Wisconsin Fire

[Puckstopper81]

To go on further, teams like the Thunder and Everblades (more the Everblades) are not organizations that are known to develop talent. Thunder pulls from a few states, but most of the practices are within a 4 to 5 hour drive from Nashville. However, Florida pulls kids from all of the country and field very, very competitive teams. How can you develop kids by practicing one or two weekends a month? You can't!

[Quasar]

No, no, clearly not about you at all ...

When your case has no merit, you resort to the same old crap. Don't make any points, just sling some mud. Like I said. Best of luck going about it like that. Use the same tact and see where it gets you. Yeah, it's coming we should just get out of the way.

I would like to intercede here. Se Coach.. I understand your position. I also understand Pucks... You have a lot of time and energy invested in the Minnesota hockey Organization. That is to be commended. If you think that pucks experience is from talking to a couple of people in other states, you might want to take an hour or so and read his previous posts.. I think he is the kind of person you and your peers in the Minnesota Organization would be looking for. As for the look out stuff..
I would expect that within 5 years hockey programs in Minnesota outside the control of Minnesota Hockey will be generating as much gross income as your organization. It is always easy to be successful when you have all the cards in the deck.. Refusing to understand this is shortsighted on your part. I think most if not all the people advocating for a higher level of play would love to see this happen within the Minnesota organization. They are not trying to replace your beloved organization. They think they have some ideas that would actually improve it. Talking about other states is a straw man, and I believe you know this. Minnesota is unique in the united states because of our history and numbers.. You might not want to get into an argument with someone from Canada. My personal opinion is that they do hockey pretty well.

All of that being said, actually listening to what others are trying to say would be a good idea.. They have just as much right to an opinion as you.

[O-townClown]

I think he is saying if your in Pine City, Your no where near Edina!!

Still in Minnesota However.

I understand. So walk me through it. The Pine City kid benefits how? Does he practice a couple nights weekly in Blaine? Fine. I get that. But what about the kid in Austin, Albert Lea, Winona, or any of the many that aren't within an hour of the Twin Cities.

Theoretically having Tier I to provide for the proverbial huge fish in a remote pond is a whole lot different from the reality of getting these players together on a team.

Your star players on teams in remote areas are still going to be star players on teams in remote areas.

Are they not?

[Quasar]

Your star players on teams in remote areas are still going to be star players on teams in remote areas.

It's getting late I missed this one..

The whole point of Tier 1 is so elite players can play with kids of equal talent. It's not about being a "Star Player" on some association A team.

The problem seems to be, unless you've had to deal with an Elite player in a normal small association it's hard to understand where they and their parents are coming from.

They know they cannot improve playing against lesser talent. They actually want to be more than just Stars.

[Quasar]

I think he is saying if your in Pine City, Your no where near Edina!!

Still in Minnesota However.

I understand. So walk me through it. The Pine City kid benefits how? Does he practice a couple nights weekly in Blaine? Fine. I get that. But what about the kid in Austin, Albert Lea, Winona, or any of the many that aren't within an hour of the Twin Cities.

Theoretically having Tier I to provide for the proverbial huge fish in a remote pond is a whole lot different from the reality of getting these players together on a team.

Your star players on teams in remote areas are still going to be star players on teams in remote areas.

Are they not?

Ok ..I'll try

If the kid could go play at Andover, or Elk River on an A team he would be playing with kids of equal talent and everyone would be happy.

Of course we all know that because of the Minnesota Hockey rules he can't do that.

So if there was a team that he could play and practice with at the Super rink that would be good.

The kids down south could play and practice in Rochester not a small town by most standards.

Up North I suppose Duluth would be the place

Out west Moorehead would work, and they coulld cross the bridge and play with the Force in Fargo

You lived here after they built the Interstate system Did you not??

[old goalie85]

F.L. will take those Pice city kids all day.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

My message is there have been no valid reasons given to change it. I've heard only reasons not to change it. Improved techniques in brain surgury are hard to argue with. The reasons given for changing our hockey system so far are:

People choose to play Tier 1 Hockey for different reasons. They don't need their reasons validated or approved. They simply need the option accomodated by the approrpiate authority - in this case Minnesota Hockey.

You may not like or agree with our reasons for playing Tier 1 hockey. You don't have to. Just get out of the damn way.

Live and let live. This is, afterall, America.

I'll fight it tooth and nail

We fight "tooth and nail" for freedoms and against terrorism... not to prevent children from playing hockey with other children ...

One day, when you are a greayhaired old goat you'll look back and wonder why it was so important that you had to fight "tooth and nail" to keep children from enjoying games with other children in a manner with which you didn't agree ... I hope it's an accomplishment you can be proud of and gives you great satisfaction ... at least somebody will have gotten something out of your efforts, even if just your own ego ...

[SECoach]

When your case has no merit, you resort to the same old crap. Don't make any points, just sling some mud. Like I said. Best of luck going about it like that. Use the same tact and see where it gets you. Yeah, it's coming we should just get out of the way.

I would like to intercede here. Se Coach.. I understand your position. I also understand Pucks... You have a lot of time and energy invested in the Minnesota hockey Organization. That is to be commended. If you think that pucks experience is from talking to a couple of people in other states, you might want to take an hour or so and read his previous posts.. I think he is the kind of person you and your peers in the Minnesota Organization would be looking for. As for the look out stuff..
I would expect that within 5 years hockey programs in Minnesota outside the control of Minnesota Hockey will be generating as much gross income as your organization. It is always easy to be successful when you have all the cards in the deck.. Refusing to understand this is shortsighted on your part. I think most if not all the people advocating for a higher level of play would love to see this happen within the Minnesota organization. They are not trying to replace your beloved organization. They think they have some ideas that would actually improve it. Talking about other states is a straw man, and I believe you know this. Minnesota is unique in the united states because of our history and numbers.. You might not want to get into an argument with someone from Canada. My personal opinion is that they do hockey pretty well.

All of that being said, actually listening to what others are trying to say would be a good idea.. They have just as much right to an opinion as you.

I've listened. I've asked for clear reasoning why Tier 1 would be good for Minnesota Hockey. When asked, the conversation changes to mudslinging. If the reasons cannot be laid out and articulated, then all that will develop is a few rogue organizations that will be here today and gone tomorrow. The athletically talented will still make it and the less talented will learn from whatever experience they got. I agree. Gretzky, Moon, Howe, and others chose to go with the "new" guys. They ended up with the "old" guys because the new guys were nothing but a bunch of hot air with some money behind them.

I've asked several times now but when asked a direct question there is no substance behind their ideas other than I know better than you do. I'm a reasonable man, I can see the other side, but not when it is wah, wah, wah, I'm not getting what I want. TELL ME WHAT BENEFITS TIER 1 HOCKEY WOULD BRING TO MINNESOTA other than a puffed out chest. Only then can we have meaningful discussion and arrive at a solution that makes us all part of a better organization.

By stating that we need a higher level of play in Minnesota you are probably right. This will no doubt happen within the very near future. Very few of the "good old boys" are against it. What you are missing is that these requests, at the younger ages is far from becoming a reality. In fact its moving exactly the opposite direction. This is where the rest of the county has caught on to our system. They recognize that this has greatly hurt their players development. And yes, Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, have all found the same to be true. Separating players at young ages as Elite, is the wrong way to go.

I certainly cant say that ALL the posters here advocating for Tier 1 are looking for it at Mites, squirts, and pee wees, but one only has to read the posts for a while to see that these are the parents that think our system is wrong. They want super mite teams. They are flat out wrong based on solid experience and research. With all the crazed parents of mites and squirts is it any wonder that Minnesota Hockey would resist opening the floodgates? The rest of the country that these folks strive to be like, are moving in our direction, not the other way around.

[SECoach]

People choose to play Tier 1 Hockey for different reasons. They don't need their reasons validated or approved. They simply need the option accomodated by the approrpiate authority - in this case Minnesota Hockey.

You may not like or agree with our reasons for playing Tier 1 hockey. You don't have to. Just get out of the damn way.

Live and let live. This is, afterall, America.

I'll fight it tooth and nail

We fight "tooth and nail" for freedoms and against terrorism... not to prevent children from playing hockey with other children ...

One day, when you are a greayhaired old goat you'll look back and wonder why it was so important that you had to fight "tooth and nail" to keep children from enjoying games with other children in a manner with which you didn't agree ... I hope it's an accomplishment you can be proud of and gives you great satisfaction ... at least somebody will have gotten something out of your efforts, even if just your own ego ...

I'd love to have a valueable discussion about this topic. Quasar said I should read this guys/gals posts because he has a depth of knowledge on the topic. Are you kidding me? This is you poster child? Still waiting for some valid reasons why Minnesota Hockey should offer Tier 1 and how it would benefit the organization.

Yes, I'll fight tooth and nail to prevent someone with a personal agenda from screwing it up for everyone else. "Just get out of the damn way"? Not a statement from someone that cares how this affects the others with a stake in this.

[Quasar]

[q

uote="SECoach"]

I would like to intercede here. Se Coach.. I understand your position. I also understand Pucks... You have a lot of time and energy invested in the Minnesota hockey Organization. That is to be commended. If you think that pucks experience is from talking to a couple of people in other states, you might want to take an hour or so and read his previous posts.. I think he is the kind of person you and your peers in the Minnesota Organization would be looking for. As for the look out stuff..
I would expect that within 5 years hockey programs in Minnesota outside the control of Minnesota Hockey will be generating as much gross income as your organization. It is always easy to be successful when you have all the cards in the deck.. Refusing to understand this is shortsighted on your part. I think most if not all the people advocating for a higher level of play would love to see this happen within the Minnesota organization. They are not trying to replace your beloved organization. They think they have some ideas that would actually improve it. Talking about other states is a straw man, and I believe you know this. Minnesota is unique in the united states because of our history and numbers.. You might not want to get into an argument with someone from Canada. My personal opinion is that they do hockey pretty well.

All of that being said, actually listening to what others are trying to say would be a good idea.. They have just as much right to an opinion as you.

I've listened. I've asked for clear reasoning why Tier 1 would be good for Minnesota Hockey. When asked, the conversation changes to mudslinging. If the reasons cannot be laid out and articulated, then all that will develop is a few rogue organizations that will be here today and gone tomorrow. The athletically talented will still make it and the less talented will learn from whatever experience they got. I agree. Gretzky, Moon, Howe, and others chose to go with the "new" guys. They ended up with the "old" guys because the new guys were nothing but a bunch of hot air with some money behind them.

I've asked several times now but when asked a direct question there is no substance behind their ideas other than I know better than you do. I'm a reasonable man, I can see the other side, but not when it is wah, wah, wah, I'm not getting what I want. TELL ME WHAT BENEFITS TIER 1 HOCKEY WOULD BRING TO MINNESOTA other than a puffed out chest. Only then can we have meaningful discussion and arrive at a solution that makes us all part of a better organization.

By stating that we need a higher level of play in Minnesota you are probably right. This will no doubt happen within the very near future. Very few of the "good old boys" are against it. What you are missing is that these requests, at the younger ages is far from becoming a reality. In fact its moving exactly the opposite direction. This is where the rest of the county has caught on to our system. They recognize that this has greatly hurt their players development. And yes, Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, have all found the same to be true. Separating players at young ages as Elite, is the wrong way to go.

I certainly cant say that ALL the posters here advocating for Tier 1 are looking for it at Mites, squirts, and pee wees, but one only has to read the posts for a while to see that these are the parents that think our system is wrong. They want super mite teams. They are flat out wrong based on solid experience and research. With all the crazed parents of mites and squirts is it any wonder that Minnesota Hockey would resist opening the floodgates? The rest of the country that these folks strive to be like, are moving in our direction, not the other way around.

]

I am an advocate for elite teams in each district that draw on all the association teams for their members.

one team per district at peewee and Bantam regulated by Minnesota hockey. It would serve the purpose for the very few exceptional elite players..

I am with you on the "we don't need a bunch of cowboys running a tier 1 program in Minnesota"

I don't know if your familiar with the summer hockey scene in Minnesota . If you are you know that it's pretty much like the wild west at this point.

I hope Minnesota Hockey figures out a way to harness all this energy for the betterment of all.

And for the record ..I fought a lot of hockey battles a long time ago.. The issues were different back then, but we had just as as much passion as you do today..

What is your honest opinion about district teams??

I kinda know all the nays,

I would like to know if you have any positive ideas on the subject.

[Quasar]

I'd love to have a valueable discussion about this topic. Quasar said I should read this guys/gals posts because he has a depth of knowledge on the topic. Are you kidding me? This is you poster child? Still waiting for some valid reasons why Minnesota Hockey should offer Tier 1 and how it would benefit the organization.

Yes, I'll fight tooth and nail to prevent someone with a personal agenda from screwing it up for everyone else. "Just get out of the damn way"? Not a statement from someone that cares how this affects the others with a stake in this.

[/quote]

No one is my poster child!!

Like it or not this person has an extensive hockey background, and has some very good ideas about how some of these things can be done. I have read his posts, and I know he is a product of the Canadian system.

We shouldn't hold that against him

Getting into a spitting contest with each other will not be helpful in the long run..

Having a civil discussion might get both of you down the road toward a better tomorrow for Minnesota hockey..

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

Yes, I'll fight tooth and nail to prevent someone with a personal agenda from screwing it up for everyone else.

Got any mirrors in the house?

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

The parent organization of Minnesota Hockey, USA Hockey is moving farther and farther away from what you are looking for. 12 and under National Championiships have been eliminated.

Really. There'll be an awful lot of people in Hackensack, New Jersey and San Jose, California come March 30th of next year who will disspointed to hear that ... seeing as those are the host sites for the 2011 T1 & T2 (respectively) U12 National Championships

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

Getting into a spitting contest with each other will not be helpful in the long run..

Having a civil discussion might get both of you down the road toward a better tomorrow for Minnesota hockey..

There are reasonable people at MAHA who would hear a case when the time is right ... SECoach isn't one of them ... he's disgruntled with the Fire and closed-minded on this subject ...

[SECoach]

Getting into a spitting contest with each other will not be helpful in the long run..

Having a civil discussion might get both of you down the road toward a better tomorrow for Minnesota hockey..

There are reasonable people at MAHA who would hear a case when the time is right ... SECoach isn't one of them ... he's disgruntled with the Fire and closed-minded on this subject ...

Quasar, let's talk. I hear respectful, solid thoughts, yet you support the antics of this guy. No one in any position of management will give this guy the time of day. Like it or not, the way you go about things matters. It is two pages of "whos puck is it anyway" throwing a bunch of crap. His whole problem is things aren't his way. I'll ask again. Is it any wonder Minnesota Hockey has no time for this? I've got the time for it because I'm in the mood but we have all had a guy like this in a meeting and yes, we patronize him in hopes he will go away. He brings nothing to the table.

Disgruntled with the Fire? Hardly. Who are the Fire? Oh yeah other than a team that registers with WAHA and knows the rules on how many players they can have from outside their district and tries to skirt the rules. Yes, they are a top notch organization. I love organizations that decide they don't like the rules so they make their own. Wow, i guess i just found out i may have a problem with the Fire. Thanks for that.

By the way, i'm probably one of the most reasonable ones.

Oh i almost forgot.....and the reasons Tier 1 would be good for Minnesota are?

[observer]

A couple of things. MN Hockey doesn't "make decisions." They vote on issues and suggestions brought to them by members. A couple people have suggested this but you aren't listening. Develop and write your proposal, bring it to a meeting, join a committee and present your, and your friends, ideas.

And, remember, we currently have the best of both worlds with winter association hockey and summer AAA. There is no question it works very well for a huge majority. But, remember, with AAA, no players with birthdays after July 1 get a chance. Those same players often have an advantage during the association season. AAA Tier 1 teams have zero, to very few players, with birthdays from the second half of the year. So, hope you have a January- March kid because if he's not he's not making this Tier 1 team you dream of anyway.

Here's some 97 team examples,

Chicago Mission, 2 players after July 1

http://www.chicagomission.com/teams/97.htm

Florida Everblades, 5 players after July 1

http://floridaeverbladesaaa.com/team_ro ... m_id=50821

LA Jr. Kings, 2 players after July 1

http://www.lajrkings.com/TeamMain.php?selTeam=PWAAA

Quit spewing crap and get involved with the process to improve hockey for all the kids of Minnesota. Just because a few selfish dads, that don't even know where the road leads, want change, ain't gonna fly.

[Wisconsin Coach]

Minnesota already has a successful Tier 1 AAA organization that benefits
Minnesota. Shattuck
I believe that their is a need for more options, not only on the high end but the middle and the lower levels.

[jancze5]

Observer, SEcoach,

involvement in youth hockey isn't going to change game limits, league makeups, schedules, game lengths, referee bias, talent, or the good ole' boy system. I talked to our scheduler about recommending a District schedule change to weekend only games, home Saturday and away Sunday, twice in the year for the whole league, he laughed and said he'd think about it because he knew the "system" would laugh. It's a system I've seen work in other areas.

The whole barking behind Tier 1 is to drive the competition level up. Period. That's it. That's what it comes down to. That's why 8th graders and 9th graders play high school instead of that last Bantam year. It's so you don't have Edina PWA driving to South ST Paul on a Tuesday night through 8 inches of snow, to win 17-1 and then get F'd on the way out the door like they did something wrong. It's so kids that WANT to play hockey only in this state, Can. It's about CHOICE. Period. It's not about the NHL or crazy parents. Funny, when at the Advanced 15's a couple years ago I overheard over and over again..."geez, the talent level is so good, everyone is so good" And that was before St Cloud. At St Cloud it was "holy cow, can you imagine if this was a team"...then at Nationals it was "WOW, I didn't know kids outside of D6 could even play hockey"...wake up Minnesota and see the players leaving...Why is the NAHL a place for Juniors in high school to go??? why from Minnesota????


WIth that a wise coach once said "We're trying to develop the best 18 year old hockey players, NOT the best 14 year olds".

Have a great day boys...

[spin-o-rama]

The parent organization of Minnesota Hockey, USA Hockey is moving farther and farther away from what you are looking for. 12 and under National Championiships have been eliminated.

Really. There'll be an awful lot of people in Hackensack, New Jersey and San Jose, California come March 30th of next year who will disspointed to hear that ... seeing as those are the host sites for the 2011 T1 & T2 (respectively) U12 National Championships

Let us know when the 2013 sites are announced. But you knew that already.

[Quasar]

[quote="jancze5"]
The whole barking behind Tier 1 is to drive the competition level up. Period. That's it. That's what it comes down to. That's why 8th graders and 9th graders play high school instead of that last Bantam year. It's so you don't have Edina PWA driving to South ST Paul on a Tuesday night through 8 inches of snow, to win 17-1 and then get F'd on the way out the door like they did something wrong. It's so kids that WANT to play hockey only in this state, Can. It's about CHOICE. Period. It's not about the NHL or crazy parents. Funny, when at the Advanced 15's a couple years ago I overheard over and over again..."geez, the talent level is so good, everyone is so good" And that was before St Cloud. At St Cloud it was "holy cow, can you imagine if this was a team"...then at Nationals it was "WOW, I didn't know kids outside of D6 could even play hockey"...wake up Minnesota and see the players leaving...Why is the NAHL a place for Juniors in high school to go??? why from Minnesota????


Anyone have an opinion on this??


This discussion has been going on for a while. I don't believe anyone with a vote in Minnesota hockey has weighed in.. I could be wrong ..

How about some opinion from district directors .. If nothing else, it would enlighten a few people on each side of the debate..

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

The whole barking behind Tier 1 is to drive the competition level up. Period. That's it. That's what it comes down to. That's why 8th graders and 9th graders play high school instead of that last Bantam year.

It's so you don't have Edina PWA driving to South ST Paul on a Tuesday night through 8 inches of snow, to win 17-1 and then get F'd on the way out the door like they did something wrong. It's so kids that WANT to play hockey only in this state, Can.

It's about CHOICE. Period.

Exactly.

We spend the majority of their young years fostering a love for the game. Shinny with friends, skating with family, playing Asociation hockey with classmates. The important thing at this age is that the kids are having fun at it. Some kids will see spring 3-on-3 leagues as fun. Others will see the programs offered at Minnesota Made as fun. Still others will find fun by NOT playing hockey. This needs to be child driven - decisions made by parents based on their individual child.

Once kids hit the pee wee age group the hockey landscape begins to change. Some kids leave hockey to pursue other interests while others swim along quite fine in the current system. Then there are others who crave more.

For some kids now the Association model begins lacking ... they want more than just fun in a system with a wide gap in talent ... a higher premium can now be placed on excelling at the game. Tougher competition and more of a focus on mastering skills play an increased role in their development. For these kids hockey starts to take a larger priority over other activities. Tier 1 hockey is a STRONG option for these kids.

Again, this needs to be CHILD driven with decisions made by parents based on the individual, not by beurocrats based on the group. Parents need TOOLS NOT RULES and Tier 1 Winter hockey is another great tool already offered by the parent organization we are all a member of. All Minnesota Hockey is doing right now is BLOCKING access to this tool for the players who would benefit from it. Hence, my statement *get out of the damn way*. (make rules for the implementation of Tier 1 hockey rather than BLOCK access to Tier 1 hockey)

As for numerous attempts to stop this topic in it's tracks *wah, wah, wah ... tell me WHY we need Tier 1 hockey* , Everyone has different reasons ... I stated the benefits to my child in my opinion back on page 3 of this 16 page thread... you might not like or agree with them, but you don't have to and no one is asking you to ...

All that proponents of the Tier 1 option are asking is that the decisions they make on behalf of their children are respected as well ... we are all members of USAHockey and simply want the access to the tools and programs available ... Tier 1 Winter Hockey is one of them. In order to gain access, our local branch (Minnesota Hockey) has to map it out for us ... that's it. Set it up and define the rules.

[Quasar]

Again, this needs to be CHILD driven with decisions made by parents based on the individual, not by beurocrats based on the group. Parents need TOOLS NOT RULES and Tier 1 Winter hockey is another great tool already offered by the parent organization we are all a member of.

Tools not rules ..What a concept!!!!

Any Minnesota Hockey insiders want to comment???

How about you out state guys ?? Do ya think were all nuts??

[HockeyDad41]

I am an advocate for elite teams in each district that draw on all the association teams for their members.

one team per district at peewee and Bantam regulated by Minnesota hockey. It would serve the purpose for the very few exceptional elite players..

I am with you on the "we don't need a bunch of cowboys running a tier 1 program in Minnesota"

I don't know if your familiar with the summer hockey scene in Minnesota . If you are you know that it's pretty much like the wild west at this point.

I hope Minnesota Hockey figures out a way to harness all this energy for the betterment of all.

And for the record ..I fought a lot of hockey battles a long time ago.. The issues were different back then, but we had just as as much passion as you do today..

What is your honest opinion about district teams??

I kinda know all the nays,

I would like to know if you have any positive ideas on the subject.

This seems like a reasonable compromise. Why couldn't something like this work?

[Quasar]

I am an advocate for elite teams in each district that draw on all the association teams for their members.

one team per district at peewee and Bantam regulated by Minnesota hockey. It would serve the purpose for the very few exceptional elite players..

I am with you on the "we don't need a bunch of cowboys running a tier 1 program in Minnesota"

I don't know if your familiar with the summer hockey scene in Minnesota . If you are you know that it's pretty much like the wild west at this point.

I hope Minnesota Hockey figures out a way to harness all this energy for the betterment of all.

And for the record ..I fought a lot of hockey battles a long time ago.. The issues were different back then, but we had just as as much passion as you do today..

What is your honest opinion about district teams??

I kinda know all the nays,

I would like to know if you have any positive ideas on the subject.

This seems like a reasonable compromise. Why couldn't something like this work?

Hi HD41 .. It could work if you and all your friends get behind it.

Unlike most of us posting on this subject, your kid could actually benefit from a program like this.

This forum could be a starting place for the conversation...

Get involved, and harangue your peers to do the same.

Everyone reading this thread should spread the word that this conversation is on going... It's easy to get your opinion known. Just register and post !!

[royals dad]

[quote="Quasar"][quote="jancze5"]
The whole barking behind Tier 1 is to drive the competition level up. Period. That's it. That's what it comes down to. That's why 8th graders and 9th graders play high school instead of that last Bantam year. It's so you don't have Edina PWA driving to South ST Paul on a Tuesday night through 8 inches of snow, to win 17-1 and then get F'd on the way out the door like they did something wrong. It's so kids that WANT to play hockey only in this state, Can. It's about CHOICE. Period. It's not about the NHL or crazy parents. Funny, when at the Advanced 15's a couple years ago I overheard over and over again..."geez, the talent level is so good, everyone is so good" And that was before St Cloud. At St Cloud it was "holy cow, can you imagine if this was a team"...then at Nationals it was "WOW, I didn't know kids outside of D6 could even play hockey"...wake up Minnesota and see the players leaving...Why is the NAHL a place for Juniors in high school to go??? why from Minnesota????


Anyone have an opinion on this??

I think your solution does not address this problem it just changes it slightly:

It's so you don't have D6 98 All Stars Tier 1 driving to South ST Paul to play D1 98 All Stars Tier 1 on a Tuesday night through 8 inches of snow, to win 17-1 and then get F'd on the way out the door like they did something wrong.

I am of the belief that if we are really trying to do tier 1 youth hockey that we (MN) will field 2 or maybe 3 real tier 1 teams (similar to summer). Within a few years the parents (and their checkbooks) who's kids don't make those 1 or 2 teams will try and start their own. Pretty soon winter will look like summer does now. If you think every district is equal or could support a tier 1 team, I think you are wrong. In turn I see fewer parents willing and able to keep/get their kids in hockey. Eventually we will cut off the base and lower the top level. That is why I support the status quo even after reading every post in this thread.

Just to be clear I think of SSM as a school with a hockey program and not just a tier 1 hockey club. Why not try to talk Blake and Breck into SSM style hockey programs. Then you could have your Tier 1 metro teams and I don't think you would see many tears from Minn Hockey or the MSHL.