NE Minnesota AA Hockey

[mnmouth]

In 1980, Grand Rapids won their 3rd title in 6 seasons. Had instant replay been in existence they would have won it in 1978, as well. I remember my uncle, who lived in St. Paul, telling me that this was probably the last hurrah for Range schools. I could not believe it, though he proved to be maddeningly correct.

This is not meant to be a post to disparage Class A hockey - it is what it is. But most fans live for the AA tournament. Since 1980, Duluth East has won 2 titles and the rest of NE Minnesota has zero. Even tiny Roseau has 3 titles since then, and hats off to that community for maintaining such high standards and excellence.

My question is this: in the wake of Duluth East's stunning defeat, what are the chances a Range school (probably Rapids), or a Cloquet or East wins another any time soon? Aside from the obvious answers (lack of industry, Duluth Marshall recruiting, etc.), if Roseau can do it, why can't those NE MN schools win it?

[Rocketwrister]

This is a good comment / question. I'll start with the Iron Range.

How many hockey teams / schools are participating in high schoool hockey on the Iron Range?

Virginia-Mt. Iron / Buhl
Ely-Tower / Soudan (Babbitt-Embarrass)
Eveleth-Gilbert
Hibbing-Chisholm
Grand Rapids
Greenway-Nashwauk

And if you want to include I. Falls as a range team...it isn't but they do play in section 7.

Out of the the 7 teams listed above only Grand Rapids plays a "AA" schedule. Years ago Hibbing was "AA" and Greenway played at "AA" when Guyer was there.

In my opinion who could really play at the "AA" schedule, Virginia and Hibbing? I think that would be it.

Look at the teams who are combined who USE to have their own team. Babbitt / Embarrass, Chisholm, Gilbert and I think Mt. Iron / Buhl did too.

Looking at NE Minnesota, you'll include the Duluth area.

Duluth East
Duluth Denfeld
Cloquet
Hermantown

Who else? Private school Duluth Marshall. I'll admit I'm biased, private schools should play "AA".

I think Denfeld could also go up to "AA" so that would add 2 more teams in the "big tourney". Would / could Hermantown ever move up to "AA"? 2 undefeated seasons within 5 or 6 years now? Plante has done a heck of a job!

As for the Range, it's a dying population. There is no big industry to draw the families, etc. With the possible 2 new mines, if they ever open, that could be a huge population boost for the area, schools and hopefully for the hockey teams.

I apologize if I've forgotten any schools / teams.

[BlueLineSpecial]

As for the Range, it's a dying population. There is no big industry to draw the families, etc. With the possible 2 new mines, if they ever open, that could be a huge population boost for the area, schools and hopefully for the hockey teams.

I think the areas up north have decent economic opportunities. Mining, timber, tourism to name a few. Yes, they don't have a fortune 500 company, but we live in a true global economy, and a lot of businesses thrive without having a brick & mortar facility with a ton of employees. I hope hockey continues to be relevant 'up north' and I'm sure it will be. But, the days of Eveleth or Roseau or similar teams being consistent powerhouses, thats going to be tough. Those communities will always value and take pride in hockey, playing outside, the tradition of it being passed down to the next generation.

[DubCHAGuy]

In 1980, Grand Rapids won their 3rd title in 6 seasons. Had instant replay been in existence they would have won it in 1978, as well. I remember my uncle, who lived in St. Paul, telling me that this was probably the last hurrah for Range schools. I could not believe it, though he proved to be maddeningly correct.

This is not meant to be a post to disparage Class A hockey - it is what it is. But most fans live for the AA tournament. Since 1980, Duluth East has won 2 titles and the rest of NE Minnesota has zero. Even tiny Roseau has 3 titles since then, and hats off to that community for maintaining such high standards and excellence.

My question is this: in the wake of Duluth East's stunning defeat, what are the chances a Range school (probably Rapids), or a Cloquet or East wins another any time soon? Aside from the obvious answers (lack of industry, Duluth Marshall recruiting, etc.), if Roseau can do it, why can't those NE MN schools win it?

The teams you listed have taken home hardware 25 times in the 31 years since 1981 just in the single class/AA tournament alone. 6 Consolation, 10 3rd Place, 7 Runners-Up, 2 Championships. Not bad at all.

It's too bad teams like Hibbing and International Falls aren't quite what they once were, but there is still very good hockey being played in that part of the state.

[Mite-dad]

What if Virginia, Hibbing, and Eveleth combined? They aren't that far apart are they? That seems like it would be a good AA pool to draw from. Call them the Iron Range Miners or something.

[goldy313]

Lose your school and your town isn't far behind, there is little reason to move into a town with no school. There's actually pretty good studies that show as soon as you lose your football team your town loses it's identity, hence why 9 man football thrives and towns resist the co-op route as long as possible in football.

[GordonBombay99]

What if Virginia, Hibbing, and Eveleth combined? They aren't that far apart are they? That seems like it would be a good AA pool to draw from. Call them the Iron Range Miners or something.

I would hate to see that happen, 2 of those 3 teams alone there have been representing 7A at state in the last 5 years 3 or 4 times I believe so they have talent. I would hate it the most cause it breaks up the tradition of those towns hockey tradition. But those are 3 competitive teams in any given year.

[east hockey]

What if Virginia, Hibbing, and Eveleth combined? They aren't that far apart are they? That seems like it would be a good AA pool to draw from. Call them the Iron Range Miners or something.

Hibbing and Virginia combine? I don't see it happening. Eveleth combining with Virginia is remotely possible because of their location (just a couple miles apart). But there is a tradition in Eveleth which should prevent this. Just like at Greenway when people talk about combining with Grand Rapids. Sure, they did in girls' hockey, but on the boys side we're talking tradition. Not to mention the fact that they don't like each other very much.

Lee

[GordonBombay99]

What if Virginia, Hibbing, and Eveleth combined? They aren't that far apart are they? That seems like it would be a good AA pool to draw from. Call them the Iron Range Miners or something.

Hibbing and Virginia combine? I don't see it happening. Eveleth combining with Virginia is remotely possible because of their location (just a couple miles apart). But there is a tradition in Eveleth which should prevent this. Just like at Greenway when people talk about combining with Grand Rapids. Sure, they did in girls' hockey, but on the boys side we're talking tradition. Not to mention the fact that they don't like each other very much. :mrgreen:

Lee

Exactly, the fact that those schools dont really like eachother and they have such long and storied rivalries is enough to show anyone that they wont combine.

[Rocketwrister]

none of the towns will combine, well Greenway would be the only one I could see happening sooner then the others.

I'll go on another soap box...people didn't like the tiered system, but in my opinion it's better then what we got. The top teams playing against each other (Hermantown, East, etc.) unlike now where some times, in my opinion, should be playing with the big schools instead of seeing how many times they can get to state and see how many titles they can win.

[mnmouth]

In 1980, Grand Rapids won their 3rd title in 6 seasons. Had instant replay been in existence they would have won it in 1978, as well. I remember my uncle, who lived in St. Paul, telling me that this was probably the last hurrah for Range schools. I could not believe it, though he proved to be maddeningly correct.

This is not meant to be a post to disparage Class A hockey - it is what it is. But most fans live for the AA tournament. Since 1980, Duluth East has won 2 titles and the rest of NE Minnesota has zero. Even tiny Roseau has 3 titles since then, and hats off to that community for maintaining such high standards and excellence.

My question is this: in the wake of Duluth East's stunning defeat, what are the chances a Range school (probably Rapids), or a Cloquet or East wins another any time soon? Aside from the obvious answers (lack of industry, Duluth Marshall recruiting, etc.), if Roseau can do it, why can't those NE MN schools win it?

The teams you listed have taken home hardware 25 times in the 31 years since 1981 just in the single class/AA tournament alone. 6 Consolation, 10 3rd Place, 7 Runners-Up, 2 Championships. Not bad at all.

It's too bad teams like Hibbing and International Falls aren't quite what they once were, but there is still very good hockey being played in that part of the state.

Couldn't care less for consolation, 3rd place, runner up. Those trophies are great for the schools, and possibly the communities. Don't do a thing for me as a Northern hockey fan.

[DubCHAGuy]

In 1980, Grand Rapids won their 3rd title in 6 seasons. Had instant replay been in existence they would have won it in 1978, as well. I remember my uncle, who lived in St. Paul, telling me that this was probably the last hurrah for Range schools. I could not believe it, though he proved to be maddeningly correct.

This is not meant to be a post to disparage Class A hockey - it is what it is. But most fans live for the AA tournament. Since 1980, Duluth East has won 2 titles and the rest of NE Minnesota has zero. Even tiny Roseau has 3 titles since then, and hats off to that community for maintaining such high standards and excellence.

My question is this: in the wake of Duluth East's stunning defeat, what are the chances a Range school (probably Rapids), or a Cloquet or East wins another any time soon? Aside from the obvious answers (lack of industry, Duluth Marshall recruiting, etc.), if Roseau can do it, why can't those NE MN schools win it?

The teams you listed have taken home hardware 25 times in the 31 years since 1981 just in the single class/AA tournament alone. 6 Consolation, 10 3rd Place, 7 Runners-Up, 2 Championships. Not bad at all.

It's too bad teams like Hibbing and International Falls aren't quite what they once were, but there is still very good hockey being played in that part of the state.

Couldn't care less for consolation, 3rd place, runner up. Those trophies are great for the schools, and possibly the communities. Don't do a thing for me as a Northern hockey fan.

In that case, you'll probably be disappointed a lot. The West Metro will probably win 50% of the AA titles over the next decade or two, the way NE Minnesota teams did in the 70's. Duluth East, Rapids, and Hermantown, along with Andover and Elk River (not sure if they count for you but they play in 7AA) all still have pretty strong youth programs and could pull off a title run in any given year.

[defense]

Eveleth has already taken in two different programs, same with Hibbing, and both of them took range teams. I applaud Greenway for what they are doing, but they have to be the exception, when other programs whent on life support, they combined.
How long untill Greenway works back to AA????

[mnmouth]

The teams you listed have taken home hardware 25 times in the 31 years since 1981 just in the single class/AA tournament alone. 6 Consolation, 10 3rd Place, 7 Runners-Up, 2 Championships. Not bad at all.

It's too bad teams like Hibbing and International Falls aren't quite what they once were, but there is still very good hockey being played in that part of the state.

Couldn't care less for consolation, 3rd place, runner up. Those trophies are great for the schools, and possibly the communities. Don't do a thing for me as a Northern hockey fan.[/quote]

In that case, you'll probably be disappointed a lot. The West Metro will probably win 50% of the AA titles over the next decade or two, the way NE Minnesota teams did in the 70's. Duluth East, Rapids, and Hermantown, along with Andover and Elk River (not sure if they count for you but they play in 7AA) all still have pretty strong youth programs and could pull off a title run in any given year.

Yep.

[Rocketwrister]

The only way Greenway goes AA is if they combine with Grand Rapids. Will never do it on their own. Sorry.

[defense]

The only way Greenway goes AA is if they combine with Grand Rapids. Will never do it on their own. Sorry.

Read it somewhere....

[Rocketwrister]

The only way Greenway goes AA is if they combine with Grand Rapids. Will never do it on their own. Sorry.

Read it somewhere....

Link?

[PuckRanger]

The only way Greenway goes AA is if they combine with Grand Rapids. Will never do it on their own. Sorry.

Read it somewhere....

Link?

I read that on this forum too. It was wishful thinking on somebody's part. If that does happen, it won't be in this decade. Numbers just aren't there, nor the talent level.

[defense]

Read it somewhere....

Link?

I read that on this forum too. It was wishful thinking on somebody's part. If that does happen, it won't be in this decade. Numbers just aren't there, nor the talent level.

No, not here....I'll start looking.

[defense]

Nope, guess I was wrong. too bad.