moving to MN
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
moving to MN
Can any one give me advice, my son plays AAA hockey in Dallas but we are moving to MN. 1998 birth year.
What level of AAA hockey does he play? There are Invite or Open Levels in MN. The Invite levels are teams that skate thru the spring up until when association hockey starts.. Open Levels pretty much take June and July off for kids to be kids or play other sports. My son has always made his associations "A" team (granted not one of the states Elite Associations but always ranked towards the top) but has always played Open Level (even though he has been asked to play on some Invite teams) because he also plays Traveling Baseball for the city team and also wants some free time during the the Summer away from hockey. You can google AAA/Independent Hockey programs in Minnesota and start your research.. ask them what their schedule/program all entails and figure out which one is best fit for your family..
Remember though, every other program will try to down grade the other - so don't jump into anything...GOOD LUCK
Remember though, every other program will try to down grade the other - so don't jump into anything...GOOD LUCK
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Shinbone_News
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No one ever talks about location, but I'd rather not drive an hour each way to AAA practices and games (that's a LONG drive for hockey in Minnesota-- we're THAT spoiled!)
There are so many options that location can be a positive factor, and at the open level there are probably plenty of options at an arena near you (wherever you end up living), especially in the western and northern suburbs.
United AAA is a big open program with teams all over the Metro, quality is (IMO) a bit up and down depending on team and year. Programs out of Schwan Superrink in Blaine are numerous and quality. Blades and Machine are always mentioned as top elite/invite teams in MN and US, but good luck getting a tryout there @ 98.
I like the Breakaway program in Chaska (no kids in it, I just think they've got some great players and coaching), Vanek's ITR26ers over in Stillwater, Pond AAA in Rosemount -- all solid programs from what I can tell, especially at the younger levels (00s, 01s)
Locations are from memory, so apologies for any inaccuracies...
This is all assuming you are looking for AAA SUMMER hockey. Minnesota does not have AAA teams during the regular season (except for Shattuck-St. Mary's). If you are asking where you should live in order to play hockey (Minnesota is community-based hockey; you are required to play where you live or go to school), that's a whole 'nother question -- and an interesting one!
Move to Roseau, if you can!!!!
There are so many options that location can be a positive factor, and at the open level there are probably plenty of options at an arena near you (wherever you end up living), especially in the western and northern suburbs.
United AAA is a big open program with teams all over the Metro, quality is (IMO) a bit up and down depending on team and year. Programs out of Schwan Superrink in Blaine are numerous and quality. Blades and Machine are always mentioned as top elite/invite teams in MN and US, but good luck getting a tryout there @ 98.
I like the Breakaway program in Chaska (no kids in it, I just think they've got some great players and coaching), Vanek's ITR26ers over in Stillwater, Pond AAA in Rosemount -- all solid programs from what I can tell, especially at the younger levels (00s, 01s)
Locations are from memory, so apologies for any inaccuracies...
This is all assuming you are looking for AAA SUMMER hockey. Minnesota does not have AAA teams during the regular season (except for Shattuck-St. Mary's). If you are asking where you should live in order to play hockey (Minnesota is community-based hockey; you are required to play where you live or go to school), that's a whole 'nother question -- and an interesting one!
Move to Roseau, if you can!!!!
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old goalie85
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Shinbone_News
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Hard to argue with the success of Wayzata, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie in recent years... and the size/success rates of their associations. High school teams are regularly top 5, get lots of attention from D1 and NHL scouts, etc.
If those things are your goals, those places are where you want to live. As a 98, your kid will have his work cut out for him if he wants to make HS varsity in MN.
That said, there are very strong midget/junior gold programs out of these areas too.
If those things are your goals, those places are where you want to live. As a 98, your kid will have his work cut out for him if he wants to make HS varsity in MN.
That said, there are very strong midget/junior gold programs out of these areas too.
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old goalie85
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Shinbone_News
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On the other hand he could be coming in as a bantam. I have a 98 who is in 8th grade and a bantam. Not thinking about where he'll try to play high school would be foolish if he's a serious Tier 1 AAA player. And in any case, those are all recommended associations at any age for what I take to be a somehwat serious player.old goalie85 wrote:The kids a 98 he is in 7th grade. What are you talking about?? He could still be a pee-wee. JR gold ??? Varsity at Edina or EP??? Come on this guys from Texas lets try to sound like we know whats going on...
Sheesh. Check your meds, OG.
Nevermind, Dallas. Just play wherever they have room. New Ulm is great because they brew beer there. There's a huge ball of twine somewhere out by Hutchinson, that'd be a cool place to play.
Last edited by Shinbone_News on Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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old goalie85
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Shinbone_News
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Shinbone_News
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Re: moving to MN
This might be useful too: As our playful banter indicates, Minnesota's age cut-off is July 1st and we group our levels in 2-year increments (no majors and minors here). So your player could be a 2nd year Pee Wee or a 1st year Bantam, depending on birthday. Strong players can sometimes play up (very strong, in a smallish association).jpaul wrote:Can any one give me advice, my son plays AAA hockey in Dallas but we are moving to MN. 1998 birth year.
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nosoupforyou
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I posted this last Winter in response to a similar question.
You can live pretty much anywhere in the Twin Cities and be able to find off-season AAA options that will match whatever competition level your son needs/wants. Here are some MN high school rankings (from www.schooldigger.com) and youth / high school hockey info:
#2 - Mounds View - Bantam A were in the Top 15 last year and association is avg size so competition isn't nearly as steep as Edina, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, and some of the other 'mega' associations. High school team is decent, but they lose kids each year to private schools. Very strong HS academics w/grade size ~ 500.
#3 - Edina - Enough comments about the strength of youth and high school hockey in this forum so I don't need to add more. The HS has great academic programs and draws many kids from surrounding communities. Bigger school than MV with ~ 600+ per grade.
#4 - Mahtomedi - Bantam A was .500 last year. Smallest association in their District so they don't send many teams to Regions, but they've sent a couple skaters to D1 the last few years. HS team down last year, but was a state tournament entrant the 2 years previous. The academics are as good as any private school with small grade sizes (~ 300 per grade) and a Fabrication Lab in the school.
#7 Wayzata - Youth program churning out top end teams at all levels. Much like Edina, they lose a lot of kids to private high schools and still have very strong HS teams. Great academic offerings with grade sizes over 800 kids.
#8 Minnetonka - Youth program is pretty strong with a good emphasis on development and competitive schedules. High school has had very strong teams the last few years. Another big school w/700+ kids per grade that has excellent Advanced Placement coursework.
#9 East Ridge - Brand new school in the East Metro serving Southern Woodbury and Northern Cottage Grove. An association wasn't created for the high school so the youth options are Woodbury and CG. Woodbury youth hockey is much more competitive than CG given the number of kids in Woodbury. The HS has brand new facilities and grade sizes around ~ 450.
Other mid-size options to consider are Eagan and Centennial. Above average youth and HS hockey programs with solid academic options in the high schools.
Good Luck!!!
You can live pretty much anywhere in the Twin Cities and be able to find off-season AAA options that will match whatever competition level your son needs/wants. Here are some MN high school rankings (from www.schooldigger.com) and youth / high school hockey info:
#2 - Mounds View - Bantam A were in the Top 15 last year and association is avg size so competition isn't nearly as steep as Edina, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, and some of the other 'mega' associations. High school team is decent, but they lose kids each year to private schools. Very strong HS academics w/grade size ~ 500.
#3 - Edina - Enough comments about the strength of youth and high school hockey in this forum so I don't need to add more. The HS has great academic programs and draws many kids from surrounding communities. Bigger school than MV with ~ 600+ per grade.
#4 - Mahtomedi - Bantam A was .500 last year. Smallest association in their District so they don't send many teams to Regions, but they've sent a couple skaters to D1 the last few years. HS team down last year, but was a state tournament entrant the 2 years previous. The academics are as good as any private school with small grade sizes (~ 300 per grade) and a Fabrication Lab in the school.
#7 Wayzata - Youth program churning out top end teams at all levels. Much like Edina, they lose a lot of kids to private high schools and still have very strong HS teams. Great academic offerings with grade sizes over 800 kids.
#8 Minnetonka - Youth program is pretty strong with a good emphasis on development and competitive schedules. High school has had very strong teams the last few years. Another big school w/700+ kids per grade that has excellent Advanced Placement coursework.
#9 East Ridge - Brand new school in the East Metro serving Southern Woodbury and Northern Cottage Grove. An association wasn't created for the high school so the youth options are Woodbury and CG. Woodbury youth hockey is much more competitive than CG given the number of kids in Woodbury. The HS has brand new facilities and grade sizes around ~ 450.
Other mid-size options to consider are Eagan and Centennial. Above average youth and HS hockey programs with solid academic options in the high schools.
Good Luck!!!
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blueliner5
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Come on guys let's speak in reality here. Everyone is talking about all the top end schools. Do we know what the players ability is here? Would he even have a shot at making an "A" level team within the noted associations, if that's where there intent is? Would he be better off at an average association at his age to get more ice time? There are alot of factors that play into this. To answer this post more information is needed
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BadgerBob82
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The hook, line and sinker award for the poster on this one! If, in fact this is a legitimate question, I would ask where the new job is here. I mean you going to live in Cottage Grove to attend East Ridge when the new job is in Elk River? And, a AAA player from Dallas is probably a B level player in most metro associations.
Now, if Dad/Poster is former Dallas Stars player moving here to be with the WILD, I suggest this forum would not be the best place to get information.
Now, if Dad/Poster is former Dallas Stars player moving here to be with the WILD, I suggest this forum would not be the best place to get information.
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jBlaze3000
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O-townClown
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Sure about that?BadgerBob82 wrote: And, a AAA player from Dallas is probably a B level player in most metro associations.
If this is a legit question, just understand right off the bat that Minnesota hockey is different than what you are used to. You play where you live throughout youth hockey. At HS, most kids go to the public school so you still play where you live. Some go to private school, which is like anywhere else...if you can get to school it doesn't matter where you live.
Don't be offended if your son was playing AAA in Dallas and is a B1 player in a large metro association. "A" level hockey in District 6 is comparable to high AAA level hockey nationally.
Timing of this post is bizarre. Are you moving now? If so, you might need to catch a break to even get on a team.
Be kind. Rewind.
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Puckstopper81
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I got on this BB over a year inquring about the same thing. My company was and is still thinking about moving me up to the Minneapolis area. They still haven't pulled the trigger on a decision and we are living in limbo at the moment. So I believe this guys inquiry is valid.
I am very famaliar with the '98 Dallas Stars team that this guy claims his son plays on. They are a good team, but nobody on that team is Bantam A calibre. Not yet. Maybe B1 or 2 at best.
To clarify on the AAA thing. When an outsider (like myself) refers to AAA, they are not inquiring about your Spring/Summer AAA season. I believe they are referring to your winter Association hockey.
A note to the guy that is thinking of moving to Minnesota. I travel/work in the Minneapolis area at least once a month and love it. The schools are great, cost of living is on par with most places, and the stardard of living is just higher overall. If your kid is playing AAA hockey in Dallas, hockey in Minnesota is absolutely dirt cheap. Some might disagree, but I bet no one in Minnesota pays $10,000+ a winter season for just one skater. However, there is one draw back to all this hockey. You will most definately be an outsider coming from another state. Don't get me wrong, people in Minnesota are nice as can be and will give you directions to anywhere you want to go when asked, they just won't give you directions to their house or the hockey rink if they learn your son is the same age as theirs. You and your kid will be taking a position away from someone who grew up there, went to school there, and works there, and probably will die there. You and your kid will not be looked upon kindly. Hopefully, they get over it, but with my experience they won't.
I am very famaliar with the '98 Dallas Stars team that this guy claims his son plays on. They are a good team, but nobody on that team is Bantam A calibre. Not yet. Maybe B1 or 2 at best.
To clarify on the AAA thing. When an outsider (like myself) refers to AAA, they are not inquiring about your Spring/Summer AAA season. I believe they are referring to your winter Association hockey.
A note to the guy that is thinking of moving to Minnesota. I travel/work in the Minneapolis area at least once a month and love it. The schools are great, cost of living is on par with most places, and the stardard of living is just higher overall. If your kid is playing AAA hockey in Dallas, hockey in Minnesota is absolutely dirt cheap. Some might disagree, but I bet no one in Minnesota pays $10,000+ a winter season for just one skater. However, there is one draw back to all this hockey. You will most definately be an outsider coming from another state. Don't get me wrong, people in Minnesota are nice as can be and will give you directions to anywhere you want to go when asked, they just won't give you directions to their house or the hockey rink if they learn your son is the same age as theirs. You and your kid will be taking a position away from someone who grew up there, went to school there, and works there, and probably will die there. You and your kid will not be looked upon kindly. Hopefully, they get over it, but with my experience they won't.
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Shinbone_News
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Nice post. I hope the last part is not true, though. I mean, during tryouts sure! But once teams form, it's all one happy family, no matter where you come from... for a year anyway.Puckstopper81 wrote:I got on this BB over a year inquring about the same thing. My company was and is still thinking about moving me up to the Minneapolis area. They still haven't pulled the trigger on a decision and we are living in limbo at the moment. So I believe this guys inquiry is valid.
I am very famaliar with the '98 Dallas Stars team that this guy claims his son plays on. They are a good team, but nobody on that team is Bantam A calibre. Not yet. Maybe B1 or 2 at best.
To clarify on the AAA thing. When an outsider (like myself) refers to AAA, they are not inquiring about your Spring/Summer AAA season. I believe they are referring to your winter Association hockey.
A note to the guy that is thinking of moving to Minnesota. I travel/work in the Minneapolis area at least once a month and love it. The schools are great, cost of living is on par with most places, and the stardard of living is just higher overall. If your kid is playing AAA hockey in Dallas, hockey in Minnesota is absolutely dirt cheap. Some might disagree, but I bet no one in Minnesota pays $10,000+ a winter season for just one skater. However, there is one draw back to all this hockey. You will most definately be an outsider coming from another state. Don't get me wrong, people in Minnesota are nice as can be and will give you directions to anywhere you want to go when asked, they just won't give you directions to their house or the hockey rink if they learn your son is the same age as theirs. You and your kid will be taking a position away from someone who grew up there, went to school there, and works there, and probably will die there. You and your kid will not be looked upon kindly. Hopefully, they get over it, but with my experience they won't.
This is true among and between native Minnesotans too -- it's just a tribal thing. Your kid moved from Edina to Wayzata? Good luck ever finding a carpool! Your kid is abandoning the public schools for some crappy Catholic school across town that happens to have the best HS team in the state? Traitor!
We're not organized in our backstabbing and xenophobia. We're stoic and independent in our self-loathing.
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AlterEagle
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jpaul - I just wanted to offer you some encouragement that a "move-in" can be a positive experience for the player/family coming in.
I grew up playing hockey in one of the west metro mega associations. We had a great youth team and our group was typically ranked somewhere between #5-#10 in the state from youth all the way through HS.
We had a family move in from the west coast the summer before his 1st year as a bantam. He was a solid player and ended up making bantam A as a first year despite the depth of our association. He had good success in the youth and HS ranks and ended up getting a D1 scholarship right out of HS.
He was a good kid and the situation worked out well for him and his family.
...Just thought you may want to hear a success story in addition to some of the other "realities" you may hear with your post.
I grew up playing hockey in one of the west metro mega associations. We had a great youth team and our group was typically ranked somewhere between #5-#10 in the state from youth all the way through HS.
We had a family move in from the west coast the summer before his 1st year as a bantam. He was a solid player and ended up making bantam A as a first year despite the depth of our association. He had good success in the youth and HS ranks and ended up getting a D1 scholarship right out of HS.
He was a good kid and the situation worked out well for him and his family.
...Just thought you may want to hear a success story in addition to some of the other "realities" you may hear with your post.