7A - Thoughts

[Thunderstruck]

I guess rhe Devils players are following the example of the team Captain they picked ast year and leaving, only the parents are not renting in Hermantown just goi g a few miles down the road to Eveleth

[Hessian]

HS hockey will be in the form of AAA in 20 years. Mark my words!

[elliott70]

HS hockey will be in the form of AAA in 20 years. Mark my words!

I said the same thing in 1988

[Jeffy95]

I guess rhe Devils players are following the example of the team Captain they picked ast year and leaving, only the parents are not renting in Hermantown just goi g a few miles down the road to Eveleth

They could still end up at Hermantown next year. Pretty easy to rent for a year. The way Andrews rolls out the red carpet for these kids will only encourage it more. Kilen was working with the first line at the summer sessions before they rented a place or was even enrolled at the school. Pat has sent a clear message. If you can help us win, we would love to have you and we will cut Hermantown kids to make room.

[ironranger2]

I guess rhe Devils players are following the example of the team Captain they picked ast year and leaving, only the parents are not renting in Hermantown just goi g a few miles down the road to Eveleth

They could still end up at Hermantown next year. Pretty easy to rent for a year. The way Andrews rolls out the red carpet for these kids will only encourage it more. Kilen was working with the first line at the summer sessions before they rented a place or was even enrolled at the school. Pat has sent a clear message. If you can help us win, we would love to have you and we will cut Hermantown kids to make room.

I was thinking the same thing. Kid could come in and finish out the year with Eveleth and then buzz out of town next year. I have seen the Facebook post that IRMN references, but have no idea what the coaches side of the story is (if they can even talk about it). I too have also heard great things about the Virginia head coach as far as holding kids responsible. No idea what type of hockey coach he is, but holding kids accountable should be a top quality anyone would want in their coaches.

Interesting about Zadnikar kid allegedly enrolling in Eveleth. He is the last of a group of kids that open enrolled to Virginia (from Eveleth) several years ago because their parents didn't like how the hockey program was being run.

[rainier2]

I guess rhe Devils players are following the example of the team Captain they picked ast year and leaving, only the parents are not renting in Hermantown just goi g a few miles down the road to Eveleth

They could still end up at Hermantown next year. Pretty easy to rent for a year. The way Andrews rolls out the red carpet for these kids will only encourage it more. Kilen was working with the first line at the summer sessions before they rented a place or was even enrolled at the school. Pat has sent a clear message. If you can help us win, we would love to have you and we will cut Hermantown kids to make room.

I was thinking the same thing. Kid could come in and finish out the year with Eveleth and then buzz out of town next year. I have seen the Facebook post that IRMN references, but have no idea what the coaches side of the story is (if they can even talk about it). I too have also heard great things about the Virginia head coach as far as holding kids responsible. No idea what type of hockey coach he is, but holding kids accountable should be a top quality anyone would want in their coaches.

Interesting about Zadnikar kid allegedly enrolling in Eveleth. He is the last of a group of kids that open enrolled to Virginia (from Eveleth) several years ago because their parents didn't like how the hockey program was being run.

Virginia can't beat Wayzata, tie BSM, play EP tight, and beat other top Class A teams by 6-7 goals, so of course that means Virginia must just be a crappy Class A program.

[Hessian]

The MSHSL is a joke. The commercials of how good sports is for Suzy and Johnny are laughable. Transfer, evade rules, blame coaches, create witch hunts, pay to play....yada yada yada

[NMNSUPPORTER]

Why is it so difficult for people to realize that Hermantown does not have a magical potion or secret sauce, it is simply they have a good base program and then add a few of the areas top squirts, pee wees, bantams, and hs players every year. Simply put it is a numbers game. They take there base and bring in a few of the areas other top players every year and poooof there a winner. Hermantown was nothing more than a speed bump prior to the advent of AAA youth hockey. The Lake Superior Stars bring in a selection of local youth players that are above average and by doing so they create bonds with like skilled kids. Those kids and the parents see what happens when they come together and decide hey why not continue the summer success in the winter. Just to be clear when the HS went Tier I and Tier II Hermantown got placed in Tier I the first year and got crushed, the following year they requested to be the team the switched with Greenway as Greenway requested to play Tier I and Hermantown moved down to Tier II.

They have been playing at the lowest level they can forever and have taken advantage of the Summer Hockey Movement better than any other program.

That is why they win, not because of some special program. Bruce Plante was the benefactor of the AAA movement, his players were not all from the Hermantown Zipcode. In fact due to AAA and open enrollment Hermantown has raped a pillaged the Proctor/Twig program, the Denfeld program, and the Range programs ever since AAA started. Lets just leave it with they were smart enough to maximize AAA and not fight it. Heck the Hibbing brothers parents were anti AAA until there boys got selected and poof dad didnt get the HS job and they moved to there AAA home

[Simple]

Even with two top players out with Troumbly and vekich, Logan Wright shows his talent in nets tonight.

[kniven]

Denfeld vs. Hermantown section final. Should be quite the game. Then Rapids vs. Andover in the other matchup at Amsoil. 3 out of 4 northern squads. Should be packed

[east hockey]

Denfeld vs. Hermantown section final. Should be quite the game. Then Rapids vs. Andover in the other matchup at Amsoil. 3 out of 4 northern squads. Should be packed

Packed? Nope.

Lee

[Thunderstruck]

By Hermantown do you guys mean "the Lake Superior Stars High School team"

[rainier2]

Hibbing upsets E-G 5-4 in OT.

Wonder if this opens up #3 spot for Greenway, allowing them to avoid the Evil Empire in the semis, at least? Denfeld-Greenway semi could be a very entertaining game.

[ironranger2]

Hibbing upsets E-G 5-4 in OT.

Wonder if this opens up #3 spot for Greenway, allowing them to avoid the Evil Empire in the semis, at least? Denfeld-Greenway semi could be a very entertaining game.

I went to this game last night and wasn't expecting a whole lot. Hibbing looked absolutely terrible against their game against Greenway Tuesday night and it was looking like the kids might have checked out for the year.

I think Eveleth was up 1-0 at the midway point of the 1st and out shooting Hibbing 12-1 when they took their first penalty of the game. Hibbing didn't score, but shots were 12-10 at the end of the penalty and Hibbing scored soon after. It's like a switch was flipped and the game was pretty even after that.

Hibbing kids did one heck of a job laying their bodies out blocking shots. Their effort just seemed to snowball and really kept the team fired up every time someone would block another one. Hibbing just outworked Eveleth, which is what you want to see at the end of the season.

With this being their last section game before coaches meeting on Tuesday, Eveleth needed to win to have a chance at getting the three seed and avoid the potential matchup with Hermantown in the semifinals. 3 seed is definitely going to Greenway and Eveleth will probably have a very difficult 4/5 matchup with an improving I-Falls team, who played a close one with Greenway last night.

[rainier2]

Hibbing upsets E-G 5-4 in OT.

Wonder if this opens up #3 spot for Greenway, allowing them to avoid the Evil Empire in the semis, at least? Denfeld-Greenway semi could be a very entertaining game.

I went to this game last night and wasn't expecting a whole lot. Hibbing looked absolutely terrible against their game against Greenway Tuesday night and it was looking like the kids might have checked out for the year.

I think Eveleth was up 1-0 at the midway point of the 1st and out shooting Hibbing 12-1 when they took their first penalty of the game. Hibbing didn't score, but shots were 12-10 at the end of the penalty and Hibbing scored soon after. It's like a switch was flipped and the game was pretty even after that.

Hibbing kids did one heck of a job laying their bodies out blocking shots. Their effort just seemed to snowball and really kept the team fired up every time someone would block another one. Hibbing just outworked Eveleth, which is what you want to see at the end of the season.

With this being their last section game before coaches meeting on Tuesday, Eveleth needed to win to have a chance at getting the three seed and avoid the potential matchup with Hermantown in the semifinals. 3 seed is definitely going to Greenway and Eveleth will probably have a very difficult 4/5 matchup with an improving I-Falls team, who played a close one with Greenway last night.

Thanks for the game report. Any thoughts on seeding? I'd guess:
1. Pure Evil (decision makers, not the players)
2. Denfeld
3. Greenway
4. E-G
5. I-Falls
6. Proctor/Virginia winner
7. Proctor/Virginia loser
8. Hibbing
9. North Shore
10. Ely

I'm optimistic about Hibbing next year. While E-G, Greenway, and Falls lose a ton of senior talent, Hibbing only graduates one significant scorer, a few sophomores and freshman on varsity should make a nice jump up, and they are bringing in some solid bantam talent. Obviously the Sandhawks will be favorites, and Denfeld will be #2 with a bullet, hopefully with a chance to upset HermAAntown, but I see Hibbing and Virginia as top contenders for the #3 spot.

So, apparently the two Virginia players who left mid-season aren't playing for E-G, correct?

[Jeffy95]

7A could be interesting next year. It will definitely be Denfeld's best and maybe only shot to win it. Hermantown graduates Biondi and two very good Transfers. They will have three very talented returning Senior Transfers and a Junior Transfer who should take a big step up. They will also have the Plante kid and a Sophomore Transfer joining the ranks who is on YHH's prospect list, along with a very solid Sophomore Transfer goalie.

A lot will depend on how many more Transfers they can bring in in the Offseason and if Pionk sticks around, but Denfeld should have an outside shot.

[ironranger2]

Hibbing upsets E-G 5-4 in OT.

Wonder if this opens up #3 spot for Greenway, allowing them to avoid the Evil Empire in the semis, at least? Denfeld-Greenway semi could be a very entertaining game.

I went to this game last night and wasn't expecting a whole lot. Hibbing looked absolutely terrible against their game against Greenway Tuesday night and it was looking like the kids might have checked out for the year.

I think Eveleth was up 1-0 at the midway point of the 1st and out shooting Hibbing 12-1 when they took their first penalty of the game. Hibbing didn't score, but shots were 12-10 at the end of the penalty and Hibbing scored soon after. It's like a switch was flipped and the game was pretty even after that.

Hibbing kids did one heck of a job laying their bodies out blocking shots. Their effort just seemed to snowball and really kept the team fired up every time someone would block another one. Hibbing just outworked Eveleth, which is what you want to see at the end of the season.

With this being their last section game before coaches meeting on Tuesday, Eveleth needed to win to have a chance at getting the three seed and avoid the potential matchup with Hermantown in the semifinals. 3 seed is definitely going to Greenway and Eveleth will probably have a very difficult 4/5 matchup with an improving I-Falls team, who played a close one with Greenway last night.

Thanks for the game report. Any thoughts on seeding? I'd guess:
1. Pure Evil (decision makers, not the players)
2. Denfeld
3. Greenway
4. E-G
5. I-Falls
6. Proctor/Virginia winner
7. Proctor/Virginia loser
8. Hibbing
9. North Shore
10. Ely

I'm optimistic about Hibbing next year. While E-G, Greenway, and Falls lose a ton of senior talent, Hibbing only graduates one significant scorer, a few sophomores and freshman on varsity should make a nice jump up, and they are bringing in some solid bantam talent. Obviously the Sandhawks will be favorites, and Denfeld will be #2 with a bullet, hopefully with a chance to upset HermAAntown, but I see Hibbing and Virginia as top contenders for the #3 spot.

So, apparently the two Virginia players who left mid-season aren't playing for E-G, correct?

I think you have it spot on for seeding. You never know what coaches will do, but it's pretty much set in my opinion.

I watched Hermantown live vs. Virginia and also some streaming games and they seem to be peaking at the right time. If they play the way they are capable of, they win this section going away (no surprise).

For next year early 7A projections, Hermantown will be returning a group that finished 2nd in AA and Denfeld will have a group that went to state in Single A bantams. They would be the heavy favorites to meet in section finals. Denfeld could be a top 5 team in state next year, unfortunately they will be playing in the same section as the #1 team. They are going to be stuck like that great Perunovich led Hibbing team from a few years ago.

The two kids from Virginia never did come out for the team and I am not sure if they are even enrolled/attending class. I will talk to some parents I work with to see if they know anything.

I would think it's between Hibbing, Virginia, and Eveleth for the next three spots. Here is the link to the Bantam district 12 standings from 2 years ago. That went Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing.

https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/ ... -11-18.pdf

Obviously a lot of things can change, but Hibbing is looking good because with smaller varsity numbers their underclassmen have been getting a lot of varsity experience.

[kniven]

7A could be interesting next year. It will definitely be Denfeld's best and maybe only shot to win it. Hermantown graduates Biondi and two very good Transfers. They will have three very talented returning Senior Transfers and a Junior Transfer who should take a big step up. They will also have the Plante kid and a Sophomore Transfer joining the ranks who is on YHH's prospect list, along with a very solid Sophomore Transfer goalie.

A lot will depend on how many more Transfers they can bring in in the Offseason and if Pionk sticks around, but Denfeld should have an outside shot.

Very impressive.....

[rainier2]

7A could be interesting next year. It will definitely be Denfeld's best and maybe only shot to win it. Hermantown graduates Biondi and two very good Transfers. They will have three very talented returning Senior Transfers and a Junior Transfer who should take a big step up. They will also have the Plante kid and a Sophomore Transfer joining the ranks who is on YHH's prospect list, along with a very solid Sophomore Transfer goalie.

A lot will depend on how many more Transfers they can bring in in the Offseason and if Pionk sticks around, but Denfeld should have an outside shot.

Agreed. Denfeld's shot will be next year, because once those Hermantown bantams (#2 in AA right now) become upperclassmen, the upset window will be firmly sealed shut.

Not that there's any reason to think the decision-makers will finally be cured of trophy fever, but they already hosed the 16-17 Hawk players out of a chance at an AA title, so it'd be shame if they deny the current bantam group that chance also. How the parents of those players aren't storming the AD's office with torches and pitchforks, demanding their kids be given a chance to win the big tournament, is beyond me.

If the pipe dream comes true and Hermantown does move up, there is a lot of parity amongst the most of the other 7A teams at the youth levels right now. Rock Ridge will vault to the top in two years, but upsetting them wouldn't be near-impossible like it is with the Hawks.

[kniven]

7A could be interesting next year. It will definitely be Denfeld's best and maybe only shot to win it. Hermantown graduates Biondi and two very good Transfers. They will have three very talented returning Senior Transfers and a Junior Transfer who should take a big step up. They will also have the Plante kid and a Sophomore Transfer joining the ranks who is on YHH's prospect list, along with a very solid Sophomore Transfer goalie.

A lot will depend on how many more Transfers they can bring in in the Offseason and if Pionk sticks around, but Denfeld should have an outside shot.

Agreed. Denfeld's shot will be next year, because once those Hermantown bantams (#2 in AA right now) become upperclassmen, the upset window will be firmly sealed shut.

Not that there's any reason to think the decision-makers will finally be cured of trophy fever, but they already hosed the 16-17 Hawk players out of a chance at an AA title, so it'd be shame if they deny the current bantam group that chance also. How the parents of those players aren't storming the AD's office with torches and pitchforks, demanding their kids be given a chance to win the big tournament, is beyond me.

If the pipe dream comes true and Hermantown does move up, there is a lot of parity amongst the most of the other 7A teams at the youth levels right now. Rock Ridge will vault to the top in two years, but upsetting them wouldn't be near-impossible like it is with the Hawks.

A pipe dream it would not be to my purple. It’s difficult, very difficult, already with out the likes of the Hermantown juggernaut in 7AA. But, that’s not Hermantown’s concern.

[ironranger2]

Not sure if I should have started a new topic for "Section Seedings", but I will put it here and let the higher ups determine if they want a new topic.

7A Seeding meeting was this morning...results below

1. Hermantown
2. Denfeld
3. Greenway
4. Eveleth
5. Ifalls
6. Virginia
7. Proctor
8. Hibbing
9. North Shore
10. Ely

[ironranger2]

I think Hermantown will probably roll through this section.

I would expect the top four to make it to Duluth, but Eveleth sure didn't do themselves any favors by losing to Hibbing. They get a first round matchup with a team they squeaked by in their last meeting with a last second goal.

I also think Proctor has a fighting chance vs. Denfeld with Urie in nets. It looks like he didn't play in their 5-0 loss to Denfeld earlier this year.

I just don't see Virginia having any chance against Greenway.

Greenway/Denfeld is a toss up. Denfeld might be a bit deeper, but I would probably give a very, very slight edge to Greenway just because of their seniors and head coach.

Eveleth played the best of the 2,3, 4 seeds against Hermantown this year, keeping it 2-2 until midway through the 3rd, but that was at the beginning of the season. Hermantown by 4 or 5 in this one.

I think Greenway keeps a section title game closer than they would have in a semi-final game. TV timouts were huge for them last year and will be a big help again this year. Logan Wright helps keep it close, but Hermantown by only 2 or 3 in the in final even though they heavily out shoot Greenway.

[rainier2]

I think Hermantown will probably roll through this section.

Agreed. Maybe Denfeld or Greenway could hang until the 3rd, but I'd be surprised if anyone is within 3 goals of the Hawks by the end of the game.

I would expect the top four to make it to Duluth, but Eveleth sure didn't do themselves any favors by losing to Hibbing. They get a first round matchup with a team they squeaked by in their last meeting with a last second goal.

Eveleth blew it vs Hibbing last year, too. Sometimes this team just doesn't seem to bring it. It'd be fun to see I-Falls win a game, but E-G might at least make a semi with HT a little competitive.

I also think Proctor has a fighting chance vs. Denfeld with Urie in nets. It looks like he didn't play in their 5-0 loss to Denfeld earlier this year.

He'd have to play out of his mind. Denfeld is just too deep for the Rails.

I just don't see Virginia having any chance against Greenway.

Agreed. Clafton has had his teams peaking come playoff time, so they will take care of business.

Greenway/Denfeld is a toss up. Denfeld might be a bit deeper, but I would probably give a very, very slight edge to Greenway just because of their seniors and head coach.

Agree 100%

Eveleth played the best of the 2,3, 4 seeds against Hermantown this year, keeping it 2-2 until midway through the 3rd, but that was at the beginning of the season. Hermantown by 4 or 5 in this one.

Yep. Hawks will overwhelm them.

I think Greenway keeps a section title game closer than they would have in a semi-final game. TV timouts were huge for them last year and will be a big help again this year. Logan Wright helps keep it close, but Hermantown by only 2 or 3 in the in final even though they heavily out shoot Greenway.

Agreed. Hermantown is better than last year, and Greenway doesn't have that quality 2nd line this year. I expect Greenway to give it all they got and make it a good game, but by the 3rd the Hawks should have the game in hand, provided they don't give the Raiders a bunch of power plays.

[72raidergrad]

Hey guys & gals,
Been off the forum; my desktop went in the shop & just today got logged in on on my wife's.
Old news but Greenway looked as good as I've seen them all year against Johnson last Fri. The Governors honored the '67 team between periods; about 6-7 players as well as Lou Cotroneo showed up. For those who don't know Greenway & Johnson met in the title game in '67 at state & the results of that game & last Friday's were the same! Phalen Arena is a nice throwback.
A lttle bit frustrating on the tie Sat. with Totino Grace. Up 4-2 when TG scored 2 in 30 sec. tying one trickled in off Wright's glove.
Have to agree with the seedings. I thought Eveleth would be a sure #4 after losing to Hibbing. We'll see what happens.
Greenway up on Bemidji 2-0 in the first.

[Thunderstruck]

All a mute point, The Lake Superior Stars High School Team aka Hermantown Hawks will win section 7A again.