Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Videoscout
Posts: 172
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2002 12:50 am

Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by Videoscout » Tue Feb 05, 2002 1:59 am

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Now this poll should only reflect a players' career up through his senior year in High School ... not subsequent years in college and/or the pro ranks (i.e. Mike Antonovich had a brilliant H.S. career, but didn't exactly have such a successful stint in the big leagues ... or conversely, Joel Otto was an average H.S. player but proved to be an outstanding college and professional player). --- <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br></FONT><br><br><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2><B>Results (total votes = 74):</B></FONT><table bgcolor=#FFFFFF border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="75%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr><TR BGCOLOR=#E0E0E0><TD NOWRAP><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>John Mayasich</FONT>&nbsp</td><td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>35&nbsp;/&nbsp;47.3%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=141 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr><TR BGCOLOR=#E0E0E0><TD NOWRAP><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Phil Housley</FONT>&nbsp</td><td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>39&nbsp;/&nbsp;52.7%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=158 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2002 12:50 am

Re: Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by Videoscout » Tue Feb 05, 2002 2:05 am

Allright ... I need someone's help ...I meant to hit the "Tab" key and I accidently hit the "Enter" key so I didn't get to finish my choices. How can I correct or retract this question and submit the intended choices? I guess I'll have to "re-post" and try again. -- <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

petey1321
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Re: Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by petey1321 » Tue Feb 05, 2002 2:10 am

Or how about we just make this less ridiculous and post our own ideas. My answer seems pretty obvious, and for that reason, I think he's the right choice: Neal Broten. He brought NCAA titles to the Gophers, played on the Gold Medal 1980 team, and won a Stanley Cup or two. I don't see how anybody could pick anyone else. <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Re: Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by Videoscout » Tue Feb 05, 2002 2:46 am

Sorry Petey ... my other choices were: Henry Boucha, Neal Broten, Matt Cullen, Jon Casey, Jamie Langenbrunner and the "Hansen Brothers". Since I am allowed to only have 5 choices in the poll .... they were going to be: John Mayasich; Phil Housley; Henry Boucha; Neal Broten & Matt Cullen.<br><br>I agree with your assessment on Broten, but if you would have read the post closely ... it says to ignore post-high school accomplishments.<br><br>I left out Langenbrunner because he left after his junior year. I left out Casey because he was a goaltender.<br>I left out the "Hansen Brothers" because they used tin foil.<br><br>Now ... let's try this again. -- <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Reggie Dunlap
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Re: Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by Reggie Dunlap » Tue Feb 05, 2002 1:02 pm

If you are basing it purely on HS games, there is no way you can leave out Dave Spehar. His goal scoring ability at the HS level is almost completely unparalleled. <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Re: Who was the best H.S. player ever from MN?

Post by Videoscout » Tue Feb 05, 2002 1:34 pm

Reggie ... you are correct ... and I left out a lot of other guys simply because they didn't come to mind. Everyone knows the book on Spehar. I've seen it in person many times myself. "Suck-hole", "Cherry-pick'in" and "Sleeper" aren't exactly qualities that are warranted when choosing a great all around player.<br><br>I will admit though that Duluth East is probably the best team in the state to utilize that strategy. And deservingly so. It is a very effective weapon and comes in handy when needed down the stretch (i.e. remember against Moorhead in the 1995 Finals ... that's how his penalty shot was created, because a Moorhead defenseman tripped him when Locker hit Spehar with that exact play, catching Moorhead switching lines).<br><br>But the point is ... Spehar's defensive skills left a lot to be desired (he improved when he joined the Gophers). -- hat <p></p><i></i>

Reggie Dunlap
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Re: best hs player ever

Post by Reggie Dunlap » Tue Feb 05, 2002 11:33 pm

Yes, I saw him play a few times. The only comparison I can think of is to Eric Lindros. Very big. A glider and anticipator. Wasn't knocked down often, if ever. Alot of skill for a big guy. <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Re: best hs player ever

Post by Videoscout » Wed Feb 06, 2002 1:46 am

George Palawa was a great player who played for the Bemidji Lumberjacks and brought them to the state tournament, I believe in 1986. You couldn't knock the guy down - I think he weighed close to 230 lbs. <br><br>He was heavily recruited by North Dakota (actually received a "full ride" there) and drafted by "Badger Bob" Johnson who was coaching the Calgary Flames at the time. It seemed at the time that there was no doubt he would someday play in the NHL.<br><br>He died tragically in the summer/fall of '86 in a car accident that involved his brother before he ever had a chance to fulfill the prophecies associated with his future success. -- <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

lakerstar03
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Re: best hs player ever

Post by lakerstar03 » Wed Mar 20, 2002 12:21 am

With out a doubt in my mind it's Mike Crowley. He is just awesome. <p></p><i></i>

jr
Posts: 141
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 5:25 am

best player

Post by jr » Wed Mar 20, 2002 5:25 am

How about Tim Sheehy and Huffer Christensen. <p></p><i></i>

slapshooter
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Re: Best ever! by video scout

Post by slapshooter » Wed Mar 20, 2002 12:30 pm

Let me see now. Broten, Boucha, Slapshooter, Crowley. or Slapshooter, Broten, Cullen, Hanson Bros.,Housley, Cullen, Antonovitch. or Cullen, Kraft, Gasper, Boucha, Slapshooter, Fran Tarkington, Casey. Or Nanny,Broten, Slapshooter, Boucha, Wiener, Arnold, or Rainman, or Mayasich, Cullen, Broten, Boucha, Slapshooter, or Crowley, Boucha, Cullen, Kraft, Itchy Muller, Slapshooter,Casey, Nanny, Clauson, Chico. or Mayasich,Cullen, Broten,Cullen,Hanson Bros.,Sandler, Antonovitch,slapshooter, Boucha, Tarkinton! It's almost a toss up between Broten, Boucha and Slapshooter!<br>It's a tough one! I'd have to go with Henry Boucha.<br><br> Love, Slapshooter. ( a legend in his own mind ) <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Dean Younblood
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Best ever

Post by Dean Younblood » Wed Mar 20, 2002 9:26 pm

Going on pure High School accomplishments. You have to say John Mayasich! There is no way around it. Just take a look in the State Tournament Book. He has every record in the book besides those pesky assist records! Was any one here old enough to see him play in High School and remember it? I really want to know how you go about getting 15 goals in a single tourney and 7 of those goals in one game! You have to have the puck for the entire game! Did he even have to have any line mates? I really doubt that he needed them. - By the way slapshooter he must have been catholic eh. Or maybe one of those freak of nature Lutherans. But defiantly not a heathen with those abilities! Hahaha <p></p><i></i>

StarsFan
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Slappy!

Post by StarsFan » Wed Mar 20, 2002 11:30 pm

Slapshooter, I thought you were golfing!<br><br>Talk all you want, Neal Broten is the guy. I can't<br>believe you are all posting cases for others.<br>The others just had better PR firms.<br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>

slapshooter
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Re:Slappy by StarsFan

Post by slapshooter » Fri Mar 22, 2002 9:00 am

Hey StarsFanny,<br>What does this four iron look like to you,<br> a GOALIE STICK?<br><br>Love, Slapshooter. ( a legend in his own mind ) <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>(Mind if I play through?) ( sheeeez...some peoples kids..) <p></p><i></i>

rustyblade
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 8:09 am

Brots and Henry

Post by rustyblade » Fri Mar 22, 2002 9:45 am

It would have been great to see those two play against each other. Henry never left the ice, as his team needed him the whole game. Brots did not play in many third periods during the season simply because all the damage was done, and running up the score with the likes of Broten, Erickson, Broten was not called for.<br><br>Played against Henry, played with Brots, Wow! I pick...Neal Boucha! <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
Posts: 172
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Johnsonville "Brats" & O' Henry's (a good lunc

Post by Videoscout » Fri Mar 22, 2002 11:24 am

Rusty ... I feel like I know you but I don't know who you are. I'm guessing you are from Roseau.<br><br>Anyway ... Broten is the man. I know I created this topic ... but I revised this topic to include 3 others. It's buried somewhere in the last 20 pages of history on this message board.<br><br>I never played with or against Henry Boucha as he was 9 years older than I. I grew up playing against Neal from PeeWee's on up.<br><br>I'll never forget when I was a freshman in High School. Neal was a freshman at Roseau. He came to my hometown and was playing varsity for the Rams. I was playing Bantams my freshman year in High School ... so it was the only year I didn't play against him.<br><br>Everyone knew of Neal because of his dominance at the youth levels. Here is this little kid amongst bigger, stronger players. He centered the third line and his jersey hung down to his knees.<br><br>His demeaner on the ice has never changed. Classic Neal Broten ... never looking anyone directly in the eyes ... always appearing aloof .... constantly glancing at the clock. <br><br>Neal stick-handled around opposing players as if they were standing still. He never had to look down to see if the puck was on his stick ... because he had such a great feel with his hands ... he knew where the puck was all the time and his anticipation and instincts were just as good as Gretsky's at that point in his career.<br><br>Our junior years we matched up in the Section 8 championship game. Broten scored first to take a quick 1-0 lead; I scored within a minute of Neal's goal to tie it at one apiece. Roseau quickly made it 4-2 and we ended up losing the game 9-2 with Neal going ballistic in the third period completing his hat trick with Herb Brooks in the stands.<br><br>Rusty ... my question to you is .... (unless you played in the NHL) ... how did you manage to play with both Henry and Neal? Was is High School with Henry .... and Old timers with Neal? Or were you one of Neal's youth coaches?<br><br>I don't have to know your name but I'm thinking you are probably around the same ages as Mike, Jim or Orv Lundbohm.<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> - "am I in the ballpark?" <p></p><i></i>

goldy313
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Re: Best Player

Post by goldy313 » Fri Mar 22, 2002 12:50 pm

Videoscout, or anyone else who might know, Back in the late 50's or early 60's, there was a guy from Owatonna he didn't play hockey there because there wasn't any, so he played basketball. After high school he went to the U of M on a hockey scholarship and also lettered in Football and Baseball. I can't think of the name, Jehnke maybe. Just wondering if anyone else had heard of him. <p></p><i></i>

rustyblade
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 8:09 am

Brots and Boucha

Post by rustyblade » Fri Mar 22, 2002 1:20 pm

Played against Henry in HighSchool, with Neal as part of 1980 Olympic team, but alas, I was was released before the Miracle. Played hockey with Orv. (Man can he hit a golfball!) Still skating regularly with "Flash" Lundbohm. Mike, "skippy", mostly enjoys following his boys around the rinks. They are doing quite well. <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Re: Best Player

Post by Videoscout » Fri Mar 22, 2002 1:29 pm

goldy313 .. you may want to check with <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Dudley Otto</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> who I believe is in administration at Owatonna High School, was a former High School coach there (just before <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Mike Lundby</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> took over - then went back to East Grand Forks). Dudley Otto also played hockey for UND during the 50's I believe.<br><br>He is a former "Fighting Sioux" who wears a national championship ring from his playing days (1959-63) in Grand Forks. <br><br>Dudley was a native of So. St. Paul, played college in Grand Forks - and moved into coaching/teaching/state high school board, etc. throughout his career.<br><br>Interesting footnotes ... Otto played under head coach <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Barry Thorndycraft</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> who was assisted by <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> R.H. "Bob" Peters</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> (former Bemidji State coach), whose team manager at the time was <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Murray Olson</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> (former East Grand Forks Mayor). He also played on the same team as all-american <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Don Ross</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> from Roseau.<br><br>I know I've given you a bit more information than you called for ... but the point is ... get ahold of Dudley Otto and I'm sure he will answer your question; if not ... I'm sure he will steer you in the right direction.<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> - "Those that do research ... will learn little more than little less!" -- <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Slapshooter</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><i> The superiority of the Catholic HS hockey Player</i><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, 2002, Chapter 3, verse XIV <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/uvideoscout.sh ... eoscout</A> at: 3/23/02 2:40:00 pm<br></i>

Videoscout
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Re: Best Player

Post by Videoscout » Fri Mar 22, 2002 1:58 pm

Rusty ... I knew I was close. I have played alot of oldtimers with Orv ... have golfed with Orv quite abit also ... and yes .. he can hit the ball (just like 90% of all hockey players).<br><br>Orv graduated in 1971 and played at State with Roseau. Mike was a hell of a hockey player, as are his sons, Bryan and David. I've played a lot of golf with Mike and Dave in the Red River Valley Tournament two hours south of Roseau. Mike is a pretty good stick also.<br><br>I can remember when Mike dominated the northwest hockey league when he played with the Leafs from Roseau. You must know Frank Krahn from Warroad; also a friend of mine.<br><br>I suppose you are getting ready for the golf/fishing season?<br><br>Lake of the Woods ... here we come!!<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> - "Orv (William as he is "formally" known) is living in the same 'twin city' as I do" - you know ... BRD/BXT <p></p><i></i>

baderisapunk
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2002 7:41 am

Best Player

Post by baderisapunk » Fri Mar 22, 2002 2:51 pm

Videoscout- I hope you don't work at Potlatch and that you voted yes in last weeks referendum! Orv tees it up every thursday at Pine Meadows. Hope to run into you at the Gold Medal sometime. <p></p><i></i>

goldy313
Posts: 3949
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 11:56 am

Best Player

Post by goldy313 » Fri Mar 22, 2002 6:08 pm

Videoscout, thanks for the tip, the U of M website is horse doo-doo for researching anything.<br><br>Anyway, while maybe not the best high school hockey player, possibly the best Minnesota athlete who excelled at hockey could easily be Noel Jenke from Owatonna.<br><br>He played football, hockey, and baseball for the Gophers in the late 60's early 70's. Lettered in all three, was drafted in the first round by the Boston Red Sox, played for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL in '73 <p></p><i></i>

Videoscout
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Noel Jenke

Post by Videoscout » Fri Mar 22, 2002 11:03 pm

goldy313 ... are you referring to <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><b> Noel C. Jenke</b><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->? Mr. Jenke played hockey for the Gophers from 1967-69. He was a forward, played in 34 games, scored 3 goals and seven assists for a total of 10 points throughout his career.<br><br>Had 13 total penalties for 45 minutes.<br><br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> - "Just off the top of my head though ... don't quote me on that!" <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

goldy313
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Re: Noel Jenke

Post by goldy313 » Sat Mar 23, 2002 1:01 am

That would be him, I was just thinking of great athletes who also played hockey. Where did you you get those stats? I've been searching, heck I can find anyone who ever wrestled at Northern Iowa, but finding him sure turned out to be a chore.<br><br>Thanks for the info.<br><br>My brother, who played at JM, played against Dudley Otto's son Mike in the mid 80's when he was a goalie at Owatonna H.S. I believe Mike went on to play college football; go figure. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/ugoldy313.show ... oldy313</A> at: 3/23/02 1:15:46 am<br></i>

baderisastud
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Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2002 9:30 pm

brad kern

Post by baderisastud » Sat Mar 23, 2002 9:30 pm

brad kern is probably the best player to ever play high school hockey. He is the best defensive ever to play hockey and will most likely be mr. hockey and in the NHL at the age of 18 <p></p><i></i>

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