Two future 'Jacks honored in Minnesota

In a hockey-mad state like Minnesota, it takes a lot to stand out.

A pair of future Muskegon Lumberjacks were special enough to do just that.

Muskegon affiliate list players Grant Besse and Michael Brodzinski were both named to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s All-Metro Team this week.

Besse, a sharp-shooting junior forward for Benilde-St. Margaret’s, and Brodzinski, a junior Blaine High School defenseman who will make his Lumberjacks debut this weekend, were among 19 players honored by the paper Tuesday. Muskegon holds the USHL rights to both high-end talents.

A 5-foot-10 lefthanded shooter, Besse has nailed 44 goals in 28 games this season for Benilde-St. Margaret’s, which is still alive in the Minnesota high school playoffs. His 107 goals over three years makes him the premier sniper in school history. Besse also led the Red Knights with 75 points this winter, fourth-best total in the Minneapolis metro area. He was selected to the All-Metro First Team and will play NCAA hockey at the University of Wisconsin.

Brodzinski also led his team in goals and points, but his offense came from the blueline. The Blaine Bengals rearguard, acquired in a trade with Des Moines last month, pumped in 16 goals and added 20 assists in 28 games. Brodzinski, who has committed to the University of Minnesota and was named to the All-Metro Second Team, is slated to dress in Muskegon’s home games Friday and Saturday.

“Michael is a high-end player and we’re excited to see what he can do,” said Lumberjacks head coach Jim McKenzie. “He’s obviously very skilled and we have a couple of Minnesota guys (Ryan Bullock and Tyler Heinonen) that can help him feel comfortable here.”