Section 3A (2013-2014)

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Greetings Section 3A Followers,

Another week past and I think we are starting to see some more clarity as far as the Top of Section 3A goes for seeds. The Race for Seed #8 continues to heat up!

Section 3A Power Rankings (1-26-14)
1. Luverne (18-0-1)
2. Willmar (8-9-0)
3. New Ulm Area (10-9-0)
4. Hutchinson (8-8-1)
5. Marshall (10-8-0)
6. LDC (5-11-0)
7. Windom (7-12-0)
8. Fairmont (2-12-0)
9. Morris-Benson (2-14-1)
10. Worthington (2-13-0)
11. Redwood Valley (2-9-0)

Luverne- Only played once this past week but it was against a Section 3A Team in Morris-Benson. With the 10-4 win over the Storm the Cards move improved their Section 3A Record to (12-0-0). They have a Section 3A and SW Conference game on the road Tuesday @Worthington. Then a rematch with a team that almost upset earlier this year, however this time they are on the road @ Dodge County.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/28 @ Worthington, 2/3 @ Windom, 2/7 @Hutch

Section 3A Seed Projection: #1 Seed- Have beaten every team in the Section so far. Only questions mark will be what if they slip up against Hutch would that even drop them?
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Willmar- Had a big win this past Tuesday night over NU/SE. That improved their Section 3A Record to (4-1-0). They have the Big Cream Can Rivalry game this Monday night @LDC. Then they Play Section 6A Powers Alex & Apollo to round out their week.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/27 @LDC, 2/8 Windom

Section 3A Seed Projection: #2 Seed- If they take care of business tomorrow night they will be a Lock at the 2 seed regardless of overall record.
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New Ulm Area: Up and down week for the New Ulm/Sleepy Eye hockey team. Lost a crucial Section 3A game @ Willmar to drop their perfect Section 3A Record to (4-1-0). Then responded with a Nice win over Providence Academy on the road only to then blow a lead and lose to Chaska the following night. Have big week playing Waseca at home then going back on the road to play Marshall and Mound Westonka.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/30 @ Marshall, 2/8 @ LDC, 2/13 Fairmont

Section 3A Seed Projection: #3 Seed- They lost a crucial game to Willmar and then add in they refuse to play Luverne that kills them. I can’t believe they refuse to play Luverne when they had to know how crucial it was for seeding purposes. They deserve the 3 seed for that fact alone.
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Hutchinson- I know they lost 3 in a row this past week but I really feel like they got better. After a bad loss to a down Waconia they played right with both Holy Family and Orono. They also got a decent performance from both of their struggling tenders. Hutch is a dangerous club with a decent Section 3A Record (4-2-0). They have a big one this week at LDC then they will play top end programs Delano and Holy Family to finish the week.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/28 @ LDC, 2/7 Luverne

Section 3A Seed Projection: #4 Seed- They need to beat the Dragons on Tuesday to lock up the 4 seed then if they can knock off Luverne they could make a potential mess for the top 4. They are very capable of doing that. However, they have lost to the other two teams ahead of them.
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Marshall- The Defending Section 3A Champions are starting to find their stride as of late. They are getting some goal scoring and as always steady defense. They got 3 section 3A wins, the biggest being the LDC win, to improve their Section 3A Record to (9-5-0). Another week more Section 3A opponents on tap the play two home games vs. Morris Benson then a HUGE one NU/SE. The Tigers are looking to stay on a roll.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/28 Morris Benson, 1/30 NU/SE, 2/8 @ Fairmont

Section 3A Seed Projection: #5 Seed- They should be your 5 seed if they take care of business vs. Morris Benson and Fairmont they are lock at Number 5.
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LDC- A tough week for the Dragons as they dropped a bad on in Marshall and then were shut out by Mound Westonka. However, this is a big week for the Dragons to Bounce back. They get Willmar on Monday and Hutch on Tuesday in their Barn. Big Rivarly games. Right now they sit with a Section 3A Record of (3-4). They will need to win one or possibly both of the two games this week to get back in conversation for anything better then a #6 seed.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 1/27 Willmar, 1/28 Hutch, 2/8 NU/SE

Section 3A Seed Projection: #6 Seed- The Dragons have beaten 3 of the 5 teams beneath them handily and have lost to all the teams above them. They will need to win 2 or possibly all of the remaining 3 games to move their position in Section 3A Playoff Bracket.
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Windom- The Eagles only played one game last week hammering Worthington to improve their Section 3A Record to (6-6). They only have one game this week vs non section foe Waseca at home. Then next week they have a big 3 game slate of Section 3A Games.

Remaining Section 3A Games: 2/3 Luverne, 2/6 Fairmont, 2/8 Willmar

Section 3A Seed Projection: #7 Seed- They seem to be a lock for this position as long as they take care of Fairmont at home next week.
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The Race for the 8 Seed
#8 Seed as of Today
In the Driver Seat
Fairmont- They only have 2 wins but they were big ones. They own the All Important 2nd meeting win over Worthington and they have the head to head win over the fast rising Morris-Benson Storm.
The week ahead: Two huge games with Redwood Valley if they can sweep they lock up the 8 seed. If they don’t or get swept we will have interesting mess at the bottom.

The contenders for the 8 Seed
Morris Benson- Own a big win over Windom and won a big one over
Worthington. They still one left with Worthington and two with Redwood Valley. If they win those 3 games and Fairmont falters vs. Redwood this week. Look for the Storm to be the 8 seed.

Worthington- was a tough week for the Trojans. They dropped a tough one to Morris Benson. They rematch with the Storm and they have a home game vs. Redwood Valley. If they win both those games they will be in the discussion for the 8 seed.

Redwood Valley- Still do not have a Section win but have the most ability to move up. They still have 2 games with Morris Benson, 2 games with Fairmont and one with Worthington left. If Redwood could get hot they could move from the 11 seed to the 8 seed. However, for the time being because they have no Section 3A Wins they are the 11 seed.

So many Great Matchups this week. At the top, middle and bottom of the section. I have games to go to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday!!

I hope the weather will cooperate!

[rollCARDSroll]

Section 3A Seed Projection: #1 Seed-[/b] Have beaten every team in the Section so far. Only questions mark will be what if they slip up against Hutch would that even drop them?

No.

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Side Note Section 3A Discussion.

Luverne's 8th Grade Phenom Jaxon Nelson (24 goals, 25 assists for 49 points) in 19 games is currently are pace to put up around 60 to 70 points as an 8th grader this year.

The question that I have is what will this young stud do in the coming years. I have been told he will be at Shattuck starting next fall but I have ask.... What if he actually stays in High School at Luverne.

He has the potential to become the MN State High School League's All Time Point leader.

He would be in the Mold of both Jonny Pohl from little known Red Wing and Ben Hanowski from small town program Little Falls. Both Players came through and really put a spot light on their program taking them to State and both of these guys Stayed in High School.

I realize that in the modern age we have kids More Then Ever leaving early and chasing the dream. Many will say he has to leave to play better teams. However, that same could of been said about Pohl and Hanowksi both stayed all 4 years and Played D1 (Pohl to the U of M & Hanowski to SCSU) both also played in the NHL. So it shows if your good enough you will be able to make it no matter where you play.

Here are the stats below neither played as 8th graders and Nelson is on pace to have more points then either of Pohl or Big Ben did as freshman.

2nd All time in MN HS History 378 total Points
Johnny Pohl
Red Wing HS ( 4 years 95-98 )
1995 28 games 19 goals 42 assists 61 pts
1996 28 games 42 goals 57 assists 99 pts
1997 28 games 54 goals 57 assists 111 pts
1998 28 games 29 goals 78 assists 107 pts

THEN A DECADE LATER CAME

1st All time in MN HS History 405 total Points
Ben Hanowski
Little Falls HS (4 years 05-2009)
05-06 31 games 35 goals 29 assists 64 pts
06-07 29 games 40 goals 71 assists 111 pts
07-08 26 games 48 goals 47 assists 95 pts
08-09 31 games 73 goals 62 assists 135 pts

NOW A ANOTHER DECADE LATER

We have another young phenom from a small community program. At 6'1 as an 8th grader he is still going to grow he could be a beast.

Like I said if he stays he very well could set the All Time Record for Points and Become a Minnesota High School Hockey Legend. Or he could leave as reports have it and go to Shattuck and make it big going that rout.

Looking at Luverne their best groups are in the Bantam and Pee Wee age so if he sticks around when he becomes an Upper Classman WOW. Would be fun to have a 3A Team with a that kind of a Story.

Just was looking at stats and thinking about things.

Again a side note.

Both Hanowksi and Pohl had stud Linemates who went on the play College Hockey as well. Nelson has that with Super Sophomore Smedsrud.

Again all reports say he is One and Done. However, if he stayed he will most likely get the pub and looks with (MN HP Programs and Fall Elite League) and play D1 hockey regardless.

Will he go the Shaeffer rout who left before entering Marshall High School or will he stay and try to become the next HS Legend?

Just something to think about as we head to the stretch run of this season and look ahead to next season.

Would be fun to have this kind of story going on in Section 3A Would be good for SW Hockey and if your a Luverne Fan Enjoy Him and Smedsrud if they both stay they will be very tough to shut down as they become the older stronger kids on the ice.

[the thrill]

As a Luverne fan, I sure hope that Nelson stays. Especially with the upcoming talent in the Bantams and Pee Wees. They could make some serious noise in a few years.

Do I think he'll stay? I doubt it.

[InYourFace09]

As a Luverne fan, I sure hope that Nelson stays. Especially with the upcoming talent in the Bantams and Pee Wees. They could make some serious noise in a few years.

Do I think he'll stay? I doubt it.

If he stays for his Freshman year, do you think at that point he would stay for his entire HS career? Interesting decision he has, go put his name in the record books or pursue his goal of greater opportunities.

[the thrill]

My gut tells me that this will be his one MN high school season.

I think the longer he stays in Luverne, the harder it gets to leave. Which is why I think he'll be gone after this year.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

[notTONIGHT]

I got a big report he got a NASA scholarship and will be on the moon by april.....

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

My gut tells me that this will be his one MN high school season.

I think the longer he stays in Luverne, the harder it gets to leave. Which is why I think he'll be gone after this year.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

Too bad he wont be staying. I think he will be going to the next level regardless what he does during his high school years. He is going to be a big power forward. He will make the next level even if he did stay at Luverne.

Would have been fun to see him carry a small town program on his back like we use to se in the old days.... Just dont see that anymore. Too bad

[hawkenjonny]

As a fan of hockey all over this great state of hockey I see young guys leaving to pursue other avenues to hockey fame and fortune yet often speak out later that they regret leaving their high school team early. (yes I know a couple) Hoping for 3A fans that the 8th grader stays. Looking at Luverne, team seems to win even when the 'young guns' do not score, so must have a TEAM not a LINE (or part of one). Don't believe either underclassmen scored in their last game yet still won by a large margin. Not an expert on 3A, just an observer.

[the thrill]

My gut tells me that this will be his one MN high school season.

I think the longer he stays in Luverne, the harder it gets to leave. Which is why I think he'll be gone after this year.

I sure hope I'm wrong.

Too bad he wont be staying. I think he will be going to the next level regardless what he does during his high school years. He is going to be a big power forward. He will make the next level even if he did stay at Luverne.

Would have been fun to see him carry a small town program on his back like we use to se in the old days.... Just dont see that anymore. Too bad

I never said he won't be staying. I just gave my opinion.

[Teak]

Side Note Section 3A Discussion.

Will he go the Shaeffer rout who left before entering Marshall High School or will he stay and try to become the next HS Legend?

Whatever became of Shaeffer?

[fastncrash]

Side Note Section 3A Discussion.

Will he go the Shaeffer rout who left before entering Marshall High School or will he stay and try to become the next HS Legend?

Whatever became of Shaeffer?

http://tihockey.com/2013MIDGETMAJOR/TI% ... age_18.jpg

[goldy313]

When Pohl came through very few kids left high school. The NAHL was non existent and the USHL very rarely took underclassmen. His dad was also the AD at Red Wing I believe.

Kids from less than top programs that have stayed in high school and have done alright; the afore mentioned Hanowski...Jamie Hoffman from New Ulm was offered scholarships at Minnesota and Colorado College before going the baseball route....Eriah Hayes from LaCrescent made his debut with the San Jose Sharks this year....Matti Niskannen from Virginia played at UMD then the Dallas Stars. I can think of a lot of highly touted kids that left that never made past the NAHL.

I don't think there is a right answer on whether to stay or leave but I do know people with a vested interest make recommendations and it's very hard to weed through them and figure the BS from what is real. A local kid was sold on Shattuck and after $30k or so a year for a couple of years in tuition he made it all the way to a partial year in the NAHL before being cut by teams in that league and ending up in the pay to play NA3HL. I can think of another local kid who stayed and tore his shoulder up playing football and that ended any aspirations of a hockey career.

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

When Pohl came through very few kids left high school. The NAHL was non existent and the USHL very rarely took underclassmen. His dad was also the AD at Red Wing I believe.

Kids from less than top programs that have stayed in high school and have done alright; the afore mentioned Hanowski...Jamie Hoffman from New Ulm was offered scholarships at Minnesota and Colorado College before going the baseball route....Eriah Hayes from LaCrescent made his debut with the San Jose Sharks this year....Matti Niskannen from Virginia played at UMD then the Dallas Stars. I can think of a lot of highly touted kids that left that never made past the NAHL.

I don't think there is a right answer on whether to stay or leave but I do know people with a vested interest make recommendations and it's very hard to weed through them and figure the BS from what is real. A local kid was sold on Shattuck and after $30k or so a year for a couple of years in tuition he made it all the way to a partial year in the NAHL before being cut by teams in that league and ending up in the pay to play NA3HL. I can think of another local kid who stayed and tore his shoulder up playing football and that ended any aspirations of a hockey career.

\

Good post. There have been plenty of kids from smaller programs who stayed and made it.

Back to games Hutch vs LDC should be a good. See Tiger and Dragons fans there. Lots of 3A back in action

[50/50]

Deceiving subject, really. Sorry.

Question: What happened to the Thompson brothers from Achiever Academy? They were part of the varsity team when AA played Luverne over Christmas, but now both are off of the roster.

[InYourFace09]

Deceiving subject, really. Sorry.

Question: What happened to the Thompson brothers from Achiever Academy? They were part of the varsity team when AA played Luverne over Christmas, but now both are off of the roster.

They both left and chose different paths. I think one is on a U16 Midget team and not sure what the other one did.

[50/50]

interesting. my kid played AAA with the younger one for a few years, and it was apparant they were the "golden" children of the northern educate program.

wondering if the new ownership had anything to do with them leaving in the middle of the season?

[InYourFace09]

interesting. my kid played AAA with the younger one for a few years, and it was apparant they were the "golden" children of the northern educate program.

wondering if the new ownership had anything to do with them leaving in the middle of the season?

Im not sure, but his dad has been was talking about it earlier on here "
B. Thompson started the year with 99 Revolution, then when High school started played as planned with Achiever Academy. He earned the opportunity to play in Omaha for the U16's. That will be the last of the sweater collection for this year. Unless Mike Babcock phones!!"

This is under the who's not returning for 2013/2014 thread.

[50/50]

good luck to him!

[gopherfan7]

Good win for the Tigers tonight over Litch 8-3. 7 even strength goals and 1 shorty. Good to see scoring from some of the sophs. Also good to see Nelson having a good night between the pipes. Finally getting some decent tendy play can carry a team far into playoffs.

it will be interesting to see who plays in net in a week and a half against Luverne. From the looks of how Hutch has been rotating their tendys, it would appear Allan would start.

Two big tests for the Tigers here to end the week with Delano and HFC Thursday and Friday!

[BP]

interesting. my kid played AAA with the younger one for a few years, and it was apparant they were the "golden" children of the northern educate program.

wondering if the new ownership had anything to do with them leaving in the middle of the season?

If they leave, that AA ship is going down, fast. They were the most loyal Yuro fans and to leave at Xmas time, says a lot. Titanic is going down......

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Section 3A Action

Hutch wins big over LDC. The Tigers were dominate all night. They held a big shot shot advantage and they continue to get better goaltending. Tigers took a big step closer to showing they getting better which makes them scary.

Marshall wins their 7th in a row over Morris Benson to stay hot!

Fairmont downs Redwood Valley to take a big step closer to looking up the 8 seed.

New Ulm Downs Waseca

Luverne throttles Worthington to wrap up the SWC Crown

[Outoftowner]

Section 3A Action

Hutch wins big over LDC. The Tigers were dominate all night. They held a big shot shot advantage and they continue to get better goaltending. Tigers took a big step closer to showing they getting better which makes them scary.

Marshall wins their 7th in a row over Morris Benson to stay hot!

Fairmont downs Redwood Valley to take a big step closer to looking up the 8 seed.

New Ulm Downs Waseca

Luverne throttles Worthington to wrap up the SWC Crown

I was at the Hutch /LDC game. What is that style that LDC is playing? No D coverage and that dump, chase, throw the puck at the net and hope for a rebound stuff.

Don't they know that when out of style 20+ years ago? LDC had a strong Bantam A team first line last year that made it to reqions. LDC's Varsity top line has two of those guys playing and one on the bench (fourth line).

They now look like mites chasing and slapping at the puck. It was rather sad to see.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

You guys are talking Shattuck, so who knows. Does SSM come to the table with $$ like the privates sometimes do, either for academics/athletics/need? Also completely random but you mentioned a career ending football injury. Do the big hockey programs ever bring in kids who come in or end up playing more than a single sport at that level? Curious, not exploring my kids options.

[notTONIGHT]

Marshall and New Ulm.

If New Ulm wants to make any noise in the playoffs, this will be a good indicator.

New Ulm needs to send a clear message they are capable, by handling Marshall like the rest of the top end of the section has.

Also, If Marshall is so hot, this could be a statement for them.

I'll take NU 3, Marshall 2


Willmar also has a chance to show themselves against a tough Apollo squad. Games in their barn so they should be able to hang on.

Hutch has their first shot against Delano this year. If they can get any tendy play they have a chance. If this go the way they have most of the year, blowout on the horizon.

Good luck to all teams!