BEST NORTHLAND TEAM EVER?

eastsidehockey · Post by **eastsidehockey** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:47 pm

Here is a question that i was wondering, which team from the North was the best of all time?

I know it is hard to compare generations, but why not ask it?

Alot of good choices and probably would need an "old timer" to give the best answer. Eveleth way back (40's?) Grand Rapids in the Mid-70's, Greenway Raiders in the Late-60's, certainly DuluthEAST in the mid-90's, and a handful of others.

Iron Range hockey, hockey may not have been created here but it was certainly perfected here

suntzu · Post by **suntzu** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:03 pm

The 1964-66 International Falls Broncos, with the '66 team probably being the best.

eastsidehockey · Post by **eastsidehockey** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:27 pm

ah yes i forgot about the Broncos!

BERG RENOLZ · Post by **BERG RENOLZ** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:44 am

I think Roseau at least has to be mentioned. Championships in 46,58,59, and 61. Followed by the more recent titles in 90,99, and 07.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:55 am

I think I would go with the 65 Broncos.
Although 63 and 72 werre good.

suntzu · Post by **suntzu** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:01 pm

BERG RENOLZ wrote:I think Roseau at least has to be mentioned. Championships in 46,58,59, and 61. Followed by the more recent titles in 90,99, and 07.

Roseau is a great program, no doubt. But if it is best team ever from the north, in my mind there are only two real contenders:

I. Falls 1966 - Falls oldtimers, which was the best team in the '64-'66 run? I'd say the '66 squad in Sheehy's senior year, but I've heard arguments for the other teams in that era (specifically the '65 team).

Eveleth 1951 - Senior year for Mayasich. Dominant team.

Other teams in the running would be Roseau in '59, Greenway in '68, Roseau in '90 and '99 and Duluth East in '95.

The other teams that were unbelievable (but didn't win the title) were Rapids in '79 and Duluth East in '96 and '97 as well as Moorhead a couple of years ago when they lost to Holy Angels.

Is Roseau good enough this year to get it done?

AngusYoung · Post by **AngusYoung** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:10 pm

Crookston Cathedral

AY

Lumberjack · Post by **Lumberjack** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:07 pm

Cloquet's 92-93 squad. Langenbrunner tore it up that year.

BERG RENOLZ · Post by **BERG RENOLZ** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:01 pm

suntzu wrote:
BERG RENOLZ wrote:I think Roseau at least has to be mentioned. Championships in 46,58,59, and 61. Followed by the more recent titles in 90,99, and 07.
Roseau is a great program, no doubt. But if it is best team ever from the north, in my mind there are only two real contenders:

I. Falls 1966 - Falls oldtimers, which was the best team in the '64-'66 run? I'd say the '66 squad in Sheehy's senior year, but I've heard arguments for the other teams in that era (specifically the '65 team).

Eveleth 1951 - Senior year for Mayasich. Dominant team.

Other teams in the running would be Roseau in '59, Greenway in '68, Roseau in '90 and '99 and Duluth East in '95.

The other teams that were unbelievable (but didn't win the title) were Rapids in '79 and Duluth East in '96 and '97 as well as Moorhead a couple of years ago when they lost to Holy Angels.

Is Roseau good enough this year to get it done?

Yes, very capable of repeating. That's easier said than done. They lost a few guys, but the core of the team is back. Aaron Ness is back who is arguably the best player in the state. Mike Lee at goaltender is one of the better goalies in the state as well. Some holes to fill, but they will have 3 very solid lines. They'll be a fun team with a lot of speed and skill. This team won last year with a great defensive game and that shouldn't falter. An Edina vs. Roseau title game would be great and very possible. Definitely no cakewalk for the Rams, but have the team to get it done for sure.

I view the Rams as the best team ever from the north. I guess the thing that sways me the most is the longevity of it. They're still producing titles, while I Falls and Eveleth can barely sniff the tournament anymore. No disrespect to those storied programs, but they're both teams of the past who in my opinion will never win the big one again while Roseau's program shows no signs of faltering.

Undercover Hockey Lover · Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:26 pm

I hate to have to point this out to you Bergie but I believe what the fella was asking is what the best TEAM in a season was not the best PROGRAM. I think everyone knows who the best program over time is.

But there were some great teams...I believe Eveleth didn't lose a game in a 4 year span from 47 to 51 with Mayasich graduating in 51 still holds most the individual player tourney records. Roseau's run from 58 - 59 were something like 60 - 0 -1. I' Falls great mid-60's teams were unstoppable by everyone except GFC.

(that's right it was a scrimmage). I don't know if you could pick one out of all the teams from '45 til today. I believe you could fill up many tables with longnecks trying to figure that one out and never come to a consensus. Maybe it's Eveleth '51, Rams '59 or I Falls '66. Depends on your loyalties I guess.

BERG RENOLZ · Post by **BERG RENOLZ** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:34 pm

Undercover Hockey Lover wrote:I hate to have to point this out to you Bergie but I believe what the fella was asking is what the best TEAM in a season was not the best PROGRAM. I think everyone knows who the best program over time is. But there were some great teams...I believe Eveleth didn't lose a game in a 4 year span from 47 to 51 with Mayasich graduating in 51 still holds most the individual player tourney records. Roseau's run from 58 - 59 were something like 60 - 0 -1. I' Falls great mid-60's teams were unstoppable by everyone except GFC. (that's right it was a scrimmage). I don't know if you could pick one out of all the teams from '45 til today. I believe you could fill up many tables with longnecks trying to figure that one out and never come to a consensus. Maybe it's Eveleth '51, Rams '59 or I Falls '66. Depends on your loyalties I guess.

Ooops...i guess i need some reading lessons, my bad. I have at times what people call half tardedness or widnow licking syndrome.

Post by **east hockey** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:35 pm

Lumberjack wrote:Cloquet's 92-93 squad. Langenbrunner tore it up that year.

Best Northland team ever? They failed to make it past the state quarterfinals that season. Very good? Yes, no doubt. The best? Not close.

Lee

hockeyfan95 · Post by **hockeyfan95** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:06 pm

yeah, it's been a while since I Falls has been to state, but you can't deny the number of D1 players we've produced. If Hjelle had stayed this year, you can bet that I Falls would be more than just "sniffing" at the state tournament...

ACTUALFORMERPLAYER · Post by **ACTUALFORMERPLAYER** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:09 pm

Undercover Hockey Lover wrote: Maybe it's Eveleth '51, Rams '59 or I Falls '66. Depends on your loyalties I guess.

I think this list is complete. I understand that these teams might not compete today but, they each dominated their year more than any other teams. The loyalty thing is probably the only difference.

If a team didn't win it all and go undefeated they shouldn't be mentioned with these teams. Regardless of how many D-1 players or dominating they were in the rest of their games..etc...