Educator29 wrote:I have to disagree that the Elite league is stronger then MNJHL. There are Some very Young kids playing Elite League (16 YR olds) Most of your colleges prefer the style of play of any JR "A" League due to the physical strength and physical play. MNJHL has a good share of 19 - 20 year old players who are maybe not as crafty with the puck or as pretty of a skater as a small percenatge of the Elite League players, But toughness, intensity, and so forthare much closer to the real thing (College Hockey).
The St Cloud Coaches, as well as most college coaches Highly recommend this League for those reasons. I recommend you take in a MJ game. you may be surprised, and you'll have a good time..
thanks
Educator29-The first seperator of going to the next level is the "speed" of the game. If a player is not able to make that jump, it does not matter if they are able to handle the physical part of the game. They have to be able to skate and keep up. It also helps if they have the hand skills so they don't turn over the puck in a quicker setting.
The midwest elite high school league is a much quicker league than the "tier III" MNJHL. Ruso correctly pointed this out to all the players at the begining of the season, as colleges coaches recognize the midwest elite league as the second fastest in the country, next to the "tier 1" USHL. The age of the players in either league is really illrelevent when it comes to speed.
Exiled One is correct in saying that Benik is not helping himself prepare for that next level.
Educator29 wrote:I have to disagree that the Elite league is stronger then MNJHL. There are Some very Young kids playing Elite League (16 YR olds) Most of your colleges prefer the style of play of any JR "A" League due to the physical strength and physical play. MNJHL has a good share of 19 - 20 year old players who are maybe not as crafty with the puck or as pretty of a skater as a small percenatge of the Elite League players, But toughness, intensity, and so forthare much closer to the real thing (College Hockey).
The St Cloud Coaches, as well as most college coaches Highly recommend this League for those reasons. I recommend you take in a MJ game. you may be surprised, and you'll have a good time..
thanks
Educator29-The first seperator of going to the next level is the "speed" of the game. If a player is not able to make that jump, it does not matter if they are able to handle the physical part of the game. They have to be able to skate and keep up. It also helps if they have the hand skills so they don't turn over the puck in a quicker setting.
The midwest elite high school league is a much quicker league than the "tier III" MNJHL. Ruso correctly pointed this out to all the players at the begining of the season, as colleges coaches recognize the midwest elite league as the second fastest in the country, next to the "tier 1" USHL. The age of the players in either league is really illrelevent when it comes to speed.
Exiled One is correct in saying that Benik is not helping himself prepare for that next level.
Has anyone ever considered the notion that Benik would get chewed up and spit out in a league that is the caliber of the USHL? If I were the SCSU coaching staff I would be pushing hard for him to play at the highest levels possible, simply to see how he handles the speed and talent level found in a USHL game.
Papa Bergundy wrote:Jeez. Judging by this topic SCSU is in serious trouble. They only have one recruit and half the crowd doesn't think he'll even ever play there. Uh-oh.
It kinda sounds like that!! I guess we can talk about SCSU's other high school recruit. How do we think Prochno will do? I say he's a Mr. Hockey candidate... thoughts?
I was in Blaine this weekend and was surprised at both the speed and the quality of games played. I At least this year, the NAHL appears quicker and absolutely is faster overall when compared to the Elite league.
Benik has a special gift for scoring, I believe he has made a big mistake by not playing in the Elite league where he would have the opportunity to show his skills in front of NHL scouts every weekend. He can work out as much as he wants anytime, and could find additional ice if he wanted to. His high school team has a very weak schedule, and he is surrounded by teammates who will not compare to the opportunity in the Elite league. I mean absolutely no disrespect to St. Francis but the Elite league might be his only real opportunity to be fairly judged before the NHL draft.
Do you seriously think the MJ is better than the Elite League? The Elite League attracts many NHL scouts, i bet there are no WCHA schools that waste there time at an MJ game.
TellItHowItIs wrote:My profession is a scout. I have affiliates with teams in all three teirs of the JR-A leagues as well as NHL and WCHA. All I will ad to this is if a player has the skills, they will be found, no matter league or school they play for. As a scout we watch the player, not his surrounding. Not the color of his jersey, not his teammates, etc. If a player has the individual skills and has the right work ethic / attitude my job is to place them with in an organization to promote those skills. I watch more JR games then Elite league, Elite league sorts it self out by coaches, fans, etc assessing those players. They are there to keep an eye on, but most are still to young for any immediate consideration.
Funny, for a scout, 4 months ago, you posted this?
TellItHowItIs
Joined: 06 May 2009
Posts: 15
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:06 am Post subject: MN Teir 3 Hockey ? MN Owls
Educator29 wrote:I have to disagree that the Elite league is stronger then MNJHL. There are Some very Young kids playing Elite League (16 YR olds) Most of your colleges prefer the style of play of any JR "A" League due to the physical strength and physical play. MNJHL has a good share of 19 - 20 year old players who are maybe not as crafty with the puck or as pretty of a skater as a small percenatge of the Elite League players, But toughness, intensity, and so forthare much closer to the real thing (College Hockey).
The St Cloud Coaches, as well as most college coaches Highly recommend this League for those reasons. I recommend you take in a MJ game. you may be surprised, and you'll have a good time..
thanks
Educator29-The first seperator of going to the next level is the "speed" of the game. If a player is not able to make that jump, it does not matter if they are able to handle the physical part of the game. They have to be able to skate and keep up. It also helps if they have the hand skills so they don't turn over the puck in a quicker setting.
The midwest elite high school league is a much quicker league than the "tier III" MNJHL. Ruso correctly pointed this out to all the players at the begining of the season, as colleges coaches recognize the midwest elite league as the second fastest in the country, next to the "tier 1" USHL. The age of the players in either league is really illrelevent when it comes to speed.
Exiled One is correct in saying that Benik is not helping himself prepare for that next level.
What do you think Russo is going to say? That is ignorant at best from a man that self promotes himself as the "godfather" of hockey. 90% of the NAHL teams would crush a Midwest High School Elite league team on any given night and they would do it with speed. If you recall a few years back before the league was as diluted as it is this year, the Russell Stover U18 team came in and won the tournament.
TellItHowItIs wrote:My profession is a scout. I have affiliates with teams in all three teirs of the JR-A leagues as well as NHL and WCHA. All I will ad to this is if a player has the skills, they will be found, no matter league or school they play for. As a scout we watch the player, not his surrounding. Not the color of his jersey, not his teammates, etc. If a player has the individual skills and has the right work ethic / attitude my job is to place them with in an organization to promote those skills. I watch more JR games then Elite league, Elite league sorts it self out by coaches, fans, etc assessing those players. They are there to keep an eye on, but most are still to young for any immediate consideration.
Educator29 wrote:I have to disagree that the Elite league is stronger then MNJHL. There are Some very Young kids playing Elite League (16 YR olds) Most of your colleges prefer the style of play of any JR "A" League due to the physical strength and physical play. MNJHL has a good share of 19 - 20 year old players who are maybe not as crafty with the puck or as pretty of a skater as a small percenatge of the Elite League players, But toughness, intensity, and so forthare much closer to the real thing (College Hockey).
The St Cloud Coaches, as well as most college coaches Highly recommend this League for those reasons. I recommend you take in a MJ game. you may be surprised, and you'll have a good time..
thanks
Educator29-The first seperator of going to the next level is the "speed" of the game. If a player is not able to make that jump, it does not matter if they are able to handle the physical part of the game. They have to be able to skate and keep up. It also helps if they have the hand skills so they don't turn over the puck in a quicker setting.
The midwest elite high school league is a much quicker league than the "tier III" MNJHL. Ruso correctly pointed this out to all the players at the begining of the season, as colleges coaches recognize the midwest elite league as the second fastest in the country, next to the "tier 1" USHL. The age of the players in either league is really illrelevent when it comes to speed.
Exiled One is correct in saying that Benik is not helping himself prepare for that next level.
What do you think Russo is going to say? That is ignorant at best from a man that self promotes himself as the "godfather" of hockey. 90% of the NAHL teams would crush a Midwest High School Elite league team on any given night and they would do it with speed. If you recall a few years back before the league was as diluted as it is this year, the Russell Stover U18 team came in and won the tournament.
Flatontheice-
1) Not going to argue with you about your general assessment of Russo. It's also his job to promote the league. As for my statement regarding speed, I stand behind that, as it was my personal opinion based on what I have seen in both the elite league and MNJHL
2) Not sure how the "tier II" NAHL league comparison got into this conversation, as my comments where in response to Educator29 statements regarding "tier III" MNJHL. And I have never said that elite league teams would beat MNJHL or NAHL teams.
3) Not going to argue with you about the elite league being diluted, it is what it is.
4) Your not comparing apples to apples when you take an "all star" pickup team for one weekend (with limited practices) vs. a year round team like RS18 who practices together all the time. I'm sure there are some MN high school teams who could do the same.
TellItHowItIs wrote:he wants to continue to play High Schgool Hockey, Play with his Freinds and Brother, Stay living at Home and enjoy the Great Experience ones High School years can Bring.
If that is his thought process, then he would have been much better off playing in the Elite League.
He has it whipped already, the Isanti arena is 10 minutes from his house (the Owls home ice) and I'm sure the cost is covered to draw fans. Some kids go straight from HS to college hockey and MJHL has much stronger competition. $ could be a factor in going this route . Last but not least he is already signed and doesn't have to bail on his family and team.
We should also take pride in our state, players, and junior league and stop the degrading. We have the best talent in the country and from what I have read the world ( per capita based on NHL draft picks ). The more kids that go this route the stronger the State Of Hockey will be. The MJHL could be the hot ticket if we let it be........
I am really surprised on all the piling on going on Joey in this posting. You are lambasting a kid because he didn't do what you all think he should do.
I have coached Joey and Andy off and on for a few years now. What I can tell you about these kids is that nobody is more loyal than they are. They are identical twins who sport matching tattoos showing their deep connection. Joey's older brotehr Charlie was also a standout and has gone through many of these things you are insisting he should do. He has seen first hand what it is all about and has chose to go a different way. I see nothing wrong with that.
Worst case scenario is he finishes what he started with his HS friends and brother and plays Jrs. next year. SCSU will be there the year after if they choose for him to go to Jrs. next year. After another of scoring 60+ goals at St. Francis, they may just let him try it next year anyway.
Best of luck to both Joey and Andy!
PS- Purist scorer in the state.........BTW anyone ever hear of Hanowski as a recruit at SCSU?
Charlie did not have nearly the same opportunities that Joey has had. a couple of people have piled on but I have been pleasantly surprised at the civility of most of the posts.
Joey is a talented kid and playing for the Owls is not a bad thing or idea if that was one of your only options, if the kid wants to be compared to the best of his peers he should have taken the elite I route ( Charlie never had an opportunity to play in that league). If he does not care or financial situations were a concern (Even though Charlie played in the Elite II league) so be it. But to say that he would not get more exposure by playing elite I vs the MNJHL is ridiculous.
I am not saying Joey shouldn't have played Elite I. What I am saying is he chose not to for his own reasons. That is absolutley his choice. As for comparing him to his peers, it would be hard to find a player who has played with him or against him who would not tell you that he is special. Is he perfect? Absolutely not! He has many holes defensively but man is his offense good.
He has skills that cannot be taught. Quick first 3 steps, shot relelase that I compare to Gaborik and twitch muscles that are off the chart. He has no fear and will not back down from anyone.
My mention of Hanowski was because no one else had yet. St. Cloud State is beating Lucia to some pretty good talent. The next 4 years will be fun.
TCoachF wrote:My mention of Hanowski was because no one else had yet. St. Cloud State is beating Lucia to some pretty good talent. The next 4 years will be fun.
I suggest you look at the big picture of the overall success (failure?) rate SCSU has recruiting head to head against the Gophers before going to far with that line of commentary.
No Gopher coach is going to get every talented player this state develops with only 18 scholarships to divvy up among 25 or so players each year. They'll get many of their top targets but they won't get them 100% of the time. But I'll take their success rate over anybody else in that regard.
OMG......Can anyone make a comment without being attacked. I am not saying Lucia is a bad recruiter, coach, human being. I have been a gopher fan for over 30 years and I am an UMD alum. All I am saying is that SCSU is making quite a few inroads into our states talent. Maybe what we are seeing is that the SCSU coach is the reason Lucia did so well early? I do not think it is a coincidence that SCSU has been getting better as the U has been sliding the last couple of years.
Recruiting is everything in college. You have a good recruiter and any program can change for the better quickly.
. Last but not least he is already signed and doesn't have to bail on his family and team.