Should the St.Paul High Schools all merge ?

[HOCKEYDRIVER]

Como, Highland, Johnson
And would it be worth it ?
Just wondering what other people think about it.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Como, Highland, Johnson
And would it be worth it ?
Just wondering what other people think about it.

Just a matter of time, probably. Central & Como are already a cooperative I think. Some of the challenges will be the logistics of travel, practice, tryouts, number of players available, etc. But IMO it should probably happen from a competitive standpoint.

[HOCKEYDRIVER]

Como 7-9-0
Highland Park 1-16-0
Johnson 2-13-2

[BlueLineSpecial]

Actually, that brings up another issue. Don't the Cougars play at the Coliseum? I wonder what the plan will be moving forward?

So if all St. Paul teams became a coop, would they practice and play at Phalen Arena? Highland Arena?

[MNHockeyFan]

Reducing the number of varsity spots available would not be a good way to "grow the game", let alone stop the inner-city decline. Although a merger of all teams into one would make that one team more competitive in the short run, I don't see it as a good strategic move over the long term. If things keep going like they have been such a merger may be inevitable, the schools themselves will figure it out, if and when it becomes necessary.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Reducing the number of varsity spots available would not be a good way to "grow the game", let alone stop the inner-city decline. Although a merger of all teams into one would make that one team more competitive in the short run, I don't see it as a good strategic move over the long term. If things keep going like they have been such a merger may be inevitable, the schools themselves will figure it out, if and when it becomes necessary.

I hear you, but these teams aren't good. They are single A schools for the tourney, and many of their games aren't close. Highland Park is losing double-digits to bad teams, and they aren't competitive even in the lower class (with the exception of Johnson's amazing comeback in sections against WBL a couple of years ago). At some point you just have to get a tourniquet on it, and maybe that means acknowledging that the likelihood of any sort of prolonged turnaround is highly unlikely and that a coop may give them the best opportunity to showcase St. Paul city hockey in a positive light.

I'd prefer these teams were all competitive and kept their identities. Just not sure they can sustain their programs. Unfortunate...

[Night Train]

I think they should. Start planning now for next season.

Be the St. Paul Blades like the girls. More kids skating at the appropriate level. A solid varsity team, a complete JV team and in the future, based on numbers, a Jr. Gold B team. I think they can retain more St. Paul players with a single decent option for them. A better experience for all the players and families.

The first step is probably polling all the sophomores and juniors on each of the teams asking if they, the players, would be in favor of the merger. I'll guess all would be.

[HOCKEYDRIVER]

What do the parents in these programs think.
Would any add to this.

[hondo98]

With no Coliseum, Como Park is scheduling ALL 25 games next season as 'away' games. Practices may be outside at North Dale rink.

Not a great scenario for any current peewee's / bantam's in St Paul.

[HOCKEYDRIVER]

For the kids going to Como. At the youth ages Johnson & Como
are together. But doesn't Como area have a in house program.

[Night Train]

Merge the youth programs too.

Worked well and has helped with growth in Minneapolis. These small programs (I know Highland is pretty good size) all fighting and scrapping with player, money and volunteer shortages can all be solved with merger. Maybe mite teams can stay at home but then merge at Squirt level.

[penguinos]

Yes they should merge, at least down to two programs.

I have two St. Paul (public ) players, one at the HS level and one in the pipeline. Most parents and kids would support a merger I believe.

It would be difficult from the standpoint of eliminating some varsity positions but the truth is I don't think kids would be left out. Right now a good number of kids from Highland Central and Johnson Como youth associations are playing HS in 9th grade instead of Bantams. This is because the HS teams have spots and need them. A merger would allow these kids to stay in Bantams.

Hard to believe Como would only have away games and practice outdoors as was stated earlier, because they are losing the Coliseum. They are fed by the Langford program (Cs only) and Johnson Como associations. This year Langford does not have a Bantam team and Johnson Como only has one, so its not looking good for Como over the next few years. A lot of these youth kids end up at Johnson too and many go to privates.

Highland is fed by the Edgcumbe program (C's only) and Highland Central. Highland Central's top players go pretty consistently to Cretin for HS. Highland High only has a varsity program..they have only won about 5 games over the last 3 years and are routinely being beat by 7-10 goals per game. It was a nice idea to resurrect this program a few years ago but getting blown out every game is not what was intended.

Having competitive teams would definitely help these publics retain some of their better youth players and build some excitement for hockey again in St. Paul. Some St. Paul's top Bantam players over the last 2-3 are going to privates primarily because of hockey and would have likely stayed public if they were excited about these teams.

These three teams are only competing with the bottom 10% of teams in MN and must travel far out of the city to find games with like skilled teams. I'm surprised St. Paul Schools is willing to invest in three teams with so few players involved. Unfortunately, none of them are really on track to improve next year either...

Minneapolis is on the right track, hopefully St. Paul figures it out.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I'm having a hard time believing that Como is planning on all out door practices next year. Even given an average Minnesota winter and a refrigerated rink it's tough to imagine more than few practices before the season starts.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Yes they should merge, at least down to two programs.

I have two St. Paul (public ) players, one at the HS level and one in the pipeline. Most parents and kids would support a merger I believe.

It would be difficult from the standpoint of eliminating some varsity positions but the truth is I don't think kids would be left out. Right now a good number of kids from Highland Central and Johnson Como youth associations are playing HS in 9th grade instead of Bantams. This is because the HS teams have spots and need them. A merger would allow these kids to stay in Bantams.

Hard to believe Como would only have away games and practice outdoors as was stated earlier, because they are losing the Coliseum. They are fed by the Langford program (Cs only) and Johnson Como associations. This year Langford does not have a Bantam team and Johnson Como only has one, so its not looking good for Como over the next few years. A lot of these youth kids end up at Johnson too and many go to privates.

Highland is fed by the Edgcumbe program (C's only) and Highland Central. Highland Central's top players go pretty consistently to Cretin for HS. Highland High only has a varsity program..they have only won about 5 games over the last 3 years and are routinely being beat by 7-10 goals per game. It was a nice idea to resurrect this program a few years ago but getting blown out every game is not what was intended.

Having competitive teams would definitely help these publics retain some of their better youth players and build some excitement for hockey again in St. Paul. Some St. Paul's top Bantam players over the last 2-3 are going to privates primarily because of hockey and would have likely stayed public if they were excited about these teams.

These three teams are only competing with the bottom 10% of teams in MN and must travel far out of the city to find games with like skilled teams. I'm surprised St. Paul Schools is willing to invest in three teams with so few players involved. Unfortunately, none of them are really on track to improve next year either...

Minneapolis is on the right track, hopefully St. Paul figures it out.

Terrific insight, thanks for sharing. I really hope these St. Paul teams can find a way to be relevant again, and bring some of that proud tradition back. If thats by way of a coop, I don't think there should or would be any shame in that.

[HShockeywatcher]

Reducing the number of varsity spots available would not be a good way to "grow the game", let alone stop the inner-city decline. Although a merger of all teams into one would make that one team more competitive in the short run, I don't see it as a good strategic move over the long term. If things keep going like they have been such a merger may be inevitable, the schools themselves will figure it out, if and when it becomes necessary.

If you have the numbers, would it be possible to have multiple JVs? Are there any hockey teams that do that? I know it happens with both football and basketball.

[MNHockeyFan]

If you have the numbers, would it be possible to have multiple JVs? Are there any hockey teams that do that? I know it happens with both football and basketball.

Don't know the answer, but I think it's a good idea. The one combined varsity team would be more competitive, while kids who don't make it would be guaranteed of having a place to play on two-to-four JV teams, depending on the numbers year-to-year.

[HShockeywatcher]

If you have the numbers, would it be possible to have multiple JVs? Are there any hockey teams that do that? I know it happens with both football and basketball.

Don't know the answer, but I think it's a good idea. The one combined varsity team would be more competitive, while kids who don't make it would be guaranteed of having a place to play on two-to-four JV teams, depending on the numbers year-to-year.

I think penguinos' point about the number of freshmen that play high school when they could play Bantams is very important, but as the program were to improve, creating multiple JV teams would only make sense.

[HOCKEYDRIVER]

Como vs Johnson (7:30) at the fair grounds for the last time.
If they haven't canceled it because of the cold.

[Night Train]

If you have the numbers, would it be possible to have multiple JVs?

I think the better idea is to have a junior gold B team and if numbers grow have two junior gold B teams. They would stay with youth hockey as junior gold teams are sponsored by youth associations. It is youth association revenue so maybe the income is split between the 3 youth associations based on which association the player comes from.

Start working on it now and present to the St. Paul Athletic Directors ASAP. In order to get approval from the ADs, and start the process with the hockey families, for next season it has to presented this season. Pull the numbers of next season's projected 10th-12th graders from the 3 associations. Find out the public vs. Parochial number and there you go. We project this # of HS hockey players next season and this number the year after that. 9th graders stay with bantam as it should be. Hopefully the ADs will understand they can get growth of student/athlete numbers through offering a better experience. Schools are looking for ways to cut costs, and I've read articles about certain school districts eliminating JV sports altogether, and this is a way for the schools to cut some costs. Don't wait until August to make your presentation or it won't happen.

And, put the old St. Paul rivalries aside and do what is best for the current crop of hockey invested families.

Announcing the new St. Paul Blades boys varsity and JV hockey teams.