For over 30 years, Minnesota’s best high school seniors have been gathering to compete in the festival now called the Ted Brill Great 8. Each year it gives players a special opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities against the best players in Minnesota.

The three-day tournament has expanded from two region teams (outstate & metro) to eight teams that represent the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) eight sections and is now considered a national development program by USA Hockey.  Participants are also evaluated for a chance to make the 20 player roster that competes in the CCM National Invitational Tournament (NIT) for high school players.

Not surprisingly, the Ted Brill Great 8 and CCM NIT have become hot spots for junior, college and professional scouts who find it very valuable to see potential recruits and draft picks compete against the best players in Minnesota and throughout the U.S.

"These events are made for players like Tyler [Tomberlin] that have maybe gone a little under the radar as far as junior and college scouts are concerned,” said Mark Manney, Tomberlin’s head coach at Andover High School.

Tomberlin is one of several players that will be having their second experience with the events surrounding the Great 8 at Wakota Arena in South St. Paul this weekend.  Last year, he competed in the HP 18 Spring Festival, which is held annually in conjunction with the Great 8, and was selected to represent the Minnesota HP 18 team in the NIT.

"Going into the tournament last year, I had no idea what to expect,” said Tomberlin, who played on the Section 4 & 7 team in the HP 18 festival. “Once I made that team, I was really excited.”

Having the chance to participate in those events as a junior last spring really made an impact on his game.

"The pace is so fast,” said Tomberlin. “It is definitely a step up, and I think it really helped me develop my patience when it came time for the high school season. Playing with the top players like that definitely helped me boost my game."

Manney echoed those feelings, noting that more than anything it was the confidence Tomberlin gained that really made a difference.

“He realized he could play with other teams' top players,” said Manney. “He learned he was an elite hockey player and could compete with anyone in the state."

The difference showed up on the stat sheet too. Tomberlin more than doubled his goals, assists and overall points going from 11 goals, 19 assists and 30 points as a junior to 26 goals, 39 assists and 65 total points during his senior season.  In addition, Tomberlin led Andover on an eight game winning streak that turned a 5-6 record in January into a final record of 17-8 that earned them the three seed in Section 7AA. 

With his high school season finishing earlier than he had hoped after a tough loss to Elk River in the section semifinals, Tomberlin is ready to hit the ice again.

"I'm really excited to play in the Great 8 and hopefully the NIT again,” said Tomberlin. "This tournament is a chance to showcase it all, in front of everyone. You really are playing with and against the best players. Just the whole experience is great to be a part of."

If Tomberlin continues to assert himself as one of top players in Minnesota and the U.S., he may not only find himself playing in the NIT again, but he could have the opportunity to continue his hockey career for many years to come.

For more details on the Ted Brill Great 8 and HP 18 Spring Festival, click on the links below.