NHL talent; in its history it has produced 737 draft picks, among them Quinn Hughes and Auston Matthews, and this year’s edition continued that tradition.
Colton Stewart topped the scoring charts with 21 points, cementing his status as the all‑time leading tournament scorer, while the event’s themed days such as Spirit Day and Western Day added to its celebratory vibe.