8A Predictions........

[schwang17]

And FYI Schwanger and all...

Bemidji has one year of what you are calling B level hockey left. The kids have said they will opt up, if asked. It does not appear they will have the #'s to be automatic, depending on what existing co-ops do.

Only if they're asked?

[elliott70]

The people running Warroad hockey know what they are doing. They are a small town competing with small towns and they do well.

What's Bemidji's excuse then?

Bemidji allowed the players (this year's seniors and juniors) to vote.
And I would say the leadership in Warroad hockey is stronger than the leadership in Bemidji. It has not always been this way and I think the Bemidji top-end is coming around. At least I hope so.

[schwang17]

River Lakes and Becker are not opt-up teams. They are double A by definition.

If you wish to applaud someone, applaud Grand Rapids, Cloquet, Duluth East, and of ocurse, Roseau. The private schools have opted up also, depending on your feelings of how their enrollment is determined.

I understand River Lakes and Becker's situation. And I applaud every northern team but 1.

[elliott70]

And FYI Schwanger and all...

Bemidji has one year of what you are calling B level hockey left. The kids have said they will opt up, if asked. It does not appear they will have the #'s to be automatic, depending on what existing co-ops do.

Only if they're asked?

I would like to be able to tell you that I could influence this decison. The super, the AD, then the coaches will have the say. This year they asked the players. Next summer it may change, they may take the lead. A lot of Bemidji people were upset with the failure to opt-up, and made their feelings known. The group of this year;s 10th, 9th and 8th graders believe not only that they can make it to state, but be competitive at state.

Time will give us these answers.

[schwang17]

The people running Warroad hockey know what they are doing. They are a small town competing with small towns and they do well.

What's Bemidji's excuse then?

Bemidji allowed the players (this year's seniors and juniors) to vote.
And I would say the leadership in Warroad hockey is stronger than the leadership in Bemidji. It has not always been this way and I think the Bemidji top-end is coming around. At least I hope so.

No knock on Bemidji at all but I think they should be better. College team, multiple rinks, a town over 10,000. What's wrong here?

[elliott70]

River Lakes and Becker are not opt-up teams. They are double A by definition.

If you wish to applaud someone, applaud Grand Rapids, Cloquet, Duluth East, and of ocurse, Roseau. The private schools have opted up also, depending on your feelings of how their enrollment is determined.

I understand River Lakes and Becker's situation. And I applaud every northern team but 1.

Well, I know some of the kids, some of the dads and the coaches in Warroad. There a highway 11 team, and I cheer for hwy 11 teams (hwy 2 to Hwy 11).

[elliott70]

What's Bemidji's excuse then?

Bemidji allowed the players (this year's seniors and juniors) to vote.
And I would say the leadership in Warroad hockey is stronger than the leadership in Bemidji. It has not always been this way and I think the Bemidji top-end is coming around. At least I hope so.

No knock on Bemidji at all but I think they should be better. College team, multiple rinks, a town over 10,000. What's wrong here?

Good question. Complicated answer, if I even know all of it.
And it should be a knock.
Changed my mind
see PM......

[schwang17]

Okay, I agree with that argument. Play the teams you need to beat, at least once.

I know what you are saying about B level hockey at the youth level, but comparing youth hockey to HS hockey can bite all of us (and I have stuck my behind out here to be snipped a time or two over the next few years (if I have any left??)).

But I cannot see Warroad having sucess at AA level, ever. And I can see them struggeling to some extent in single A in the near future.

The thing I don't get is you say their youth program isn't that great but most every year they're a top 15-20 team in a 1 class system.

I may be way off base here, but it kinda sounds like you're saying they have to get recruits from other areas to even be where they are.

[elliott70]

Okay, I agree with that argument. Play the teams you need to beat, at least once.

I know what you are saying about B level hockey at the youth level, but comparing youth hockey to HS hockey can bite all of us (and I have stuck my behind out here to be snipped a time or two over the next few years (if I have any left??)).

But I cannot see Warroad having sucess at AA level, ever. And I can see them struggeling to some extent in single A in the near future.

The thing I don't get is you say their youth program isn't that great but most every year they're a top 15-20 team in a 1 class system.

The youth teams coming up are not as good as past teams. They always manage to have some good kids in each grade and at HS they put 3 or 4 yaers worth of kids together so they get their two good lines.

I may be way off base here, but it kinda sounds like you're saying they have to get recruits from other areas to even be where they are.

There is no queston kids from other areas have moved to Warraod. But Warroads HS hockey coach, team has not recruited them. Warraod is a big employer in northern MN. If I work in Warroad and live in Baudette I am going to move to Baudette when I get the chance. Its not the cities or even PR area. Moving to quality housing is not that easy. So kids do end up moving into Warroad school district. Are they recruited by someone? Perhaps but it is not the HS.

[schwang17]

I think the AA enrollment thread is a good read. Study up, Sir Elliott...

[elliott70]

I think the AA enrollment thread is a good read. Study up, Sir Elliott...

I have read it.
Good read, sure, worth studing, emmm, no.

But to paraphrase it (I think)...

It is not the number of kids (exclusively), but the quality of the program.
Or, not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

So, bottom line, one class state tournament with 16 teams.

[SB24]

Well Elliott, it's not really worth arguing with you, you have your opinion, and i have mine. You can throw whatever numbers out there you want, but Warroad has always been regarded as a top notch program. I believe it is inaccurate to say that Warroad would never compete in class AA. Over the past 20 years Warroad is 26-20-2 vs Roseau. As always, i'm not saying they should or shouldn't go AA, i just don't think people should say they'd never compete.

[schwang17]

It is not the number of kids (exclusively), but the quality of the program.

Which has been my point about Warroad from day 1...

[SiouxRecruit]

"As I sit here looking at the Xcel out of this window....I think to myself..... "I love hockey"......the end

Next seasons predictions:2008-2009

1. TRF
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

[schwang17]

"As I sit here looking at the TRF Chinese buffet out of this 86 Datsun....I think to myself..... "I love SB, but apparently he doesn't feel the same. Oh well! at least I still have Mohunk"......the end

Next seasons predictions:2008-2009

1. TRF
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

[elliott70]

Well Elliott, it's not really worth arguing with you, you have your opinion, and i have mine. You can throw whatever numbers out there you want, but Warroad has always been regarded as a top notch program. I believe it is inaccurate to say that Warroad would never compete in class AA. Over the past 20 years Warroad is 26-20-2 vs Roseau. As always, i'm not saying they should or shouldn't go AA, i just don't think people should say they'd never compete.

And during that time when Warraod was beating up Roso, how was Roso doing in AA?

I think MSHSL has set up there 'more teams to state' wrong. Under trhe current situation very few out state and very few metro area teams are AA contenders on a regular basis.

But to say Warroads program is equivalent to Roseau is a fallacy.
Not to say it will not change in the future, failings on Roso's part that is, but for now, small schools Roso, Grand Rapids are the exceptions. Cloquet is going to take a dip but then come back. Warroad will stay competitive in 8A, but on what terms can you see Warroad beating Moorhead, Roso, St Cloud Tech, Brainerd and now Buffalo? And soon Monticello. Bemidji ahd a very bad peewee team this year. Warroad beat them 6 to 5, Bemidji had a very good bantam A team (will compete at the AA level but will have close games with Moorhead and Roso) and
took it to Warroad - no contest.

I am sorry but Warroad should be single A under the current system.
Its tougher to win AA then A. But once you get to the final 4 in most sections the games are good, same thing at state. And the final 16 are teams that can play with AA teams, but they are not going to beat the top 20 (most of the time).

[elliott70]

"As I sit here looking at the Xcel out of this window....I think to myself..... "I love hockey"......the end

Next seasons predictions:2008-2009

1. TRF
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

I am with you Sioux,
1. Bemidji
2. Warroad
3. TRF
4. Crookston
5. PR
6. EGF
7. LOW
8 RLF
9. Hallock
10. Walker
11. Bagley
8

[Irishmans Shanty]

Wed Mar 5 "State Quarters Edition"

Warroad vs. Litchfield

[Irishmans Shanty]

Fri Mar 7 "State Semis Edition"

Warroad vs. Duluth Marshall