By David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune staff writers
Governors project to have 15 players in program next season
St. Paul Johnson boys' hockey coach Steve "Moose" Younghans called next year's projection of only 15 players in the program "as concerning as it's ever been."
The Governors, winners of state championships in 1947, 1953, 1955 and 1963, are one of high school hockey's most storied programs. While Younghans maintains, "We're not going to let anything kill the program," he acknowledged, "We're going to have to do something" to ensure survival.
Johnson activities director Jeff Plaschko said a "month of discussions" with the St. Paul City Conference activities director council has yielded "nothing" in terms of plans.
"We're on our own," Plaschko said. "Como says they're fine and Highland is bad in terms of proximity."
The Governors lose 13 seniors from the current team. It's tough to gauge the number of incoming players, Plaschko said, given the merger with Como's youth hockey association. Como also gets players from Langford Park.
"My gut is that if it's just us, we're varsity only next year," Plaschko said.
Plaschko also is pursuing forming a co-op with a "smaller school on this side of town."
Neither Johnson nor Como desires a merger at the high school ranks. Como already has players from Central on its high school teams. Highland resurrected its program last season.
"The only one in decline is Johnson," Como activities director Mike Searles said. "We're doing great as far as our numbers. Why would we change? Johnson kids are welcome to play at Como."
Well that's the end. Glad to say I was A Bantam the last year this most legendary program and alma mater of the Late "America's Coach" Herb Brooks made it to the state tournament in '95.
By David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune staff writers
Governors project to have 15 players in program next season
St. Paul Johnson boys' hockey coach Steve "Moose" Younghans called next year's projection of only 15 players in the program "as concerning as it's ever been."
The Governors, winners of state championships in 1947, 1953, 1955 and 1963, are one of high school hockey's most storied programs. While Younghans maintains, "We're not going to let anything kill the program," he acknowledged, "We're going to have to do something" to ensure survival.
Johnson activities director Jeff Plaschko said a "month of discussions" with the St. Paul City Conference activities director council has yielded "nothing" in terms of plans.
"We're on our own," Plaschko said. "Como says they're fine and Highland is bad in terms of proximity."
The Governors lose 13 seniors from the current team. It's tough to gauge the number of incoming players, Plaschko said, given the merger with Como's youth hockey association. Como also gets players from Langford Park.
"My gut is that if it's just us, we're varsity only next year," Plaschko said.
Plaschko also is pursuing forming a co-op with a "smaller school on this side of town."
Neither Johnson nor Como desires a merger at the high school ranks. Como already has players from Central on its high school teams. Highland resurrected its program last season.
"The only one in decline is Johnson," Como activities director Mike Searles said. "We're doing great as far as our numbers. Why would we change? Johnson kids are welcome to play at Como."
Well that's the end. Glad to say I was A Bantam the last year this most legendary program and alma mater of the Late "America's Coach" Herb Brooks made it to the state tournament in '95.
I would hate to see the school go away from hockey only because some kids who will never play past HS will never get that chance. Wasn't impressed with the game I saw of them but it was one game. Big Physical and intimidating with the rule changes 5:00 minute majors will hurt them more than the smaller less physical teams. You can't change that in players overnight thats a cultural thing in that area... that area is that way.... Big Physical intimidating...in your face! Good Luck
Twin Cities Video & DVD, Inc. Sport Video Coverage
Which was the game you saw? Maybe they were playing an elite team like Breck or Blake where they had to get physical because they could not out-finesse those teams with their talent.
And they do have a few kids who will go on after this year to USHL or DIII
