This year promises great competition as the field is deeper then ever, with improving juniors and the addition of some upper level local talent. The seeds were of course fought over as per usual, with 2-time champion (including last year) Ted Bartolo returning to defend his crown. Winning his third would place him in the upper echelon of local players and might just get him a story in the Mankato Free Press, which has given pub to other seeds but not him :-)

New talent this year includes Minnesota State coach Phil Brauer and MnSU players Mitch Johnson, Ryan Fredrickson, and John Julian (Fredrickson and Julian played last year). Chris Harsted, last year's consolation winner returns, hoping to move up in the main draw results.

New junior players to watch for include Miki Mir, Bill Leitch, Asteway Adams, Norman Dharmarajah, and Mitch Roberts. Mitch will be playing in his first tournament while Asteway, Bill, Norman, and Miki will be playing in just their 2nd tournament ever.

Top area junior players returning include James Lager, Hannan Mir, James Overstreet, Alex Kim, Matt McGregor, Karl Peterson, and Reid Rosen join in the fun--with Kim, Peterson, and Rosen participating in their first ever OMHL.

Founding father members of the tournament Mike Overstreet and Paul Haugesag return while Tim Kannemacher and Gary Lager will be unavailable to play but will sign autographs and take photographs with willing participants.

Have fun! Play hard! See you at MATC!