Academy of Holy Angels

[elliott70]

My grandpa donated the land their school is built on. That's all I have.

I hope you are very proud of him. That is (was) a very nice move on his part.

Now, if you have some hunting land up north you are looking to get rid of....

[elliott70]

AHA first game tonight with Chanhassen. It should be an easy win.

[blueblood]

I will let you know just how "easy" it is there Elliott.

Zamman will be there too. I'm sure he is excited to provide his insight to all of us following the game, along with some possible prognistications for their upcoming road trip to Roseau.

[dzonecoverage]

The official line is AHA giving 8 1/2 goals

[observer]

And don't say they don't recruit, because we are not talking about illegal recruiting but the simple fact that private schools 'recruit students'.

I don't think they do. At least not to the extent that is presumed. I think it's parents of players suggesting their son is being recruited by so and so when really they're the only one doing the "recruiting."

Here's what you got in the metro.
1000 excellent hockey players.
Parents that want a private school education for their children and may have attended a private school themselves.
Several metro privates are known for good hockey with good coaching.
Many students start attending some of the privates during elementary years.
Maybe, although most metro schools have good teams, a public school hockey team not as good as some of the privates.
Pressure cooker making the team at the large public schools where the path at some of the privates may be easier even if they are good teams. As an example, 9th grade 3rd liners at some of the privates ain't happening at the big publics.

So, metro privates have a reasonably steady stream of good hockey players either already enrolled or now exploring enrollment for the 9th grade. Without recruiting I believe they let the chips fall where they may. If they were pro-active, which is often suggested, where would 10 new incoming players play? They only have 5-6 spots to fill and don't want to pursue the messy drama that occurs when they have to many good players and have to end up cutting either life long students of the school or a new player that came in to attempt to earn a spot. It's a balance and the strength of the various private school teams can rise and fall based on perceived strength of the team and the coaches. Who has the current luster? Be careful though because quality kids, and hockey players, are being cut, placed on JV and Jr. Gold, skating on the 3rd or 4th line without special teams play, at a number of privates that would be playing a much larger role at some of the publics.

Because the recruiting is being done by the parents I’m also seeing some soft players at some of the privates that maybe wouldn’t have made it at a strong public program. I’m seeing really tough players in the number 10-15 spots at the large publics, because they’re fighting for their life, as opposed to players 10-15 at some of the privates where they’re not having the annual battle for a spot on the very difficult to make large metro publics. Except for Hill and Benilde, this year, soft private school babies recruited by their own parents. Give me the 13th player at Edina, Wayzata, etc. any day over #13 at most the privates. A tougher player that has earned every minute ever given to them.

[OnFrozenPond]

And don't say they don't recruit, because we are not talking about illegal recruiting but the simple fact that private schools 'recruit students'.

I don't think they do. At least not to the extent that is presumed. I think it's parents of players suggesting their son is being recruited by so and so when really they're the only one doing the "recruiting."

Here's what you got in the metro.
1000 excellent hockey players.
Parents that want a private school education for their children and may have attended a private school themselves.
Several metro privates are known for good hockey with good coaching.
Many students start attending some of the privates during elementary years.
Maybe, although most metro schools have good teams, a public school hockey team not as good as some of the privates.
Pressure cooker making the team at the large public schools where the path at some of the privates may be easier even if they are good teams. As an example, 9th grade 3rd liners at some of the privates ain't happening at the big publics.

So, metro privates have a reasonably steady stream of good hockey players either already enrolled or now exploring enrollment for the 9th grade. Without recruiting I believe they let the chips fall where they may. If they were pro-active, which is often suggested, where would 10 new incoming players play? They only have 5-6 spots to fill and don't want to pursue the messy drama that occurs when they have to many good players and have to end up cutting either life long students of the school or a new player that came in to attempt to earn a spot. It's a balance and the strength of the various private school teams can rise and fall based on perceived strength of the team and the coaches. Who has the current luster? Be careful though because quality kids, and hockey players, are being cut, placed on JV and Jr. Gold, skating on the 3rd or 4th line without special teams play, at a number of privates that would be playing a much larger role at some of the publics.

Because the recruiting is being done by the parents I’m also seeing some soft players at some of the privates that maybe wouldn’t have made it at a strong public program. I’m seeing really tough players in the number 10-15 spots at the large publics, because they’re fighting for their life, as opposed to players 10-15 at some of the privates where they’re not having the annual battle for a spot on the very difficult to make large metro publics. Except for Hill and Benilde, this year, soft private school babies recruited by their own parents. Give me the 13th player at Edina, Wayzata, etc. any day over #13 at most the privates. A tougher player that has earned every minute ever given to them.

I think his point was that the business model for private schools is to recruit students. Nothing against the rules and not just gifted athletes, musicians, students, etc. In some fashion the entire student body is recruited.

[observer]

Yes, their advertising and direct mail budgets are larger than the publics. They have brochures and marketing managers and stuff. The publics are learning lessons about offering competitive programs, including athletics, from their private school competitors but are having difficulty understanding they're in competition. It's not in their DNA. It's a new discussion for most of them. Families make school choices based on the quality of academics and programs whether its math club, music, dance or athletics. But, be real, the hockey players are there to play hockey.

And, this is a highschoolhockeyforum.

[HShockeywatcher]

Families make school choices based on the quality of academics and programs whether its math club, music, dance or athletics. But, be real, the hockey players are there to play hockey.

And I'm sure the Hopkins basketball players are there to play basketball.

The difference is simply recruiting vs "active" recruiting. Having a rink on campus is something that can recruit a player. Having a turf football field is. Having small class sizes in addition to these things can recruit someone to go there.

Saying a private school doesn't recruit is like saying a top law firm doesn't. The difference is the "active" recruiting. A top law firm will go out and entice a player to attend work for them. A school makes their school/program enticing to go to/play for.

I looked at multiple private schools and chose the one that "recruited" me better for a couple different reasons.

I've also seen the different Minneapolis schools advertising their magnet programs around the city...recruiting?

Success or failure in MN HS Hockey is all about going to and winning State. This reminds me of when Hill-Murray was knocked off in sections by White Bear Lake in 1994, 1995 & 1996. I heard people say that Hill-Murray was done, that enrollment was down, tuition was too high and the Godbout brothers would be their last blue chippers. In fact they were 60-14 during those 3 years. Holy Angels has averaged 21 wins over the last 5 years, but has not made it to State. I suspect that they will be back.

Hill has always played a very tough schedule.
AHA's conference is such that they should always be over 500.
Nice non-conference schedule this year and that should be somewhat of a tell of their team's quality.

And Hill's isn't? In the last 5 seasons they have all of 8 conference losses, which includes one season with 4. That's an average of 2 conferences losses a year; sure far more than 0, but with only 2 conference losses they are automatically above .500.

I can't speak for historically, but until this year with the new Lake conference, AHA has had the toughest non-conference schedule year in and year out hands down.

[HShockeywatcher]

Chan 2 AHA 3 in ot. Nothing to talk about got lucky. Chan goalie played good. Better pick it up for Roseau.

I wouldn't call outshooting your opponent 38-18 lucky, but I also wouldn't call beating a Missota team 3-2 in OT good. What was wrong?

[Zamman]

Here is my take:

Actually a lot to say. AHA's first game, looked a bit sloppy and too cute.
Chan played real good defense and their goalie was good. AHA out shot them 38 - 18. Lots of penalties, AHA will get better.
My real concern was that if Chan could pass ans shoot, they would have won.

Their record in the Missota almost gone...Remember Chan is AA, not A like the rest of the conference.

[blueblood]

My observations:

Chan did play good defense. Chan goalie was outstanding. AHA transitions the puck well but had problems in the offensive zone. Yes, they did get 38 shots, but most were from outside the slot. AHA goalie was not skilled like past goalies they have had.

Final comment for Mr. Elliott70 of Bemidji:

Care to retract your "It should be an easy win (for AHA) comment?"

And here's a suggestion, you may want keep your comments about teams you have ZERO knowledge of until you can make an informed decision.

Your comments about Chan is like me saying "Bemidji doesn't belong on the ice with _________" (fill in the blank).

[Zamman]

This was AHA's goalie first HS game, he is the back-up. Yes, AHA was getting most shots from the outside, that is attributed to the good defense by Chan.
Blue nice to meet you.

[blueblood]

Thanks Z, same to you. Enjoy the road trip to Roseau!

[MNpuckfanatic77]

If their back-up goalie was playing then they had a freshmen in net... I have heard good things about him but that is a huge step to make as a goalie no matter what team you are playing. Looking to see things improve for that team.

[elliott70]

My observations:

Chan did play good defense. Chan goalie was outstanding. AHA transitions the puck well but had problems in the offensive zone. Yes, they did get 38 shots, but most were from outside the slot. AHA goalie was not skilled like past goalies they have had.

Final comment for Mr. Elliott70 of Bemidji:

Care to retract your "It should be an easy win (for AHA) comment?"

And here's a suggestion, you may want keep your comments about teams you have ZERO knowledge of until you can make an informed decision.

Your comments about Chan is like me saying "Bemidji doesn't belong on the ice with _________" (fill in the blank).

Just based of the games Chan has played.
If you have an opinion on any team I would hope you would feel free to express it.

[elliott70]

My observations:

Chan did play good defense. Chan goalie was outstanding. AHA transitions the puck well but had problems in the offensive zone. Yes, they did get 38 shots, but most were from outside the slot. AHA goalie was not skilled like past goalies they have had.

Final comment for Mr. Elliott70 of Bemidji:

Care to retract your "It should be an easy win (for AHA) comment?"

And here's a suggestion, you may want keep your comments about teams you have ZERO knowledge of until you can make an informed decision.

Your comments about Chan is like me saying "Bemidji doesn't belong on the ice with _________" (fill in the blank).

1-3 12/02/10
at Park (CG) (3AA)


5-5 TIE
Cambridge-Isanti (7AA)


0-4
at Rochester Lourdes


From this what was I to gather? Playing a team that has proven to be very good to above average in a tough AA section.
Either Chan stepped it up or AHA is not that tough.

Either way, I am not slamming the players, coaches, fans; just trying to determine how good these two teams are and what to expect in the next couple of weeks from them.

[henry2010]

Holy Angels lucky to win this game. A 3-2 win in OT. They were pounded pretty good by a young Chanhassen team. HA has some nice talent but Chanhassen will give them all they can handle in Missota...

[WB6162]

My grandpa donated the land their school is built on. That's all I have.

I hope you are very proud of him. That is (was) a very nice move on his part.

Now, if you have some hunting land up north you are looking to get rid of....

I am proud of him, he passed away in 1981 but he did a lot of good things for people in his life. He was a hard working farmer and a master carpenter. He and my great uncles helped to build Assumption Catholic Church up there as well.

[henry2010]

Interesting to see how many Chanhassen kids are contributing at AHA. Chanhassen has some good young talent. AHA will get better as the season progresses. The days of AHA waltzing through conference play are over. Chanhassen has some talent in reserve for next year and they lose nobody.

[elliott70]

My grandpa donated the land their school is built on. That's all I have.

I hope you are very proud of him. That is (was) a very nice move on his part.

Now, if you have some hunting land up north you are looking to get rid of....

I am proud of him, he passed away in 1981 but he did a lot of good things for people in his life. He was a hard working farmer and a master carpenter. He and my great uncles helped to build Assumption Catholic Church up there as well.

A good man (men), I hope you got to know him alittle bit (or more).

[MNpuckfanatic77]

Interesting to see how many Chanhassen kids are contributing at AHA. Chanhassen has some good young talent. AHA will get better as the season progresses. The days of AHA waltzing through conference play are over. Chanhassen has some talent in reserve for next year and they lose nobody.

Holy Angels is the same way my friend. Some of the top Sophomores in the state reside on that team. Don't be too sure about Chan's team because any way you look at it the opinion sides with Holy Angels. Weather it be the Freshman goalie they had in net, the 38 shots they had (while chan. had 18), or the fact that it was their first game. Whatever you would like to believe. Thats all.