Welcome to the 42nd championship season of WIAA hockey. This will also mark the 11th season of coverage provided by Wisconsin Prep Hockey. We look forward to this year as being the best one yet.

The Wausau West Warriors capped off a storybook season last year with its first state title. Head Coach Pete Susens earned his 500th victory along the way, and finished the season with 519 wins, besting the long-time mark of 512 held by legendary Madison Memorial coach Vic Levine.

As it is often said, it is tough to repeat and that might hold especially true for West for a couple reasons. First off, they are returning just eight players that skated in last year's tournament. Secondly, Notre Dame Academy comes into this season loaded for bear at every position and earned the pre-season number one ranking from WiPH.

One of Notre Dame's top returning scorers--Austin Vieth--will miss most of the regular season due to a torn labrum. Does that bother the team and coach Cory McCracken? Yes, I'm sure it does. However, with the Triton's depth at forward, quality on defense and in net, they probably won't be as affected as most teams would be had they lost their leading scorer. Look for NDA to have a solid season and don't be surprised to see them in Madison in March.

Many of the usual suspects appear in the pre-season Top 10: Eau Claire Memorial and Superior are two teams that perennially show up amongst the top teams in the state. Verona, Middleton, and New Richmond have shown up in the top list many times as well.

There are some new teams that are gracing the Top 10 this year, although they have already appeared in the top 10 at times last year.

One team to watch out for is Marquette. The Hilltoppers won an incredible amount of one-goal games last year (15) en route to their first state appearance since 1999. Ironically, their season was ended by Notre Dame in--you guessed it--a one-goal game. Expect a lot of close games this year, and if form holds true, Marquette will make another run in an effort to play at the AEC in 3 1/2 months.

Two other relative newcomers are Green Bay United and Waunakee. Both teams have a bunch of talent and the experience to go along with it. Watch for the Gryphons and Warriors to post at least 18 wins this season.

As holds true with every season, some questions remain: what star player will have his year cut short by injury? Which unranked team will hit a hot streak and vault into the honorable mention category or even into the Top 10? Which high-ranked squad will hit the skids and fall out of the rankings completely?

Sixteen different teams have raised the state championship trophy high into the air at the facility that is now called the Alliant Energy Center, including Superior's 12 titles.

Will we have a 17th team this year, or will a team that's "been there, done that" do it again?

We will know the answer 106 days from now.

Stay tuned and enjoy the season!