I get why it's good to grow the game everywhere. I always root for the northern teams in the state tourny. But there are 100's of metro and out state teams that never even get a chance at a region spot much less a state spot because of their numbers. State tourny is a special honor not to given away. It's to to earned.JSR wrote:Nuts, I hate the "enmtitlement" whining in our societya s much as anyone, but I honestly do not think that is what this is. I think you have to earn a state title but you also have to grow the game EVERYWHERE at the youth level. The reality is that have true "regions" gives kdis something realistic to strive for and work for. When you give the metro area even more shots at state by putting metro teams into northern regions you squash many associations realistic ability to ever make state, in turn you squash the desire for many to consinute to participate. I don't disagree with "earning your spot" but you have to earn it once you are there and you also have to keep the dream alive to keep people participating, or else you go down a slippery slope. Is a future where the only hockey teams left in MN reside in the metro area really the road you want taken? I know that is extreme but it's not far from reality when you keep digging into the knickers of outstate associations....This is nuts! wrote:Thx, northern teams need realize that metro teams want to make it to state just as bad as they do.. They are all just kids that have the same dream. AndMWS coach wrote:Exactly Nuts! Each of these teams did have their shot at making state. It really shouldn't matter the geography of where each team is from. Win and you are in. Geography and who you play against should make no difference. Regions start with 32 teams and end up with 8 going to state, of the 24 teams that didn't make it many had close losses and many going to OT, but if they would have not had so and so in their region, then they might just have made it..... Teams from 11,12,15,16 get more opportunties as there are less teams in each district (in general) then the cities teams yet still send rotating 2-3 teams from each district, just like every other district. Each district rotates on a predetermined basis. How can this not be fair? The only issue I see is the regions are named by geography which they don't actually represent.
The thinking that a "north" team should always make it no matter the results on the ice is the same as thinking a D6 team should automatically make it because it is generally the strongest district and pays the most in MN Hockey fee's due to having the largest number of participants.
they have tough road to get there.. Maybe even tougher as they often have to get thru the perennial juggernauts in their districts just to get to the regional tourny. Most metro teams feel its a huge accomplishment just to go to regions.. The north is taking it a step further and demanding a state spot.. Really?
I thought it was great to watching closely contested region games between the north and metro teams. What an experience for all the kids regardless of where u are from.. Hell, if Warroad beats park and virginia wins u have 3 northern teams in the tourny to include Alexandria.. Just win and you re in.. Maybe next year it goes that way.. That's the Beauty of it.
We live in a world of entitlement .. I m sorry but it sounds like whining. Take it for what it is. Earn your spot. Instead of telling your kids they got screwed cuz you weren't just given a spot. Tell them great game we need to get
better.
When my kids complain about playing time. I tell them to get better. Most parents hug them and blame the coach and scream foul cuz of politics. I tell my them to earn their time.. North teams earn your spot! You have good teams you just lost close games.
I don't think we would be going down a slippery slope either. I sure hope a northern program doesn't fold cuz they lose a tough region championship game and don't make the state tourny. Those programs will fold when they no longer have the numbers to make a team. Grad classes of 80 or less, say half being boys. They have sustained for 80 plus years both making the tourny and not making it.
Look at luverne. They r as far south as u can get and they r making some noise in regions and state.. What a story. They earned it, didn't ask for it. Growing the game is also growing it in the metro, it's nice to see different metro teams that are making their first appearance in the tourny.. Great stories as well.
All teams/areas should get an opportunity at regions. From there u need to make some hay. I watched great games in regions between northern and metro teams, games could of went either way. Maybe next year there are several north teams in tourny.
For instance peewee A. If you don't think its good for hockey to have Farmington, Armstrong, Spring Lake Park, Sartell in the tourny your crazy. All names you normally don't see. Being in the tourny is huge for those programs that are just trying to sustain itself.
Kids are kids regardless of where you are from.. They all have the dream and all have an opportunity..