Lou Nanne will provide TV analysis at the state hockey tournament for the 48th year starting this week. The former Gophers All-American and NHL executive predicts Duluth East will win the Class 2A tournament and St. Thomas Academy the Class 1A.
“East has got a great team,” Nanne told Sports Headliners. “The same team back from last year’s finals. They’re the team to beat. St. Thomas is an experienced team (state champs in 2011) that’s played a tough schedule.”
Nanne will have particular interest in the Class 2A tournament. He will be working only Class 2A games on TV, and two of his grandsons are playing for Edina in that tournament. Tomorrow night the Hornets, including sophomore defenseman Tyler Nanne and junior forward Louie Nanne, play against Benilde-St. Margaret’s in an opening Class 2A game starting at 8 p.m.
Louie has verbally committed to the Gophers, while Tyler is too young to announce a college choice. This will be Louie’s third state tournament. “Louis is a tenacious competitor,” his grandfather said. “He’s got a great shot. Tyler is really skilled. He’s got very good hand skills.”
How do the grandsons compare to their grandfather when he was of high school age? “They both skate better than me,” Nanne said. “They have better wrist shots. They’re faster than me. Louie hits a lot like I did.”
Nanne also follows the Gophers and believes the WCHA regular season champions could win the NCAA tournament if the goalie play is exceptional. His pick to win the title is Boston College. “A great all-around team with exceptional speed,” Nanne said.