Transfers 2013?

[SECoach]

I won't presume to guess reasons why kids transfer or move into districts prior to 9th grade, but I don't think it's so hockey focused as many might assume. These are all individual choices. Maybe it's even work-related as some people occasionally switch jobs and don't spend 40 years working at the plant like our fathers did. As far as moving into Tonka, it's likely the strongest academic and financially secure public school in the state, and if normalized, compares very favorably with the best private schools. I've heard that BSM, Blake, and Breck are strong academic schools, too, and some have religious rationale. I'm certain that the vast majority who move to the Tonka school district or the scores who open enroll there do so for academic reasons, and some of them happen to play hockey, some play football, some run track, some are in the theater, but almost all of them are there to hit the books. For many other schools mentioned, not all, moving to Tonka is somewhere between a medium step and a giant leap academically. That's what's driving Tonka school enrollment up, contrary to city demographics. So while I wouldn't use the exact same language as 36, I agree that unless you know the situation intimately, don't throw out assumptions online, because it makes you look pretty foolish.

You state that you won't make assumptions....but then proceed to do just that. Lots of folks may transfer into Mtka for lots of reasons, but the hockey players transfer for hockey. They aren't coming from bad schools and making this big upgrade to "hit the books". If you really think so then you are either naïve or not involved enough to see it. I personally don't care if players transfer schools to get on a better team, and to get on a team that they feel will give them a better experience or opportunity. I think it's the wrong way to go about things, but they are fully entitled to it. Let's just be real about it. Hit the books? Please. You clearly don't know many high school students. Most very good students are happy to stay where they are at and be a top student at that school. I don't doubt that many students transfer for a better academic experience, but hockey players transfer for hockey, and other athletes transfer for their sport. I have personal knowledge of a player that will be moving to a private school from public next year. The stated reason is for smaller class sizes, but I promise you that if this student was a varsity starter, they would not be moving. Right or wrong, let's just be real about it. The athletes that transfer for academic, religious, or other reasons is tiny compared to those that transfer to be noticed, or for a chance to win a title. They feel the grass is greener, and they either find that it is, or it isn't. The school and teams they left continues to exist, with or without them.

[Nimrod]

Can't help but comment on this. Very few people decide on a HS based on hockey. There are some exceptions but they are rare. And for most cases, if its about that they should revisit their priorities. You can be discovered no matter where you are at. It should be more about whether you need to transfer because you need a better academic or faith based situation or are in a "toxic situation".

Certain schools do provide better coaching and more competitive practices but you need to weigh that against whether your kid is good enough to make the team and have a regular shift. And that can change from year to year when you are drawing from all over or have a very deep youth program (e.g., Tonka). So, either stay home or go to BSM.

[SECoach]

Can't help but comment on this. Very few people decide on a HS based on hockey. There are some exceptions but they are rare. And for most cases, if its about that they should revisit their priorities. You can be discovered no matter where you are at. It should be more about whether you need to transfer because you need a better academic or faith based situation or are in a "toxic situation".

Certain schools do provide better coaching and more competitive practices but you need to weigh that against whether your kid is good enough to make the team and have a regular shift. And that can change from year to year when you are drawing from all over or have a very deep youth program (e.g., Tonka). So, either stay home or go to BSM.

I completely disagree. I believe very few families of an athlete decide on a high school based on something other than athletics. I don't believe it is rare.

You go on to say what should happen. I'm talking about what does happen. Let's not confuse the students that actually transfer for academic or religious reasons. I don't have the first clue how common this is. I'm saying that virtually every single transfer I know of is because of athletics, and becomes disguised as another reason. Transfer if you wish, for whatever reason within the rules, but please lets stop saying that athletes transfer for any other reason other than athletics. I could go on for hours on whether this is right or wrong, but let's just start with the truth. Let's be honest about a player that transfers and says it's for the IB program.

For example, Mamma Lamma states that her daughter transferred to SSP for the IB program. There is a school in her same district probably within 2 miles of her home that has IB programming. They didn't need a goalie. We should just be honest. Athletics played a large role. If it's within the rules, go a head and transfer. Just stop saying it's for the education provided by one school over another. It happens, but for athletes, it's for the athletic situation. Most schools have a great algebra teacher.

[D6 Girls Fan]

Can someone help me with the rule? When does a player have to sit out a year because of a transfer? When is it okay to start playing right away?

[SECoach]

Can someone help me with the rule? When does a player have to is out a year because of a transfer? When is it okay to start playing right away?

The rules are clear, but are left to the AD by the MSHSL to verify. First off, a students eligibility is based on where they enroll for their freshman year (they can play at one school in 8th grade, and transfer as a freshman with no restrictions). If they transfer after 9th grade enrollment, they are ineligible for varsity play for one calendar year, unless there is a corresponding address change. They may play varsity at their former school. There are multiple reasons that the family can petition the MSHSL to issue a waiver. I cannot speak to how and why the waivers may or may not be issued. IT IS UP TO THE AD TO VERIFY THE ADDRESS CHANGE IS VALID! Complete rules can be found at www.MSHSL.org under bylaws.

[36Guy]

I have said it before...these blogs are fun and it is great to take jabs and listen to peoples opinions. The flaw in all of this is that an "opinion" is based on knowledge of a certain situation. When it comes tranfers(better known as someone not living in the same house their whole life) most are uneducated and guessing. We all have the friend who chimes in with their "opinion" on the Presidential debate, yet has no clue what either candidate stands for. Watching hockey teams play and providing feedback is an opinion. Speculating families person decisions with no knowledge and then putting it in writing is irresponsible. They mistakingly think it is their "right" and often lose track that ultimately the person they are incorrectly writing about is a 12-17 year old girl. Because lets face it....it is not about the family you are pissed about, it is the hockey player. If some family were to move and did not have a hockey player, nobody would blog about it.

[Tigers33]

36guy -

Why does everyone get so heated about someone calling a person out? I also don't think anyone is saying they are pissed at a 12-17 year old kid. I think people blame the parents for a lot of what's happening in hockey these days. Rightfully so.

Scenarios...player A goes to benilde as a freshman because of academics and religious reasons. Bologna!! If benilde was bad at hockey would the same person go there. I bet not!! If that's the case more would go to providence, totino grace, and other private schools. So hockey is the main factor.

Player B transfers from an average to below average hockey program to a better hockey program. That player doesn't transfer for any other reason then hockey. Again this is a metro to metro school (centennial to roseville or coon rapids to Blaine).

Player C transfers from all over up north because daddy got a job at Marvin windows in warroad. Don't tell me you think it's a coincidence that he happens to have a hockey player.

I think some people wish the truth would just be told...and some people wish their was more pride in the community a person grows up in. Some people that transfer simply buy a house or property and then move back to their old place after the season.

[36Guy]

Kitty Cat...I do not have the vocabulary nor the time to explain the side effects of somebody being narrow minded. If you wish to discuss a specific situation about a specific family moving that is one thing. But to lump everyone together..well...If you don't get it, I can't help.

All this fireside folk lore about buying empty homes, recruiting, moving back are tales that are built out of paranoia, insecurity and the parental human nature to make excuses for your own daughters roadblocks.

The idea that "community loyalty" is measured by girls staying in town for hockey is pathetic. I thought being loyal was volunteering, buying local, church, school and be neighborly. Bizarre that the lines between hockey and community based on time are even connected. Yes, there is a school on the front and along with that comes pride.....but what is the cut off for years you must be at a school before you are allowed to be a part of this exclusive fraternity...1 year, 2?, 10?

Our family is a perfect example. We had to move do to a company buyout and a relocation for work. Did our family consider hockey? Absolutely, but EP, Edina, Lakeville, Blake all would have been great hockey choices and 30 miles closer to work, but we chose a school and a community we liked. And by the way, the day we met the coach he did not know my kid and had never even heard of her.

And last, the "transfer" that started this blog, I know personally and their move had zero to to do with hockey, but they still got lumped in with the rest and 3 pages later it is still your "American right" to be inaccurate and an uneducated journalist. After all thats what every responsible journalist does right? Offers strong opinions on situations the know nothing about. No, I do not need to be reminded we are not journalists and this is a hockey blog, but shouldn't accuracy be important?

Here is an (mythical) example in hockey terms to help you better understand.

Last night: Edina beat Ep 3-2......Lakeville beat White Bear 4-2.....and I did not see or hear a score for Minnetonka and Wayzata, but I am a pretty good guesser so I say the final score is 3-2 Tonka.

[hockeywild7]

[rwb1351]

36Guy - Did you not just say that the rest of us are forming our "opinions" based on the knowledge of the sitations we have? Are you not doing the same thing?

You happen to know two situations that weren't related to hockey. Great. I don't think any of us are trying to say that people NEVER change schools for a reason other than athletics.

But what I am trying to say, along with many others, is that in the situations I have witnessed (which is more than your sample set of 2), it is has without fail been because the coach of the team receiving the transfer has actively sought out that player and encouraged them to switch.

Now I am not trying to say that it is always coaches recruiting when the transfer is athletic based. Plenty of kids/parents transfer because they seek a better situation without ever talking to the coach. But for you to act like this doesn't go on is simply ignorant.

[36Guy]

36Guy - Did you not just say that the rest of us are forming our "opinions" based on the knowledge of the sitations we have? Are you not doing the same thing?

You happen to know two situations that weren't related to hockey. Great. I don't think any of us are trying to say that people NEVER change schools for a reason other than athletics.

But what I am trying to say, along with many others, is that in the situations I have witnessed (which is more than your sample set of 2), it is has without fail been because the coach of the team receiving the transfer has actively sought out that player and encouraged them to switch.

Now I am not trying to say that it is always coaches recruiting when the transfer is athletic based. Plenty of kids/parents transfer because they seek a better situation without ever talking to the coach. But for you to act like this doesn't go on is simply ignorant.

Rw...thank you for confirming my first sentence that I do not have the vocabulary. You and kitty cat went to school together didn't you? (I hate being out numbered....damn it!)

For clarification my last blog was not about what does or does not happen with transfers but rather every situation is unique and to guess in writing is irresponsible. ,my situation was referenced and was incorrect. But again you being too uneducated to catch kitty cats reference proves my point again.

After all..any family thinking of moving should check with the hard luck club correct.

As I said... I am guilty as anyone of pouring fuel to the hockey fire. But speculating on what's right or wrong about another families decisions and speaking on behalf of the "hockey gods" pompous to say the least.

Last what does ignorant mean??? I am just used to my own opinion and judging others decisions???

[tarasov]

AGAIN, why does anybody care about why an individual transfers schools? It is NONE of your business!

Do you care what grades Suzie down the street gets? You shouldn't...you should worry about what grades your child gets! Seriously, quit whining about kids that transfer schools and whether or not the reason they chose to do so is valid. You need to worry about your own kids and do what is right for them. What is right for your child might not be right for Suzie down the street. Suzie down the street might be a helluva a tennis player and decide that attending a Tennis Academy is what she wants to do. She (her family) feels that this is the best opportunity for her to further her tennis as well as get an education. Suzie loves tennis and wants to do what she can to get better. Why do you care if Suzie wants to do this? Again, you shouldn't!

Kids transfer for tennis! Kids transfer for hockey! Kids transfer for basketball! Kids transfer for religion! Who cares! Get over it...and lastly, yes there are coaches out there that encourage kids to think come play for them at their school. Again, the families of those kids can make their own decisions and if they get fooled by a coach then too bad. Nobody else should really care!

The true title for this thread should be "The jealous losers want to start making excuses for 2013"

Good luck! Go Red Knights!

[Lace'emUp]

AGAIN, why does anybody care about why an individual transfers schools? It is NONE of your business!

Do you care what grades Suzie down the street gets? You shouldn't...you should worry about what grades your child gets! Seriously, quit whining about kids that transfer schools and whether or not the reason they chose to do so is valid. You need to worry about your own kids and do what is right for them. What is right for your child might not be right for Suzie down the street. Suzie down the street might be a helluva a tennis player and decide that attending a Tennis Academy is what she wants to do. She (her family) feels that this is the best opportunity for her to further her tennis as well as get an education. Suzie loves tennis and wants to do what she can to get better. Why do you care if Suzie wants to do this? Again, you shouldn't!

Kids transfer for tennis! Kids transfer for hockey! Kids transfer for basketball! Kids transfer for religion! Who cares! Get over it...and lastly, yes there are coaches out there that encourage kids to think come play for them at their school. Again, the families of those kids can make their own decisions and if they get fooled by a coach then too bad. Nobody else should really care!

The true title for this thread should be "The jealous losers want to start making excuses for 2013"

Good luck! Go Red Knights!

IMO, this is a good closing remark for this topic. Grenades have been thrown back and forth, and I think all the players have clearly stated their opinions. Time to lock this one down before larger implements are utilized.

[SECoach]

AGAIN, why does anybody care about why an individual transfers schools? It is NONE of your business!

Do you care what grades Suzie down the street gets? You shouldn't...you should worry about what grades your child gets! Seriously, quit whining about kids that transfer schools and whether or not the reason they chose to do so is valid. You need to worry about your own kids and do what is right for them. What is right for your child might not be right for Suzie down the street. Suzie down the street might be a helluva a tennis player and decide that attending a Tennis Academy is what she wants to do. She (her family) feels that this is the best opportunity for her to further her tennis as well as get an education. Suzie loves tennis and wants to do what she can to get better. Why do you care if Suzie wants to do this? Again, you shouldn't!

Kids transfer for tennis! Kids transfer for hockey! Kids transfer for basketball! Kids transfer for religion! Who cares! Get over it...and lastly, yes there are coaches out there that encourage kids to think come play for them at their school. Again, the families of those kids can make their own decisions and if they get fooled by a coach then too bad. Nobody else should really care!

The true title for this thread should be "The jealous losers want to start making excuses for 2013"

Good luck! Go Red Knights!

IMO, this is a good closing remark for this topic. Grenades have been thrown back and forth, and I think all the players have clearly stated their opinions. Time to lock this one down before larger implements are utilized.

I love it when posters throw out their last remarks and then suggest that the thread be locked down!

[Lace'emUp]

AGAIN, why does anybody care about why an individual transfers schools? It is NONE of your business!

Do you care what grades Suzie down the street gets? You shouldn't...you should worry about what grades your child gets! Seriously, quit whining about kids that transfer schools and whether or not the reason they chose to do so is valid. You need to worry about your own kids and do what is right for them. What is right for your child might not be right for Suzie down the street. Suzie down the street might be a helluva a tennis player and decide that attending a Tennis Academy is what she wants to do. She (her family) feels that this is the best opportunity for her to further her tennis as well as get an education. Suzie loves tennis and wants to do what she can to get better. Why do you care if Suzie wants to do this? Again, you shouldn't!

Kids transfer for tennis! Kids transfer for hockey! Kids transfer for basketball! Kids transfer for religion! Who cares! Get over it...and lastly, yes there are coaches out there that encourage kids to think come play for them at their school. Again, the families of those kids can make their own decisions and if they get fooled by a coach then too bad. Nobody else should really care!

The true title for this thread should be "The jealous losers want to start making excuses for 2013"

Good luck! Go Red Knights!

IMO, this is a good closing remark for this topic. Grenades have been thrown back and forth, and I think all the players have clearly stated their opinions. Time to lock this one down before larger implements are utilized.

I love it when posters throw out their last remarks and then suggest that the thread be locked down!

Sorry SE, keep it open if you like. I just don't see any further worth while discussion. The post stared by inquiring about rumors regarding transfers. It's quickly turned into fact vs opinion about why kids transfer. From that, we now have lots of snippy remarks flying back any forth. The same remarks over and over and over again. Unless we want to get back to the rumor/speculation of what gals are moving, is there a point to continue?

[demongoed]

36guy wrote:
"All this fireside folk lore about buying empty homes, recruiting, moving back are tales that are built out of paranoia, insecurity and the parental human nature to make excuses for your own daughters roadblocks.

The idea that "community loyalty" is measured by girls staying in town for hockey is pathetic. I thought being loyal was volunteering, buying local, church, school and be neighborly. Bizarre that the lines between hockey and community based on time are even connected. Yes, there is a school on the front and along with that comes pride.....but what is the cut off for years you must be at a school before you are allowed to be a part of this exclusive fraternity...1 year, 2?, 10?

Our family is a perfect example. We had to move do to a company buyout and a relocation for work. Did our family consider hockey? Absolutely, but EP, Edina, Lakeville, Blake all would have been great hockey choices and 30 miles closer to work, but we chose a school and a community we liked. And by the way, the day we met the coach he did not know my kid and had never even heard of her."

-----------------------

Where to begin. First of all, what you call "fireside folk lore" many of the readers of this topic can confidently call the truth, including me. I know, for a fact, 2 families in the past 3 years who have secured homes specifically to allow their sons to attend the schools they wanted to attend for hockey without having to play one year on JV. Once they met the 1-year residency requirement, back they went to their former homes.

The community loyalty comment really bugs me. Is it any of my business why people choose the school they do for their kids? No, and I don't care. However, I, and many others, put in a great deal of time, effort, money and other support to build our community programs, knowing that we are going to stay home and want our kids to have the best school experience possible. We take pride in these programs, and know that our efforts will help our kids enjoy stronger high school programs. To have someone say that valuing this kind of loyalty is "pathetic" and equate it to someone moving in for high school is incredibly self-serving. From former posts, it looks like your daughter is attending Minnetonka, and that hockey was a consideration in your choice, right? I guess instead of telling the countless volunteers from that community that their definition of loyalty is pathetic, you might instead tell them thank you for investing in and building a program that, among many good options, is so good that you chose it for your own child who now benefits for the decades-long efforts of residents of that town.

[joehockey]

I have read this board since my daughter was in 6 grade and she is now entering her senior year in College.

Her HS class of 2010 had a few girls who moved schools and she was one of them. She went to a good Catholic Grade School/Middle School on eastside and was able to play at public HS as an 8th grader. She went to a Catholic HS as a 9th grader and played but all of her grade school/middle school closest friends went to another Catholic HS. She transferred (pre current rule changes) her game benefitted, she had great teaching and was very happy in school. We loved her first HS but agreed to change which was the right one. She graduated with high honors and has enjoyed the opportunity to play D1.

Something she has learned is it is not easy to change schools - she saw several girls she grew up with cut or never play varsity. Some of them worked really hard and others never committed. She learned something that will be a value for her - change is a part of life learning how to change and then thrive is a lifetime skill. With college post grads struggling to get jobs and this current generation changes jobs every 3.5 years (as opposed to baby boomers at 8 years). She is exposed to girls who traveled alot to get to D1 but she also realizes it is very hard to achieve and she is happy she had a chance to play HS hockey in MN.

HS Coaches and AD's answered our questions but there was never recruiting.

On the flip side our youngest son just graduated HS. He went to same Catholic Grade School/Middle School but loved our local public HS and was there all 4 years and did well in the classroom and in three sports. He picked his Engineering school because it is good school where he will do an internship abroad for a year.

As parents we can only help our kids with decisions and instill values we cannot live her/his life. Staying in the same city or even country for life does not happen much in our mobile society as parents we need to prepare kids to move when it makes sense - every situation is different and private no one publicly knows the details. If a kid moves wish them luck if a kid transfers in be their friend.

Good luck to your kids - enjoy life they grow up really fast and looking back the frustrations were wasted energy it all works out one way or another - focus on the positive.

[royals dad]

Seems like this thread is an annual occurrence and it seems to always go the same direction. If you follow Girls HS Hockey, then the idea of a great player on a top rated team switching to another team is an interesting topic. The problem is when you start getting into speculation or even actual allegations about why the player is transferring, I personally don't think it is right or fair to post about it on the forum. I think at the core of it though this is a great topic for people interested in the HS season next year.

Back to the original topic, BSM lost 4 of 6 D to graduation and now a 5th to transfer. That leaves a pretty big hole to fill, I could think a few forwards they have that could probably make the switch to D with out a huge drop off but they are also big parts of the teams strength. The strongest pipeline that they had seemed to be more in the 95/96 birth year when CP was an assistant, cant imagine that they have another class like that ready to plug in. You add that to Minnetonka returning only 2 D that have significant Varsity experience and section 6 starts to look a little bit less top heavy next year.

I guess my last word would be the transfer rules in themselves might be a good forum topic, just start another thread and keep specific kids out of it. In past years when I knew the kids involved most of the speculation ended up being way off and relatively hurtful to those really involved.

[D6 Girls Fan]

Back to the original topic, BSM lost 4 of 6 D to graduation and now a 5th to transfer. That leaves a pretty big hole to fill, I could think a few forwards they have that could probably make the switch to D with out a huge drop off but they are also big parts of the teams strength. The strongest pipeline that they had seemed to be more in the 95/96 birth year when CP was an assistant, cant imagine that they have another class like that ready to plug in. You add that to Minnetonka returning only 2 D that have significant Varsity experience and section 6 starts to look a little bit less top heavy next year.

That was kind of what I was hoping we'd get back to. I know both BSM and Minnetonka also have some talent on their JV teams (not deep but in each case 2-3 kids) who should move up, so I wouldn't write either team off. (Makes Hopkins and Wayzata look better though...) No coincidence about CP being able to stock a team (Breck will be pretty good in the coming years). Will he be able to get kids to move to the totally new Achiever Academy program? Talk about opportunity - they need to stock an entire team...

[Nimrod]

People on this blog want to think everything is about hockey. Particularly when it comes to girls hockey, i respectfully disagree. Yes some do transfer after 9th grade and some percentage of them are probably related to hockey...aren't playing enough or aren't making varsity. I get that but no one should assume they know why certain girls are transferring. Even when it appears to be about hockey it may not be...can't afford tuition, tired of a long commute, moved, a sick sibling needs more attention and the parents don't want to be running all over with their daughter, etc.

I can say with certainty that in my daughters case the only aspect where hockey came into the decision was once it was narrowed down to two schools, one played AA and the other A. We chose AA. Had nothing to do with trying to get to the state tourney or being on a winning team. Just wanted to play against the big schools and/or the best. However, it was first about price, academics and location. Hockey was an after thought.

Please stop lumping everyone into the same category just because your program lost a couple players. Its unfair to the vast majority who want to and can afford to put their students in a better position than where they were. And I do get those that think people should be loyal to their community. I was one of those people but eventually you learn that your loyalty is a one way street that is not always reciprocated by your community programs and/or the high school coaches and/or AD. They too have their favorites and it may not be your kid even after investing several years in the program trying to do "the right thing".

[royals dad]

People on this blog...

Not to be to nit picky but this is a forum (formally known as a Bulletin Board), if you had a web page and posted articles it would be a blog, twitter is a micro blog. Sorry but this is a fingernails on the blackboard deal for me.

[Nimrod]

Thanks and duly noted Royals Dad. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to this cyber stuff. Took me two years to figure out how to post a comment!

[sinbin]

You state that you won't make assumptions....but then proceed to do just that. Lots of folks may transfer into Mtka for lots of reasons, but the hockey players transfer for hockey. They aren't coming from bad schools and making this big upgrade to "hit the books". If you really think so then you are either naïve or not involved enough to see it. I personally don't care if players transfer schools to get on a better team, and to get on a team that they feel will give them a better experience or opportunity. I think it's the wrong way to go about things, but they are fully entitled to it. Let's just be real about it. Hit the books? Please. You clearly don't know many high school students. Most very good students are happy to stay where they are at and be a top student at that school. I don't doubt that many students transfer for a better academic experience, but hockey players transfer for hockey, and other athletes transfer for their sport. I have personal knowledge of a player that will be moving to a private school from public next year. The stated reason is for smaller class sizes, but I promise you that if this student was a varsity starter, they would not be moving. Right or wrong, let's just be real about it. The athletes that transfer for academic, religious, or other reasons is tiny compared to those that transfer to be noticed, or for a chance to win a title. They feel the grass is greener, and they either find that it is, or it isn't. The school and teams they left continues to exist, with or without them.

SECoach, I've respected many of your opinions in the past, have agreed with most of them, and have found educational insight in some of them. Unfortunately, here you're just plain wrong in about every aspect of your retort. First, there have been extremely few girls moving to Mtka who played hockey in the past 5 or 6 years and only 1 of them did so primarily for hockey reasons. She also received a much higher quality education. There have been a greater number of girls who played youth hockey at Tonka and then attended private high schools. These were primarily for religious, prestige, college prep, legacy, and private school environments, not to play at a better hockey program. So, for all the movement in and out of Tonka over the past 5-6 years, only about 10% of the movement was primarily hockey-related (based on a small sample size of 10-11) and 0% of the movement was exclusively hockey-related. I have two kids in high school and they're involved in multiple sports, (I've coached and managed dozens of teams, served on multiple boards, keep very close tabs on the school board, attend meetings, serve on academic volunteer committees, etc.) so I'm familiar with 100's of students and both their academic and athletic paths, although I'm not intimately involved with the decisions that these families make. Of course, the vast majority stay at home for all 4 years. I guarantee you that academics is critically important for almost all of them, whether or not they play a HS sport or even if they have a chance to play collegiate or professional sports (extending to boys here, of course). Again, I can only speak to Tonka; things may very well be different at other schools and only those involved in those schools or directly with those families making their decisions can intelligently speak to the migration and rationale for doing so (as many other posters have argued as well). I do agree with two of your points, though. One, the specific example you note, since you have direct knowledge of it, you can speak intelligently about it and not make unfounded assumptions. Two, the rigorous academic environment at Tonka isn't for everyone and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the mindset of those who are content to stay put at their hometown schools.

[Rocketwrister]

Talking about that achiever academy...is it true that kids just do on line courses for there schooling? Essentially they could/ can practice all day, and then do on line courses?
IF true; I for one, can't believe the ,MSHSL allowed them in.
If this is untrue, I hope someone can fill me in.

Thanks

[SECoach]

You state that you won't make assumptions....but then proceed to do just that. Lots of folks may transfer into Mtka for lots of reasons, but the hockey players transfer for hockey. They aren't coming from bad schools and making this big upgrade to "hit the books". If you really think so then you are either naïve or not involved enough to see it. I personally don't care if players transfer schools to get on a better team, and to get on a team that they feel will give them a better experience or opportunity. I think it's the wrong way to go about things, but they are fully entitled to it. Let's just be real about it. Hit the books? Please. You clearly don't know many high school students. Most very good students are happy to stay where they are at and be a top student at that school. I don't doubt that many students transfer for a better academic experience, but hockey players transfer for hockey, and other athletes transfer for their sport. I have personal knowledge of a player that will be moving to a private school from public next year. The stated reason is for smaller class sizes, but I promise you that if this student was a varsity starter, they would not be moving. Right or wrong, let's just be real about it. The athletes that transfer for academic, religious, or other reasons is tiny compared to those that transfer to be noticed, or for a chance to win a title. They feel the grass is greener, and they either find that it is, or it isn't. The school and teams they left continues to exist, with or without them.

SECoach, I've respected many of your opinions in the past, have agreed with most of them, and have found educational insight in some of them. Unfortunately, here you're just plain wrong in about every aspect of your retort. First, there have been extremely few girls moving to Mtka who played hockey in the past 5 or 6 years and only 1 of them did so primarily for hockey reasons. She also received a much higher quality education. There have been a greater number of girls who played youth hockey at Tonka and then attended private high schools. These were primarily for religious, prestige, college prep, legacy, and private school environments, not to play at a better hockey program. So, for all the movement in and out of Tonka over the past 5-6 years, only about 10% of the movement was primarily hockey-related (based on a small sample size of 10-11) and 0% of the movement was exclusively hockey-related. I have two kids in high school and they're involved in multiple sports, (I've coached and managed dozens of teams, served on multiple boards, keep very close tabs on the school board, attend meetings, serve on academic volunteer committees, etc.) so I'm familiar with 100's of students and both their academic and athletic paths, although I'm not intimately involved with the decisions that these families make. Of course, the vast majority stay at home for all 4 years. I guarantee you that academics is critically important for almost all of them, whether or not they play a HS sport or even if they have a chance to play collegiate or professional sports (extending to boys here, of course). Again, I can only speak to Tonka; things may very well be different at other schools and only those involved in those schools or directly with those families making their decisions can intelligently speak to the migration and rationale for doing so (as many other posters have argued as well). I do agree with two of your points, though. One, the specific example you note, since you have direct knowledge of it, you can speak intelligently about it and not make unfounded assumptions. Two, the rigorous academic environment at Tonka isn't for everyone and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the mindset of those who are content to stay put at their hometown schools.

Sinbin........I do have to admit that post was very poorly written and lead to misunderstanding the point I was trying to make. I used Mtka in my example and should not have. I have no idea how many students have transferred or open enrolled to Mtka High School and I don't believe many female hockey players have. Mtka has done a great job of becoming a top program with Mtka kids.

I'll try to make my point more simply. My experience has been that for most of the transfers and move ins of hockey players that I am familiar with, and it's many, a major, if not total impact on the decision has been their belief, right or wrong, that they will gain a better experience in hockey. This includes girls and boys. Was academics a factor for many? I'm sure it was. I just don't believe it's the driving force for most of them. I cannot speak to the reasons students that don't play hockey transfer with any direct knowledge whatsoever.

I will also repeat that I don't personally care if or why they do transfer. If the rules allow it, and I don't like it, my complaint would be with the rules and not the families. When apartments are rented, families move to a rental property they own for 1 season, and then move back, etc. yes I do think it's wrong. I just get tired of hearing what I feel are bogus reasons and think people should call a spade a spade. For example, I don't believe that the education at Roseville is any better than at Centennial, or Tartan for that matter (no offense intended to Roseville High School, just an example). I could give lots and lots of examples over many years time span but I won't. I believe that there are hockey players that are looking for a good Catholic education, but I believe MOST of the private school transfers of hockey players are for athletic reasons. The education is a bonus. I just think people should be honest about it, and I don't think that many are. The school that they are leaving should shake their hand, or give them a hug and wish them good luck. That's easier to do when told the truth.