Monticello back to AA?

hermantown2000 · Post by **hermantown2000** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:07 pm

This may have already been discussed but I could be wrong. I noticed that Monticello is going back up to AA according the MSHSL section lists. They will be in section 8AA the next two years. Does anyone know the reasoning why they would move back up? They are coming off a cinderella season last year in which they came within 5 and a half minutes from one of the biggest upsets in state tournament history. It seems odd that they would want to move up to AA after showing a lot of promise and potential last year in A.

Zamman · Post by **Zamman** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:10 pm

Maybe enrollment is up? Maybe they want to play in AA like the rest of the power teams. Maybe trophies are not that important....

Upfan111 · Post by **Upfan111** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:15 pm

Zamman wrote:Maybe enrollment is up? Maybe they want to play in AA like the rest of the power teams. Maybe trophies are not that important....

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:28 pm

The down on their luck 2000 student MAML program... Huge hoodwink!!

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:48 pm

Zamman wrote:Maybe enrollment is up? Maybe they want to play in AA like the rest of the power teams. Maybe trophies are not that important....

Maybe they realize they should move up to AA and play state games in front of huge crowds..... unlike their wimpy opponent!

pioneers · Post by **pioneers** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:33 pm

This is the current listing on the MSHSL site

Hockey, Boys
Class: A
Section: 5
10 teams in this section
A Map
Administered by Region 7AA Chisago Lakes High School
North Branch High School
Princeton High School
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Coop: 37 "Becker/Big Lake"
Becker High School (HOST)
Big Lake High School
Coop: 285 "Legacy Christian Academy"
Calvin Christian High School
Concordia Academy-Roseville
Legacy Christian Academy (HOST)
PACT Charter School
Spectrum High School
Coop: 306 "Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lak"
Annandale High School
Maple Lake High School
Monticello High School (HOST)
Coop: 308 "Moose Lake Area"
Barnum High School
Cromwell-Wright High School
East Central High School
Moose Lake High School (HOST)
Willow River High School
Coop: 309 "Mora-Milaca"
Milaca High School
Mora High School (HOST)
Coop: 355 "Pine City Area"
Hinckley-Finlayson High School
Pine City High School (HOST)
Rush City High School

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:51 pm

pioneers wrote:This is the current listing on the MSHSL site

Hockey, Boys
Class: A
Section: 5
10 teams in this section
A Map
Administered by Region 7AA Chisago Lakes High School
North Branch High School
Princeton High School
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Coop: 37 "Becker/Big Lake"
Becker High School (HOST)
Big Lake High School
Coop: 285 "Legacy Christian Academy"
Calvin Christian High School
Concordia Academy-Roseville
Legacy Christian Academy (HOST)
PACT Charter School
Spectrum High School
Coop: 306 "Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lak"
Annandale High School
Maple Lake High School
Monticello High School (HOST)
Coop: 308 "Moose Lake Area"
Barnum High School
Cromwell-Wright High School
East Central High School
Moose Lake High School (HOST)
Willow River High School
Coop: 309 "Mora-Milaca"
Milaca High School
Mora High School (HOST)
Coop: 355 "Pine City Area"
Hinckley-Finlayson High School
Pine City High School (HOST)
Rush City High School

newest listing
Hockey, Boys
Class: A
Section: 5
10 teams in this section
A Map
Administered by Region 7AA Chisago Lakes High School
North Branch High School
Princeton High School
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Coop: 37 "Becker/Big Lake"
Becker High School (HOST)
Big Lake High School
Coop: 285 "Legacy Christian Academy"
Calvin Christian High School
Concordia Academy-Roseville
Legacy Christian Academy (HOST)
PACT Charter School
Spectrum High School
Coop: 308 "Moose Lake Area"
Barnum High School
Cromwell-Wright High School
East Central High School
Moose Lake High School (HOST)
Willow River High School
Coop: 309 "Mora-Milaca"
Milaca High School
Mora High School (HOST)
Coop: 350 "Northern Lakes Lightning"
Aitkin High School
Crosby-Ironton High School
Pequot Lakes High School (HOST)
Pine River-Backus High School
Coop: 355 "Pine City Area"
Hinckley-Finlayson High School
Pine City High School (HOST)
Rush City High School

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:52 pm

And this

Hockey, Boys
Class: AA
Section: 8
9 teams in this section
AA Map
Administered by Region 8AA Bemidji High School
Buffalo High School
Moorhead High School
Rogers High School
Roseau High School
St. Michael-Albertville H.S.
Coop: 60 "Brainerd H.S."
Brainerd High School (HOST)
Pillager High School
Coop: 306 "Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lak"
Annandale High School
Maple Lake High School
Monticello High School (HOST)
Coop: 396 "St. Cloud"
St. Cloud Apollo High School
St. Cloud Tech High School (HOST

pioneers · Post by **pioneers** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:44 pm

elliott70 wrote:And this

Hockey, Boys
Class: AA
Section: 8
9 teams in this section
AA Map
Administered by Region 8AA Bemidji High School
Buffalo High School
Moorhead High School
Rogers High School
Roseau High School
St. Michael-Albertville H.S.
Coop: 60 "Brainerd H.S."
Brainerd High School (HOST)
Pillager High School
Coop: 306 "Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lak"
Annandale High School
Maple Lake High School
Monticello High School (HOST)
Coop: 396 "St. Cloud"
St. Cloud Apollo High School
St. Cloud Tech High School (HOST

Where did you find this listing?

cjmhockey19 · Post by **cjmhockey19** » Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:23 pm

Pretty sure they are going back down to single A

http://monticellotimes.com/2017/05/16/m ... dissolved/

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 10:08 am

pioneers wrote:
elliott70 wrote:And this

Hockey, Boys
Class: AA
Section: 8
9 teams in this section
AA Map
Administered by Region 8AA Bemidji High School
Buffalo High School
Moorhead High School
Rogers High School
Roseau High School
St. Michael-Albertville H.S.
Coop: 60 "Brainerd H.S."
Brainerd High School (HOST)
Pillager High School
Coop: 306 "Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lak"
Annandale High School
Maple Lake High School
Monticello High School (HOST)
Coop: 396 "St. Cloud"
St. Cloud Apollo High School
St. Cloud Tech High School (HOST
Where did you find this listing?

MSHSL web page

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 10:10 am

And that listing is prior to school districts making a plea to play down, which Monti may be doing.

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:46 pm

MSHSL hasn't updated the section listing on website yet. There are a number of other changes that also haven't been listed in hockey and other sports. They typically won't update it until closer to the school year, or perhaps, maybe not until the winter sports season. The listing includes Annandale and Maple Lake and also includes Buffalo on its own. As has been reported on this board, Monticello has dropped Annandale and that puts them back in Class A, while Buffalo, which already is AA, has added Annandale to its program.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 2:54 pm

hockeydad wrote:MSHSL hasn't updated the section listing on website yet. There are a number of other changes that also haven't been listed in hockey and other sports. They typically won't update it until closer to the school year, or perhaps, maybe not until the winter sports season. The listing includes Annandale and Maple Lake and also includes Buffalo on its own. As has been reported on this board, Monticello has dropped Annandale and that puts them back in Class A, while Buffalo, which already is AA, has added Annandale to its program.

I believe it is under the news section. Alignments for every sport.

Stang5280 · Post by **Stang5280** » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:41 pm

cjmhockey19 wrote:Pretty sure they are going back down to single A

http://monticellotimes.com/2017/05/16/m ... dissolved/

For those who didn’t read the linked article, there is an important fact buried amongst all of the discussion regarding school board and MSHSL approvals. Notably, the MSHSL is allowing Ben Ward - the lone Annandale player, who also happens to be last year’s leading scorer - the option to play with Monticello for his senior season. So essentially MAML lives on for one more year and will return much of its scoring punch.

Puckguy19 · Post by **Puckguy19** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:37 am

Stang5280 wrote:
cjmhockey19 wrote:Pretty sure they are going back down to single A

http://monticellotimes.com/2017/05/16/m ... dissolved/
For those who didn’t read the linked article, there is an important fact buried amongst all of the discussion regarding school board and MSHSL approvals. Notably, the MSHSL is allowing Ben Ward - the lone Annandale player, who also happens to be last year’s leading scorer - the option to play with Monticello for his senior season. So essentially MAML lives on for one more year and will return much of its scoring punch.

The dynamics have changed since the article. If Ward plays HS Hockey this year, it will be with Buffalo.

Section 8 guy · Post by **Section 8 guy** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 11:19 pm

Does Ward get to choose where to play next year without the normal transfer limitations due to the breakup of the Coop?

BP · Post by BP » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:17 am

Section 8 guy wrote:Does Ward get to choose where to play next year without the normal transfer limitations due to the breakup of the Coop?

No - Buffalo added Annandale in May/June to their co-op - both boys and girls. So, if he plays HS, it will be with Buffalo.

Schotzy · Post by **Schotzy** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:31 pm

BP wrote:
Section 8 guy wrote:Does Ward get to choose where to play next year without the normal transfer limitations due to the breakup of the Coop?
No - Buffalo added Annandale in May/June to their co-op - both boys and girls. So, if he plays HS, it will be with Buffalo.

I am hearing that he can stay with Monticello/Maple Lake if he chooses. It has actually even been mentioned previously in this thread.

Stang5280 · Post by **Stang5280** » Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:33 pm

BP wrote:
Section 8 guy wrote:Does Ward get to choose where to play next year without the normal transfer limitations due to the breakup of the Coop?
No - Buffalo added Annandale in May/June to their co-op - both boys and girls. So, if he plays HS, it will be with Buffalo.

Thanks to you and Puckguy19 for the update. These changes certainly make for a difficult decision for Ward. Hopefully he will experience success and enjoy the upcoming season, whether it be at Buffalo or in the junior ranks. I see that Ward was drafted in both the USHL and NAHL, so he definitely has options.

Puckguy19 · Post by **Puckguy19** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:05 pm

Schotzy wrote:
BP wrote:
Section 8 guy wrote:Does Ward get to choose where to play next year without the normal transfer limitations due to the breakup of the Coop?
No - Buffalo added Annandale in May/June to their co-op - both boys and girls. So, if he plays HS, it will be with Buffalo.
I am hearing that he can stay with Monticello/Maple Lake if he chooses. It has actually even been mentioned previously in this thread.

That was the original iteration of the plan, as outlined in the Monti article above. When the issue came before the Buffalo school board, as to whether to move forward with the co-op, the choice was removed. It was either all-in, or not. Really no reason for Buffalo to co-op, if the two players returning could opt out.

Obviously Ward has additional opportunities, so it becomes his call. But unless something changes it won't be M/ML.

cjmhockey19 · Post by **cjmhockey19** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:08 pm

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/newSectionAssignments.asp

Monticello has been placed back in section 5A.

Also is Minnehaha really going to play AA hockey next year?

Stang5280 · Post by **Stang5280** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:14 pm

cjmhockey19 wrote:http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/newSectionAssignments.asp

Monticello has been placed back in section 5A.

Also is Minnehaha really going to play AA hockey next year?

Minnehaha at the AA level would be surprising, since I believe that exact same cooperative arrangement played in Section 4A the past few years. I assume they would stay at the A level, particularly with the coach departing for Holy Angels (and some player losses), though perhaps Palm’s departure was related to Minnehaha moving to AA.

To me, the bigger news from the section assignments is that Blake has apparently opted up to AA! Seems a bit premature given the recent lack of success, but they have lots of young talent coming in and could be a factor in a few years, even in that brutal section.

thespellchecker · Post by **thespellchecker** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 9:51 pm

Stang5280 wrote:
cjmhockey19 wrote:http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/newSectionAssignments.asp

To me, the bigger news from the section assignments is that Blake has apparently opted up to AA! Seems a bit premature given the recent lack of success, but they have lots of young talent coming in and could be a factor in a few years, even in that brutal section.
They don't have a single A head coach. #competitor

BP · Post by BP » Thu Aug 10, 2017 9:19 pm

Stang5280 wrote:
cjmhockey19 wrote:http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/newSectionAssignments.asp

Monticello has been placed back in section 5A.

Also is Minnehaha really going to play AA hockey next year?
Minnehaha at the AA level would be surprising, since I believe that exact same cooperative arrangement played in Section 4A the past few years. I assume they would stay at the A level, particularly with the coach departing for Holy Angels (and some player losses), though perhaps Palm’s departure was related to Minnehaha moving to AA.

To me, the bigger news from the section assignments is that Blake has apparently opted up to AA! Seems a bit premature given the recent lack of success, but they have lots of young talent coming in and could be a factor in a few years, even in that brutal section.

From an inbox message I got tonight, Minnehaha has dropped one of their schools, so they should be under the number - but added another school that is much smaller in size and new HS. I don't think Palm left Holy Angels because Minnehaha went AA. I think the school decided to go in a different direction.

Blake - they seem to be investing a ton of money into athletics, including facilities and decided to make the next step. Give them credit for moving up and wanting to play with the big boys. The invested a lot in the incoming soph class - we'll see what comes from it. They can only get better as the bottomed out a this year with 1 conference win and finishing behind Providence in the conference. They'll be quite young - and losing SS doesn't help with the transition. But they should be just fine in the years to come as the shift will go from Breck to Blake.