AAA National Championships with MN in them.... a proposal!

[JSR]

So I have been putting more thought into this and I truly believe it's time for Minnesota to "re-enter" the AAA national championships....... Further I have put some decent thought into why you CAN make it happen without doing ANYTHING to disturb your high school state championships.... You truly can have your cake and "eat" it too.....

Here is my proposal and honestly I think it would be great for the "State of Hockey" as well as the national landscape of hockey as we continue to grow the sport everywhere..... Right now you guys have the High School Elite league which is a before season opportunity for your very best high school players. Everyone of those teams could be USA Hockey rostered as a legitimate "team" and lets face it, those teams are all more or less just as good as any of the top AAA midget teams. So you do the league before season jsut like you do now but after your high school state championships those teams get back together and have a Minnesota District playoff that would include those ELite League teams and Schattuck. The winner advances to the National Championships..... For a while I couldn't figure out how to make it work because I kept comparing it to Wisconsin and while there are some things to be taken from that, the fact is Wisconsin needs an additional week because they have to have a state playoff and name a state champion who then represents the state in the Central District playoffs, I kept thinking MN needed to do the same but that would require possibly moving the high school tournament up a week which just wasn't going to happen.... then it occurred to me, MN does not need a state playoff because they are their own district for USA Hockey purposes. Thus the need for the state playoff weekend is unecessary thus eliminating the need to touch the high school playoffs. You guys just go straight to a "district" playoff which everywhere else in the country is being played this coming weekend. To my knowledge your high school stuff is over so there is nothing to get in the way. Your very best high school kids can reap the joys of your great high school tourney while they also can have a shot at the AAA national championship as well..... This could be an enticing offer in the conitnuing effort to try and keep kids playing high school hockey and not bolt for juniors or out of state AAA teams, all while keeping the integrity of MN High School hockey.....

Team Wisconsin does exactly this with the only difference being our high school tourney is a week earlier than yours and we have that state AAA championship to deal with before district playoffs.... But again with no need for a "state AAA title" in MN you don;t need that extra week.... I think this could be a real winner....

So you can use your Elite League teams and Schattuck for the U18 Midget Major tourney.... Use the Elite D League and Schattuck for the U16 midget minor tourney.... and perhaps you can figure out a way to reconfigure the ages in this new Bantam Elite League that has been created and use them as well as Schattuck for the U14 Bantam tourney.....

I know there are haters that find something wrong with everything but you have to admit this is not a terrible way to look at things considering the ever changing landscape..... Yes Minnesota produces lots of great hockey players and there is nothing wrong with the way things are, but as with everything in life if you are not evloving and moving forward you are slowly moving backward even if you do not see it now..... Just an idea, wonder what the power brokers of hockey in MN think about looking at it like this.....

[SuperStar]

Good Idea - But I think the only way it will get done is through The Blades or Machine. .

[MrBoDangles]

Like it!

Should also send this to Let's Play Hockey.

[JSR]

Good Idea - But I think the only way it will get done is through The Blades or Machine. .

I thought about that and the Blades and Machine could also field teams elgible for your district playoffs, I do feel the Elite League teams make the most sense and would still need to be involved and take the "lead" as I think they would have the best chance at actually making it happen up there as it would give the idea legitimacy in the eyes of the powers that be, but the Blades and Machine could also be part of it, you know your bases are covered then I suppose .....

[JSR]

Like it!

Should also send this to Let's Play Hockey.

Maybe I will!

[elliott70]

Right now you guys have the High School Elite league which is a before season opportunity for your very best high school players. Everyone of those teams could be USA Hockey rostered as a legitimate "team" and lets face it, those teams are all more or less just as good as any of the top AAA midget teams.

These teams ARE rostered through USAH.

It has been discussed about playing a spring league and I believe one year it was done. The problem was not enough interest. Other hockey things going on, spring sports, spring breaks... it was difficult.

But perhaps another stab at it needs to happen.

[Tenoverpar]

Last years 2013 U18 AAA National Champion the Neponset Valley River Rats was a squad filled with players from New England Prep Schools who all rostered together and played a fall AAA schedule, including a play-in tournament before the high school season started. When the high school season ended they played another month or so of games leading up to nationals.

There is no reason why at the U16 and U18 level Minnesota couldnt' draft a similiar model. It wouldn't be season long and it wouldn't interrup the beloved Minnesota system of high school hockey. November 1, everyone goes back to school and plays at home...May 1-30 Oct would be open season with a playoff to close out the run. Let SSM still go to Nationals in April and work with USA hockey to send a 2nd Minnesota rep'd team that wins these 2 leagues.

You could easily make 4 outstanding teams, 6-8 very very competetive teams..8-10 good solid teams at each level.

Done..everyone sign off...Jesus, Oprah, Tom Cruise, Hal Tearse, Grampa Louie, Mr Coach Kline, Pierre McGuire...

[Froggy Richards]

Right now you guys have the High School Elite league which is a before season opportunity for your very best high school players. Everyone of those teams could be USA Hockey rostered as a legitimate "team" and lets face it, those teams are all more or less just as good as any of the top AAA midget teams.

These teams ARE rostered through USAH.

It has been discussed about playing a spring league and I believe one year it was done. The problem was not enough interest. Other hockey things going on, spring sports, spring breaks... it was difficult.

But perhaps another stab at it needs to happen.

Exactly! I've said this many times. If there was any interest in this it would have been done already. The State Tournament is the Pinnacle in Minnesota and I think it would be hard to get up for anything else after that. LOTS of people here look forward to the Spring to do Spring things, especially after the winters we've had recently. Because of this I think people fall out of hockey mode a little bit, as crazy as that may sound to some.

[Winter is Coming]

I think the interest is there but both MN Hockey at the youth and high school levels would pitch such a fit about AAA hockey getting any more of a sanction in the state than it does now that it would not work. In order for a AAA team to be registered in the state through USA Hockey MN Hockey would have to approve it and they will not. The fear (well founded) is that once the split season versions of the AAA teams got going a few would try (and succeed) to become year around teams and that would be the death knell for the association model of hockey that is used in MN. Right now the association model that is used in youth that feeds most of the high school teams will be defended to the end of time.

[JSR]

Right now you guys have the High School Elite league which is a before season opportunity for your very best high school players. Everyone of those teams could be USA Hockey rostered as a legitimate "team" and lets face it, those teams are all more or less just as good as any of the top AAA midget teams.

These teams ARE rostered through USAH.

It has been discussed about playing a spring league and I believe one year it was done. The problem was not enough interest. Other hockey things going on, spring sports, spring breaks... it was difficult.

But perhaps another stab at it needs to happen.

I am not talkng about a spring league, that is compeltely different. I am talkin gabout the Elite League kids (and maybe a couple others like Blades or Machine and Schattuck) getting back together after the high school season for the purpose of playing for and winning the MN District championship and the winner (one team) earning the right to go to the National Championships that season. I bet there would huge interest in that and one of the reasons is that it really doesn't interefere with spring sports. Team Wisconsin does this exact thing every year and a majority of the kids on that team play spring high school sports. The National Championships are over by the first week in April and your talking one teams worth of kids who likely are spread out amongst multiple schools. Just saying don't equalte this to a spring league because it's a vastly different proposition

[JSR]

Right now you guys have the High School Elite league which is a before season opportunity for your very best high school players. Everyone of those teams could be USA Hockey rostered as a legitimate "team" and lets face it, those teams are all more or less just as good as any of the top AAA midget teams.

These teams ARE rostered through USAH.

It has been discussed about playing a spring league and I believe one year it was done. The problem was not enough interest. Other hockey things going on, spring sports, spring breaks... it was difficult.

But perhaps another stab at it needs to happen.

Exactly! I've said this many times. If there was any interest in this it would have been done already. The State Tournament is the Pinnacle in Minnesota and I think it would be hard to get up for anything else after that. LOTS of people here look forward to the Spring to do Spring things, especially after the winters we've had recently. Because of this I think people fall out of hockey mode a little bit, as crazy as that may sound to some.

Froggy you are entitiled to your opinion but I think you are wrong on this one. See my response to elliot above for further details. The kids who likely would make up these teams never get away from hockey and do "spring things", 95% of these kids who play at that level are year rounders to some degree by that age I guarantee it, this is a just a different way for them to get their hockey workouts in

[JSR]

I think the interest is there but both MN Hockey at the youth and high school levels would pitch such a fit about AAA hockey getting any more of a sanction in the state than it does now that it would not work. In order for a AAA team to be registered in the state through USA Hockey MN Hockey would have to approve it and they will not. The fear (well founded) is that once the split season versions of the AAA teams got going a few would try (and succeed) to become year around teams and that would be the death knell for the association model of hockey that is used in MN. Right now the association model that is used in youth that feeds most of the high school teams will be defended to the end of time.

The sky is not falling and before and after teams are a prevalent model and would do nothing to ruin association or high school hockey any more so than AAA spring and summer teams are ruining it. And you can put bylaws in for a AAA before and after pogram like this that would keep winter Tier 1 from forming..... Also, I'd argue the AAA spring programs are enhancing the MN model quite a bit, just like this proposal is meant to enhance without ruining

[bubblehockey27]

Done..everyone sign off...Jesus, Oprah, Tom Cruise, Hal Tearse, Grampa Louie, Mr Coach Kline, Pierre McGuire...

Gold. Early "Quote of the Year" candidate.

[observer]

I like it.

You don't have to think of it as AAA (I know, registered as AAA for the purpose of the championships). I agree with JSR that all of these players are training year round and it's just a spring extension. They're registered in various stages of the Minnesota Hockey Advanced process right now and also members of the Elite and Elite D League teams. One team at 18 and one at 16. That's association and High School hockey with already organized and registered players.

[black sheep]

The Elite League should be all over this. If they had a playoff system in the fall league and the winner of that punched a ticket to AAA Nationals it may be a great opprotunity to further legitimize the league.

It might push some coaches / managers in the league to really look for talent.

[barry_mcconnell]

So could the Machine or Blades just play a fall tournament and then be qualified for the the spring nationals? It seems too easy.

[Task Force 34]

It may be difficult for the Machine / Blades teams as some of those kids are actually at Shattuck. For example, The 99 Machine would be a very competitive team at a National level, however you have the following kids already on the Shattuck Tier 1 Bantam Team:

Reedy
Mismash
Pratt
Dovornay
Dahl
Draeger

I love the idea of having an Elite League playoff system to Nationals. Great idea JSR.

[elliott70]

I think the interest is there but both MN Hockey at the youth and high school levels would pitch such a fit about AAA hockey getting any more of a sanction in the state than it does now that it would not work. In order for a AAA team to be registered in the state through USA Hockey MN Hockey would have to approve it and they will not. The fear (well founded) is that once the split season versions of the AAA teams got going a few would try (and succeed) to become year around teams and that would be the death knell for the association model of hockey that is used in MN. Right now the association model that is used in youth that feeds most of the high school teams will be defended to the end of time.

I am pretty sure you are wrong.

If someone or group of someone's came forward and asked, I am sure it would be given consideration.

[elliott70]

These teams ARE rostered through USAH.

It has been discussed about playing a spring league and I believe one year it was done. The problem was not enough interest. Other hockey things going on, spring sports, spring breaks... it was difficult.

But perhaps another stab at it needs to happen.

Exactly! I've said this many times. If there was any interest in this it would have been done already. The State Tournament is the Pinnacle in Minnesota and I think it would be hard to get up for anything else after that. LOTS of people here look forward to the Spring to do Spring things, especially after the winters we've had recently. Because of this I think people fall out of hockey mode a little bit, as crazy as that may sound to some.

Froggy you are entitiled to your opinion but I think you are wrong on this one. See my response to elliot above for further details. The kids who likely would make up these teams never get away from hockey and do "spring things", 95% of these kids who play at that level are year rounders to some degree by that age I guarantee it, this is a just a different way for them to get their hockey workouts in

I think there has been a lack of interest as know one has asked for it. And I know it has been discussed in some circles.

[JSR]

Exactly! I've said this many times. If there was any interest in this it would have been done already. The State Tournament is the Pinnacle in Minnesota and I think it would be hard to get up for anything else after that. LOTS of people here look forward to the Spring to do Spring things, especially after the winters we've had recently. Because of this I think people fall out of hockey mode a little bit, as crazy as that may sound to some.

Froggy you are entitiled to your opinion but I think you are wrong on this one. See my response to elliot above for further details. The kids who likely would make up these teams never get away from hockey and do "spring things", 95% of these kids who play at that level are year rounders to some degree by that age I guarantee it, this is a just a different way for them to get their hockey workouts in

I think there has been a lack of interest as know one has asked for it. And I know it has been discussed in some circles.

Lack of interest by who would be the question.... I heard people say there would be no interest in a Bantam Elite League either, but it apepars that pretty much every single talented Bantam player that is eligible to play in it is signed up for it for this inaugrual season, jsut sayin.... I have talked to many of the Elite League parents and based on that antecdotal amount of conversation I think that there would be plenty of interest amongst the players and parents. So my guess is there is a lack of interest by the powers that be, why that would be I don't know but there is plenty of interest at the player and parent level, I know as I talk to several of them.... No one has come forth with an official proposal I can believe that but that is often because everyone thinks someone else should do it. I can't do it but I bet the organizers fo the Elite Bantam league could and I bet they might be able to pull it off too for the future.... I knwo this, it would be fun to see

[JSR]

The Elite League should be all over this. If they had a playoff system in the fall league and the winner of that punched a ticket to AAA Nationals it may be a great opprotunity to further legitimize the league.

It might push some coaches / managers in the league to really look for talent.

Fall playoff would not work. There are bylaws and protocols to be followed to be part of the Tier 1 national championships. The Mn District playoff would HAVE to be the same weekend in March that all other ditrict playoffs occur. This year that weekend was just this past weekend

[JSR]

It may be difficult for the Machine / Blades teams as some of those kids are actually at Shattuck. For example, The 99 Machine would be a very competitive team at a National level, however you have the following kids already on the Shattuck Tier 1 Bantam Team:

Reedy
Mismash
Pratt
Dovornay
Dahl
Draeger

I love the idea of having an Elite League playoff system to Nationals. Great idea JSR.

The Blades and Machine are made up of those players right now because this is not part of the equation at these age levels. But if this actually could be something that could actually happen then I am sure the Blades and Machine would be capable of putting together some quality teams made up of players not playing for Schattuck or the Elite League

[JSR]

So could the Machine or Blades just play a fall tournament and then be qualified for the the spring nationals? It seems too easy.

No you have to be recognized by your USA Hockey affiliate, aka MN Hockey as a Tier 1 team (even if it is just a Tier 1 B&A team). Then you have to play "x' number of games before December 31st, most Elite League teams accomplish this easily with their Elite League schedule and Machine and Blades could accomplish this pretty easily with an independent schedule. Then you have to submit your final roster for each authorized team by December 31st. Then if you have a district tournament it has to be run in March same weekend as other district tournaments. Schattuck just gets a "bye" because theya re tehonly team in the MN District. With this scenario theyw ould actually have to play to get in like the rest of the country.....That said this is the path the Blades and Machine would have to take, same as the Elite League teams.....

[elliott70]

Froggy you are entitiled to your opinion but I think you are wrong on this one. See my response to elliot above for further details. The kids who likely would make up these teams never get away from hockey and do "spring things", 95% of these kids who play at that level are year rounders to some degree by that age I guarantee it, this is a just a different way for them to get their hockey workouts in

I think there has been a lack of interest as know one has asked for it. And I know it has been discussed in some circles.

Lack of interest by who would be the question.... I heard people say there would be no interest in a Bantam Elite League either, but it apepars that pretty much every single talented Bantam player that is eligible to play in it is signed up for it for this inaugrual season, jsut sayin.... I have talked to many of the Elite League parents and based on that antecdotal amount of conversation I think that there would be plenty of interest amongst the players and parents. So my guess is there is a lack of interest by the powers that be, why that would be I don't know but there is plenty of interest at the player and parent level, I know as I talk to several of them.... No one has come forth with an official proposal I can believe that but that is often because everyone thinks someone else should do it. I can't do it but I bet the organizers fo the Elite Bantam league could and I bet they might be able to pull it off too for the future.... I knwo this, it would be fun to see

There you go, someone else will do it.
The interest is not there to bring it forward.
Lots of people maybe willing to jump on the bus, but no interest to get the bus purchased and on the highway. The people at the 'top' are already pretty busy maintaining the buses already out there.

[JSR]

I think there has been a lack of interest as know one has asked for it. And I know it has been discussed in some circles.

Lack of interest by who would be the question.... I heard people say there would be no interest in a Bantam Elite League either, but it apepars that pretty much every single talented Bantam player that is eligible to play in it is signed up for it for this inaugrual season, jsut sayin.... I have talked to many of the Elite League parents and based on that antecdotal amount of conversation I think that there would be plenty of interest amongst the players and parents. So my guess is there is a lack of interest by the powers that be, why that would be I don't know but there is plenty of interest at the player and parent level, I know as I talk to several of them.... No one has come forth with an official proposal I can believe that but that is often because everyone thinks someone else should do it. I can't do it but I bet the organizers fo the Elite Bantam league could and I bet they might be able to pull it off too for the future.... I knwo this, it would be fun to see

There you go, someone else will do it.
The interest is not there to bring it forward.
Lots of people maybe willing to jump on the bus, but no interest to get the bus purchased and on the highway. The people at the 'top' are already pretty busy maintaining the buses already out there.

I can't do it because I do not live in MN and I do not have any players playing in MN Hockey. I definitely would if I did live there. I am not passing the buck I just literally "cannot" do it because of those facts. Hoping someone who lives there and has kids playing there and is registered there will read this and maybe take up the flag