Impressive year for the Machine program

[HockeyDad41]

First, congratulations to the guys on the 8-11 y.o. Machine teams. The kids have earned some bragging rights.

As you may know, I am a director of the Blades. Because you asked, here is some information on the Blades performance over the last 12 months.

NHL Draft-Seven Blades chosen
NCAA Champions UMD-Seven Blades Players
World Champion USA U-18 team-Three Blades players
High School AA State Champions Eden Prairie: Five Blades players
High School A State Champions St. Thomas: Twelve Blades players

95 Blades-six U17 National team Five Nations players; 8 USHL Draft Picks, including the first overall: 8 expected NTDP (Ann Arbor-roster not yet finalized). 14 95 Blades at U16 National Camp.

96 Blades-Five freshman played Varsity. Nine 96 Blades at U15 National Camp.

One feels compelled to ask: Does the Blades make players great, or do great players make the Blades? Don't the kids' associations have something to do with all this success?

Not sayin', just sayin'

Or do great players gravitate towards the organization (Blades) due to higher exposure tournaments and quality coaching at the higher levels. No one can argue the fact the Blades can hold together teams at higher levels while the other organization's teams dissolve. Another example may be at the 98 level with the orange team struggling with player exodus and not being able to compete any longer at the elite level. Yes, the Machine competes and wins at the younger levels with extremely talented players, but when the game becomes more complex, what seems to always happen. There is something missing with the Machine organization setup where families feel they must leave to find development elsewhere. Yes, of course, kids' associations have a part in success.

So are you saying the Blades are not effective at the younger ages but can take the older developed by others players and make them successful? The only "higher" exposure tournament you ever hear about from the Blades is the Brick and isn't that for 10 year olds?

[poopoophooray]

amd the last successful Blades Brick team was the 96 or 97 team. With their lack of success in Edmunton over the years, it is questionable whether the tournament wants them back.

[Pucksahater]

Sounds like the Blades have admitted and rightly so they do a poor job of developing minnesota youth hockey players. That is why you will see the Blades trying to recruit the next best player they can for various tourneys instead of working with the Minnesota talent they have. It is true that at the older ages the Blades have some successful teams.

The Machine developes MINNESOTA youth hockey players, and it is clear by the success the teams have had. The Machine model developes and prepares players to keep playing at a high level as they get older.

We have two different models that Minnesota families can choose from.

[HockeyDad41]

Sounds like the Blades have admitted and rightly so they do a poor job of developing minnesota youth hockey players. That is why you will see the Blades trying to recruit the next best player they can for various tourneys instead of working with the Minnesota talent they have. It is true that at the older ages the Blades have some successful teams.

The Machine developes MINNESOTA youth hockey players, and it is clear by the success the teams have had. The Machine model developes and prepares players to keep playing at a high level as they get older.

We have two different models that Minnesota families can choose from.

Not sure HOTG speaks for the Blades, plus I may have chosen to misinterpret him.

Got a chance to watch the 03 Blades at the Golden Walleye and they looked solid. The 02 Blades looked good in the Caribou as well. I'm not ready to say they do a poor job of developing Minnesota youth hockey players.

We all may have our favorites, but to say either one of these programs is not top notch is just crazy talk!

[poopoophooray]

Agreeing with Hockey Dad on this one. Both programs are top-rated. Players are at Shattuck from each organization. I think a kid starting in the program has a tough choice between each one....weigh the differences and you make what you feel is the best choice for your player.

[hockeyrules75]

amd the last successful Blades Brick team was the 96 or 97 team. With their lack of success in Edmunton over the years, it is questionable whether the tournament wants them back.

would it be great to be able to get a MN hockey team together, regardless of what AAA team they play for and represent MN hockey at the "Brick" instead of getting beat up every year with an average team? If the team can't dominate in MN they won't and don't do well in the "Brick" record speaks the truth.

I know the blades use it as a recruitment tool being they have the so called "rights" to the tournament ...they come at the parents promising them slots etc for the Brick if their sons skates for the blades. But in the end of the day they can't compete.

That should be a MN Team to showcase a competitive team, not as a blades recruitment tool to the parents. I for one don't know if spending 5000.00 bucks to go 1-1-4 is worth the experience?

[HockeyDad41]

amd the last successful Blades Brick team was the 96 or 97 team. With their lack of success in Edmunton over the years, it is questionable whether the tournament wants them back.

would it be great to be able to get a MN hockey team together, regardless of what AAA team they play for and represent MN hockey at the "Brick" instead of getting beat up every year with an average team? If the team can't dominate in MN they won't and don't do well in the "Brick" record speaks the truth.

I know the blades use it as a recruitment tool being they have the so called "rights" to the tournament ...they come at the parents promising them slots etc for the Brick if their sons skates for the blades. But in the end of the day they can't compete.

That should be a MN Team to showcase a competitive team, not as a blades recruitment tool to the parents. I for one don't know if spending 5000.00 bucks to go 1-1-4 is worth the experience?

LOl - if the team went undefeated and my kid was carried around the rink by his teammates after being named player of the tournament, I don't think it'd be worth 5 grand. That's just me though.

It's just a tournament for 10 year olds. Plenty of good ones out there.

[MrBoDangles]

Sounds like the Blades have admitted and rightly so they do a poor job of developing minnesota youth hockey players. That is why you will see the Blades trying to recruit the next best player they can for various tourneys instead of working with the Minnesota talent they have. It is true that at the older ages the Blades have some successful teams.

The Machine developes MINNESOTA youth hockey players, and it is clear by the success the teams have had. The Machine model developes and prepares players to keep playing at a high level as they get older.

We have two different models that Minnesota families can choose from.

and the "Made" is shutting down teams that make their billboard look bad... Do you get it?

Let's list as many orange foods as we can!

[Blackhawkfan]

Sounds like the Blades have admitted and rightly so they do a poor job of developing minnesota youth hockey players. That is why you will see the Blades trying to recruit the next best player they can for various tourneys instead of working with the Minnesota talent they have. It is true that at the older ages the Blades have some successful teams.

The Machine developes MINNESOTA youth hockey players, and it is clear by the success the teams have had. The Machine model developes and prepares players to keep playing at a high level as they get older.

We have two different models that Minnesota families can choose from.

and the "Made" is shutting down teams that make their billboard look bad... Do you get it?

Let's list as many orange foods as we can!

Not sure what you mean?

[InigoMontoya]

Dreamsicle?

[InigoMontoya]

Cheetos?

[Benito Juarez]

Doritos?

[InigoMontoya]

pumpkin pie?

[Benito Juarez]

Orange Julius?

[Blackhawkfan]

Must be a slow day at the news desk......

[karl(east)]

Personally I am partial to tangerines.

[HockeyDad41]

carrots

[JoltDelivered]

Sweet potatos...errr no, wait, Squash.

Crap, I always get those two mixed up.

[James B Mcbain]

After seeing the results in the Caribou Cup, I thought I would go back through the season and see how the Machine teams faired at certain tournaments. yes....I am bored.

..................................................................................

I have felt the effects of this program with my child, i have to give them credit for what they continue to accomplish.

Definately an impressive year for the Machine program!

[MnMade-4-Life]

[Blackhawkfan]

How dare you post a picture of the Blades!

[MnMade-4-Life]

How dare you post a picture of the Blades!

I was going for the orange food thing ... a bit chewy, but if you marinate them long enough

[Blackhawkfan]

How dare you post a picture of the Blades!

I was going for the orange food thing ... a bit chewy, but if you marinate them long enough

I was going for the blades being so mad that they not only see orange, they look it too.

[InigoMontoya]

I thought maybe that was a picture of Bernie that you pulled from your wallet.

[Benito Juarez]

I thought maybe that was a picture of Bernie that you pulled from your wallet.

Bernie posing with the famed 02's...