Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

[westernbadger]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

This dilemna is faced by many Wisconsin skaters, especially those within driving distance of the Twin Cities. Do you have your daugther play high school hockey in Wisconsin at a skill level that is still, in my opinion, a few/several years behind Minnesota high school girls hockey? Or do you have them enroll in one a private Twin Cities school or play for a Minnesota Thoroughbreds-type team...and pay big bucks to do so? I think you are seeing more and more Wisconsin skaters sticking with their high school team for a number of reasons.

1) The level of hockey is slowly improving in Wisconsin, with improved coaching and improved competition

2) The ability of skaters who really want to improve their skill level by playing on off-season AAA teams in the Twin Cities or through programs like Team Wisconsin

3) The willingness of D-3 coaches in the MIAC and the WCHA and even some eastern schools to consider high school skaters from Wisconsin who have skated in the off-season and have had the chance to be seen by these coaches

4) The cost of private schools and in-season AAA programs. With the limited number of D-1 scholarships available, many skaters will end up playing D-3 where there are no hockey scholarships. So...do you spend your daughter's college savings on private school tuition or AAA fees just to have a chance at a D-1 scholarship? Or is your daughter better off skating with her high school team with her friends, enjoying the high school sports experience? And if she really wants to play college hockey, take part in off-season programs that are available and beneficial and have a chance to play D-3 hockey.

Our daughter chose to play for her Wisconsin high school team with her classmates and friends. She skated on stronger summer AAA teams and at specific summer camps where she was seen by D-3 coaches. She worked her butt off at school and received the top academic scholarship at a D-3 school with strong academics and is fortunate that she will have the opportunity to play on their hockey team this coming season. She realized that even on the off-chance she would would be considered by a D-1 school, her playing time would probably have been minimal. She chose to focus on D-3 schools with the strong academics she wanted and that would also give her the chance at seeing real playing time and let her contribute to her team.

For many female high school hockey players...no matter where the live...they just want to play the sport they love for as long as they can and enjoy the experience! And, if they have the desire to put in the extra work and are fortunate enough to play some collegiate hockey...whether D-1 or D-3...that is a bonus!

 

[DedicatedFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

This dilemna is faced by many Wisconsin skaters, especially those within driving distance of the Twin Cities. Do you have your daugther play high school hockey in Wisconsin at a skill level that is still, in my opinion, a few/several years behind Minnesota high school girls hockey? Or do you have them enroll in one a private Twin Cities school or play for a Minnesota Thoroughbreds-type team...and pay big bucks to do so? I think you are seeing more and more Wisconsin skaters sticking with their high school team for a number of reasons.

1) The level of hockey is slowly improving in Wisconsin, with improved coaching and improved competition

2) The ability of skaters who really want to improve their skill level by playing on off-season AAA teams in the Twin Cities or through programs like Team Wisconsin

3) The willingness of D-3 coaches in the MIAC and the WCHA and even some eastern schools to consider high school skaters from Wisconsin who have skated in the off-season and have had the chance to be seen by these coaches

4) The cost of private schools and in-season AAA programs. With the limited number of D-1 scholarships available, many skaters will end up playing D-3 where there are no hockey scholarships. So...do you spend your daughter's college savings on private school tuition or AAA fees just to have a chance at a D-1 scholarship? Or is your daughter better off skating with her high school team with her friends, enjoying the high school sports experience? And if she really wants to play college hockey, take part in off-season programs that are available and beneficial and have a chance to play D-3 hockey.

Our daughter chose to play for her Wisconsin high school team with her classmates and friends. She skated on stronger summer AAA teams and at specific summer camps where she was seen by D-3 coaches. She worked her butt off at school and received the top academic scholarship at a D-3 school with strong academics and is fortunate that she will have the opportunity to play on their hockey team this coming season. She realized that even on the off-chance she would would be considered by a D-1 school, her playing time would probably have been minimal. She chose to focus on D-3 schools with the strong academics she wanted and that would also give her the chance at seeing real playing time and let her contribute to her team.

For many female high school hockey players...no matter where the live...they just want to play the sport they love for as long as they can and enjoy the experience! And, if they have the desire to put in the extra work and are fortunate enough to play some collegiate hockey...whether D-1 or D-3...that is a bonus!

Well said! Sounds like you and your daughter gave this some serious and realistic thought. I applaud you and hope your daughter enjoys her college hockey experience.

 

[Call It]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

I think that there are individual players and their families that feel that club hockey would be preferable for that player's development. I don't know that people are looking at abandoning HS hockey in favor of a club approach. HS sports are fairly ingrained in the culture.

Most Families can't afford the club route. If hockey was all club hockey it would be like Polo, a rich man's game only. Stick, puck, skates & ice.... that's all you need.

 

[Call It]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

This dilemna is faced by many Wisconsin skaters, especially those within driving distance of the Twin Cities. Do you have your daugther play high school hockey in Wisconsin at a skill level that is still, in my opinion, a few/several years behind Minnesota high school girls hockey? Or do you have them enroll in one a private Twin Cities school or play for a Minnesota Thoroughbreds-type team...and pay big bucks to do so? I think you are seeing more and more Wisconsin skaters sticking with their high school team for a number of reasons.

1) The level of hockey is slowly improving in Wisconsin, with improved coaching and improved competition

2) The ability of skaters who really want to improve their skill level by playing on off-season AAA teams in the Twin Cities or through programs like Team Wisconsin

3) The willingness of D-3 coaches in the MIAC and the WCHA and even some eastern schools to consider high school skaters from Wisconsin who have skated in the off-season and have had the chance to be seen by these coaches

4) The cost of private schools and in-season AAA programs. With the limited number of D-1 scholarships available, many skaters will end up playing D-3 where there are no hockey scholarships. So...do you spend your daughter's college savings on private school tuition or AAA fees just to have a chance at a D-1 scholarship? Or is your daughter better off skating with her high school team with her friends, enjoying the high school sports experience? And if she really wants to play college hockey, take part in off-season programs that are available and beneficial and have a chance to play D-3 hockey.

Our daughter chose to play for her Wisconsin high school team with her classmates and friends. She skated on stronger summer AAA teams and at specific summer camps where she was seen by D-3 coaches. She worked her butt off at school and received the top academic scholarship at a D-3 school with strong academics and is fortunate that she will have the opportunity to play on their hockey team this coming season. She realized that even on the off-chance she would would be considered by a D-1 school, her playing time would probably have been minimal. She chose to focus on D-3 schools with the strong academics she wanted and that would also give her the chance at seeing real playing time and let her contribute to her team.

For many female high school hockey players...no matter where the live...they just want to play the sport they love for as long as they can and enjoy the experience! And, if they have the desire to put in the extra work and are fortunate enough to play some collegiate hockey...whether D-1 or D-3...that is a bonus!

This is one of the best post in this whole forum. Even in the JWHL, half of the players go to a D3 school. There are players that goto USA Hockey National Camp that don't go D1 and there are many girls from Minny that just play High School and get a full boat.

 

[Call It]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

I would like to see Tonka go to the NAHA Labor Day Tournament, bet they would turn some heads vs some "elite club teams"

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

I would like to see Tonka go to the NAHA Labor Day Tournament, bet they would turn some heads vs some "elite club teams"

First of let me just say. I love Minnesota hockey and a huge fan. But if Tonka went to NAHA they would lose most games and some wouldn't be close. I would say the same for the other past HS champions.

Years back I used think Minnesota all stars would dominate any team of the same age. Went to NAHA and saw a whole other level. Many great teams and the best hockey I'd ever seen. You would have to see it to know. Games are so fast and trust me HS hockey is 3-4 levels down. Trust me.

And then I thought that was close to the college level. Which is another level. Enjoy!

 

[Call It]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

Is it a depth thing? Tonka has 5 players going D1.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

A few years ago Roseville and EP had just as many and wouldn't have competed in my opinion. We're talking 5 players where most teams have 10 or more. Whitecaps, Icecats have a whole team of D1 players and don't dominate.

If you get the chance go and watch. I loved it!

 

[AggiesHockey]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

...Years back I used think Minnesota all stars would dominate any team of the same age. Went to NAHA and saw a whole other level. Many great teams and the best hockey I'd ever seen. You would have to see it to know. Games are so fast and trust me HS hockey is 3-4 levels down. Trust me....

Agree, they might not dominate. But if you put MN all stars together on one team, they'd be pretty darned good. If I understand things, MN is sending 4 teams this year. Three competing in the U19 division, and 1 in the U16s. Don't know the specific breakdowns of ages, but I know last year one of the U19 Whitecaps teams was entirely U16 eligible. They didn't dominate the U19s, but they had a respectable showing. Kicked one Canadian academy team's butt; beat Assabassinette Valley's U19 (it was a blast listening to their director moan about how some of their girls were still U16 eligible, blah blah blah..., when our whole team was); lost to Chicago Mission (credit to that team's goalie and a bit of luck, because the shots and play were very one-sided in favor of Whitecaps). I don't recall all the games; no championship, but a respectable showing.

Icecats are more of a AAA team--they practice together & play together during the summer. Whitecaps are more of a tournament team--some college prospects thrown together with very little practice and time to gel as a team. They're just really good players.

If Minnesota put together one all-star team, selected the cream of the crop, and practiced & played together as a team for a couple weeks, that team would do very well--probably win it. If you could draw from already-commited players (who generally sit out NAHA), they would do VERY, VERY WELL! Trust me.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

I'd agree if we put one allstar team together they would be a favorite to win it. actually I think two years ago the Icecats did win it and Whitecaps took 4 or 5. The Minnesota teams have placed top 5 in most years. and you are correct they only play tournaments together and don't practice weekly. Icecats only practice a few times a month. It would make a difference.

Remember Canadians send 6-10 teams so maybe be you beat one team by a bunch and then having many other close gamesand god forsake lose. My point when the Crunch sent a team of post grads in years past they would lose most games by 3-5 goals.

Not defending other teams. I just don't agree that Minny girls dominate at these types of tournaments. and Many great teams from all over.

 

[SlewFoot]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

I'd agree if we put one allstar team together they would be a favorite to win it. actually I think two years ago the Icecats did win it.

In 2010 the Icecats won it and in 2009 the Icecats took 2nd in the top (U19) division. In 2009, the Whitecaps won lower (U17) division.

 

[D2D]

My point when the Crunch sent a team of post grads in years past they would lose most games by 3-5 goals.

No offense to anyone but the Crunch program did not attract the top players in Minnesota. It's not at all surprising they were not competitive in any of the national tournaments.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

My point about the Crunch was that when AggiesHockey made the comment of Kicked one Canadian academy team's butt;That sometimes you might not be playing a top Canadian team. Just like you might not be playing a top Minnesota team.

Obviously Minnesota girls along with the Canadians have more top players.

2012-13 commitments

U.S. 107: Minnesota 27; New York 13; Massachusetts 9; Michigan 8;

Canada 79

Let's try to be a little humble about it.

 

[SlewFoot]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

2012-13 commitments

U.S. 107: Minnesota 27; New York 13; Massachusetts 9; Michigan 8;

Canada 79

Let's try to be a little humble about it.

Is this the final tally for commitments? If it is, its a down year for Minnesota girls isn't it. I think last year it was close to 50 wasn't it?

 

[joehockey]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:51 pm Post subject: Ex Stillwater player injured in crash

From the MN High School Forum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two sisters are injured after a head-on crash in Stillwater.

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating why 46-year-old Jon Wentz crossed the center line on Highway 5 Tuesday night.

His Buick hit a Honda Civic driven by 20-year-old Marah Sobczak of Stillwater, who is a goalie on the Gustavus Adolphus Hockey Team.

Marah Sobczak is in critical condition, and her 15-year-old sister Kally Sobczak is in fair condition at Regions Hospital.


Hope for a speedy recovery for Marah and her sister!

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

Yes, Our hearts go out to the Sobczak family and are in our prayers.

 

[AggiesHockey]

Re: Minnesota Hockey Approach & Perspective

...
Remember Canadians send 6-10 teams so maybe be you beat one team by a bunch and then having many other close gamesand god forsake lose. My point when the Crunch sent a team of post grads in years past they would lose most games by 3-5 goals.

Good point. MN isn't the only place where combining the top talent would make a big difference in the team caliber. Obviously that would hold for Canada too. I guess that's what the national teams are for.