Duluth Marshall opt up ripple effect

[kniven]

What is the ripple effect locally? What program is effected the most? Least? Do their recruits fly thru the roof now they are AA or stay the same. Guesses on what section 7AA looks like next year as far as what teams are in and out.

[/list]

[greenway1969]

Think the MSHSL will try to move Elk River, Andover and STMA out. That would leave East, Rapids, Cloquet, Forest Lake, Cambridge, St. Francis and Marshall. They could add Brainerd (maybe Bemidji?) to make 7AA eight teams. A more unlikely scenario would be to move out Elk River, STMA, and Andover and replace them with Centennial and Blaine as those schools are much closer to the other 7AA teams than ER, STMA and Andover. STMA will probably end up in 8AA or 5AA with Andover and ER. Osseo and/or Coon Rapids could be moved to 6AA. Proctor could be moved to 7A with Totino-Grace replacing them in 5A. At the very least, I see STMA moving elsewhere. Trying to guess at what the MSHSL will do is not a very easy thing to do.

[kniven]

Think the MSHSL will try to move Elk River, Andover and STMA out. That would leave East, Rapids, Cloquet, Forest Lake, Cambridge, St. Francis and Marshall. They could add Brainerd (maybe Bemidji?) to make 7AA eight teams. A more unlikely scenario would be to move out Elk River, STMA, and Andover and replace them with Centennial and Blaine as those schools are much closer to the other 7AA teams than ER, STMA and Andover. STMA will probably end up in 8AA or 5AA with Andover and ER. Osseo and/or Coon Rapids could be moved to 6AA. Proctor could be moved to 7A with Totino-Grace replacing them in 5A. At the very least, I see STMA moving elsewhere. Trying to guess at what the MSHSL will do is not a very easy thing to do.

...but it is great reading. I like to read the feedback from all you diehards

[rainier]

What is the ripple effect locally? What program is effected the most? Least? Do their recruits fly thru the roof now they are AA or stay the same. Guesses on what section 7AA looks like next year as far as what teams are in and out.

[/list]

I think the DM opt up hurts Hermantown and Denfeld the most, as the top kids from these schools will be lured by getting the chance to play against top AA competition on what is sure to be a formidable schedule.

Loyalty to the west side is what seems to allow Denfeld to keep some of their kids from going to Marshall currently, but the opportunity to play against the best competition MN has to offer along with the exponentially increased exposure to scouts/recruiters could prove to be too much to resist.

Hermantown has already felt the effects with the loss of some bantams to Marshall this year. Parents from Hermantown can send their kids to Marshall not just to play against better hockey competition, but they can also feel as though the kids are not taking a "step down" in academics or school environment, such as they might if they were to send them to a Duluth public school. (Which may or not be true, but it does seem to be the perception in the Duluth area.)

I don't think it will affect East as much, but if Marshall evolves into "the" destination school for talented hockey players in the Duluth area, then the Hounds' chances of getting to state will be seriously eroded.

Marshall is making a renewed commitment to their hockey program, and that will likely include making sure that the funds will be there for taking as many road trips to the metro area as is needed to make a top level schedule, along with having enough "assistance" money to help any family of a star player afford the tuition.

If Marshall does indeed become "the" place for the best players in the Duluth area, it could be scary. It would essentially be Team North from the Elite League minus the players from GR. That would be a powerhouse.

[HockeyBum]

The players that went to Marshall would have gone to Marshall at this age regardless of hockey involvement. Same as a few kids from past years. Marshall will have to do an upstanding job recruiting to pull from Hermantown. I also think it will take some time before Marshall's move to AA affects Hermantown. Really, if Marshall cant beat Hermantown in the last 11 games why does them moving to AA entice player to move to Marshall other than for the education if they are not successful, they are not St Thomas.

For one, the exposure will not be a draw until Marshall is successful at AA. If they aren't successful they could be no different than a Holy Family Catholic Private school. Keep in mind Marshall lost 2 players this year that went back to local teams. Scouts are going to head to games with talented teams that will be competitive and not going to a game with a talented team vs a gimme team if they have the other to pick from.

Second, Hermantown has had some great years that has people moving to town for the sole purpose to have their kids play for the hockey team (not recruited, success always draws people to itself) but the talent pool is getting smaller. When the team is no longer successful the draw to Hermantown will not be as strong and a new community will take over, which community that is down the road, no one can tell.

Note: the old guard in Hermantown is getting older, e.g. Plante will retire soon, D1 Alumni youth coaches players are starting to or entering the HS age so they are no longer coaching youth, and parents with less skills in hockey or young kids are starting to become the new guard.

Hermantowns success comes from the talented coaching staff and board of directors that played hockey at a high level and knowing what it takes to be a great program. Soon the trail will be down hill unless new talent at the youth and HS coaching is drafted to keep Hermantown successful.

Just my 2cents

[Rocketwrister]

The players that went to Marshall would have gone to Marshall at this age regardless of hockey involvement. Same as a few kids from past years. Marshall will have to do an upstanding job recruiting to pull from Hermantown. I also think it will take some time before Marshall's move to AA affects Hermantown. Really, if Marshall cant beat Hermantown in the last 11 games why does them moving to AA entice player to move to Marshall other than for the education if they are not successful, they are not St Thomas.

For one, the exposure will not be a draw until Marshall is successful at AA. If they aren't successful they could be no different than a Holy Family Catholic Private school. Keep in mind Marshall lost 2 players this year that went back to local teams. Scouts are going to head to games with talented teams that will be competitive and not going to a game with a talented team vs a gimme team if they have the other to pick from.

Second, Hermantown has had some great years that has people moving to town for the sole purpose to have their kids play for the hockey team (not recruited, success always draws people to itself) but the talent pool is getting smaller. When the team is no longer successful the draw to Hermantown will not be as strong and a new community will take over, which community that is down the road, no one can tell.

Note: the old guard in Hermantown is getting older, e.g. Plante will retire soon, D1 Alumni youth coaches players are starting to or entering the HS age so they are no longer coaching youth, and parents with less skills in hockey or young kids are starting to become the new guard.

Hermantowns success comes from the talented coaching staff and board of directors that played hockey at a high level and knowing what it takes to be a great program. Soon the trail will be down hill unless new talent at the youth and HS coaching is drafted to keep Hermantown successful.

Just my 2cents

Don't totally disagree with your Hermantown talk...but I believe a triple down affect could hamper East in a few years. Kids had a choice; play on a good "a" team (Marshall, or Hermantown" or try and play with the big boys of "AA" (east). NOW there are two AA teams in town...East isn't going to be "safe" so to speak anymore....AND if Marshall can have a little success early; watch out.

[the_juiceman]

Think the MSHSL will try to move Elk River, Andover and STMA out. That would leave East, Rapids, Cloquet, Forest Lake, Cambridge, St. Francis and Marshall. They could add Brainerd (maybe Bemidji?) to make 7AA eight teams. A more unlikely scenario would be to move out Elk River, STMA, and Andover and replace them with Centennial and Blaine as those schools are much closer to the other 7AA teams than ER, STMA and Andover. STMA will probably end up in 8AA or 5AA with Andover and ER. Osseo and/or Coon Rapids could be moved to 6AA. Proctor could be moved to 7A with Totino-Grace replacing them in 5A. At the very least, I see STMA moving elsewhere. Trying to guess at what the MSHSL will do is not a very easy thing to do.

I think you need to work on your geography...

[greenway1969]

I think I know my geography very well. Instead of just making a statement explain what is wrong with my geography.

[nota612er]

I’m not so sure their move changes much in the Duluth hockey landscape, but will agree that East would be the most impacted. That's already the feeder and parental demographic. Those that attend Marshall today have a family history or want the educational experience (majority) or are “dissatisfied” with their current program. The Marshall School educational experience is VERY different from any of the surrounding public schools and is most definitely not a fit for the kid or family that just wants a chance to kick the can at the X in AA. They’ll find the scholarship dollars if the family needs it, but the classroom rigor is just that, rigorous. There are many in the Duluth area that see this as just the first step to them becoming the Shattuck of the North. Great college-prep school with an excellence agenda and I wish them the best in 7AA.