The 2012 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament has been outstanding over the first couple of days of action, as was obviously expected. It remains to be seen how, however, just how impressive the players participating have been in the eyes of those observing them for the next level.
There are aparently 15 NHL scouts in attendance at the tournament, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, but they didn't travel to Minnesota with a slew of expectations as Walters reports no Minnesotan is expected to be drafted in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft.
The highest-projected Minnesota prep for the draft is Lakeville South senior center Justin Kloos, whose team upset Duluth East on Thursday evening. Kloos, who has committed to the University of Minnesota, could be picked in the third round.
There's always the chance that players will be able to catch the eye of talent evaluators as the tournament continues, of course, so that report shouldn't be read into with too much disappointment.
SB Nation's Hockey Wilderness is covering each session individually, so be sure to check there early and often. We'll continue to post updates here at SB Nation Minnesota in our StoryStream for the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament.