Elite 2 vs. Junior B

[puckinawsum]

What is better for skill and scouts. Lets hear what you think about these leagues.

[Observer85]

What is better for skill and scouts. Lets hear what you think about these leagues.

Skill? Skill is what you make of it if you work at it. Players can develop (improve) skills in the summer with a lot of hard work and commitment.

Scouts? Not sure I have seen any at either of these venues when I have gone to watch.

[GR3343]

Both are developmental leagues. Tier III Jr. A(formerly Jr. B) is another option of competitive hockey for players who are out of options. That meaning players who have graduated from high school with absolutely no other offers, or high school players who either come from areas with little or no hockey, bad programs or who have been released from high school teams and have no where else to go. Now and again, you will see players advance to the college level, so they are being scouted a little bit.

Elite II is for the younger players and offers a competitive schedule before the high school season starts. Most of the players are incoming sophomores. I don't believe the Elite II league is for the purpose of scouting and recruiting, I believe it's more for the development of the younger player.

Tough to compare the two. It's really an apples vs oranges thing.

[juniorhockey]

I would have to disagree with the above statement.

I think it's very simple to compare. Elite I and Elite II has very little practice time. With all the information out there now, it's hard to argue that you can develop with games. In my opinion, Elite I doesn't make kids better, however, it provides a ridiculous amount of exposure to NHL, Division I, Division III, USHL and NAHL scouts. At the tournaments, there are so many scouts it's really hard to believe.

Elite II gets little to no exposure; although it is a fine league. Since it is generally younger, who does it benefit to scout for? Colleges and Junior teams can see all the younger players a year later. I know that there are older kids playing as well, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to go scout four kids (2 on each team) in a game. Especially when they are playing younger talent.

Junior B gets the same amount of exposure as the Elite II, but possibly a little more with DIII coaches coming by every so often.

Since most Junior B teams practice three to four times a week, if you have a good coach, I feel you would get more out of playing Junior B then Elite II.

[breakout]

I would have to disagree with the above statement.

I think it's very simple to compare. Elite I and Elite II has very little practice time. With all the information out there now, it's hard to argue that you can develop with games. In my opinion, Elite I doesn't make kids better, however, it provides a ridiculous amount of exposure to NHL, Division I, Division III, USHL and NAHL scouts. At the tournaments, there are so many scouts it's really hard to believe.

Elite II gets little to no exposure; although it is a fine league. Since it is generally younger, who does it benefit to scout for? Colleges and Junior teams can see all the younger players a year later. I know that there are older kids playing as well, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to go scout four kids (2 on each team) in a game. Especially when they are playing younger talent.

Junior B gets the same amount of exposure as the Elite II, but possibly a little more with DIII coaches coming by every so often.

Since most Junior B teams practice three to four times a week, if you have a good coach, I feel you would get more out of playing Junior B then Elite II.

Interesting perspective

[Sioux Fan]

All I can say is our Elite II team has had some very good players the past 4 seasons many with D-1 scholarships. I think it would be great for colleges to take a look at our league whenever they can.

Alex Kangas
Sean Murphy
Tim Kirby
James Gaulrapp
Joel Gaulrapp
Reid Cashman
Tom Pohl
Adam Wiesner
Bryan Frischmann
Cory Krogen

These kids are D-1 and D-3 players that played for us thier junior or senior seasons. We are worth a look for a smart scouting staff.

With our games at Blaine most weekends should add to the access of scouts.

It would also pay for Elite league to see some of our underclassmen play in this format as it pulls together a lot of good players.

Our tournament was excellent last season. Hope we continue to get the best players available to play.

[Stealth]

Isn’t Elite 2 hockey primarily sophomores and juniors, where as Junior B is post high school.
Puckinawsum;
Are you a senior maybe viewing to be 1 of 4 on a E-2 team and could not qualify for the Midwest Elite program, So your wondering to skip your senior year and play B’s?
It also sounds like you did not qualify for the Elite 2 your sophomore or junior’s either because you don’t know what goes on there either?

[juniorhockey]

Sioux Fan,

That is a VERY impressive list of talented players, you've had some good teams.

[crash]

James and Joel both played Jr. B too.

Ask them and I bet they say Jr. B did more than Eilte did. Don't assume that you can make a good Jr. B/T3 Jr. A team. I watched the Ice Hawks cut kids who ripped up the High School league, this league is better than you think.

Over the past two or three seasons the Ice Hawks have pumped out as impressive list as the local Eilte team has.


James Gaulrapp- MSU-Mankato D-1
Joey Spracklen- West Point D-1
Chris Spracklen- West Point D-1
Mike Schnider- Wisconsin-Eau Claire D-3
Mike Christensen- St. Mary's D-3
Thor Josefson- St. Olaf D-3
Alex Lundbohm-River Falls D-3
Brett Burgau- River Falls D-3

I know I am missing a ton but off the top of my head that's pretty good.