Minnesota high school boys hockey playoffs 2026: Sectionals schedule, bracket and results

Class A and AA section champions will advance to the state tournament next week

Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:09pm

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Minnesota's MSHSL boys ice hockey section finals are scheduled to begin this week, with 16 champions set to be crowned across the state's eight sections in both the Class AA and Class A ranks. The top teams in each class, including Minnetonka, Moorhead, Warroad, and Hibbing, will compete for a spot in the state tournament.

Why it matters

The high school hockey playoffs are a highly anticipated annual event in Minnesota, with passionate fans following their local teams' journeys to the state tournament. The sectional championships determine which teams will advance to compete for the state title, making this a crucial stage of the postseason.

The details

The section tournament games will take place over the next few days, with the championship finals scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Some of the key matchups include Minnetonka vs. Chanhassen in Section 2AA, Moorhead vs. Elk River in Section 8AA, and Warroad vs. Detroit Lakes in Section 8A. Several of the games will be available for live streaming online, and fans can also purchase tickets to attend the games in person.

  • The section tournament games will begin on Tuesday, February 24 with several semifinal matchups.
  • The section championship games will take place on Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26.
  • The state tournament is scheduled to run from March 4-7 at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul and the 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

The players

Minnetonka

The state's top-ranked Class AA team, with only one loss on the season, will face Chanhassen in the Section 2AA championship game.

Moorhead Spuds

The No. 2 ranked Class AA team in the state, representing Section 8AA, will take on Elk River for the section title.

Warroad Warriors

The top-ranked Class A team in the state, representing Section 8A, will face off against Detroit Lakes in the section championship game.

Hibbing Bluejackets

The No. 9 ranked Class A team in the state, representing Section 7A, will play Cloquet for the section title.

Edina Hornets

The No. 6 ranked Class AA team in the state, will face off against Wayzata in the Section 6AA championship game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The seeding for the MSHSL boys hockey Class AA and Class A state tournaments will be announced on Saturday, February 28.

The takeaway

The Minnesota high school boys hockey playoffs are a highly anticipated annual event, with passionate fans following their local teams' journeys to the state tournament. This year's sectional championships will determine which teams advance to compete for the state title, making this a crucial stage of the postseason.