Section Assignments for 2019-21

[MNFinn]

Has anything changed from the way the schools will be assigned to AA (or allowed to play A) from two years ago to now? Also, how is it decided to put/change who is in each sectional now? Are we trying to do it for the least travel, the most balanced sections, the best state tournament or just to change things up every couple years?

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

They re-look at enrollment number to determine A vs AA, and then from there it’s 100% geographic. Might not seem logical sometimes (see 6AA with cretin) but the main rule is you cannot travel from school to school within your section while passing through a different section.

[MWS coach]

They re-look at enrollment number to determine A vs AA, and then from there it’s 100% geographic. Might not seem logical sometimes (see 6AA with cretin) but the main rule is you cannot travel from school to school within your section while passing through a different section.

Hmmmm traveling East on highway 10 to get to I 35 from ER brings one right through the middle of 5AA, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Circle Pines (Centennial)...can one go up 169 thru Mora and that makes sense if starting in Zimmerman.

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

They re-look at enrollment number to determine A vs AA, and then from there it’s 100% geographic. Might not seem logical sometimes (see 6AA with cretin) but the main rule is you cannot travel from school to school within your section while passing through a different section.

Hmmmm traveling East on highway 10 to get to I 35 from ER brings one right through the middle of 5AA, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Circle Pines (Centennial)...can one go up 169 thru Mora and that makes sense if starting in Zimmerman.

Yeah, it’s not overly clear but I don’t think they use roads as their determiner... just “as a crow flies”. There’s a nice map on the state high school league website that shows all AA teams and color codes then by section. It actually makes sense despite popular opinion.

[StanleyCup55]

This is what I think the sections should look like... (changes in CAPS)

Section 1AA (9 teams)
Dodge County, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo

Section 2AA (9 teams)
BUFFALO, Chanhassen, Chaska, Holy Family Catholic, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake, Shakopee

Section 3AA (10 teams)
Apple Valley, Bloomington Jefferson, Burnsville, Eagan, Eastview, East Ridge, Park-Cottage Grove, Rosemount, St. Thomas Academy, TARTAN

Section 4AA (10 teams)
CENTENNIAL, FOREST LAKE, Hill-Murray, Irondale, North St. Paul, MAHTOMEDI, Mounds View, Roseville, Stillwater, White Bear Lake

Section 5AA (10 teams)
ANDOVER, Anoka, Armstrong/Cooper, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Maple Grove, Osseo, ROGERS, STMA

Section 6AA (8 teams)
Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Blake, Cretin-Derham Hall, Edina, Holy Angels Academy, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

Section 7AA (8 teams)
BRAINERD, Cambridge-Isanti, Cloquet, Duluth East, Duluth Marshall, Grand Rapids, HERMANTOWN, St. Francis

Section 8AA (8 teams)
ALEXANDRIA, Bemidji, EAST GRAND FORKS, Moorhead, Roseau, SARTELL, St. Cloud, ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL


Class A
Section 1A (11 teams)
Albert Lea, Austin, Faribault, La Crescent, La Seueur-St. Peter, Mankato East, Mankato West, NORTHFIELD, Rochester Lourdes, Waseca, Winona

Section 2A (11 teams)
Bloomington Kennedy, Breck, Delano, HUTCHINSON, LITCHFIELD, Minneapolis, Mound/Westonka, Orono, Providence Academy, Southwest Christian Academy, Waconia

Section 3AA (9 teams)
Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall, Morris-Benson, New Ulm, Redwood Valley, Willmar, Windom, Worthington

Section 4A (10 teams)
Gentry Academy, Henry Sibley, Minnehaha Academy, Red Wing, Simley, St. Paul Academy, St. Paul Highland, St. Paul Johnson, South St. Paul, Totino-Grace

Section 5A (9 teams)
Becker/Big Lake, Chisago Lakes, Legacy Christian Academy, Monticello, Moose Lake, Mora, North Branch, Pine City, Princeton

Section 6A (8 teams)
Breckenridge/Whapeton, DETROIT LAKES, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Prairie Centre, River Lakes, SAUK RAPIDS, Wadena

Section 7A (9 teams)
Duluth Denfeld, Ely, Eveleth, Greenway, Hibbing, International Falls, Proctor, North Shore, Virginia

Section 8A (9 teams)
Bagley, Crookston, Kittson Central, Lake of the Woods, Northern Lakes, Park Rapids, Red Lake Falls, Thief River Falls, Warroad

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Is there actual talk of Alex, EGF, Cathedral, and Sartell all moving up to AA or is that just your opinion on the matter? Also, St Cloud Tech/Apollo is already in 8AA no need for caps on that one. Same Q with Mahtomedi. For that matter, Waconia is close to moving up as well.

Regardless, as a more overarching point to this thread, this year’s realignment will be a “minor” one. Two years from now they will be due for a major switch, which happens every 6 years.

[StanleyCup55]

Not sure if there’s been actual talk or not but it makes sense. Alex, EGF and Sartell can all field teams that can compete with the best at the AA level every few years. I didn’t know Mahtomedi was moving up already next year but that’s good to hear. One more team out of A that plays games against and can compete at the AA level.

[elliott70]

Current Section Assignments Hockey, Boys Class: A

Section: 1 10 teams in this section
La Crescent- Hokah High School
Mankato West High School
"Austin H.S."
"Faribault"
"Minnesota River Bulldogs"
"Mankato East/Loyola"
"Rochester Lourdes - Dover-Eyota"
"Waseca Blue Jays"
Winona High School
Albert Lea

Section: 2 9 teams in this section
Breck School
Orono High School
Waconia High School
"Delano Tigers"
"Minneapolis"
"Mound-Westonka/Watertown-Mayer"
"Southwest Christian"
"Providence Academy"
Bloomington Kennedy

Section: 3 10 teams in this section
Marshall
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
New Ulm
Luverne
Windom Area
Hutchinson
Redwood Valley
Willmar
Worthington
Fairmont

Section: 4 12 teams in this section
Mahtomedi High School
Northfield High School
Red Wing High School
Simley High School
South Saint Paul High School
St. Agnes High School
Totino-Grace High School
"Minnehaha Academy"
Gentry Academy
St. Paul Academy and Summit School
"St. Paul Highland - Central"
"St. Paul Johnson"

SECTION 5 11 teams
Monticello
Princeton
North Branch
Chisago Lakes Area
Mora/Milaca
Pine City Area
Sauk Rapids-Rice
Becker/Big Lake
Northern Lakes
Moose Lake Area
Legacy Christian

Section 6 10 teams
St. Cloud Cathedral
Sartell-St. Stephen
Alexandria
Little Falls
Prairie Centre Area
River Lakes
Fergus Falls
Wadena-Deer Creek
Morris/Benson Area
Breckenridge/Wahpeton

Section: 7 10 teams in this section
Hermantown High School
International Falls H.S.
"Ely/Tower-Soudan"
"Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin"
"Hibbing/Chisholm"
"Proctor H.S."
"North Shore Storm"
"Virginia/Mt Iron-Buhl"
"Eveleth-Gilbert Area"
Duluth Denfeld

Section 8 10 teams
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls
Warroad
Detroit Lakes
Kittson Central
Crookston
Lake of the Woods
Red Lake Falls
Bagley/Fosston
Park Rapids Area

[elliott70]

In AA where would you stick Rogers?

[bardown27]

This is what I think the sections should look like... (changes in CAPS)

Section 1AA (9 teams)
Dodge County, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo

Section 2AA (9 teams)
BUFFALO, Chanhassen, Chaska, Holy Family Catholic, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake, Shakopee

Section 3AA (10 teams)
Apple Valley, Bloomington Jefferson, Burnsville, Eagan, Eastview, East Ridge, Park-Cottage Grove, Rosemount, St. Thomas Academy, TARTAN

Section 4AA (10 teams)
CENTENNIAL, FOREST LAKE, Hill-Murray, Irondale, North St. Paul, MAHTOMEDI, Mounds View, Roseville, Stillwater, White Bear Lake

Section 5AA (10 teams)
ANDOVER, Anoka, Armstrong/Cooper, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Maple Grove, Osseo, Rogers

Section 6AA (8 teams)
Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Blake, Cretin-Derham Hall, Edina, Holy Angels Academy, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

Section 7AA (8 teams)
BRAINERD, Cambridge-Isanti, Cloquet, Duluth East, Duluth Marshall, Grand Rapids, HERMANTOWN, St. Francis

Section 8AA (8 teams)
ALEXANDRIA, Bemidji, EAST GRAND FORKS, Moorhead, Roseau, SARTELL, St. Cloud, ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL


Class A
Section 1A (11 teams)
Albert Lea, Austin, Faribault, La Crescent, La Seueur-St. Peter, Mankato East, Mankato West, Northfield, Rochester Lourdes, Waseca, Winona

Section 2A (10 teams)
Bloomington Kennedy, Breck, Delano, HUTCHINSON, LITCHFIELD, Minneapolis, Mound/Westonka, Orono, Providence Academy, Waconia

Section 3AA (9 teams)
Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall, Morris-Benson, New Ulm, Redwood Valley, Willmar, Windom, Worthington

Section 4A (9 teams)
Henry Sibley, Minnehaha Academy, RED WING, Simley, St. Paul Academy, St. Paul Highland, St. Paul Johnson, South St. Paul, Totino-Grace

Section 5A (9 teams)
Becker/Big Lake, Chisago Lakes, Legacy Christian Academy, Monticello, Moose Lake, Mora, North Branch, Pine City, Princeton

Section 6A (8 teams)
Breckenridge/Whapeton, DETROIT LAKES, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Prairie Centre, River Lakes, SAUK RAPIDS, Wadena

Section 7A (9 teams)
Duluth Denfeld, Ely, Eveleth, Greenway, Hibbing, International Falls, Proctor, North Shore, Virginia

Section 8A (9 teams)
Bagley, Crookston, Kittson Central, Lake of the Woods, Northern Lakes, Park Rapids, Red Lake Falls, Thief River Falls, Warroad

Red Wing is already in 4A, and Northfield is currently not in 1A.

[StanleyCup55]

In AA where would you stick Rogers?

In Section 5.

[Stang5280]

Congratulations on basically recreating the old two-tier tournament? That Class A tournament would be pretty boring to watch. The 2A, 7A, and 8A section tournaments would be much better than state.

I know Elliott mentioned Rogers, but did STMA also fall off the face of the earth? Finally, Buffalo can’t really be lumped into 2AA with those southwest suburban schools since you would pass over Wayzata HS along the way. They would have to be in 5AA and bump someone else out, or possibly 6AA.

[StanleyCup55]

Congratulations on basically recreating the old two-tier tournament? That Class A tournament would be pretty boring to watch. The 2A, 7A, and 8A section tournaments would be much better than state.

I know Elliott mentioned Rogers, but did STMA also fall off the face of the earth? Finally, Buffalo can’t really be lumped into 2AA with those southwest suburban schools since you would pass over Wayzata HS along the way. They would have to be in 5AA and bump someone else out, or possibly 6AA.

STMA in section 5AA

Yes, it is kind of recreating the old tourney and thanks for your congrats. Fact is, Wednesday night is incredibly boring to watch and I would rather have teams that are competitive with each other throughout rather than 4 class AA teams and 4 real class A teams. Some section tourneys would be better to watch but that is currently the case and has been the case in past years. Just the way she goes sometimes.

The Class A tournament, I thought, was intended to give other teams a chance to go to the state tournament that would not be able to compete with the big schools. It seems that is not the case I guess.

[Usthockey13]

Looks like March 22nd will be the day the new sections are released. I’ve always thought Brainerd was better off in 7AA like they were back in the early-mid 2000s. Still don’t know how Andover and Elk are in conference with all the 5AA but no in their section..

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Not sure if there’s been actual talk or not but it makes sense. Alex, EGF and Sartell can all field teams that can compete with the best at the AA level every few years. I didn’t know Mahtomedi was moving up already next year but that’s good to hear. One more team out of A that plays games against and can compete at the AA level.

Sorry for miscommunication, I don’t have any word that Mahtomedi is moving up I meant to say I had the same Question about them as I did at top of my post asking about EGF etc.

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Looks like March 22nd will be the day the new sections are released. I’ve always thought Brainerd was better off in 7AA like they were back in the early-mid 2000s. Still don’t know how Andover and Elk are in conference with all the 5AA but no in their section..

Conferences are selected by the schools to be best fit geographically and competitively for all sports and activities. Sections are sport by sport and are enrollment/geography only. No competitive balance taken into equation.

[Stang5280]

Yes, it is kind of recreating the old tourney and thanks for your congrats. Fact is, Wednesday night is incredibly boring to watch and I would rather have teams that are competitive with each other throughout rather than 4 class AA teams and 4 real class A teams. Some section tourneys would be better to watch but that is currently the case and has been the case in past years. Just the way she goes sometimes.

The Class A tournament, I thought, was intended to give other teams a chance to go to the state tournament that would not be able to compete with the big schools. It seems that is not the case I guess.

As a fan of Class A hockey, I strongly disagree with the assertion that the Wednesday games are boring. Here are the results of the quarterfinal games the past two years...

2018 State Tournament
Hermantown 4-2 Monticello
Alexandria 1-0 EGF
Orono 6-1 LDC
Mahtomedi 4-2 Mankato East

2017 State Tournament
Hermantown 3-2 Luverne
Cathedral 6-3 EGF
Northfield 3-1 Mahtomedi
Monticello 3-2 Delano

So that is only one blowout out of eight games, two upsets of ranked teams (Northfield and Monticello in 2017), and the prohibitive favorite having to sweat out two close contests. I found both years to be very exciting and watched way too much hockey (if there is such a thing) both Wednesday sessions. Sure, if you go back further in time there have been plenty of QF stinkers, but I would argue that parity in Class A has been on the upswing, and there is no reason to tinker with a good thing and revert to a version of the tournament that no one liked.

[zooomx]

Yes, it is kind of recreating the old tourney and thanks for your congrats. Fact is, Wednesday night is incredibly boring to watch and I would rather have teams that are competitive with each other throughout rather than 4 class AA teams and 4 real class A teams. Some section tourneys would be better to watch but that is currently the case and has been the case in past years. Just the way she goes sometimes.

The Class A tournament, I thought, was intended to give other teams a chance to go to the state tournament that would not be able to compete with the big schools. It seems that is not the case I guess.

As a fan of Class A hockey, I strongly disagree with the assertion that the Wednesday games are boring. Here are the results of the quarterfinal games the past two years...

2018 State Tournament
Hermantown 4-2 Monticello
Alexandria 1-0 EGF
Orono 6-1 LDC
Mahtomedi 4-2 Mankato East

2017 State Tournament
Hermantown 3-2 Luverne
Cathedral 6-3 EGF
Northfield 3-1 Mahtomedi
Monticello 3-2 Delano

So that is only one blowout out of eight games, two upsets of ranked teams (Northfield and Monticello in 2017), and the prohibitive favorite having to sweat out two close contests. I found both years to be very exciting and watched way too much hockey (if there is such a thing) both Wednesday sessions. Sure, if you go back further in time there have been plenty of QF stinkers, but I would argue that parity in Class A has been on the upswing, and there is no reason to tinker with a good thing and revert to a version of the tournament that no one liked.

Totally agree with these thoughts. From a 6A point of view: to say that Alexandria and Sartell should go to AA is a bit silly. Alexandria won their first ever quarterfinal state tourney game last year (in current format) and I am unsure if Sartell has ever gone to state. Yes, both teams have been somewhat competitive with AA teams lately, but they do not dominate Class A. The current system wasn't set up to ensure every small school had a GREAT chance of going to state. Teams like EGF, Alex, Sartell, etc have their ebb and flows and are not a "lock" in their sections. I get the calls to have Hermantown move up with their long stretch of success, but to say all those other schools should move up is plain ridiculous. If we went back to the Tier 2 tournament, their would be zero interest. The past 2 Class A tourneys have been packed with excitement and I would hate to see it change that drastically.

[ifallsin64]

Section 1AA (9 teams)
Dodge County, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo

Section 2AA (9 teams)
BUFFALO, Chanhassen, Chaska, Holy Family Catholic, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake, Shakopee

Section 3AA (10 teams)
Apple Valley, Bloomington Jefferson, Burnsville, Eagan, Eastview, East Ridge, Park-Cottage Grove, Rosemount, St. Thomas Academy, TARTAN

Section 4AA (10 teams)
CENTENNIAL, FOREST LAKE, Hill-Murray, Irondale, North St. Paul, MAHTOMEDI, Mounds View, Roseville, Stillwater, White Bear Lake

Section 5AA (10 teams)
ANDOVER, Anoka, Armstrong/Cooper, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Maple Grove, Osseo, ROGERS, STMA

Section 6AA (8 teams)
Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Blake, Cretin-Derham Hall, Edina, Holy Angels Academy, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

Section 7AA (8 teams)
BRAINERD, Cambridge-Isanti, Cloquet, Duluth East, Duluth Marshall, Grand Rapids, HERMANTOWN, St. Francis

Section 8AA (8 teams)
ALEXANDRIA, Bemidji, EAST GRAND FORKS, Moorhead, Roseau, SARTELL, St. Cloud, ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL

I would love to see section 4 add Centennial and a team like Mahtomedi to it as I always considered it a bit weak other than Hill, WBL and occasionally Stillwater. I remember about 15 years ago when Centennial was in their section for a brief period and beat Hill for a trip to state.

I also like keeping section 7 and 8 northern teams only. How much pressure will Hermantown and EGF have to move up if Andover wins 7 and STMA wins 8?

[blueblood]

Why would Htown and EGF care if Andover and STMA win?

[ifallsin64]

Why would Htown and EGF care if Andover and STMA win?

true, they may not care but if there are no northern teams in the AA tournament this year I could see many wanting a change in section 7 and 8 having only “true north” teams imho

[blueblood]

The major section realignment occurs in 2 years. It’s not a stretch to believe a “northern team” may not make a state tourney in that time frame.

The other issue that no one seems to mention is why would the MSHSL overload metro based sections with additional teams at the expense of the outstate teams.

Finally, if Buffalo and STMA are considered metro teams in Section 8, why isnt Forest Lake considered a metro in Section 7?

[Gov78]

Looks like March 22nd will be the day the new sections are released. I’ve always thought Brainerd was better off in 7AA like they were back in the early-mid 2000s. Still don’t know how Andover and Elk are in conference with all the 5AA but no in their section..

Conferences are selected by the schools to be best fit geographically and competitively for all sports and activities. Sections are sport by sport and are enrollment/geography only. No competitive balance taken into equation.

I'd be interested as to what your source is for "No competitive balance taken into equation." considering the MSHSL refers to the section as "Competitive Section Alignment". Years ago they were called Regions and St. Paul was #4 and Mpls #5 and pretty much a pie shape from metro outward after that for the others although early on there was a backdoor region where 2 runners up would play for a spot in tournament. As stronger teams developed in metro they changed to the competitive section alignment process.

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Looks like March 22nd will be the day the new sections are released. I’ve always thought Brainerd was better off in 7AA like they were back in the early-mid 2000s. Still don’t know how Andover and Elk are in conference with all the 5AA but no in their section..

Conferences are selected by the schools to be best fit geographically and competitively for all sports and activities. Sections are sport by sport and are enrollment/geography only. No competitive balance taken into equation.

I'd be interested as to what your source is for "No competitive balance taken into equation." considering the MSHSL refers to the section as "Competitive Section Alignment". Years ago they were called Regions and St. Paul was #4 and Mpls #5 and pretty much a pie shape from metro outward after that for the others although early on there was a backdoor region where 2 runners up would play for a spot in tournament. As stronger teams developed in metro they changed to the competitive section alignment process.

They send out a release every two years when new section assignments are sent out stating that they are in no way balancing who is better or worse, or who is going to be better or worse. Having been a part of the process personally I can also testify to the fact that it is 100% geography and enrollment. The “competitive section alignment” title is used for all sports and is describing the inherent competitive balance that results from basing sections off of enrollment (ie a “non-competitive section alignment” would be going back to a single class system in all sports).

[thefatcat]

Armstrong is in 6AA, I remember them getting beat by Edina last season.