Which association will dominate the youth hockey in 2012-13

[BadgerBob82]

Bo: I remain very consistent. Field as many teams at the appropriate levels based on the size and ability/strength of your association.

You obviously read my post, thought how it would impact Little Bo's PW B1 team, and think I am inconsistent? I will give you credit, you are very consistent in your tunnel vision on Little Bo getting screwed over.

[Shinbone_News]

Last year they fielded 2 PWA teams (evenly balanced). Will they field two AA teams this year and continue a more development model or go AA/A, like most assume? If you know the scoop, please advise. Thanks.

TS

Long answer:

As you mentioned in your YHH post about this, I think it would be absurd for MnHockey to let Wayzata opt down, it goes directly against the whole purpose of the proposal (whether one agrees with that purpose or not). What WILL be interesting is whether their parents will let them try two balanced AA teams -- I think it probably won't happen, though that was the Association's development philosophy behind having two balanced A teams last year. I spoke with one of their board members, and he was pretty much a kool-aid drinker on the development model. But that was before year-end tournaments. I imagine they got some flack from parents who want to see players 1-16 compete for the state hardware.

Apologists for the proposal would probably say that AA or A designation will not affect regular season schedule. All A teams in the district will play a league schedule regardless of whether they're designated AA or A for post-season. Again, I think this will force Wayzata's hand on the development model, but supporters of the proposal in D3 will scream bloody murder if they are allowed to opt down, and Wayzata parents may scream bloody murder if they aren't allowed to play for AA glory with players 1-16.

A third point of view: Wayzata's balanced-team development model actually worked well, and neither A team dominated any other competitive team in the district or region, and the parents are fine with development over winning, and MN Hockey says; "if you're truly balancing two A teams, then you can opt down." Don't see this as a likely scenario at all. Again, mostly because it kinda defeats the whole motivation behind creating AA for the biggest and best associations in the state. (Seriously: Anyone who doesn't include Wayzata in the top four or five associations in the state needs to have their head examined, in terms of both size and quality.)

Short answer: I don't know the scoop yet, but I'll check into it.

[Irish]

I said "here are 10" as in "10 potential" not "the only 10"

I didn't put Wayzata in there because we don't know their AA/A stance yet.

As Squirts two years ago the teams you listed were pretty good. Here's my take on 3.

Agree: Orono did well in Fargo
Agree: STMA was on my list until i forgot Duluth East
Disagree: Rochester didn't impress the two times I saw them 2 years ago.
N/A: Do data on WBL or Hastings (they had a nice SQA team 2 years ago, but have zero data on how they did outside of D8)

5 more to keep an eye on:

LVS: heard rumors they are getting some Northern Edge kids from outstate
Rosemount: lotsa talented '00 and '01 in Rosemount
Jefferson: D6 SQA finalist two years ago
Edina A: yes, the hornets 16-30 will win A hands down
Woodbury: an association this size won't surprise anyone

YHH, Can you rank D6 PWA for this upcoming season? (guesstimate)

[MrBoDangles]

Bo: I remain very consistent. Field as many teams at the appropriate levels based on the size and ability/strength of your association.

You obviously read my post, thought how it would impact Little Bo's PW B1 team, and think I am inconsistent? I will give you credit, you are very consistent in your tunnel vision on Little Bo getting screwed over.

You're very consistent being inconsistent. Is it a good idea "for Wayzata to have two AA teams so more kids can develop at the highest level"???? You've said before that level of play doesn't matter in development.. So which is it?

You're simply describing our current system when you talk of the mega associations having possibly two AA(former A) teams and multiple A(former B-1)teams.... DON'T YOU GET THAT? Where's the change?

Are you still going to coach little benderbob's b-3(c) team?

[Mnhockeys]

BlueWhiteFan: Wayzata teams were NOT "middle of the pack" at PW. I would say having 2 teams in the top 20 is pretty good. Lakeville obvious had a better showing with South on top but North was also Top 20. I would think Wayzata will field 2 AA again at PW, maybe only 1 AA at Bantam. Then probably 1-2 A level teams also. Edina should consider doing the same. If Lakeville and Wayzata can develop 30+ players at the top level, one would think Edina would want to also.

Lakeville South and Lake North are TWO hockey associations, just like Woodbury and East Ridge, Apple Valley and Eastview. Lakeville North alone is big as such as Burnsville.

[greybeard58]

Unless Lakeville just split into 2 separate associations, they are one large association that fields teams based on the high school boundaries. St Cloud, Rochester, Mankato and Duluth are also other single associations with multiple high schools.

[old goalie85]

What about Duluth ? Do they have one big Assc./Or two? I know at the quirt level they are are together/dividedup by playgrounds.

[Toomuchtoosoon]

Not sure if it is official for Wayzata, but latest I am hearing is 2 SQA, 2 PWAA, 1 BAA, 1BA.

[BadgerBob82]

Bo: Your tunnel vision won't let you ever see the bigger picture. I have always said ASSOCIATIONS should field teams at the appropriate level. So yes I think there are Mega associations that should field two AA teams if they have the number of players and the ability levels to do so.

Little Bo is a B player. So anytime you hear about the A or AA levels, it's one more step away from Little Bo to be considered at the top level. Little Bo is developing just fine at the B level. It's the appropriate level for your "third world association" and I'm sure you're a great coach and are giving Little Bo great skill development. For you to schedule games against Edina's top 15 AA skaters would not help Little Bo develop.

But, back to the discussion, I think every association should field as many teams at the appropriate level for their association and players.

As for individual development, I have stated before, my kids have played at the A, B1 and B2 levels. The year my one kid played B2 I feared he was being sent to a black hole. But, with the great coaching that season, he had a good development year and made the A team the next year. Leapfrogging kids that had played B1 the year before. So, you can stop confusing your tunnel vision on Little Bo with understanding what's best for 120+ associations in MN Hockey.

[karl(east)]

What about Duluth ? Do they have one big Assc./Or two? I know at the quirt level they are are together/dividedup by playgrounds.

It's one big association, with separate East and Denfeld teams at PeeWees and Bantams. As you said, squirts and mites are organized around neighborhood rinks.

There has been some discussion of changing this, but I'm not sure if that ever got up off the ground.

[YouthHockeyHub]

Last year they fielded 2 PWA teams (evenly balanced). Will they field two AA teams this year and continue a more development model or go AA/A, like most assume? If you know the scoop, please advise. Thanks.

TS

Long answer:

As you mentioned in your YHH post about this, I think it would be absurd for MnHockey to let Wayzata opt down, it goes directly against the whole purpose of the proposal (whether one agrees with that purpose or not). What WILL be interesting is whether their parents will let them try two balanced AA teams -- I think it probably won't happen, though that was the Association's development philosophy behind having two balanced A teams last year. I spoke with one of their board members, and he was pretty much a kool-aid drinker on the development model. But that was before year-end tournaments. I imagine they got some flack from parents who want to see players 1-16 compete for the state hardware.

Apologists for the proposal would probably say that AA or A designation will not affect regular season schedule. All A teams in the district will play a league schedule regardless of whether they're designated AA or A for post-season. Again, I think this will force Wayzata's hand on the development model, but supporters of the proposal in D3 will scream bloody murder if they are allowed to opt down, and Wayzata parents may scream bloody murder if they aren't allowed to play for AA glory with players 1-16.

A third point of view: Wayzata's balanced-team development model actually worked well, and neither A team dominated any other competitive team in the district or region, and the parents are fine with development over winning, and MN Hockey says; "if you're truly balancing two A teams, then you can opt down." Don't see this as a likely scenario at all. Again, mostly because it kinda defeats the whole motivation behind creating AA for the biggest and best associations in the state. (Seriously: Anyone who doesn't include Wayzata in the top four or five associations in the state needs to have their head examined, in terms of both size and quality.)

Short answer: I don't know the scoop yet, but I'll check into it.

Thanks Shinny. My guess is two AA at PW and AA/A at Bantam (2 even SQA).

[YouthHockeyHub]

I said "here are 10" as in "10 potential" not "the only 10"

I didn't put Wayzata in there because we don't know their AA/A stance yet.

As Squirts two years ago the teams you listed were pretty good. Here's my take on 3.

Agree: Orono did well in Fargo
Agree: STMA was on my list until i forgot Duluth East
Disagree: Rochester didn't impress the two times I saw them 2 years ago.
N/A: Do data on WBL or Hastings (they had a nice SQA team 2 years ago, but have zero data on how they did outside of D8)

5 more to keep an eye on:

LVS: heard rumors they are getting some Northern Edge kids from outstate
Rosemount: lotsa talented '00 and '01 in Rosemount
Jefferson: D6 SQA finalist two years ago
Edina A: yes, the hornets 16-30 will win A hands down
Woodbury: an association this size won't surprise anyone

YHH, Can you rank D6 PWA for this upcoming season? (guesstimate)

Not enough intel yet on who is returning, who has moved in, and what Associations will be fielding this Winter, etc. But for banter-sake. Here we go:

1. Edina (AA)
2. Tonka (AA)
3. ChaCha (AA)
4. Eden Prairie
5. Edina (A)
6. Jefferson
7. Prior Lake
8. Shakopee
9. Waconia
10. Tonka (A)
11. Burnsville
12. New Prague
13. Kennedy
14. ChaCha (A)
15. Eden Prairie (A)

1 is a lock, 2-4 toss up, 5-9 toss up, 10-15 toss up

3 Guaranteed Regional Bids:

AA: Edina, Tonka, and EP
At Large: CC and Jefferson

A: Edina, Tonka, ChaCha
At Large: EP

[MrBoDangles]

Bo: Your tunnel vision won't let you ever see the bigger picture. I have always said ASSOCIATIONS should field teams at the appropriate level. So yes I think there are Mega associations that should field two AA teams if they have the number of players and the ability levels to do so.

Little Bo is a B player. So anytime you hear about the A or AA levels, it's one more step away from Little Bo to be considered at the top level. Little Bo is developing just fine at the B level. It's the appropriate level for your "third world association" and I'm sure you're a great coach and are giving Little Bo great skill development. For you to schedule games against Edina's top 15 AA skaters would not help Little Bo develop.

But, back to the discussion, I think every association should field as many teams at the appropriate level for their association and players.

As for individual development, I have stated before, my kids have played at the A, B1 and B2 levels. The year my one kid played B2 I feared he was being sent to a black hole. But, with the great coaching that season, he had a good development year and made the A team the next year. Leapfrogging kids that had played B1 the year before. So, you can stop confusing your tunnel vision on Little Bo with understanding what's best for 120+ associations in MN Hockey.

You sway with the wind.

Good luck with LittleBobbyB-2.

[Mnhockeys]

Based on thread from yhh, Edina will dominate the peewee levels. What about Bantam?

[skipperj]

honestly, with all seriousness, not joking around, they are going to suck.

[Bluewhitefan]

honestly, with all seriousness, not joking around, they are going to suck.

True, but most likely still be better than the Skippers.

[YouthHockeyHub]

Based on thread from yhh, Edina will dominate the peewee levels. What about Bantam?

History suggests that the Hornets will be good again at the Bantam level. However, some key members from the top PWA teams two years ago (Edina, Wayzata, Farmington) will be missing top players.

Farmington will be hurt the most due to association size. I suspect that both Edina and Wayzata will come back to the pack. Like most Bantam A seasons, a lot happens in the final 6 weeks.

EGF was nowhere to be found - they were highly decorated coming into the season - but suddenly surged. And some teams fade (too many to list).

Look for more of the same this year.

TS

[BadgerBob82]

What is going on in Farmington? They are losing players?

[YouthHockeyHub]

What is going on in Farmington? They are losing players?

YHH has learned that the top 9th graders from Farmington will likely playing varsity hockey this season (same for Edina and Wayzata kids)

[Mnhockeys]

What is going on in Farmington? They are losing players?

YHH has learned that the top 9th graders from Farmington will likely playing varsity hockey this season (same for Edina and Wayzata kids)

The good Farmington pwa team from last year mostly move up to Bantam this year, so their pwa and ba would not be the same. Their BA will be good next year.

[Mnhockeys]

Are Edina the teams to beat in both PWaa and Baa this years?

[57special]

PW- yes
Bantam- probably, barring injuries or transfers to HS

[HockeyNut2]

In 2011-12 season, it was Edina in squirt and Bantam, and Prior Lake in Peewee who dominated the entire levels.

What is the landscape for 2012-13 season?

Prior Lake will have another very good year. They have an extremely strong association from the top down with good numbers and quality coaching.

[Hockeymom21]

Wayzata[/b] will be a Top Team in the metro and State. How good depends on if they lose anyone. I'm not hearing of any loses as of now! If MZ stays they will have one of the top fwds in the state with a team of very solid players.

Wayzata's MZ is going to the high school this year.