Freshman leaves Benilde mid-season for the WHL

[Napalm187]

He was in my opinion and in a lot of scouts and decision makers eyes as the best 97 in the state because of his combination of speed and hands that none of his classmates have. Although, only 5'9 150...he is a frosh and you could see him getting too 6' 180ish...which would be 1st round material. He has played with Gabrielle, Novak, Garin, Pitlick, Jungwirth and many other top 97's and every you talk to about those 97's says he's the best.

I think some of the dissatisfaction from the situation comes from Pauly's duplicity and futures planning. Everyone knew that 1st line shouldn't be broken up, but I think it was dissapointing not to see him get more time with Naas on the 2nd line, while #11 has been there most of the year. While, Baer was playing next too #9 who looks like he suddenly forgot how to play hockey. #11 gets all the love from Pauly, because he knows he will never leave (think the WHL would be interested in him?? 5'6?) and that the old man is the key to his 2017, 2018, and 2019 teams...cough, cough Edina PWAA. Alec was expendable because he was going to leave any way (more talented and more options that Besse had at same age) and as a frosh is not the threat that he might've been as a Jr. or Sr. and he could be replaced this year w/o too much hurting the team, like say kicking off Labosky. While Pauly was doing this to send a "message"...I know that in talking to some younger high-end kids parents in the metro that they were interested in sending their kid to BSM, but after this they would not consider it. So, their are going to be repercussions of this for years after this. If Pauly would've taken the Vito Corleone route, instead of the Sonny Corleone route, he would've put him on JV for a few games and set out some conditions to get back for the playoff run. Pauly's emotions and promises get the best of him.

[BodyShots]

Strange how 1 year ago, everything was going good for the BSM program, and they turned a negative (Jack's injury) into a dream run to the championship. Now 1 year later, everything seems to be doing a 180 degree turn and I see a section upset coming their way.

[mnpuckster]

leaving for the WHL in 9th grade? Wow, this kid has some kind of ego.
He must be so damn special. He should just go play in the WCHA right now. Hes gods gift to hockey.
Get over yourself Baer, you will most likely be another flameout

[Toomuchtoosoon]

Okay, I guess I'll ask. How good is this player? Is he a sure-fire Division I player? At same age it was opinion of many on this thread that Gaarder was superior to Budish and Everson and some older players like Jake Gardner's younger brother were a disappointment in the WCHA.

Anyone dare take a stab at it?

Kristo was ahead of Leddy, in fact, Leddy wasn't part of any "futures" conversation since he was thought to be too small.

[O-townClown]

you will most likely be another flameout

Why so much negativity? I wish the kid well wherever he lands. Shouldn't everybody?

[mnpuckster]

This kid has had plenty of "pats on the back" he doesnt need anymore.

This kid seems to care nothing about TEAM and all about himself. Im sure his mom and dad tell him how great he is everyday!

[Napalm187]

Because he thinks his precious MN HS hockey is being harmed by these "ego-driven kids". If our HS hockey is so good, why don't you ever see a Patrick Kane, James Van Riemsdyk, Dustin Brown, or other high-end Americans move into Mn to play HS hockey???? Because it does not compare, even remotely, to Canadian Juniors, USHL, NTDP, etc. That is why you could count on your hand how many MN HS'ers have been drafted in the 1st round in the last decade.

The kids dream is to play in the NHL, and playing in the WHL will give him the best chance to become a 1st round pick, gain the toughness to survive in the NHL and learn better how to play at that speed, than in beating an underachieving EP team. These Pucksters and all the other "old-school" folks make me chuckle. It's a free country. Let the kid be.

[D3Referee]

This kid has had plenty of "pats on the back" he doesnt need anymore.

This kid seems to care nothing about TEAM and all about himself. Im sure his mom and dad tell him how great he is everyday!

Based on what? Because he went to watch a WHL hockey game?

Seems the inflated ego and misguided sense of purpose here belongs to Pauley, not the kid.

At first I thought the parents could have avoided this mess by making a better decision on the timing, but t's clear now that somewhat equates to the victom of domestic violence being able to avoid getting hit by not angering the perpetrator. As this story unfolds, it's clear what *should* happen.

1.) re-instate the kid on the team immediately

2.) suspend Pauley and AD for the remainder of the season

3.) penalize BSM financially in the amount equal to the years tuition

4.) institute an MSHSL wide policy prohibiting coaches from over-reaching, and substituting their own opinions for those of the parents/family

Pauley has been nothing short of a bully in this scenario. A poor example as a coach and teacher. We should be protecting our kids from tyrants like this, not supporting them

[Toomuchtoosoon]

The privates are going to have to reconsider who they bring in, since the new crop are looking to get to the next level, not necesarily play for the glory of the high school. I am sure AB was told from the time he was 8 that he was as good or better than the famed '88s. Now if the slope to greatness appears to flatten out a little, lets take a new path to accelerate that progression. This will happen more and more in the coming years as the Machine era kids hit HS age. The Blades group will also do it, it just seems though that the birth of the Machine has hightened the need to play to get to the next level, vs playing for the moment.

We will see, but I am not sure I would count on the Edina PWs going to Benilde since there will be a next new great chance to get to the next level by the time they are in 9th grade. It is always changing.

[NextGoalWins]

[quote="Napalm187"]He was in my opinion and in a lot of scouts and decision makers eyes as the best 97 in the state because of his combination of speed and hands that none of his classmates have. Although, only 5'9 150...he is a frosh and you could see him getting too 6' 180ish...which would be 1st round material. He has played with Gabrielle, Novak, Garin, Pitlick, Jungwirth and many other top 97's and every you talk to about those 97's says he's the best.

I think some of the dissatisfaction from the situation comes from Pauly's duplicity and futures planning. Everyone knew that 1st line shouldn't be broken up, but I think it was dissapointing not to see him get more time with Naas on the 2nd line, while #11 has been there most of the year. While, Baer was playing next too #9 who looks like he suddenly forgot how to play hockey. #11 gets all the love from Pauly, because he knows he will never leave (think the WHL would be interested in him?? 5'6?) and that the old man is the key to his 2017, 2018, and 2019 teams...cough, cough Edina PWAA. Alec was expendable because he was going to leave any way (more talented and more options that Besse had at same age) and as a frosh is not the threat that he might've been as a Jr. or Sr. and he could be replaced this year w/o too much hurting the team, like say kicking off Labosky. While Pauly was doing this to send a "message"...I know that in talking to some younger high-end kids parents in the metro that they were interested in sending their kid to BSM, but after this they would not consider it. So, their are going to be repercussions of this for years after this. If Pauly would've taken the Vito Corleone route, instead of the Sonny Corleone route, he would've put him on JV for a few games and set out some conditions to get back for the playoff run. Pauly's emotions and promises get the best of him.[/quote]

So its safe to say that you don't agree with one poster on the SSM BSM thread said #11 was the best player on the ice in that game. I got whiplashed reading that post. Tempted to go on but I'll leave it at that.

Agree punishment does not fit the crime unless severity was spelled out ahead of time.

Agree unintended repercussions ahead.

Agree lack of options in MH enable this dilemna. High end players in any big hockey town/state/province have options except here, giving coaches more power here then they should have, leaving many players stuck in bad situations, and cranking up the the political dial.

[mnpuckster]

He can do whatever he pleases, no one is stopping him.
Thousands of kids want to be Toews, Kane etc. etc., he included.
Very few achieve this greatness, and by going the WHL, is that REALLY going to make that happen? Absolutely not. Ben Walker's name will never be heard of again after he made the move. I really dont know the Baer kid, so I wont honestly root against him, but the WHL isn't going to make him an NHL'er.

Leddy really struggled to adapt from MN HS hockey, to one year as a Gopher, to become a PP regular for the Blackhawks.

Good luck superstar Baer, you will never sniff the AHL

[O-townClown]

The privates are going to have to reconsider who they bring in,

Is this like Tom Izzo loading up on top recruits (Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson) and then complaining when his top guys (Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph) started to leave early for the NBA?

[Napalm187]

Leddy is the exception, not the rule. Everyone keeps holding him up as the paradigm of MN HS hockey. Leddy, Backes, Oshie and McDonagh are the only HS only players to make an impact in the NHL these days. All the other MN players in the NHL went elsewhere.

Baer grew up playing the best of the best every summer with the Machine and winter with the Fire and now he is supposed to be happy with playing sub par competition in the eyes of scouts? That is what they think about HS hockey. It is an overrated experience. Do what's best for you. For a lot of kids HS hockey is best for them. For kids as talented as Alec, it is not. Simple as that.

[Tenoverpar]

This thread is on pace to be #1 of all time approximately 27FEB13 at 0824 hours....nice work guys

[mnpuckster]

If HS hockey can't challenge this kid as a 9th grader, why is he not absolutely shredding this league up? His goals and points total was nothing to write home about.

That must be because his teammates dont have the talent to keep up with Alec though, that must be it!

[Bluewhitefan]

Everyone can go their own route, but I wont feel bad at all when we read this kid become another Hagemo. Remember all you fanboys thinking he was the next great thing?

Good luck superstar Baer, you will never sniff the AHL

Interesting comparison Baer to Hagemo. Two very different stiuations I would say.

[AMERICAN]

Some of you guys amaze me. How does this topic turn to whose mite, squirt, pee wee, bantam, H.S. player is better than who. How about leaving that to the hockey gods for the particular year or game and focus in on whether the kid was treated fairly and to what extent this firing of the kid for at least one and probably two high school hockey seasons is reasonable and how it will affect HS hockey in the future. Will we see a headline "BSM coach and Administration's firing of 9th grade kid hockey player is the start of winter AAA hockey in Minnesota?" I doubt that's what this coach wants but there will be people looking at this as an opportunity for winter AAA hockey in Minnesota. Hey kids, won't have to leave home and can still choose who you want to play for.

[minnscout]

NAPALM wrote - Leddy is the exception, not the rule. Everyone keeps holding him up as the paradigm of MN HS hockey. Leddy, Backes, Oshie and McDonagh are the only HS only players to make an impact in the NHL these days. All the other MN players in the NHL went elsewhere.

1975 Jamie Langenbrunner F 1109 243 420 663 837 62 67 15 58 0.219 0.379 0.598
2 1976 Matt Cullen F 1043 196 344 540 452 -60 52 14 25 0.188 0.330 0.518
3 1984 Zach Parise F 514 200 220 420 183 56 54 5 38 0.389 0.428 0.817
4 1984 David Backes F 458 128 152 280 623 35 30 4 14 0.279 0.332 0.611
5 1985 Dustin Byfuglien D 413 90 132 222 439 -25 31 0 21 0.218 0.320 0.538
6 1981 Paul Martin D 563 32 188 220 150 69 14 0 6 0.057 0.334 0.391
7 1986 Blake Wheeler F 335 78 122 200 200 36 13 3 11 0.233 0.364 0.597
8 1980 Jordan Leopold D 599 64 134 198 264 -30 22 1 8 0.107 0.224 0.331
9 1983 Tom Gilbert D 416 36 134 170 124 -36 12 1 3 0.087 0.322 0.409
10 1988 Kyle Okposo F 283 69 96 165 166 -44 17 0 12 0.244 0.339 0.583
11 1982 Keith Ballard D 520 36 127 163 532 4 7 4 4 0.069 0.244 0.313
12 1988 Peter Mueller F 265 59 89 148 86 -24 18 0 10 0.223 0.336 0.558
13 1985 Alex Goligoski D 282 37 103 140 100 36 15 0 5 0.131 0.365 0.496
14 1988 Erik Johnson D 309 27 101 128 193 -27 14 1 8 0.087 0.327 0.414
15 1986 Matt Niskanen D 375 22 88 110 203 1 7 0 2 0.059 0.235 0.293
16 1990 Derek Stepan F 175 39 62 101 46 27 7 0 7 0.223 0.354 0.577
17 1988 Jamie McBain D 174 19 51 70 44 -3 7 0 4 0.109 0.293 0.402
18 1984 Mark Stuart D 397 18 38 56 418 25 0 1 4 0.045 0.096 0.141
19 1986 Jack Hillen D 231 10 46 56 129 -13 1 0 1 0.043 0.199 0.242
20 1981 Matt Hendricks F 227 24 28 52 328 -8 1 1 4 0.106 0.123 0.229
21 1991 Nick Leddy D 140 8 41 49 18 -11 0 0 1 0.057 0.293 0.350
22 1983 Ryan Carter F 266 19 28 47 286 -14 0 0 3 0.071 0.105 0.177
23 1989 Ryan McDonagh D 133 9 35 44 66 41 0 0 2 0.068 0.263 0.331
24 1987 Brian Lee D 196 5 31 36 118 -32 1 0 1 0.026 0.158 0.184
25 1984 Mike Lundin D 243 4 31 35 54 -9 0 0 0 0.016 0.128 0.144
26 1990 Jake Gardiner D 77 7 23 30 18 -3 1 0 0 0.091 0.299 0.390
27 1992 Justin Faulk D 76 10 16 26 29 -11 6 1 2 0.132 0.211 0.342
28 1987 Justin Braun D 106 4 18 22 25 -4 3 0 0 0.038 0.170 0.208
29 1986 Nate Prosser D 62 1 12 13 65 -14 0 0 0 0.016 0.194 0.210
30 1989 Jim O'Brien F 45 6 3 9 6 3 0 0 1 0.133 0.067 0.200
31 1986 Stu Bickel D 59 0 9 9 134 1 0 0 0 0.000 0.153 0.153
32 1990 Jordan Schroeder F 9 2 2 4 4 4 1 0 1 0.222 0.222 0.444
33 1987 Chris Vande Velde F 18 1 2 3 16 -4 0 0 0 0.056 0.111 0.167
34 1987 Joe Finley F 10 0 1 1 17 -5 0 0 0 0.000 0.100 0.100

[mnpuckster]

It was an unfair comparison. I was trying to get at the "leaving early because they are too damn good" angle, but after reconsidering, it just was an unfair comparison.

[MNHockeyFan]

Baer grew up playing the best of the best every summer with the Machine and winter with the Fire and now he is supposed to be happy with playing sub par competition in the eyes of scouts?

Makes you wonder why the kid even bothered to go to high school. If the hockey here is so bad he should have moved to Canada after his Machine career was finished and not even bothered to enroll at BSM in the first place. I'm sure the coaches in the WHL are more caring and sympathetic, and pretty much let their players rule the roost.

[mnpuckster]

Let all the "superstars" go have their AAA program.

It will water down HS hockey, but at least it will be about a team, and not the ONE kid who thinks he is bigger than all of it.

The State HS tournament is not, and has never been about the ONE kid. Its about a team, and thats why it is still special.

Let the AAA team go play in front of mom, dad, and a few scouts. It'll be a blast!

[D3Referee]

It will water down HS hockey, but at least it will be about a team, and not the ONE kid who thinks he is bigger than all of it.

The State HS tournament is not, and has never been about the ONE kid. Its about a team, and thats why it is still special.

Really? Last year it was all about Besse. This year it looks like Pauley wants in on the spotlight.

And then we cap it off with "Mr. Hockey". What kind of message does that send? Or does the entire team share the trophy?

Get off the soapbox and look in the mirror

[mnpuckster]

all about Besse? Were you at the XCEL Center?
If there was no Besse last year, it would have meant ZIP ZERO NADA. The tourney still would have sold out the XCEL, and been great.
He may have put on a show Saturday night, but the weekend was about BSM and the way they rallied around a very sad development.

Pauly is the Head coach, and he can make decisions that he finds to be appropriate. Not what a D3 ref thinks. Quite the gig buddy.

Im sure Baer parents have already whined, complained, and spoken with BSM AD to try and railroad Pauly because little Alec didnt get the special treatment he THINKS he is entitled to.

Get off YOUR soapbox.

[NextGoalWins]

[quote="mnpuckster"]Let all the "superstars" go have their AAA program.

It will water down HS hockey, but at least it will be about a team, and not the ONE kid who thinks he is bigger than all of it.

The State HS tournament is not, and has never been about the ONE kid. Its about a team, and thats why it is still special.

Let the AAA team go play in front of mom, dad, and a few scouts. It'll be a blast![/quote]


Puck. Revise your list to include those that DIDN'T leave early for USNTDP, USHL, WHL, or other place before going to college or pro. That's what naplam was getting at.

Thanks for your Tier 1 approval . It will barely make a dent in HS hockey and if kids/families want to do it it's none of your business why but it's an option every hockey town in the continent has and where a lot of great talent is being developed. That's a good enough reason to break the cronie MH mold. And don't be fooled that T1 coaches demand that kids play as a team. Teams don't succeed without this.

[AMERICAN]

MNPUCKSTER- My guess is if AAA comes to Minnesota winter hockey you will see about the same number or more teams as you see in the Elite league. If that happens you are correct it will water down traditional HS hockey. I'd guess you'd see about as many moms and dads at each but that the scouts would probably spend their time at the AAA league games. Great deal for the scouts and people making $ off of it. The state high school hockey tournament would look like the Junior Gold state tourney. Have fun watching that tourney.