all 5 minnesota schools in the NCAA!

[sig]

Congrats to the minnesota D1 schools getting in the tourney. This is what Herb brooks and Mariucci wanted when they pushed for SCSU, BEMIDJI and Mankato to go D1.

 

[Double Major]

Now that's a first! Hoping to see at least two in the Frozen Four!

 

[SCSU BlackandRed]

Pretty impressive. There’s a possibility of an all Minnesota Frozen Four. Realistically, there’s a decent chance for two to get there.

 

[Double Major]

Pretty impressive. There’s a possibility of an all Minnesota Frozen Four. Realistically, there’s a decent chance for two to get there.

Wouldn't that be something...nah, the NCAA would thereafter put all Minnesota teams into the same regional, like they did to the WCHA teams after all four made the Frozen four some 15(?) years ago.

Frankly I'd love to see it!

 

[Blackheart]

Wouldn't that be something...nah, the NCAA would thereafter put all Minnesota teams into the same regional, like they did to the WCHA teams after all four made the Frozen four some 15(?) years ago.

Frankly I'd love to see it!

2004-05 Frozen Four in Columbus...North Dakota vs Minnesota; Denver vs Colorado College

 

[John J. MacInnes]

The most I can remember from one state was in the 1992 tournament when Lake Superior State won the title, Michigan State and Michigan also made the semifinals, and NMU got eliminated by Michigan in the quarters. That was also only a 12 team field, so 1/3 of the teams were from Michigan.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Congrats to the Minnesota D1 schools getting in the tourney. This is what Herb Brooks and Mariucci wanted when they pushed for SCSU, BEMIDJI and Mankato to go D1.

The challenge gets tougher next year with the addition of St Thomas to the CCHA, but I would not bet against the Tommies becoming a top 3 team in the CCHA. Playing in MN they are going to get some recruits right out of the gate. MN putting SIX schools in the tourney down the road is not that far fetched because they come from three conferences. The CCHA teams would be the biggest challenge to get them all in at once.

 

[SJHovey]

The most I can remember from one state was in the 1992 tournament when Lake Superior State won the title, Michigan State and Michigan also made the semifinals, and NMU got eliminated by Michigan in the quarters. That was also only a 12 team field, so 1/3 of the teams were from Michigan.

Four teams from a state has happened quite a bit, and prior to this year we even had five on one occasion.

By my calculations we've had four from a state in '88 (MA), '92 (MI), 94 (MA, MI), '96 (MI), '06 (MA), '12 (MI), and '15(MN).

In 2016 there were five Massachusetts teams in the tourney: Lowell, BC, Harvard, BU and Northeastern.

 

[lakersparty]

Four teams from a state has happened quite a bit, and prior to this year we even had five on one occasion.

By my calculations we've had four from a state in '88 (MA), '92 (MI), 94 (MA, MI), '96 (MI), '06 (MA), '12 (MI), and '15(MN).

In 2016 there were five Massachusetts teams in the tourney: Lowell, BC, Harvard, BU and Northeastern.

I like all discussions that mention 1988, 1992, and 1994. It's so nice to have Laker Hockey back in the tourney!

 

[lakersparty]

The challenge gets tougher next year with the addition of St Thomas to the CCHA, but I would not bet against the Tommies becoming a top 3 team in the CCHA. Playing in MN they are going to get some recruits right out of the gate. MN putting SIX schools in the tourney down the road is not that far fetched because they come from three conferences. The CCHA teams would be the biggest challenge to get them all in at once.

I've been thinking about the new CCHA and trying to get a grasp on what St. Thomas will bring. On paper, it looks like they have potential to be pretty successful in time. I do wonder, though, if that will be at the expense of one of the other Minnesota CCHA schools.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Four teams from a state has happened quite a bit, and prior to this year we even had five on one occasion.

By my calculations we've had four from a state in '88 (MA), '92 (MI), 94 (MA, MI), '96 (MI), '06 (MA), '12 (MI), and '15(MN).

In 2016 there were five Massachusetts teams in the tourney: Lowell, BC, Harvard, BU and Northeastern.

Good notes. Looks like that '92 tourney was the most successful for a single state then.

 

[SCSUBlackandRed]

I've been thinking about the new CCHA and trying to get a grasp on what St. Thomas will bring. On paper, it looks like they have potential to be pretty successful in time. I do wonder, though, if that will be at the expense of one of the other Minnesota CCHA schools.

Really hard to say what is going to happen for sure. Not only is there a lot of competition for top recruits from the state within these schools, we have a lot of kids leave and go to top programs outside the state. It's a healthy place to be when it comes to opportunities to play D1 hockey across the country. We do fill an NHL arena for the state tournament so there is no shortage of kids and excitement for hockey here.

But if you're just trying to compare within these schools, I think you break it down into a few variables: level of competition (i.e. what prepares me to play at the next level), facilities and value of education. How these impact each of the individual recruits obviously varies.

Level of Competition:
1a, 1b, 1c - U of M, UMD, SCSU
2a, 2b - Mankato and BSU
3. - St. Thomas - probably a little while before they get a similar non-conference schedule as Mankato and BSU but I'll bet UMD and SCSU will be willing partners early on

Facilities:
1. U of M
2. UMD
3. SCSU
4. Mankato
5. BSU
6. St. Thomas - REALLY need to get an arena plan in place, especially when it comes to non-conference matchups - being in the Twin Cities is a big plus from a location standpoint, but not sure where they'll play yet. Options of existing arenas not great. Either too big or too small and not on campus.

Value of Education:
1a and 1b - U of M and St. Thomas
2. UMD
3a, 3b - SCSU and Mankato (splitting hairs on this)
4. BSU - it's a fine school but if you're going the business school route, you aren't going to BSU if you go to a Minnesota state school

That's just my opinion on the above as someone who has graduated from one of the schools, lives in the state (Metro area to be exact) and knows plenty of people who have done the same.

St. Thomas has a shot to become good but they are going to take their lumps from the rest of the CCHA for a few years until they get established. They are behind the pipelines all of these schools have established for D1 quality players. But I do think they will get there over time.

 

[Bonin21]

I would think the Sanford Center is decently equipped if not better than SCSU and Kato's places

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

St. Thomas has a shot to become good but they are going to take their lumps from the rest of the CCHA for a few years until they get established. They are behind the pipelines all of these schools have established for D1 quality players.

I think LIU, St Thomas, Lindenwood?, etc are going to be helped by the increased ease of transfer from one D-I program to another. I could see them getting a lot of interest from current 3rd and 4th line players who just want more ice time and will jump ship to another program to get it.

The other potential source of quality recruits will be kids who keep getting pushed down the list by big programs that overrecruit. The "5th season" allowed because of Covid also works in the favor of these new D-I teams. Nearly every program is going to have to make hard decisions about which seniors they bring back vs getting new kids into the program that they promised would make the roster for 2021-22. Some of these kids are certainly going to get pushed out another year. Some will simply change programs to get to the D-I level a year sooner or they don't want to lose eligibility because they won't be able to get their four years in if they wait another season to get on campus.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

I think LIU, St Thomas, Lindenwood?, etc are going to be helped by the increased ease of transfer from one D-I program to another. I could see them getting a lot of interest from current 3rd and 4th line players who just want more ice time and will jump ship to another program to get it.

The other potential source of quality recruits will be kids who keep getting pushed down the list by big programs that overrecruit. The "5th season" allowed because of Covid also works in the favor of these new D-I teams. Nearly every program is going to have to make hard decisions about which seniors they bring back vs getting new kids into the program that they promised would make the roster for 2021-22. Some of these kids are certainly going to get pushed out another year. Some will simply change programs to get to the D-I level a year sooner or they don't want to lose eligibility because they won't be able to get their four years in if they wait another season to get on campus.

I don't think this 5th Season is going to be as big a thing in hockey as it will be in football or basketball. Most of these seniors are 24, 25 years old, where in basketball and football, we are talking 21 and 22 year olds. A lot of these 24 and 25 year old hockey players may be ready to "get on with life" and get onto the next chapter in their lives. A 21 or 22 year old, especially in football or basketball, may still be eyeing that pro contract in football or basketball.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

I would think the Sanford Center is decently equipped if not better than SCSU and Kato's places

Agreed. Bemidji has a fine rink, stands, concessions, etc., better than Kato or St. Cloud in that respect. Kato has considerably upgraded locker room, weight room, player meeting spaces, etc. Can't really compare that to Bemidji or St. Cloud, but I think that plays well with recruits.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

I don't think this 5th Season is going to be as big a thing in hockey as it will be in football or basketball. Most of these seniors are 24, 25 years old, where in basketball and football, we are talking 21 and 22 year olds.

I agree that most hockey players enter college as older first year players and that this "5th year" won't be a huge issue. However I think every team is going to have at least 2-3 tough decisions to make with next year's roster regarding 5th year players. This Summer will be one of the most interesting in recent history and I expect to see an above average number of transfers before next season because of this anomaly of eligibility.

Even if teams don't have any issues with potential 5th year players already on their roster, they might have one fall into their lap who isn't asked to return or can't get money from their current team. What mid to low tier program wouldn't grab a player with 3-4 years of D-I experience already under their belt if they had the chance? Next year could be strong once for lower tier programs as they might find their average age going up even higher than normal as they already tend to get older, late developing junior players who spent 3 or more seasons trying to get a D-I spot.

 

[SCSUBlackandRed]

Agreed. Bemidji has a fine rink, stands, concessions, etc., better than Kato or St. Cloud in that respect. Kato has considerably upgraded locker room, weight room, player meeting spaces, etc. Can't really compare that to Bemidji or St. Cloud, but I think that plays well with recruits.

Since the remodel, the Brooks Center is a lot nicer than it was. Upgraded a lot of in arena amenities and even more behind the scenes. Weight room and locker room are really impressive now. Two sheets of ice as well.

But yes, the Sanford Center is definitely a nice building. Probably without a doubt nicer/better concessions than SCSU, but I doubt recruits care about that at all. I'll move them up in the facilities ranking to be at least tied with SCSU and Mankato, for what it's worth.

 

[SCSUBlackandRed]

I agree that most hockey players enter college as older first year players and that this "5th year" won't be a huge issue. However I think every team is going to have at least 2-3 tough decisions to make with next year's roster regarding 5th year players. This Summer will be one of the most interesting in recent history and I expect to see an above average number of transfers before next season because of this anomaly of eligibility.

Even if teams don't have any issues with potential 5th year players already on their roster, they might have one fall into their lap who isn't asked to return or can't get money from their current team. What mid to low tier program wouldn't grab a player with 3-4 years of D-I experience already under their belt if they had the chance? Next year could be strong once for lower tier programs as they might find their average age going up even higher than normal as they already tend to get older, late developing junior players who spent 3 or more seasons trying to get a D-I spot.

Some excellent points here along with your original post. Could see a few transfers make a big difference to lower tier programs.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

I don't think this 5th Season is going to be as big a thing in hockey as it will be in football or basketball.

I saw a tweet today there are already 185 players in the NCAA transfer protocol for hockey. I think St Thomas will have no problem putting together a quality roster next season. I would be shocked if at least 3/4 of the team is not D-I transfers with this many players available.