shooter812 wrote:why is everybody suprised we SHOULD win this every year. and beating Illinois by 1 goal is not impressive. Illinois high school hockey is absolutely a joke i havent watched any other states but i have seen Illinois and I am not even exaggerating when I say it most of the kids have no reason to be on the ice.
I agree that a one-goal win over Illinois is not impressive. But, hey, there is always a reason to be on the ice. For me, it is to try to forestall the inevitable--my becoming fat and old!
I don't know about other states, but HS hockey sure is a joke in Alaska compared to Minnesota. Alaska produces a few high end players here an there like Gomez, Dubinski, and Carle. I would love to see a MN HS power come up here and show em whats up. These kids up here think their good though. All I know is I didn't play organized hockey, but I've skated pick up games with HSer's in both states, and there is no comparison. I can skate with the kids in AK, back in Rapids well, I had to learn how to anticipate much quicker.
Wisconsin's team was good and the game was pretty even. So even though Wisconsin had players with college commitments, MN did not and still played right with them. Good finish boys.
doubleOHseven wrote:
C'mon, if you knew something about WI hockey, you wouldn't be THAT surprised. We are neighbors, we share a lot of passion for the game.
Minnesota's love for hockey is matched only by Wisconsin's love of the Packers.
WI has some good programs though.... EC Memorial, anyone?
I'll take Hill Murray or Edina over EC Memorial by atleast 6 goals.
Wisconsin should probably adopt Minnesota's policy of not bringing players with college commitments. Those players do not need to be seen by the scouts yet they are taking the place of another player who could use the exposure.
Nate Condon from Wausau West High School (WI) was the only player on Team Wisconsin going into the Chicago Showcase with a D1 commitment. He wanted to help out and played out of loyalty to the WAHA Team Wisconsin program that has done so much for him. He did have a very good tournament. But it wasn't just one player who won the Chicago Showcase for WI.
Gavin Hartzog of Milwaukee Marquette (WI) was awarded the MVP of the Chicago Showcase.
Casey Kirley of Hayward High School (WI) was the leading scorer in the finals of the Chicago Showcase.
Jefferson Dahl, Wisconsin's Mr. Hockey out of Eau Claire Memorial, was dynamic as usual.
Goalies Brady Sand of Eau Claire Memorial (WI) and Josh Lehr of Appleton United (WI) are talented and had excellent tournaments.
Wisconsin had outstanding defensemen including David Donnellan of Eau Claire Memorial, Jeff Burke of Somerset High School, and Tim Smith of Superior Senior High School.
People who follow high school hockey should not be that surprised that Wisconsin can put together a good team. For instance, last fall, Team Wisconsin finished a close second in the Elite 1 League and made it to the championship game of the Elite 1 League playoffs against Russel Stover at the New Hope Arena. The Team Wisconsin 16U team won the Elite 2 league in the Twin Cities using only 15 and 16 year olds. Additionally, there were 14 players from the state of WI on the WI Badgers national championship team a couple of years ago.
Granted, Minnesota HS hockey has more depth than Wisconsin does, but at least Wisconsin is producing more top level players and HS teams than it did, say, two decades ago. It is a lot more competitive in WI HS hockey these days.
MNHockey08 wrote:I heard another player was going to Michigan Tech on Wisconsin's team, but i couldn't tell you which one.
You might be thinking of Seth Soley. He played for Team Wisconsin in the Elite league this season and is now playing for Omaha in the USHL. He did not play in the Chicago Showcase. He is going to Michigan Tech next year as a true freshman.
Not only has the tournament's MVP Gavin Hartzog not made a DI commitment, he has not made a DIII commitment or a juniors commitment. In fact, he was almost completely unrecruited other than a few DIII schools saying he'd need 2 years of juniors. A few weeks ago he was pretty sure that the Chicago Showcase would be the last of his competitive hockey. Maybe someone will take a closer look.
An unknown Hartzog is proof that Wisconsin HS hockey has improved tremendously over the last 10 years, but does not get the credit it deserves. True, the state has no where near the depth of MN, but the top few teams, like Eau Claire Memorial, could play with any MN top 10. Superior proved worthy in games against Marshall and East and ECM was much better. I know it's a loyalty thing to hate the cheeseheads, but those boys, although fewer and farther between, can play some hockey.
