2008 Off-Season U19 AAA Teams

ghshockeyfan · Post by **ghshockeyfan** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:47 pm

So, who are the 2008 Off-Season Teams? I assume many of the usual - but maybe some others???

Some that come to mind that may still be around?

Walser Red, White, and Blue
Ice Cats
Pink Panthers
Wild
St. Croix Saints
East Side Eagles
Extreme
Whitecaps (new underclassmen though I assume?)
Schwan Blues (will be comprised of U16 team from last year primarily)
MN All Stars - Fighting Squirrels (will be comprised of former U19 Blues players from last year, etc.)
Others???

Media · Post by **Media** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:03 pm

Minnesota Jr Crunch will be in the Schwan Blue and the International Cup

Silent But Deadly · Post by **Silent But Deadly** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:47 am

MN Northern Lights are playing in four tournaments, Stick it to Cancer, Alexandria, Wal Mart Hockey Cup & International Cup. Players are from Elk River, Rogers, Zimmerman, North Wright County & Buffalo.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:19 am

Somewhat confusing is that there are actually two totally separate "Extreme" team organizations, the Minnesota Extreme:

http://eteamz.active.com/mnextremeteam/

and the

Os/Xtreme (formerly the 92Xtreme):

http://www.92xtremehockey.com/

hockeya1a · Post by **hockeya1a** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:51 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:Somewhat confusing is that there are actually two totally separate "Extreme" team organizations, the Minnesota Extreme:

http://eteamz.active.com/mnextremeteam/

and the

Os/Xtreme (formerly the 92Xtreme):

http://www.92xtremehockey.com/

2 different spellings, 2 different teams Extreme and xtreme

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:49 am

Another team is On Edge which I believe is made up of mostly Lakeville girls. Also, I believe there are 2 Ice Cat teams playing at the U19 level, the younger team (mostly 92s) and an older team.

BCGHockey · Post by **BCGHockey** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:15 pm

Does anyone have names for the Whitecaps this season? I believe last years team was all seniors with the exception of 2?

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:43 pm

BCGHockey wrote:Does anyone have names for the Whitecaps this season? I believe last years team was all seniors with the exception of 2?

I understand the new Jr. Whitecap team won't start unitl mid to late summer so team from last summer will play this spring I think.

rwb1351 · Post by **rwb1351** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:08 pm

joehockey wrote:
BCGHockey wrote:Does anyone have names for the Whitecaps this season? I believe last years team was all seniors with the exception of 2?
I understand the new Jr. Whitecap team won't start unitl mid to late summer so team from last summer will play this spring I think.

I've heard last year's Jr. Whitecaps team won't be playing together at all this summer.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:57 am

So with all these top U19AAA teams why don't we form a league and save everyone a lot of money? The teams playing in the Two Nations Female Hockey League will pay $230/player to pay 18 games or $3910/team.

If we play in the Meltdown and the International Cup we each pay about about the same amount for 8-10 games?

This would be a good metro league all local with limited travel:

1) St. Croix Saints
2) Ice Cats U19
3) Ice Cats U16/U19
4) Walser Blue
5) Walser White or Red
6) Extreme
7) xTreme/OS

Blues/ aka MN All Stars - Fighting Squirrels

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:04 pm

joehockey wrote:So with all these top U19AAA teams why don't we form a league and save everyone a lot of money?

Great idea, but probably too late this year as the teams' schedules are pretty well set. It would be great if this could be implemented for 2009 however.

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:27 pm

joehockey wrote:So with all these top U19AAA teams why don't we form a league and save everyone a lot of money? The teams playing in the Two Nations Female Hockey League will pay $230/player to pay 18 games or $3910/team.

If we play in the Meltdown and the International Cup we each pay about about the same amount for 8-10 games?

This would be a good metro league all local with limited travel:

1) St. Croix Saints
2) Ice Cats U19
3) Ice Cats U16/U19
4) Walser Blue
5) Walser White or Red
6) Extreme
7) xTreme/OS
Blues/ aka MN All Stars - Fighting Squirrels

Great idea. I vote JoeHockey Commissioner of the new league starting in 2009!

rwb1351 · Post by **rwb1351** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:20 pm

Fighting Squirrels and the Blues are not the same team. The fighting Squirrels were the U-19 Blue last year. This years Blues team is lasts years U-16 Blues team.

Confusing? yes.

jumpstart · Post by **jumpstart** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:12 pm

MNHockeyFan wrote:
joehockey wrote:So with all these top U19AAA teams why don't we form a league and save everyone a lot of money?
Great idea, but probably too late this year as the teams' schedules are pretty well set. It would be great if this could be implemented for 2009 however.

Taking this a step further, tryouts could be held for the league and teams could be put together using a player rating system. I would guess that this would result in 8 to 10 very competitive teams. Certain weekends or weeknights could be set aside for "league" games at rinks around the state, and a schedule could be developed so that each team plays all of the other teams. An end of the season league tournament might also be considered.

This would likely keep costs down for individual players and would take away the hassle of girls/parents jockeying for position on summer teams. It would also give girls an opportunity to play with different players during the summer. I believe you could also find some very qualified coaches to coach these teams.

I realize this might be a logistical headache and someone would need to come up with a fair and reasonable rating system and tryout process, but I believe it could and should be done.

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:20 pm

jumpstart wrote:
MNHockeyFan wrote:
joehockey wrote:So with all these top U19AAA teams why don't we form a league and save everyone a lot of money?
Great idea, but probably too late this year as the teams' schedules are pretty well set. It would be great if this could be implemented for 2009 however.
Taking this a step further, tryouts could be held for the league and teams could be put together using a player rating system. I would guess that this would result in 8 to 10 very competitive teams. Certain weekends or weeknights could be set aside for "league" games at rinks around the state, and a schedule could be developed so that each team plays all of the other teams. An end of the season league tournament might also be considered.

This would likely keep costs down for individual players and would take away the hassle of girls/parents jockeying for position on summer teams. It would also give girls an opportunity to play with different players during the summer. I believe you could also find some very qualified coaches to coach these teams.

I realize this might be a logistical headache and someone would need to come up with a fair and reasonable rating system and tryout process, but I believe it could and should be done.

Jumpstart,

Its a great idea and it can be done pretty easily but I think there would be some problems politically. Many girls are on certain teams for the status it brings them. Even though it makes sense I wonder if such girls would be willing to switch teams just for the sake of making it a more competitive league.

xwildfan · Post by **xwildfan** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:02 pm

Actually there was an attempt at such a league a couple summers ago. The league played at IGH. Teams included MN Elite, Predators, Walser, East Side Eagles, Icecats, and others. It was an ok league. Problem was attendance; many players go all over the place with the various select/elite camps and out of town touneys.

I think it is a great idea. The best players in the country are right here; no need to travel outside MN. But in the never-ending quest to "get noticed," parents and players will undoubtedly continue to search for playing opportunities in far-away places.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:30 pm

xwildfan wrote:Actually there was an attempt at such a league a couple summers ago. The league played at IGH. Teams included MN Elite, Predators, Walser, East Side Eagles, Icecats, and others. It was an ok league. Problem was attendance; many players go all over the place with the various select/elite camps and out of town touneys.

In that IGH/Wakota summer league you are right attendance was a huge problem. There were occasions when a team would barely have one unit, and quite often one team would have to lend the other team some players to make it somewhat even. Too bad the girls didn't show up more consistently, because when enough players did show up it was very good hockey.

xwildfan wrote:I think it is a great idea. The best players in the country are right here; no need to travel outside MN. But in the never-ending quest to "get noticed," parents and players will undoubtedly continue to search for playing opportunities in far-away places.

One thing people overlook is that playing in tournaments can be a lot of fun for the kids. It's terrible for the parents' pocketbooks but most swallow hard and cough up the money. Many of them enjoy the travel and the camaraderie as well.

Another issue is that for some of the existing summer teams the girls have been playing with each other for several years and they know and like each other a lot. They may want to keep the relationships they have rather than go to a new team where they hardly know anyone. And most of the summer teams draw from one part of the Twin Cities and their practices involve shorter distances. I know this was one issue with the IGH/Wakota league two years ago - for girls in the West and NW suburbs it was quite a haul and discouraged attendance on a consistent basis.

I'm not saying a league like this won't work but these are just a few of the roadblocks that would be working against it.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:16 am

I could be wrong, isn't this kind of what OS is doing with their spring and fall leagues? The two nations has value because you have the opportunity to pay against other (more competative) teams, like the Canadians. Get's a little old playing the same teams IMO.

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:29 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:
xwildfan wrote:Actually there was an attempt at such a league a couple summers ago. The league played at IGH. Teams included MN Elite, Predators, Walser, East Side Eagles, Icecats, and others. It was an ok league. Problem was attendance; many players go all over the place with the various select/elite camps and out of town touneys.
In that IGH/Wakota summer league you are right attendance was a huge problem. There were occasions when a team would barely have one unit, and quite often one team would have to lend the other team some players to make it somewhat even. Too bad the girls didn't show up more consistently, because when enough players did show up it was very good hockey.

Exactly the reason these doesn't work very well. Every year there are two or three attempts at such a league, but attendance is always the issue. And right on the money MNH, the games were great when the teams could get more than 8 kids to show. Not sure Girls hockey is ready for this yet, but can't be too far away. Maybe we need to keep trying. And maybe allowing some of those kids that a lot of people concider not so "Elite" to play would help out. Of course then the "Elite" wouldn't want to play now would they. Thus the delema. Still not enough numbers to support such a league, I would imagine. Tournaments are always a bigger attraction to kids, leagues are just that, leagues, but they all show up for playoffs of those same leagues.

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:39 am

hockeyheaven wrote:I could be wrong, isn't this kind of what OS is doing with their spring and fall leagues? The two nations has value because you have the opportunity to pay against other (more competative) teams, like the Canadians. Get's a little old playing the same teams IMO.

Exactly hockeyheaven. The Os league tried this for couple of years now, but thing I've always heard from the kids playing in such leagues like the Os one, is they lack a certain direction. Kids get flopped from team to team, no playoffs, and no consistancy at all. My opinion I guess, but I hear this from the kids themselves all the time.

xwildfan wrote:Actually there was an attempt at such a league a couple summers ago. The league played at IGH. Teams included MN Elite, Predators, Walser, East Side Eagles, Icecats, and others. It was an ok league. Problem was attendance; many players go all over the place with the various select/elite camps and out of town touneys.

This was done for several years I believe, along with one at Wakota, that featured many of the best HS teams. All of these have suffered from the same numbers problem, and attendance issues, do to conflicts and everything else going on.

It would be great if all these teams could run a series of tourneys with all the best AAA teams. Problems I have heard there are the kids along with the parents tier of playing the same competition over and over. Again a numbers crunch I suppose.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:05 am

hockeyrube7 wrote:
hockeyheaven wrote:I could be wrong, isn't this kind of what OS is doing with their spring and fall leagues? The two nations has value because you have the opportunity to pay against other (more competative) teams, like the Canadians. Get's a little old playing the same teams IMO.
Exactly hockeyheaven. The Os league tried this for couple of years now, but thing I've always heard from the kids playing in such leagues like the Os one, is they lack a certain direction. Kids get flopped from team to team, no playoffs, and no consistancy at all. My opinion I guess, but I hear this from the kids themselves all the time.

I hear you. The problem is and always will be the self interest. Last year OS tried to set up their fall league as complete teams. The intent I feel was to gain that sense of commitment so attendance would be improved. But the Parents complained that their daughter(s) were not invited to a team and there for not given an opportunity (although OS set up a couple of teams for those individuals). So this year they went back to a full dispersal system. Consequently, they are back to a situation where more then not you get only 8 kids to show up. Except for that lone team (AAA team) who surprisingly seems to have enough players’ game in and game out. (Which, of course, I hear they have gotten many complaints about). The reality is kids want to be kids and have time for all their interests. I don't think you are ever going to get full participation this time of year. Organized tournaments are still the answer IMO. Yes you end up paying more, but the extra money buys you consistency.

keepitreal · Post by **keepitreal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:00 am

hockeyheaven wrote:
Exactly hockeyheaven. The Os league tried this for couple of years now, but thing I've always heard from the kids playing in such leagues like the Os one, is they lack a certain direction. Kids get flopped from team to team, no playoffs, and no consistancy at all. My opinion I guess, but I hear this from the kids themselves all the time.

.... I don't think you are ever going to get full participation this time of year. Organized tournaments are still the answer IMO. Yes you end up paying more, but the extra money buys you consistency.

Agree completely. Swaying a bit off-topic here, but a few observations:

The spring schedule is busy and it just got tougher with the new NDP format, not to mention many AAA teams starting up with tournaments in April and May. There's a couple of objectives at work here, either getting ready for NDP or just having fun, but most people I've talked to are using the spring leagues as a tune up for NDP or for general development for kids that want to play more and/or enter the high school level. I think places like CODP have the best idea with more focus on training and conditioning with some informal scrimmages versus a formal spring league of just games. The OS spring league used to be really good and attracted most of the top players, but with the schedule the way it is now, I'm not sure things will ever go back.

Elite training programs and leagues are not available for all and people must come to terms with that, but the MODEL used by elite training programs can be used freely if you have 1) parents and 2) organizers/coaches who share a common set of objectives for the participants.

For my money, I'd like to see an intensive one month only (March) program of skills, drills and some dryland with a some informal scrimmaging from teams quickly picked in each practice. This would be the best way to get sharp for NDP for players that may have been off the ice for several weeks. If your goal is just playing games, the Gopher State tourney is mid-March followed by several AAA tournaments in April and May, as well as a few small leagues at various local arenas.

The commercial endeavors in girls hockey are trying to develop the best products to fit the desires of the girls hockey community, and just as a wide array of ages and abilities makes this difficult, so does the objectives and understanding of what parents believe is the best use of their money and their player's time. Finding the right fit for everyone from a U12/U14 player trying to get a feel for the high school game to the elite junior is quite a wide chasm.

For the fall, hopefully something is on the horizon for the elite players...

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:09 am

I have heard that there are plans being made for an Elite I type of league under the Mn Girls HS coaches similar to the boys I think at the Super Rink....don't have any details.

Players would have to register with USA hockey so they can not play in the league and on another B&A USA hockey registered team (Walser, Saints, Jr. Whitecaps.....) which might fracture the talent? Does anyone have any additional information?

keepitreal · Post by **keepitreal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:23 am

joehockey wrote:I have heard that there are plans being made for an Elite I type of league under the Mn Girls HS coaches similar to the boys I think at the Super Rink....don't have any details.

Players would have to register with USA hockey so they can not play in the league and on another B&A USA hockey registered team (Walser, Saints, Jr. Whitecaps.....) which might fracture the talent? Does anyone have any additional information?

This is what I have heard as well. No info yet that I have heard. It's safe to say the HS coaches have their hands full at the moment. Active MN HS coaches can initiate and guide league structure I suppose, but obviously can have no direct contact with players.

GHS has been a big proponent of BAGEL involving the MGHCA-- maybe he would comment?

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:38 am

I think the boys Elite I & II side has HS asst and JV coaches inovled as a way to develop their coaching skills on the bench but not sure. They get special permission from MNSHL to be inolved.....since there is very little direct coaching of own school players it is viewed as ok.

Players would go through a tryout and be on a sectional based team similar to boys and games would be Saturday night and Sunday mornings to avoid conflict with other fall sports and allow outstate participation was the other information I had heard.

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2008 Off-Season U19 AAA Teams

2008 Off-Season U19 AAA Teams

Off Season U19 AAA