218er wrote:Not just this year, but I can't believe how much the White Bear Lake's program has fallen. They used to dominate youth programs and would loose kids to private schools... Now their Bantam A team loses games to highland park, and their high school team is never even in the running to get back to the tourney.
Also, I'm surprised the Brainerd has never been able to put together a decent hockey program. That is a big town and they don't run the risk of losing kids to surrounding communities. I guess it’s just not a hockey town, but with the enrollment the have you'd think they make some noise one of these years. Glad to see they finally produced a D-1 prospect.
How do you like your crow? Grilled?
Feeling a little sheepish... Not gunna lie. Congrats to WBL. But enjoy it... doesn't sound like the future is too bright coming up from the Bantams
I know it sounds bad, but this year has to be disappointing for HM. I think there was one goal in mind, and not to even make state makes this year a loss.
HockeyMN1 wrote:Hill Murray has to be on the disappointing list. You can't just lose in sections like that with all the hype and talent. Should have played a harder schedule if possible.
did you see their non conference schedule? Point out on cupcake on there.
HockeyMN1 wrote:Hill Murray has to be on the disappointing list. You can't just lose in sections like that with all the hype and talent. Should have played a harder schedule if possible.
did you see their non conference schedule? Point out on cupcake on there.
Which is why I said if possible...either go independent for hockey or change conferences. That's what doomed them, not playing multiple tough games week in and week out. It's also what got them a number 1 regular season ranking but that doesn't mean much now.
making it to state 5 years in a row ,one title, a 3rd (almost beating tonka last year), a 4th, one heartbreaking loss to eventual champ EP with a team missing 4 of its best players, and only one bad year shows that they are fine with how they schedule. the classic suburban works for all of their other sports, hockey is one exception. They dont have the convenience of being on the other side of MPLS for the lake conference, which is the only one they could join so people would stop complaining.
sachishi4 wrote:making it to state 5 years in a row ,one title, a 3rd (almost beating tonka last year), a 4th, one heartbreaking loss to eventual champ EP with a team missing 4 of its best players, and only one bad year shows that they are fine with how they schedule. the classic suburban works for all of their other sports, hockey is one exception. They dont have the convenience of being on the other side of MPLS for the lake conference, which is the only one they could join so people would stop complaining.
I'm not complaining, just stating my opinion. Is it possible to go independent just for hockey? Because that would certainly help their program. I'm sure the other CSC schools wouldn't mind either, let someone else take a conference title home.
Disappointment- have to go with HM on this one. With how they finished last season and then being #1... to losing to WBL in the section final (even though they were the 2 seed) is WAY short of their goal. Even if Edina lost to Burnsville in their section final, it wouldn't be as bad. As a #1 team, you should be a "lock" at least to MAKE the state tournament. Which brings up a question... anyone know the last time the #1 ranked team in the state didn't make the state tournament?
Surprise- if HM was a disappointment, how could WBL being in the state tournament this year NOT be a surprise?!
sachishi4 wrote:making it to state 5 years in a row ,one title, a 3rd (almost beating tonka last year), a 4th, one heartbreaking loss to eventual champ EP with a team missing 4 of its best players, and only one bad year shows that they are fine with how they schedule. the classic suburban works for all of their other sports, hockey is one exception. They dont have the convenience of being on the other side of MPLS for the lake conference, which is the only one they could join so people would stop complaining.
I'm not complaining, just stating my opinion. Is it possible to go independent just for hockey? Because that would certainly help their program. I'm sure the other CSC schools wouldn't mind either, let someone else take a conference title home.
Duluth East is independent for baseball and hockey. They were for football this year too, but only temporarily because the conference dissolved.
Lakeville South, Hill Murray and Little Falls have to be considered disappointing just because of how favored they were in their sections and then to lose and not make it to state has to be disappointing.
I agree. And Mahtomedi did have a tough season this year. They just were not as good as we expected them to be. And one reason is Marshall leaving Mahtomedi to go play at Omaha. But next season I wouldn't count the Zephyrs out with STA considering opting-up. They have some sophmore (juniors next year) that will help the team out. Also the senior line next year that will most likely consist of Tanner Jordan, Patrick Kelgey, and Johno May will put up a lot of points. If St. Thomas moves up, I see Mahtomedi going to state next year.
Skip_per wrote:I think some of you are mistaken.
Brainerd has produced a number of D1 kids unfortunately just not mulitples at the same time.
Carl Sneep - went to Boston College and won a Ntl Champ his Sr year there.
Drew Olson is playing for UMD Bull Dogs right now.
Yes Chris Peluso
JP Platisha went to UNO
Ryan Peltoma is at Bowling Green as of now.
So please give us some credit.
And yes we have some competition.
Northern Lakes takes some kids from us as does Little Falls.
Kids do not all come to Brainerd.
Peace
I too would like to know who LF has gotten from Brainerd. LF doesn't get kids from anywhere but LF. Occasionally a kid from a nearby farm town.
That said I think LF was both a surprise and a disappointment. I don't think anyone thought they would win 20 games this year. In fact their team goal was 15 wins this year. Once they started having success however, they disappointed in the section tournament in a big way.
Skip_per wrote:I think some of you are mistaken.
Brainerd has produced a number of D1 kids unfortunately just not mulitples at the same time.
Carl Sneep - went to Boston College and won a Ntl Champ his Sr year there.
Drew Olson is playing for UMD Bull Dogs right now.
Yes Chris Peluso
JP Platisha went to UNO
Ryan Peltoma is at Bowling Green as of now.
So please give us some credit.
And yes we have some competition.
Northern Lakes takes some kids from us as does Little Falls.
Kids do not all come to Brainerd.
Peace
I too would like to know who LF has gotten from Brainerd. LF doesn't get kids from anywhere but LF. Occasionally a kid from a nearby farm town.
That said I think LF was both a surprise and a disappointment. I don't think anyone thought they would win 20 games this year. In fact their team goal was 15 wins this year. Once they started having success however, they disappointed in the section tournament in a big way.
Little Falls also beat some very good teams too this year which added to their success this year in terms of winning games.
218er wrote:Not just this year, but I can't believe how much the White Bear Lake's program has fallen. They used to dominate youth programs and would loose kids to private schools... Now their Bantam A team loses games to highland park, and their high school team is never even in the running to get back to the tourney.
Also, I'm surprised the Brainerd has never been able to put together a decent hockey program. That is a big town and they don't run the risk of losing kids to surrounding communities. I guess it’s just not a hockey town, but with the enrollment the have you'd think they make some noise one of these years. Glad to see they finally produced a D-1 prospect.
Ironic that you say that and then their high school team makes the tourney
MNHockey75 wrote:Surprising:
Willmar -- One win away from glory.
Proctor -- Didn't see them coming.
Chisago Lakes
Hastings -- First sign of life since like 2002.
Maple Grove -- I figured they'd be good, not this good.
Minneapolis -- More teams need to combine like they did. They got hosed at the seeding meeting.
Grand Rapids -- A lot better than most people expected.
Disappointing:
Duluth Central -- Way too inconsistent.
International Falls -- Disappointed in the kids.
Faribault -- #1 seed last year.
Rochester Century
Holy Angels -- Probably the biggest disappointment.
Centennial -- Pre-season top ten that ended 1 game over .500.
Osseo -- Goaltending was an issue all season.
Brainerd -- Preseason favorite in 8AA.
Roseau -- I expected a lot more. I'm not alone.
That is a great list of teams! In additon:
Hermantown: Losing 12 seniors and regrouping like they did.....impressive!
Bloomington Jefferson: No one expected much from this group of kids and they knocked off some teams to play good spoiler role.
Bemidji: Put another team in section 8AA on the map.
Warroad: I know Warroad is supposed to be there every year. They really made a great run this year with very little depth.
Disappointing:
Forest Lake: They were my pick to win section 7AA.
MNHockey75 wrote:Surprising:
Willmar -- One win away from glory.
Proctor -- Didn't see them coming.
Chisago Lakes
Hastings -- First sign of life since like 2002.
Maple Grove -- I figured they'd be good, not this good.
Minneapolis -- More teams need to combine like they did. They got hosed at the seeding meeting.
Grand Rapids -- A lot better than most people expected.
Disappointing:
Duluth Central -- Way too inconsistent.
International Falls -- Disappointed in the kids.
Faribault -- #1 seed last year.
Rochester Century
Holy Angels -- Probably the biggest disappointment.
Centennial -- Pre-season top ten that ended 1 game over .500.
Osseo -- Goaltending was an issue all season.
Brainerd -- Preseason favorite in 8AA.
Roseau -- I expected a lot more. I'm not alone.
That is a great list of teams! In additon:
Hermantown: Losing 12 seniors and regrouping like they did.....impressive!
Bloomington Jefferson: No one expected much from this group of kids and they knocked off some teams to play good spoiler role.
Bemidji: Put another team in section 8AA on the map.
Warroad: I know Warroad is supposed to be there every year. They really made a great run this year with very little depth.
Disappointing:
Forest Lake: They were my pick to win section 7AA.
I definitely agree with Hermantown, kind of forgot how much they lost from last year.
