Fall Elite League

[bstarr15]

Jackstraw, you are correct, 2nd year with no one south of the metro on the Elite team for SE. It was 3 years ago and Lourdes had 5 in the Elite League.
Shammel from Redwing and Noeson as well a couple others. That year a lot of players came from the SE region outside the Metro area.
Watchdog..........if you can't play in the Elite I league your likely not going to make a Jr. team, maybe a tier 3 team but that's pay to play. Those very top end senior players have already jumped to Jr.s, USHL or NDTP and those now playing Elite I are being watched by scouts etc. and may have a chance after graduation to play Jr's. next year.
Go play Elite development league but they limit the # of senior's in that league.
Karl(east) very good summary about teams and strength of teams based on how many are in the Elite league. As I eluded Lourdes had 5 playing 3 years ago(all seniors) and qualified for state and led by that group. Now last year Lourdes had 0, yet with youth in freshmen and sophmores, they won't get picked to play unless your one of the the very Elite at that age, evidenced by the current young Elite I players. Yet Lourdes qualified for State last year with no Elite I players.
I do have to say the roster for this years SE team seems pretty loaded with talent and so to have made that team you would have to have been a really good player and had a very good regular season last year to be invited to play or tryout. Not sure how many SE(south of the metro) players got a chance to tryout but my understanding is not many.
Husky 88.......... your right as well, nice job by the hockey hub group to give a nice review of the game, players etc.

[pioneers]

I like the summary that Hockey Hub did for each of the games ... nice interviews, line combos, and 3 stars of the game.

Hockey Hub was doing live updates during the NW/ NE game last night. Not sure if they will be doing that for all games.

[MNHockeyFan]

Big article about the Elite League in today's paper edition of the Star Tribune, but I could not find it in their online version. Worth a look if you get the paper.

[regsharp]

Big article about the Elite League in today's paper edition of the Star Tribune, but I could not find it in their online version. Worth a look if you get the paper.

found it titled 'Home Schooling' in the High School category of the Sports tab

[bstarr15]

I emailed the hockey hub just to tell them nice job, I thought, on the coverage. It's their 1st year doing the Elite league coverage.
I got a response saying thanks and that they would be doing 2 games?? a week or on weekends. They were also planning some other features to add to the coverage. Not sure they can cover every game,that would be alot of work and time to dedicate, especially when on certain weekends they are out of town. But I thought it was nicely done and appreciate being able to learn more about who's playing and how they did etc.

[watchdog]

with all the politics that has slitherd into this elite league. i wonder if its keeping kids in minnesota hockey or perhaps motivating them to leave just food for thought.

[mulefarm]

with all the politics that has slitherd into this elite league. i wonder if its keeping kids in minnesota hockey or perhaps motivating them to leave just food for thought.

Examples Please?

[HappyHockeyFan]

with all the politics that has slitherd into this elite league. i wonder if its keeping kids in minnesota hockey or perhaps motivating them to leave just food for thought.

What Politics?? Give one example that you can prove, not just hearsay...just because some player you think should be playing elite and isnt doesnt mean there are politics involved. I believe those that founded and continue to run the league are doing so with every intention of benefiting any and all kids that rightfully earn a spot on a team and for the best interest of the state of miinnesota and its highschool hockey players.

[northwoods oldtimer]

watchdog knows what he is talking about Happy Gilmore there is no way that 7 kids from one program should make this league with the exception of an all star team like the "one trick east siders". High school teams are just not that deep in terms of "Elite" players. Not all the Duluth East kids should have made this team either, I know I will take heat for that but it is true. Are they good players, yes but we are talking "Elite" players here. Sophomores need to play elsewhere that should not even be in discussion. Now the above mentioned programs have kids that deserve to be there no question but some are a year or 2 off. No southern Minnesota kids in the league, sorry folks that is a joke and I bet Goldy and Sioux Fan would totally agree. The league has some bias that I hope it can correct as it is a very good league and kudos to some of the coaches who gave the Seniors a shot at this league. If you disagree with me take it up with my boys from Moorhead they know the talent pool in this age group pretty darn good.

[Gold and Blue Too]

There are LOTS of politics going on with the elite league. I do know this first hand, since I was told by one of the board members that they dont care if anyone is upset about who does or doesnt make the team. As long as people keep dishing over the money for the tryouts they will continue to be the way they are. I think if the elite league wants to be straight forward with everyone they should let the players and parents know how many spots are open on each team and who is already in. This way we can all make the choice to donate our money to them for the ice time only or just take a chance. I do have to agree that the league should NOT have all these sophomores on them. This league was for the juniors and seniors. The elite development team is for the underclassmen. I do know that that the board has members that do not agree with what is going on behind close doors also but are not going to rock the boat until their kids are out the door. There are a lot other players out there that are Very capable of playing at this level but because of not being from the team with the coach or daddy that played at a high level getting you on a team, your chances are slim.
If the league wants to do this the correct way. Each year ALL kids should be required to be at the tryouts. If they play well at the try outs then they should be on a team but there should be NO ONE that has automatic bids. These kids change and develop each year so it should be evaluated each year. Just my two cents!!

[karl(east)]

I'll start with a disclaimer--of course the Elite League is far from perfect. But I do want to play devil's advocate on a few points.

1. Why on earth should the board care if someone's upset they didn't make the team? It's not their job to worry about hurt feelings; they're supposed to just pick the best players and be confident in their choices. Of course they're going to screw up a few picks--anyone would--but so long as they limit them, it's not going to cause problems.

I do think the lack of southern players is a problem--the mass exodus of players from southern programs to AAA teams and juniors clearly shows that. But I'm not in a position to judge whether they were robbed of spots by inferior metro area/northern players. It'll take a little more investigation and creative thinking to solve that issue than simply yelling "politics" at the board.

2. On sophomores--I agree it's an unfortunate shift for some seniors who may have lost Elite League spots, but let's look at this from another perspective. The sophomores who made it are the best in the state, and no doubt have plenty of non-HS hockey options should they want them. If a spot in the Elite League keeps them from leaving, might that not be a worthwhile sacrifice? I hate to make it sound like that, and I'm not saying it's right, but there is some decent logic there.

3. I also am not a fan of automatic bids, though I am curious to hear the logic behind them; presumably there's something there.

4. Oldtimer--DE kids had 2 G and 2 A in Team North's season-opening 4-1 win today.

[Observer85]

I'll start with a disclaimer--of course the Elite League is far from perfect. But I do want to play devil's advocate on a few points.

1. Why on earth should the board care if someone's upset they didn't make the team? It's not their job to worry about hurt feelings; they're supposed to just pick the best players and be confident in their choices. Of course they're going to screw up a few picks--anyone would--but so long as they limit them, it's not going to cause problems.

I do think the lack of southern players is a problem--the mass exodus of players from southern programs to AAA teams and juniors clearly shows that. But I'm not in a position to judge whether they were robbed of spots by inferior metro area/northern players. It'll take a little more investigation and creative thinking to solve that issue than simply yelling "politics" at the board.

2. On sophomores--I agree it's an unfortunate shift for some seniors who may have lost Elite League spots, but let's look at this from another perspective. The sophomores who made it are the best in the state, and no doubt have plenty of non-HS hockey options should they want them. If a spot in the Elite League keeps them from leaving, might that not be a worthwhile sacrifice? I hate to make it sound like that, and I'm not saying it's right, but there is some decent logic there.

3. I also am not a fan of automatic bids, though I am curious to hear the logic behind them; presumably there's something there.

Adding to the devil's advocate point of view....when the NHL and College scouts quit coming to watch then you will know the organizers of the league have crossed the line....so far it has not happened and until it does, nothing will change. My kid was a tryout player - had to earn a spot in a tryout environment before his junior year in HS. Now he is finishing his college career, was an NHL draft pick and I can honestly say he truely benefited from the exposure the league provided. It is interesting to me now, 6 years later, how many of those "automatic bid" kids who are no longer playing. Yet some of the others who had to work to prove they belonged, still are playing and are doing very well.

[mkpfb]

Nice point, Observer85. 16 and 17 y.o.s who really want to can still pass up those others who don't continue to put in the time.

Perhaps it is good to get a reminder at age 17 that no matter how good you are, you still have to get much better to able to play college hockey. Some kids who get that reminder and start to work harder. Others decide its not worth the effort.

As for taking sophomores in the Elite league over seniors, the only question to ask is "which player is better right now?" It is an ELITE league. A sophomore will only be better than a senior if (1) the sophomore has much more talent or (2) the sophomore is a much harder worker than the senior. Either way, if he is better, the younger kid deserves the spot.

[MNHockeyFan]

Regarding "politics" in the selection of players, this was discussed in the article I mentioned above (Star Tribune full page story on the Elite League - I couldn't find it online). Anyway, not saying there isn't any politics as far as who makes it and who doesn't, but the article did say that two sons of coaches in the league did not make it. It didn't say who these two players were.

[High Flyer]

Norway 1 GP 9
Norway 3 SE 12
Norway 2 SW 18

?????

[The Exiled One]

Norway 1 GP 9
Norway 3 SE 12
Norway 2 SW 18

?????

What I don't get is why Norway plays SE and GP twice before the Norwegians fly home? Those points count in the standings and are basically freebies. Why couldn't they coordinate the schedules so that everybody minus Sconnie and Shattuck get to lay the smack down?

[breakout]

Norway 1 GP 9
Norway 3 SE 12
Norway 2 SW 18

?????

What I don't get is why Norway plays SE and GP twice before the Norwegians fly home? Those points count in the standings and are basically freebies. Why couldn't they coordinate the schedules so that everybody minus Sconnie and Shattuck get to lay the smack down?

Plus, it's some serious stats padding

[bstarr15]

Breakout is correct, unfortunately Norway from what I've seen the last 3 years has always taken a beating. It would be nice to either share all teams in the smack down or find another team??? I'm sure it's a great chance for those kids to have a chance to play in the Elite league but if they are not the caliber of the other teams,it is not really fair to win 12-3 etc.
Might as well throw an Elite D team on the ice and give each one of those teams one weekend each to play 2 games, I bet some would give a decent game,maybe??? Now that would be development and a chance for those to see what the speed of E-1 game is like.

[northwoods oldtimer]

4. Oldtimer--DE kids had 2 G and 2 A in Team North's season-opening 4-1 win today. Wink

DOH! Should have kept that comment out until the weekend was over.

[muckandgrind]

^^^With all the talk about how great the Europeans are at developing hockey players and that we should adopt their methods, you'd think these Euro teams would come over here and spank our kids.

[High Flyer]

watchdog knows what he is talking about Happy Gilmore there is no way that 7 kids from one program should make this league with the exception of an all star team like the "one trick east siders". High school teams are just not that deep in terms of "Elite" players. Not all the Duluth East kids should have made this team either, I know I will take heat for that but it is true. Are they good players, yes but we are talking "Elite" players here.

Watched the North play 2 games this weekend and Northwest play 2 games. I thought that Walker may be the Norths top forward and Northeasts Sampson had 3G & 1A in victory over the SW.

[sideways]

[quote="The Exiled One"][quote="High Flyer"]Norway 1 GP 9
Norway 3 SE 12
Norway 2 SW 18

?????[/quote]
What I don't get is why Norway plays SE and GP twice before the Norwegians fly home? Those points count in the standings and are basically freebies. Why couldn't they coordinate the schedules so that everybody minus Sconnie and Shattuck get to lay the smack down?[/quote]

I don't understand this either. When the season is over the high point guys are going to be the players who played Norway....once if not twice, while other teams did not play them. There are no 5-6 point games against other teams.

[MrBoDangles]

4. Oldtimer--DE kids had 2 G and 2 A in Team North's season-opening 4-1 win today. Wink

DOH! Should have kept that comment out until the weekend was over.

Three quarters of the team, half the points....... Just funnin'

[watchdog]

personally my kids are two young for this league and my sophmore is still pushed plenty in the lower league. just talking to some people from around the state i just get the vibe that these younger kids playing elite 1's is causing some sour grapes i know myself that one player shouldn't be their and by him being on the team opens the door for pretty much half the players in the state. if i was gona lodge a complaint myself it would be the fact that the north has to share half of its spots with north dakota maybe they could expand one team in the south and seperate the north and dakota making one more team. just a thought personally i dont think my oldest kid will ever play in the league so im really not talking from the point of view of a dad rather than a hockey stand point. the elite league started as a way to keep our best players from leaving minnesota hockey. giving them a chance to play more games than what high school offers. when you look at the north roster which are the players i know its seems the league is loosing sight of its purpose. several young kids that havent even stood out on their own team let alone reaching elite status is commical. than you have players that were in elite 1's for two years that cant make an NA team on an expantion year? while other kids are leaving the state that dont even get a tryout that are playing on these teams. the proof is right their you dont have to look any farther than that. i know these things can never be perfect but when 9th and 10th graders are allowed elite status your only asking for problems.

[High Flyer]

Impressive:

Soley 4 207 2 1 0 132 122 10 2.89 .924
Lyon 4 180 3 0 0 105 97 8 2.66 .924
Lindgren 4 177 2 1 1 88 81 7 2.37 .920