Ted Brill Senior Cuts and Final Team Announced

[Wallyworld]

The team was announced today at the hub. Here is the list. Any surprises based on watching the action or from the points board below.. It was fun to watch the line of Lavalle, Jake Jackson and TJ Roo and I see they all made the cut.

Connor Thie was the biggest surprise for me (in terms of not making it) being that he was tied for 4th in points and knowing what kind of player he is.. I believe Henry Hart was the only forward to make it with 3 or fewer points, though he is a crafty little player. Some of the bigger names (forwards) not making it include Lindquist, Michaud, Brauer, Lindstrom, Jordahl, Swingle, Gorowski & J Wahl.

Any other surprises catch your eye??


David Zevnik St. Thomas Academy Goaltender
Chris Amsden Le Sueur/St. Peter Goaltender

Sam Becker Hill-Murray Defense
Tony Bretzman STA Defense
Chris Forney Thief River Falls Defense
Jake Peterson St. Cloud Tech Defense
Jimmy Schuldt Minnetonka Defense
Jake Zeleznikar Hermantown Defense

Chris Benson Hermantown Forward
Mason Bergh Eden Prairie Forward
Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Henry Hart STA Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
Travis Koepke Hermantown Forward
Zach LaValle Hill-Murray Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward
Alex Toscano Duluth East Forward
Tony Uglem Moorhead Forward


Here was the final scoring from last weekends prelims.

--------- G - A - - PTS
11 Alex Funk 1A/1AA - 3 5 8
11 Zach Lavalle 4A/4AA - 2 5 7
15 TJ Roo 4A/4AA - 3 3 6
10 Jim Buckingham 3A/3AA - 4 1 5
9 Jake Jackson 4A/4AA - 3 2 5
13 Bo Gronseth 5A/5AA - 2 3 5
8 Mason Bergh 6A/6AA - 1 4 5
15 Connor Thie 6A/6A - 3 2 5
11 Adam Johnson 7A/7AA - 4 1 5
14 Levi Talarico 7A/7AA - 1 4 5
13 Nick Uglem 8A/8AA - 0 5 5
15 Matt Serratore 8A/8AA - 2 3 5
16 Andrew Scofield 1A/1AA - 1 3 4
8 J. Brandstetter 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
11 Matt Colford 2A/2AA - 2 2 4
14 Thom Lindstrom 2A/2AA - 4 0 4
15 Gavin Smith 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
16 Eric Ylitalo 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
7 Wyatt Schmidt 4A/4AA - 2 2 4
10 Alex Johnson 4A/4AA - 1 3 4
8 Chris Benson 5A/5AA - 0 4 4
10 Mitchell Fritz 5A/5AA - 0 4 4
12 Derek Graves 5A/5AA - 3 1 4
13 Tanner Picht 6A/6AA - 3 1 4
16 Alex Toscano 7A/7AA - 1 3 4
9 Thomas Carey 8A/8AA - 2 2 4
12 Thomas Hajicek 8A/8AA - 2 2 4
14 Tony Uglem 8A/8AA - 3 1 4
10 Jack Dierks 1A/1AA - 3 0 3
13 Kevin Olund 1A/1AA - 1 2 3



'

[bstarr15]

Yes might agree on Thie although I didn't see him skate over the weekend.
The other "big names", it's very possible that they chose not to play for what ever reason/conflict. They had to sign a form to indicate whether they would play or not. Still a pretty solid line up of players

[Nuts&Bolts]

Let the STA(A) influence over the Reebok/"Elite League" evaluators begin. Thie or Buckingham having more points on teams not as deep as Hart deserve a look. Also, why was Gronseth overlooked in lieu of the other Hermantown names? Lastly, 3 of 6 defense selected without a point all weekend on the scoresheet? As Coach Plante has learned, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, wait for them to leave, or flex your influence over decision makers. Selections should be based on the performance over the weekend, not what team you played on, whether you were in the "Elite" league, a Mr. Hockey finalist, or a D1 recruit.

[mnhockfan99]

All these guys are solid players, but IMO Becker was not even the 4th best D on his team, based on performance last weekend..disappointing kids from non power programs get left out - but that is part of life.

[Roy01]

Amsden is a great goaltender but he did not perform that well in this tournament... I'm sure there are others more deserving of an opportunity based on their Great 8 performance.

[Looks easy from here]

Let the STA(A) influence over the Reebok/"Elite League" evaluators begin. Thie or Buckingham having more points on teams not as deep as Hart deserve a look. Also, why was Gronseth overlooked in lieu of the other Hermantown names? Lastly, 3 of 6 defense selected without a point all weekend on the scoresheet? As Coach Plante has learned, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, wait for them to leave, or flex your influence over decision makers. Selections should be based on the performance over the weekend, not what team you played on, whether you were in the "Elite" league, a Mr. Hockey finalist, or a D1 recruit.

Same old story ( good post )

[preferhockey]

Unless know which players withdrew from selection consideration hard to say who should be on the team. Players were to provide a completed form in advance of tourney if would be eligible to play in NIT weekend.

That aside can see ties to a number of players selected, either that they had a coach at the Great 8, name (Serratore), or program that gets favored at these events.

[OnFrozenPond]

Unless know which players withdrew from selection consideration hard to say who should be on the team. Players were to provide a completed form in advance of tourney if would be eligible to play in NIT weekend.

That aside can see ties to a number of players selected, either that they had a coach at the Great 8, name (Serratore), or program that gets favored at these events.

I sure hate to see individuals called out like this. No problem if you want to say who you think should have made it, but it seems pretty crappy to rip on kids by name. Too many posts in this thread like this for my taste.

[bsmguy]

[quote="....disappointing kids from non power programs get left out - but that is part of life.[/quote]

Lindquist (Jefferson) , Michaud (cloquet), Brauer (Edina) , Lindstrom (Breck), Jordahl (Edina), Gorowski(Centenniel) & J Wahl (Wayzata) are all from "power programs". In addition, Lindquists mom works for the Elite League. By politics, he should have made it. And he is a good player.

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

[almostashappy]

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

What an unpredictable comment from a guy with "bsm" in his handle.

It's rather disingenuous to use as counterexamples kids from "non-power" programs who also just happen to be D1 recruits. It would take a lot of brass (or a lot of stupidity) for an "evaluator" to leave one of those kids off the cut list, even if they played terribly during the qualifying event.

[HShockeywatcher]

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

What an unpredictable comment from a guy with "bsm" in his handle.

It's rather disingenuous to use as counterexamples kids from "non-power" programs who also just happen to be D1 recruits. It would take a lot of brass (or a lot of stupidity) for an "evaluator" to leave one of those kids off the cut list, even if they played terribly during the qualifying event.

Is it about how they played in qualifying, or what we know about the kids from before?
If it's about the qualifying, then who they are shouldn't matter...right? Can't have it both ways...

[almostashappy]

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

What an unpredictable comment from a guy with "bsm" in his handle.

It's rather disingenuous to use as counterexamples kids from "non-power" programs who also just happen to be D1 recruits. It would take a lot of brass (or a lot of stupidity) for an "evaluator" to leave one of those kids off the cut list, even if they played terribly during the qualifying event.

Is it about how they played in qualifying, or what we know about the kids from before?
If it's about the qualifying, then who they are shouldn't matter...right? Can't have it both ways...

I'm not at all condoning selecting players based on D1 recruit status over how they played in qualifying...I fully support the idea of picking kids based solely on qualifying performance. I'm stating that near-automatic passes for the D1 recruits are a reality, and therefore suggesting that they aren't fair counterexamples when somebody complains that there might be a bias that favors kids from established programs.

And for the record, I have no idea how the D1 kids did on the ice.

[WarmUpTheBus]

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

What an unpredictable comment from a guy with "bsm" in his handle.

It's rather disingenuous to use as counterexamples kids from "non-power" programs who also just happen to be D1 recruits. It would take a lot of brass (or a lot of stupidity) for an "evaluator" to leave one of those kids off the cut list, even if they played terribly during the qualifying event.

"Counterexamples"? Is that Greek?

[mnhockfan99]

[quote="bsmguy"][quote="....disappointing kids from non power programs get left out - but that is part of life.[/quote]

Lindquist (Jefferson) , Michaud (cloquet), Brauer (Edina) , Lindstrom (Breck), Jordahl (Edina), Gorowski(Centenniel) & J Wahl (Wayzata) are all from "power programs". In addition, Lindquists mom works for the Elite League. By politics, he should have made it. And he is a good player.

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.[/quote]


Nice try. I don't have a kid in this pool or any horse in the race - some of the kids you mentioned above are from power programs but if you think all of those names are all high end type players, in regards to the total pool of Gr 8ers this season.. I do disagree. The point I'm making is there certainly seems to be a bias to certain players from certain teams, as some of those kids getting picked from those 'said' programs are in no way appreciably better, or even in some cases, better, than kids from teams who do not have a high profile. I think it's great for kids who get to play D1 but I really like the old Gr 8 format where it was solely for kids who were not committed in that fashion - as there are a lot of really terrific MN seniors who will not skate competitively again - and I think that is too bad.

[Mailman]

[quote="....disappointing kids from non power programs get left out - but that is part of life.

Lindquist (Jefferson) , Michaud (cloquet), Brauer (Edina) , Lindstrom (Breck), Jordahl (Edina), Gorowski(Centenniel) & J Wahl (Wayzata) are all from "power programs". In addition, Lindquists mom works for the Elite League. By politics, he should have made it. And he is a good player.

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

Nice try. I don't have a kid in this pool or any horse in the race - some of the kids you mentioned above are from power programs but if you think all of those names are all high end type players, in regards to the total pool of Gr 8ers this season.. I do disagree. The point I'm making is there certainly seems to be a bias to certain players from certain teams, as some of those kids getting picked from those 'said' programs are in no way appreciably better, or even in some cases, better, than kids from teams who do not have a high profile. I think it's great for kids who get to play D1 but I really like the old Gr 8 format where it was solely for kids who were not committed in that fashion - as there are a lot of really terrific MN seniors who will not skate competitively again - and I think that is too bad.[/quote]


Agreed. On a similar note, I noticed in some of the Advanced tryout lists last year, a few names had stuff like "ntdp", etc. attached with their name, in place of school, i.e.

Same thing; why were they in the tryouts, if having already been picked before ?

[Tigers33]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

[Mailman]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

I don't think it should only be based on one weekend.

I also don't think guys with spots already taken should be there, and more important, give other kids false hope with "There are x spots open" when in truth, there are only X- spots open.

A simple, "There are x spots open, but x amount are already spoken for" would be a good start, if not at least honest.

[Roy01]

I think the weekend should be the primary focus in evaluation and selection of the team. Too often there are players who have promise, but are overshadowed by their surrounding cast during the regular season and cannot excel. Then once they're at the Great 8, they are playing with others that can get them the puck and you can get a much better feel for them.

Same goes for goaltenders. Some play through the season putting up average numbers and once they're playing with a stronger D-core, similar to what they'd have in juniors, they improve dramatically.

I think you're overall body of work (season, Great should be included in the evaluation process, but I think seeing a player participate on the "greater stage" should have more importance in choosing for the NIT.

[almostashappy]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

I don't think it should only be based on one weekend.

I also don't think guys with spots already taken should be there, and more important, give other kids false hope with "There are x spots open" when in truth, there are only X- spots open.

A simple, "There are x spots open, but x amount are already spoken for" would be a good start, if not at least honest.

Unfortunately, this kind of honesty would be expensive...fair disclosure would likely decrease the number of families willing to pay the fees required to chase a limited number of roster spots. And even with a volume discount, those black Reebok jackets aren't cheap!

[Mailman]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

I don't think it should only be based on one weekend.

I also don't think guys with spots already taken should be there, and more important, give other kids false hope with "There are x spots open" when in truth, there are only X- spots open.

A simple, "There are x spots open, but x amount are already spoken for" would be a good start, if not at least honest.

Unfortunately, this kind of honesty would be expensive...fair disclosure would likely decrease the number of families willing to pay the fees required to chase a limited number of roster spots. And even with a volume discount, those black Reebok jackets aren't cheap!

Exactly.

[OnFrozenPond]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

I don't think it should only be based on one weekend.

I also don't think guys with spots already taken should be there, and more important, give other kids false hope with "There are x spots open" when in truth, there are only X- spots open.

A simple, "There are x spots open, but x amount are already spoken for" would be a good start, if not at least honest.

I know this happens in the Elite League with guaranteed spots prior to the tryouts, but that just simply isn't the case here. The boys didn't even let them know if they were interested in the NIT until right before the first game. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt there are boys with built in advantages, but the description above just isn't accurate.

[Mailman]

You guys are crazy to think if it is all based on how they did that one weekend. I don't think it should be the case either. It should be an opportunity for some kids to make the team, but as the saying goes... Some were already on the team before the weekend started.

It is what it is! The stuff happens all over the place.

I don't think it should only be based on one weekend.

I also don't think guys with spots already taken should be there, and more important, give other kids false hope with "There are x spots open" when in truth, there are only X- spots open.

A simple, "There are x spots open, but x amount are already spoken for" would be a good start, if not at least honest.

I know this happens in the Elite League with guaranteed spots prior to the tryouts, but that just simply isn't the case here. The boys didn't even let them know if they were interested in the NIT until right before the first game. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt there are boys with built in advantages, but the description above just isn't accurate.

Thanks for the info.

My post is confusing; it was meant more about what I saw per the Advanced stuff, mentioned in my earlier comment.

[SPUDNUT]

These guys are on the team from non-"power programs"/

Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward

If you think your kid got left out becasue he is in a small program, ask yourself if he is clearly better than all of the twelve players above (not "just as good"). Unless he is, then he was left out because he was not good enough.

What an unpredictable comment from a guy with "bsm" in his handle.

It's rather disingenuous to use as counterexamples kids from "non-power" programs who also just happen to be D1 recruits. It would take a lot of brass (or a lot of stupidity) for an "evaluator" to leave one of those kids off the cut list, even if they played terribly during the qualifying event.

Is it about how they played in qualifying, or what we know about the kids from before?
If it's about the qualifying, then who they are shouldn't matter...right? Can't have it both ways...

Exactly.

1. If it's about the qualifying, who they are shouldn't matter.

2. If it's about their prior reputations, eliminate the qualifying.

One or the other - period !

[Looks easy from here]

The team was announced today at the hub. Here is the list. Any surprises based on watching the action or from the points board below.. It was fun to watch the line of Lavalle, Jake Jackson and TJ Roo and I see they all made the cut.

Connor Thie was the biggest surprise for me (in terms of not making it) being that he was tied for 4th in points and knowing what kind of player he is.. I believe Henry Hart was the only forward to make it with 3 or fewer points, though he is a crafty little player. Some of the bigger names (forwards) not making it include Lindquist, Michaud, Brauer, Lindstrom, Jordahl, Swingle, Gorowski & J Wahl.

Any other surprises catch your eye??


David Zevnik St. Thomas Academy Goaltender
Chris Amsden Le Sueur/St. Peter Goaltender

Sam Becker Hill-Murray Defense
Tony Bretzman STA Defense
Chris Forney Thief River Falls Defense
Jake Peterson St. Cloud Tech Defense
Jimmy Schuldt Minnetonka Defense
Jake Zeleznikar Hermantown Defense

Chris Benson Hermantown Forward
Mason Bergh Eden Prairie Forward
Alex Funk Roch. Lourdes Forward
Henry Hart STA Forward
Jake Jackson Tartan Forward
Adam Johnson Hibbing Forward
Travis Koepke Hermantown Forward
Zach LaValle Hill-Murray Forward
T.J. Roo Totino-Grac Forward
Matt Serratore Bemidji Forward
Alex Toscano Duluth East Forward
Tony Uglem Moorhead Forward


Here was the final scoring from last weekends prelims.

--------- G - A - - PTS
11 Alex Funk 1A/1AA - 3 5 8
11 Zach Lavalle 4A/4AA - 2 5 7
15 TJ Roo 4A/4AA - 3 3 6
10 Jim Buckingham 3A/3AA - 4 1 5
9 Jake Jackson 4A/4AA - 3 2 5
13 Bo Gronseth 5A/5AA - 2 3 5
8 Mason Bergh 6A/6AA - 1 4 5
15 Connor Thie 6A/6A - 3 2 5
11 Adam Johnson 7A/7AA - 4 1 5
14 Levi Talarico 7A/7AA - 1 4 5
13 Nick Uglem 8A/8AA - 0 5 5
15 Matt Serratore 8A/8AA - 2 3 5
16 Andrew Scofield 1A/1AA - 1 3 4
8 J. Brandstetter 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
11 Matt Colford 2A/2AA - 2 2 4
14 Thom Lindstrom 2A/2AA - 4 0 4
15 Gavin Smith 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
16 Eric Ylitalo 2A/2AA - 1 3 4
7 Wyatt Schmidt 4A/4AA - 2 2 4
10 Alex Johnson 4A/4AA - 1 3 4
8 Chris Benson 5A/5AA - 0 4 4
10 Mitchell Fritz 5A/5AA - 0 4 4
12 Derek Graves 5A/5AA - 3 1 4
13 Tanner Picht 6A/6AA - 3 1 4
16 Alex Toscano 7A/7AA - 1 3 4
9 Thomas Carey 8A/8AA - 2 2 4
12 Thomas Hajicek 8A/8AA - 2 2 4
14 Tony Uglem 8A/8AA - 3 1 4
10 Jack Dierks 1A/1AA - 3 0 3
13 Kevin Olund 1A/1AA - 1 2 3


Adam Johnson. Is out who's your next pick I will bet your wrong.
'

[Shinbone_News]

Adam Johnson. Is out who's your next pick I will bet your wrong.
'

Not sure who said this, but it's interesting. Like many others, I was super impressed with Johnson at State in 2012, and yet he's been .... well, let's just say under-performing ever since then, to the eye of a disinterested observer. I say that not to disrespect him -- heck he'll be fine with or without my respect, since he's already committed to UMD -- but the point is this: THAT'S MAYBE WHY THEY PLAY THESE GAMES and actually have, you know, tryouts. For every shoo-in, there maybe is a shoo-out too. If roster spots are limited and you have two studs with good reputations, you take the kid who actually put the puck in the net during the most recent evaluation.

Johnson seems to have been struggling ever since Elites last fall, and even being a Mr. Hockey finalist isn't apparently going to get him into the NIT.