How Are Elite League Players/Teams Chosen?

PUCKIN AA
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 9:15 am

How Are Elite League Players/Teams Chosen?

Post by PUCKIN AA » Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:26 am

I don't know anything about this league. Can anyone give me the lowdown on this? Thanks! <p></p><i></i>

mnhshock29
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 11:02 pm

Re: How Are Elite League Players/Teams Chosen?

Post by mnhshock29 » Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:47 am

Players are chosen a combination of ways. Regular season performance is one of the biggest factors. League staff talks with HS coaches and seeks recommendations on players not only on their team, but opposing teams. In addition, staff actively scouts games and reviews statistics. The program also watches the select tryout process. Then, about 80 percent of the players are invited straight in. The last spots are filled through a tryout process that the league organizes. I think that's about everything. Hope that helps. <p></p><i></i>

SHP55
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 8:29 pm

not good

Post by SHP55 » Wed Dec 24, 2003 1:42 pm

The Elite League should be called the Older you are you have a better shot League. So many freshman and sophmores who were alot better than the prized seniors this year were cut. If they are to call it the elite league they should actually pick the elite players with a future, not the older players who will not go anywhere in hockey. They should do it honest and pick the best players because so many did not get picked. The try out is a joke, i watched it at new hope over the summer. I have no idea how you can judge talent and pick players. theres abou 40 kids on the ice and they run drills and srimmage on horrible ice. They should restructure the tryout. It will be an awesome league if they pick all the good players and have the tryout a little more organized..<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/grin.gif ALT=" >D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

hockeyscout
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 2:14 pm

Re: not good

Post by hockeyscout » Wed Dec 24, 2003 2:14 pm

Any tryout process While not perfect was conducted for this past years Elite league at New Hope. I was there to watch and I think your mistaken. Name the underclassmen that were over looked in the tryout. Mr. Russo has developed a good league and some mistakes might be made, but remember they want the best hockey players. I think its fair to say that the older you are you will be able to compete with the speed and physical play that most freshman and some sophomores can't compete with. The seniors in the league are for the most part 18 years old and a 14 year old will in no way be able to take the pounding. Thats not saying the the skill is not there in the younger players however. Give the younger players time to grow and mature. There is no hurry, and the 14 and 15 year olds will have their chance in due time. <p></p><i></i>

mnhshock29
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 11:02 pm

Re: not good

Post by mnhshock29 » Wed Dec 24, 2003 2:16 pm

I'm not sure how many freshman are ready to be highly competitive at the varsity level, let alone at this level. Outstanding sophomores would definitely have a shot, but I think it's only natural that the league skew a little older. I don't think it's accurate to generalize this year's group as older players who have no shot. The NHL, and colleges like St. Cloud State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Yale University, University of Minnesota, Dartmouth College and Air Force--who've all already signed kids from this group--certainly would disagree. The tryout set-up is being reviewed. As always, if you feel you know a player who is worthy of consideration, email/call the league (visit www.hselitehockey.com for contact info). <p></p><i></i>

shutout
Posts: 208
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2003 2:25 pm

Elite league

Post by shutout » Wed Dec 24, 2003 2:24 pm

The Elite League made several improvements in the selection process last year compared to the year before. They looked less at stats and made sure they looked at ability before giving the spots to the players. The first year anyone who was "All Conference" was given a spot regardless of the conference they were in ( and we all know the strength of conference issue ).last year they watched players first hand and did a much better job of selecting the better players. You will never please everyone when it comes to selecting players, but i thought very few mistakes were made. <br><br>The big issue last year was with the Football players, they would play in the football game on Friday night and did not have the legs to play two hockey games the next day, I know this is a sensitive issue because part of their promotion is that "you cans stay home and play your fall sport and still play in a very competitive hockey league" I personally think that you cannot be a impact player on a football team and play in this league at the same time. I even think you take the risk of letting scouts see you playing at less then your ability and could jeapordize your college future in hockey. <br><br>I have heard that the league has solicited recommendations fron the High School Coaches for ways to improve the league next year. ( too bad the MSHSL doesn't give that a try) and I cannot say enough about John Russo and his staff, they have made more improvements to this league and continue to try to improve it while it took over 5 years to get the high school league to increase the periods by two minutes.<br><br>It bothers me when people take shots at this league, it is the best thing to happen to High School hockey in a long time and you have a guy spending countless hours running it for nothing (even losing money) taking shots from people that are quick to critisize, but wouldn't have the first clue on how to operate a league as big as this one. You should really be channeling your critisizm towards the MSHSL they are the ones that for years have let players leave for juniors and other alternatives and John Russo has a league that in two years has made a dramatic impact on keeping kids in High School. <br><br>He is quick to say that there are a FEW that should still pursue the higher levels, but now the majority can stay and be seen by scouts. <p></p><i></i>

NorthHockey12
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 1:11 am

SHP

Post by NorthHockey12 » Fri Dec 26, 2003 12:38 pm

SHP - "The Elite League should be called the Older you are you have a better shot League. So many freshman and sophmores who were alot better than the prized seniors this year were cut. If they are to call it the elite league they should actually pick the elite players with a future, not the older players who will not go anywhere in hockey."<br><br>You make a good point in saying that the "elite league" should be Minnesota's ELITE players, however you have to realize this is a league about advancement.<br><br>By giving older kids priority in this league it is putting new faces on the roster every year and it is also putting kids closer to be on there way to going to that next level in the spotlight to be noticed so that after high school they might have an offer to go somewhere.<br><br>If you are a really good player and you are younger you will have a shot at getting in this league regardless (mike kramer was in it after his freshman season) or if you are not all-conference all-state all-world right away you will be givin a shot when you are older anyhow.<br><br>By doing this also the younger players are not being offered options to go to juniors at a young age also and remember one of the goals is to keep kids playing high school hockey, without a doubt there would be some interest in a good player and maybe start talking with a younger player and if they are talking to them after their freshman season what is to stop them from taking this offer and going to juniors there senior year?<br><br>Without a doubt in theory what you are saying would be good for the league but not long term, what would the point for scouts to go every year if they are seeing these same kids that have played in the league for 2 years, to go watch the "filler" players from who are taking the spots of stand-out players from previous years? <br><br>I don't know, what I said may not make a whole lot of sense but it did while I was rambling along. <p></p><i></i>

Locked