Who are the top 10 PeeWee teams going into 2011-2012 season?

[Snoopdog007]

Edina
Rosemount
Farmington
Wayzata
Centennial
Eden Prairie
Stillwater
OMGHA
Elk River
STMA

[snyper12]

Edina
Rosemount
Farmington
Wayzata
Centennial
Eden Prairie
Stillwater
OMGHA
Elk River
STMA

Lakeville South replaces one of them as does probably Waconia. Not sure Rosemount or Farmington (and maybe not Edina) in conversation.

[Newbie Dad]

Which Wayzata PeeWee A team? They will have two balanced PeeWee A teams this year!

[Cdale]

Which Wayzata PeeWee A team? They will have two balanced PeeWee A teams this year!

Neither will be top 10.

[Newbie Dad]

I agree, although probably still top 20... I think this move by Wayzata will sort of shift the power in D3 to OMGHA, who isn't going with 2 'A' teams.

I also noticed in their board meeting minutes that Wayzata will have a Bantam B1-1 and a B1-2 team, the same way that OMGHA has in the past.

[takeitwide]

I agree, although probably still top 20... I think this move by Wayzata will sort of shift the power in D3 to OMGHA, who isn't going with 2 'A' teams.

I also noticed in their board meeting minutes that Wayzata will have a Bantam B1-1 and a B1-2 team, the same way that OMGHA has in the past.

There is no question that Wayzata will find it diffiecult against OMG and most likly Orono in there district. I would think they will also find the top tournaments that they played in the past difficult as well. Why they didnt choose a AA/A format doesnt make sense they still get the player development for the kids and then have the A play the weaker A tournaments where they will compete.

[Newbie Dad]

Last years PeeWee group in Wayzata probably could have pulled off 2 'A' teams and had both in the 10 top. They had the #2 ranked PWA team (finished 3rd at State) and their 3 PWB1 teams were all top 10 (including Blue who won State).

However, they excluded this years Bantam group from going the 2 'A' team route. I would think they would include 2 'A' teams for Bantams next year when this same group are now 2nd year Bantams.

[observer]

Sometimes I wonder if the 2 A team discussion isn't tied slightly to the high school team. Often times there are only 5-6 available spots on a varsity HS team. If there are 30 Bantam A skaters coming up from the Association is that an issue? If there are only 15 Bantam A skaters is it easier to manage expectations?

Interesting stuff. There are so many more players training and playing at a high level today than there were 10 years ago. The number of AAA teams has exploded as have summer training facilities and most are doing a great job of helping to develop a lot more very good players. That means many many more high end players worthy of playing HS varsity hockey. JV and Jr. Gold teams will be a lot stronger each upcoming year than they were 10 years ago.

I don't think I would have voted to have balanced PeeWee A teams if I had voted on the Edina or Wayzata Youth Association decision. Remember, if there are 8-9-10 PeeWee teams in a mega Association the votes on a board are likely to be split along the same lines. I believe these decisions are made because 1/10th of the votes are coming from A families and 9/10th of the votes are coming from B & C families. So, the decision is, balanced teams.

[2112]

Spot On!!! Observer

[Gotothenetman]

From D8 you have to have Lakeville South as one of the top teams with 5 or 6 returning players and getting back 1 or 2 Fire kids plus a transfer in from Apple Valley they will be very strong. This group as squirts was very very good.

A sleeper may be Hastings with 6 returning Pee Wee A and a transfer in to add to what was also a very strong group as squirts.

I realize that the Pee Wee game is different than Squirts, but it gives you a general idea of what the talent level is.

[Deep Breath]

GTTN: Peewee hockey isn't much different from squirts anymore, thanks to USA Hockey.

Your point about kids returning to association now that the Fire teams have been scuttled is a good one. Aside from Lakeville, is there another association that has multiple kids coming back from the '99 and/or '00 Fire teams? Could potentially help strengthen an association's PeeWee A roster.

[Shinbone_News]

Sometimes I wonder if the 2 A team discussion isn't tied slightly to the high school team. Often times there are only 5-6 available spots on a varsity HS team. If there are 30 Bantam A skaters coming up from the Association is that an issue? If there are only 15 Bantam A skaters is it easier to manage expectations?

Interesting stuff. There are so many more players training and playing at a high level today than there were 10 years ago. The number of AAA teams has exploded as have summer training facilities and most are doing a great job of helping to develop a lot more very good players. That means many many more high end players worthy of playing HS varsity hockey. JV and Jr. Gold teams will be a lot stronger each upcoming year than they were 10 years ago.

I don't think I would have voted to have balanced PeeWee A teams if I had voted on the Edina or Wayzata Youth Association decision. Remember, if there are 8-9-10 PeeWee teams in a mega Association the votes on a board are likely to be split along the same lines. I believe these decisions are made because 1/10th of the votes are coming from A families and 9/10th of the votes are coming from B & C families. So, the decision is, balanced teams.

Some interesting points here. I think it's kind of exciting, too, to think about strengthening the Junior Gold/Midget program -- and to see more associations launching those programs. The upward push could lead to a viable HPC system for youth players up through Jr. Gold, while the high school system stays strong. I keep saying that Varsity Hockey is a very nice, achievable goal for the vast majority of association players, and for the top 10% who actually have the genes for D1 or NHL can do like Eric Johnson or Mario Lucia did and jump to the NTDP or the USHL. Leave the high school league to players who will likely peak at that age and who still consider the HS state tourney the be-all, end-all. (Herb Brooks thought so. I do too. NOt everyone can be in the top 0.1% of players who go pro.)

As far as splitting an A team into two equals or having the first be players 1-16, I can tell you that coaches and association board members will almost always prefer the latter, and parents will prefer the former. Spreading the talent around tends to dilute the talent during practices AND games-- at least that's the coach's perspective.

Has anyone heard more about Edina's plans for their squirt A's? (I'm personally of the opinion that Edina is always the exception that proves the rule. They actually HAVE the depth of talent to have two equal A teams, and the difference between player 1 and player 32 is not as wide as it would be at, say, Minneapolis Storm.

I also like Observers point about managing expectations. Kids need to believe that everyone gets a fair shake at tryouts, but limiting the number of A kids at Bantam (or even PeeWee) could help soften the eventual blow of realizing that plenty of good, talented players will not make the ultimate HS roster.

Then you should create attractive alternatives for them -- let the very best high school kids consider leaving their home teams to chase their dreams at the NTDP or Shattuck -- opening up a few varsity spots. Give Junior Golds an HPC option similar to the UMHSEL that runs during the regular season, and you've got three really nice channels for quality players depending on their personal goals. Basically Tier I AAA hockey for kids who can't or won't play high school hockey, though they're good enough for it, and in some cases better than it. Minnesota High School Hockey for the rest.

[hockeydad0930]

Rosemount will be down this year...all of the PWA team from last year and almost the entire PWB1 team are moving on to Bantams. I believe Farmington is in a similar position, so I don't imagine you will see those two teams in the mix like last year.

[buttend]

Edina
Rosemount
Farmington
Wayzata
Centennial
Eden Prairie
Stillwater
OMGHA
Elk River
STMA

2 teams missing are


Lakeville South - top 10 Sq A 2 years ago. Returners + Fire Kids and move in's make them top 3 team.

Prior Lake- top 5 team last year w/ 7-8 kids returning + a couple of new move ins.

Remove: Rosemount, Farmington, Wayzata

[C-dad]

Rosemount will be down this year...all of the PWA team from last year and almost the entire PWB1 team are moving on to Bantams. I believe Farmington is in a similar position, so I don't imagine you will see those two teams in the mix like last year.

The same applies to Edina. The only wild card from my view is that I don't know how many 2nd years were on that dominant SQA team who will be moving up.

[2112]

The wildcard for Edina will be the 3or 4 fire players playing for the Hornets this year, not the squirts coming up.

[C-dad]

The wildcard for Edina will be the 3or 4 fire players playing for the Hornets this year, not the squirts coming up.

Are there that many? In that case, yes. I just don't know. I only knew about the one who came over last season to play for PWA team and will be first year Bantam this season.

[coleburns]

If you are using their record from 2 years ago as 2nd year Squirts, Jefferson deserves to be mentioned.

Swept Edina 3 games to 0
Beat Rosemount 10 to 3
Beat Wayzata 3 to 2
Beat Centennial 4 to 3
Lost to EP 2 times but tied them once
Split with Stillwater
Beat OMGHA 3 to 2
Lost to STMA twice

Did not play Farmington and Elk River. They also have added 2 Fire Players. I agree that Lakeville South, EP and Prior Lake will be the teams to beat.

[MrBoDangles]

Sometimes I wonder if the 2 A team discussion isn't tied slightly to the high school team. Often times there are only 5-6 available spots on a varsity HS team. If there are 30 Bantam A skaters coming up from the Association is that an issue? If there are only 15 Bantam A skaters is it easier to manage expectations?

Interesting stuff. There are so many more players training and playing at a high level today than there were 10 years ago. The number of AAA teams has exploded as have summer training facilities and most are doing a great job of helping to develop a lot more very good players. That means many many more high end players worthy of playing HS varsity hockey. JV and Jr. Gold teams will be a lot stronger each upcoming year than they were 10 years ago.

I don't think I would have voted to have balanced PeeWee A teams if I had voted on the Edina or Wayzata Youth Association decision. Remember, if there are 8-9-10 PeeWee teams in a mega Association the votes on a board are likely to be split along the same lines. I believe these decisions are made because 1/10th of the votes are coming from A families and 9/10th of the votes are coming from B & C families. So, the decision is, balanced teams.

You've made the perfect case for the need of Hockey options. "JV and Jr. Gold teams being a lot stronger" is not a good thing for 25 of 30 A players not getting a spot. How many kids are falling off the development curve having to go this route?

You and Quasar are more alike than you think . I see it only getting worse.

Summer AAA is doing a better job of developing kids, but it's not possible for that to happen in the Winter?????

You should explain this to the Fire team/Kids you were so against....

[old goalie85]

Forest Lake!!!!

[scoreandscoreoften]

[quote="Newbie Dad"]I agree, although probably still top 20... I think this move by Wayzata will sort of shift the power in D3 to OMGHA, who isn't going with 2 'A' teams.

How many PWA's are returning to OMGHA ?

[@hockeytweet]

Eden Prairie (goaltending & returning 6 talented skaters)
Lakeville South (speed & depth, returning players have high skill)
Elk River (goaltending)
Prior Lake (decent returning talent, but toughest district to play in)
Edina (depth, depth, & more depth of talent)
Jefferson (goaltending & size)

I think the above are the top 6 teams

OMG
Centennial
Minnetonka
Rochester
Duluth
Stillwater

The next 6, but based on returners, skill, and depth...a step down. A big step in goal, especially.

I would hate to be in D6. Meat-grinder schedule

[57special]

The wildcard for Edina will be the 3or 4 fire players playing for the Hornets this year, not the squirts coming up.

there is at least one of those kids (probably more) who will be better than any of last years 2nd year Edina Squirt A's.

kudos to Wayzata for splitting their teams. They might lose more games, but in the long run will develop more talent.

[old goalie85]

Duluth East was not strong last year. Stillwater returns 1 Pee-wee A.

[observer]

Duluth East was not strong last year.

Hello, no one has mentioned Duluth East anywhere.