Girls HS Hockey in Major Decline

[36Guy]

On a side note - If SPU gets to state you can by a book of game tickets for $92.00 and watch history in the making. If you ask me its money well spent to see 10 goal games, Its a spectators dream. I mean who wouldn't like to spend a $100.00 to see high scoring games, and to see these quality private school match ups. I think its very nice that those kids (privates) have an avenue along with their parents to compete against each other to see who got the biggest bang for their education bucks. I mean its good for hockey I say. Quality match ups from the first round on. Sure it maybe a little lopsided, but high scoring for sure.

To piggy back "itsfoil", could be a rough state tournament for everyone at the Xcel for attendance. Not looking for the Ridder vs Xcel argument again. But the girls fight a huge battle this year for the hockey "dollar" this year, along with peoples ability to attend.

That same weekend for girls is the Wild outdoor game, the Minnesota-Wisconsin womens series, youth playoffs for younger girls, boys still going...and the real dagger? Most Boys high school playoff semi's and finals are Thursday and Saturday night of the state tourney! Tonka girls are popular over here, but can't compete against a boy's big game. Not much thought put into the girls tourney from other venues.

Hope everyone can come support! Our family will make the pilgrimage win or lose.

[jg2112]

On a side note - If SPU gets to state you can by a book of game tickets for $92.00 and watch history in the making. If you ask me its money well spent to see 10 goal games, Its a spectators dream. I mean who wouldn't like to spend a $100.00 to see high scoring games, and to see these quality private school match ups. I think its very nice that those kids (privates) have an avenue along with their parents to compete against each other to see who got the biggest bang for their education bucks. I mean its good for hockey I say. Quality match ups from the first round on. Sure it maybe a little lopsided, but high scoring for sure.

To piggy back "itsfoil", could be a rough state tournament for everyone at the Xcel for attendance. Not looking for the Ridder vs Xcel argument again. But the girls fight a huge battle this year for the hockey "dollar" this year, along with peoples ability to attend.

That same weekend for girls is the Wild outdoor game, the Minnesota-Wisconsin womens series, youth playoffs for younger girls, boys still going...and the real dagger? Most Boys high school playoff semi's and finals are Thursday and Saturday night of the state tourney! Tonka girls are popular over here, but can't compete against a boy's big game. Not much thought put into the girls tourney from other venues.

Hope everyone can come support! Our family will make the pilgrimage win or lose.

You bring up a good point, one that drives me nuts every year. What geniuses decided that putting, for example, the U12A D2 title game one hour before the A girls championship game was a good idea?

These people don't understand they need youth players at these games to drive future attendance. They're cannibalizing the fan base by not working together on section scheduling.

[36Guy]

On a side note - If SPU gets to state you can by a book of game tickets for $92.00 and watch history in the making. If you ask me its money well spent to see 10 goal games, Its a spectators dream. I mean who wouldn't like to spend a $100.00 to see high scoring games, and to see these quality private school match ups. I think its very nice that those kids (privates) have an avenue along with their parents to compete against each other to see who got the biggest bang for their education bucks. I mean its good for hockey I say. Quality match ups from the first round on. Sure it maybe a little lopsided, but high scoring for sure.

To piggy back "itsfoil", could be a rough state tournament for everyone at the Xcel for attendance. Not looking for the Ridder vs Xcel argument again. But the girls fight a huge battle this year for the hockey "dollar" this year, along with peoples ability to attend.

That same weekend for girls is the Wild outdoor game, the Minnesota-Wisconsin womens series, youth playoffs for younger girls, boys still going...and the real dagger? Most Boys high school playoff semi's and finals are Thursday and Saturday night of the state tourney! Tonka girls are popular over here, but can't compete against a boy's big game. Not much thought put into the girls tourney from other venues.

Hope everyone can come support! Our family will make the pilgrimage win or lose.

You bring up a good point, one that drives me nuts every year. What geniuses decided that putting, for example, the U12A D2 title game one hour before the A girls championship game was a good idea?

These people don't understand they need youth players at these games to drive future attendance. They're cannibalizing the fan base by not working together on section scheduling.

People do not realize how scheduling of other venues effects the girls game. Most of this blog has been about passion for the girls game its future and getting to the tourney! 4 years ago when Tonka one the ship, our boy's team was not very good and we had fans to the rafters for the title game. Last year the boys played EP to go to state in the section final at the same time as the title game and it looked like Custer's last stand, we had about 100 people there, half of them were parents.

[NORTHWOODS HOCKEY]

This exact question was posed at last falls coaching meeting. The answer given, had to do strictly with logistics and not being able to secure the Xcel at a later date. In turn, everything else ie... the start of the season, the start of sections and the start of the state tourney are all set by the availability of the Xcel. Not sure how true that is, but that was the answer given.

[jg2112]

This exact question was posed at last falls coaching meeting. The answer given, had to do strictly with logistics and not being able to secure the Xcel at a later date. In turn, everything else ie... the start of the season, the start of sections and the start of the state tourney are all set by the availability of the Xcel. Not sure how true that is, but that was the answer given.

And if the case, that is perfectly fine. The Districts are then at fault.

District 2 should understand this and plan for it. Instead, they scheduled their U12A District championship game at 1pm and their U15A District championship game at 8pm on 2/20. As a result, they're taking away the ability of dedicated, serious hockey fans a short drive from St. Paul to attend state title games.

[thegreatone99]

Blake 4 - Edina 1

And tonka had to score in the final seconds to salvage a tie edina per mnhockey's games of the week recap 2-2.

So Blake should continue to play Class A after dominating one of the top metro programs.

Can't wait for the tourney, wish it was starting tomorrow!

[sinbin]

On a side note - If SPU gets to state you can by a book of game tickets for $92.00 and watch history in the making. If you ask me its money well spent to see 10 goal games, Its a spectators dream. I mean who wouldn't like to spend a $100.00 to see high scoring games, and to see these quality private school match ups. I think its very nice that those kids (privates) have an avenue along with their parents to compete against each other to see who got the biggest bang for their education bucks. I mean its good for hockey I say. Quality match ups from the first round on. Sure it maybe a little lopsided, but high scoring for sure.

To piggy back "itsfoil", could be a rough state tournament for everyone at the Xcel for attendance. Not looking for the Ridder vs Xcel argument again. But the girls fight a huge battle this year for the hockey "dollar" this year, along with peoples ability to attend.

That same weekend for girls is the Wild outdoor game, the Minnesota-Wisconsin womens series, youth playoffs for younger girls, boys still going...and the real dagger? Most Boys high school playoff semi's and finals are Thursday and Saturday night of the state tourney! Tonka girls are popular over here, but can't compete against a boy's big game. Not much thought put into the girls tourney from other venues.

Hope everyone can come support! Our family will make the pilgrimage win or lose.

And just think how much poor attendance adversely impacts local watering holes. We will need to do our best to help them out, too.

[thegreatone99]

But Darby’s father, Larry Hendrickson, coach of the ’76 Spartans, said hockey has simply entered a new era in which expenses are too high for many families.

“The whole world of hockey has changed,” Larry said. “It’s become a business. … Richfield is a changing community, and most of the kids just can’t afford to play.”

http://www.startribune.com/richfield-hi ... 367080491/

you can remove the word "Richfield" and insert girls.

For all of you that think two schools with players and families that have the economic means or the "haves" should still be playing and dominating the class A tourney made up of smaller communities and families that do not possess or have the economic resources to compete with the training and investment these players enjoy, shame on you.

It's only a matter of time

Move up

[thegreatone99]

“You worry about the game in general,” Osiecki said. “I think numbers are dropping to a level where it’s scary” in some communities.

Minnesota Hockey’s overall participation numbers indicate growth — the organization had 17,355 U-8 (8 and under) registrations in the state, an all-time high in the age group hockey officials consider the key barometer of the sport’s future health. But while some areas are booming, the overall numbers mask declines in other communities, many of them with a rich hockey history

[thegreatone99]

50% of the AA sections have sections where the #1 seed has a first one bye which means their next game is almost like playing the 8 seed.

There is plenty of room for B&B to be moved up into these sections. Blake will have a game against AHA or Totino. Some common losses for AHA and Totino; AHA has lost to SPU 10-0, Dodge 5-1, Breck 8-0. Totino losses to Dodge 7-1.

So one of these schools gets the privilege to play Blake in their second game. And with Blake well rested and receiving the bye, they basically only have to play one game to make it to State. When does an #8 seed ever beat the #1 seed, maybe once.

The fact there are so many sections that have first one byes and their first game in sections is basically like playing the #8 seed to advance to the section final shows the troubling sign for the girls game. There were be zero #1 seeds in Class A and AA that will lose their first game in sections.

Clearly there is room to move Blake and Breck into AA to round out the Regions and actually make going to State a challenge to attain for the top Metro Teams. To have a full 7AA Region where it will be more difficult to make it through sections due to everyone plays the same number of games and does not receive extra rest or less risk of injury to a top player, and allow the strong Metro Regions to only have seven teams per section is wrong.

Good luck to all the smaller communities, I hope some of them could pull off a "miracle on ice" and take down a number one seed!

[pepperpot]

Don't hold your breath great one. Privates will clean up again in both A and AA. That article in Mpls about Richfield spells it all out. The girls game is dying and the state is watching it happen. More coops means more team dying. Evenetually it will be the wealthy suburbs and the privates. Force the Blakes, Brecks, Uniteds Benildes to move up. They can petition to move down if their recruiter took a leave of absence.

[jg2112]

Don't hold your breath great one. Privates will clean up again in both A and AA. That article in Mpls about Richfield spells it all out. The girls game is dying and the state is watching it happen. More coops means more team dying. Evenetually it will be the wealthy suburbs and the privates. Force the Blakes, Brecks, Uniteds Benildes to move up. They can petition to move down if their recruiter took a leave of absence.

Hill-Murray and Benilde deserve kudos for already moving up. All other private schools should do the same.

[C-dad]

Don't hold your breath great one. Privates will clean up again in both A and AA. That article in Mpls about Richfield spells it all out. The girls game is dying and the state is watching it happen. More coops means more team dying. Evenetually it will be the wealthy suburbs and the privates. Force the Blakes, Brecks, Uniteds Benildes to move up. They can petition to move down if their recruiter took a leave of absence.

BSM has moved up already, although they should do the same in soccer.

[EPIC97]

$250 sticks, $220 an hour for ice, $700 skates, $1500 association fees. This is what parents hear around the water cooler. The cost of entry into the game is the issue.
If you can't afford to start the sport at the entry level then you are not going to be there when High school hockey roles round.
Maybe parents are leading their kids away from the sport because they can't or don't want to afford it from the get go.
The hav's and the have not argument starts here. Not whether you want to pay for private school.

[maristar]

Much to the despair of our “doom and gloom and have-not” lovers such as skatez, thegreatone99 and the always misinformed and misguided pepperpot along with many others, the “Donald Trump” of girls’ hockey would like to present the true facts from USA Hockey Registration proving that the demise and imminent decline of girls’ hockey as they constantly purport, is actually false.
This fact finding mission took a first-ring suburb kid from a public school about ten minutes to figure out! It’s amazing that some of these bloggers never let facts influence their story…

Here are the facts and the supporting hyperlink to the data for the ten year period of 2006 to 2015:

USA Hockey has grown 20.6% from 442,077 members to 533,172

MN Hockey has grown 19.4% from 46,447 members to 55,450

USA Female players have increased 28.8% from 54,162 to 69,774

MN Female players have increased 29.9% from 9,863 to 12,808

MN Females age 6 to 14 have increased 18.8% from 8,203 to 9,742, and increase of 1,439 players or sustained growth of 2% per year at the pre-high school level.

For 8U, the facts for 2015 MN registration again show an increase of 402 players to a total of 16,848 (23% girls 77% boys, 16% USAH girls ratio).
http://www.usahockey.com/page/show/8393 ... statistics


Below are the Net Growth numbers by Association in Minnesota:

The two largest growth associations were Johnson Area Hockey (+71) or as thegreatone99 would say “the havenots” and pepperpot’s downtrodden up-north Bemidji (+64). By the way, the “haves” of Eden Prairie (-65) had the largest decline. Eight of the 20 largest growth associations were outside the metro area or in the “havenot” areas of the metro.


MINNESOTA’S 2014-15 ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE Association Net Growth 1. Johnson Area Hockey Association +71 2. Bemidji Youth Hockey Association +64 3. Jefferson Youth Hockey Association +59 4. Princeton Youth Hockey Association +54 5. St. Michael/Albertville Youth Hockey +48 6. Blaine Youth Hockey +45 7. Farmington Youth Hockey Association +45 8. Mounds View Youth Hockey Association +41 9. Osseo/Maple Grove Hockey Assoc Mites +37 10. Wayzata Youth Hockey Association Mites +32 11. Mahtomedi Youth Hockey Association +29 12. Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake +28 13. Duluth Amateur Hockey Association +27 14. Rosemount Area Hockey Association +26 15. Prior Lake/Savage Hockey Association +25 16. Centennial Youth Hockey Association +21 17. Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association +19 18. Waconia Youth Hockey Association +17 19. Lake of the Woods Youth Hockey +16 20. Minnetonka +16 8 21. St. Peter Hockey Association +16 22. Detroit Lakes Youth Hockey Association +15 23. Sauk Rapids Youth Hockey +15 24. Sartell Youth Hockey Association +14 25. North Branch Hockey Association +13 26. Rogers Youth Hockey Association +13 27. Stillwater Hockey Association +13 28. Waseca Hockey Association +13 29. Sauk Centre Youth Hockey Association +12 30. St Louis Park Youth Hockey Association +12 31. Woodbury Area Hockey Club +12 32. Bagley Youth Hockey Association +11 33. Buffalo Youth Hockey Association +11 34. Crookston Parks & Recreation Department +11 35. Eagan Hockey Association +10 36. Minneapolis Hockey Association +10 37. Windom Youth Hockey Association +10 38. Hibbing Youth Hockey Association +9 39. New Prague Hockey Association +9 40. Proctor Amateur Hockey Association +9 41. St. Francis Youth Hockey Assn +9 42. Hutchinson Youth Hockey Association +8 43. Anoka Area Hockey Association +7 44. Blackduck Youth Skating Association +7 45. Hallock Hockey Association +7 46. Little Falls Youth Hockey Association +7 47. Sibley Area Youth Hockey – WSPYAA +7 48. Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey +7 49. Armstrong/Cooper +6 50. Elk River Youth Hockey Association +6 9 51. Fergus Falls Hockey Association +6 52. North St Paul Hockey Association +6 53. Alexandria Area Hockey Association +5 54. Greenway Amateur Hockey Association +4 55. Lakeville Hockey Association +4 56. Redwood Falls Hockey Association +4 57. Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association +3 58. Apple Valley Youth Hockey Association +3 59. Cambridge/Isanti Hockey Association +3 60. Esko Hockey Association +3 61. Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey +3 62. Moose Lake Area Hockey Association +3 63. New Ulm Hockey Association +3 64. St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association +3 65. Carlton Amateur Hockey Association +2 66. Inver Grove Heights Hockey Association +2 67. Luverne Hockey Association +2 68. Moorhead Youth Hockey Association +2 69. Walker Youth Hockey Association (Leech Lake Area Hockey Association) +2 70. Warroad Minor Hockey Club +2 71. Worthington Hockey Association Inc. +2 72. Chisago Lakes Hockey Association +1 73. Cottage Grove Athletic Association +1 74. Forest Lake Hockey Association +1 75. Northfield Hockey Association +1 76. Shakopee Hockey Association +1 77. Silver Bay Blue Line Club +1 78. St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association (Highland/Central Hockey Association) +1 79. Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association 0 80. Long Prairie Hockey 0 10 81. MNH Special Hockey 0 82. Roseau Amateur Hockey Association 0 83. South St. Paul Youth Hockey Association 0 84. Twig Hockey Association 0 85. Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association -1 86. Dodge County Youth Hockey Association -1 87. Langford Park -1 88. North Metro Area Hockey Association -1 89. Owatonna Youth Hockey Association -1 90. Virginia Amateur Hockey Association -1 91. Wadena Hockey Association -1 92. Marshall Amateur Hockey Association -2 93. Morris Hockey Association -2 94. Park Rapids Amateur Hockey Association -2 95. Benson Hockey Association -3 96. Delano Area Youth Hockey Association (Crow River Hockey Association) -3 97. Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association -3 98. Hopkins Youth Hockey -3 99. Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association -3 100. Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association -4 101. Tri City United (Montgomery Hockey Association) -4 102. Becker/Big Lake Youth Hockey Association -5 103. Pine City Youth Hockey -5 104. White Bear Lake Hockey & Skating Assoc -5 105. Austin Youth Hockey Association -6 106. Ely Blue Line Club -6 107. Red Lake Falls Blue Line Club -6 108. Thief River Falls Amateur Hockey -6 109. City of Lake Hockey -7 110. Orono Hockey Association -7 11 111. Coon Rapids Hockey Association -8 112. East Grand Forks Parks and Recreation -8 113. Eveleth/Gilbert Recreation Commission -8 114. International Falls Rec Hockey Assoc -8 115. Northern Lakes Youth Hockey (Aitkin/Crosby/Ironton Hockey) -8 116. Hastings Hockey Boosters -9 117. Mesabi East -10 118. River Lakes Hockey Inc. -10 119. Cloquet Amateur Hockey Association -11 120. Edina Hockey Association -11 121. Hinckley Youth Hockey Association -11 122. Mora Area Youth Recreation Association -11 123. Lacrescent Youth Hockey -12 124. Champlin Park -13 125. Burnsville Hockey Club -14 126. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Youth Hockey -16 127. Mound/Westonka Hockey Association -16 128. Rochester Youth Hockey Association -16 129. Irondale Youth Hockey Association -17 130. Red Wing Amateur Hockey Association -21 131. Mankato Youth Hockey Association -24 132. Eastview Hockey Association -26 133. Edgcumbe Youth Hockey -27 134. Fairmont Youth Hockey Association -37 135. Kennedy Hockey Booster Club -37 136. Faribault Hockey Association -50 137. Eden Prairie Hockey Association -65

[thegreatone99]

Let's do the quick simple math, I prefer things simple

These numbers are from the same table of USA Hockey, only MN Girl stats

The foundation for girls hockey would be the youngsters (7/8 yr olds) when all the parents are excited and investing into their future D1 superstar. And then the late bloomers at 9-10 yrs old. But after that, not sure how many girls start playing at U12. By U12 everyone is sizing up their local HS program and will she be the 1st line star that can skip U15s to be on Varsity.

Year - 12-13 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 2,124
Year - 13-14 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 2,106
Year - 14-15 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 1,995 every yr neg growth

Year - 12-13 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,914
Year - 13-14 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,896
Year - 14-15 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,995 flat, neg, minimal growth

I guess I am confused, where are these amazing growth numbers for the State of Hockey that are the foundation for years to come?

[slapshot18]

Girls' Hockey exploded for a good decade plus and there was bound to be correction at some point.

As the initial low cost options for girls to "try hockey" faded (mostly) and the initial/early push wasn't on in nearly every community to find enough girls for a youth & HS program, something had to happen.

What that something is, or was, is what we are now seeing. In communities where expensive sports like hockey aren't easily supported, the co-ops come - just as they have with the boys game in many instances.

The west metro has more money it seems and they are less impacted by the cost factor.

Other areas haven't been so fortunate.

Many hypothesized that parents saw girls' hockey as an easy ticket to a full ride scholarship when the sport was in its infancy, maybe more worth the investment, or perceived that way at least.

Maybe, just maybe, as we have more young women that played the game having children, we'll see it stabilize at some point in the near future - but the cost/time commitment/etc. is still a consideration. I hope that in the interim, as things fluctuate, we're able to stay above 100 HS teams including some consolidation with co-ops. Similarly, we need the many community/youth programs to stay viable.

As to the much debated "Team X should opt up" discussion, that changes every year, or few years. I remember when people were screaming about Holy Angels and BSM playing class A, and eventually they both opted up, but I would argue they aren't what they once were. Also, SPU wasn't such a "powerhouse" and even Breck had their challenges the first half-dozen years of the game. Blake has always been better than average but not sure that's enough to say they should opt up indefinitely.

Opting up was quite a commitment years back, not sure if it still is now. Teams would have to do so for at least two years and not all teams can predict if they'll be competitive for that long at the next level with low enrollments. SSP took a lot of heat years back when their administration finally chose not to opt up again and there was the brief couple hour period where they were the current/defending champions in both classes (after winning the Class A, and the Class AA game hadn't yet been played that year).

I favor a different system that was very unpopular when they tried it on the boys side about 20 years ago with Tiers - top half of the teams go into big tourney, remaining teams in the other). People forget that the mission of the MSHSL isn't anything but participation, and this approach proves it.

Anyway, as to the opting for private school, open enrollment, etc. - I find it hard to fault a family for trying to find what they feel is best for their child and his or her student-athlete experience. If there were people flocking to some clearly substandard academic school to play hockey, then we may question motives but that is still their choice and thank goodness we live in a country that allows for such freedoms, no matter if they are what anyone deems as "right" for the individual. It took me a long time to get to this thought about the situation, including a good two plus decades of coaching HS hockey, but some time away from the game (and having a child of my own) gave me a little more/different perspective, I guess.

Feel free to attack this post, but I'm just telling it like I see it - no motive here, not trying to pick a fight, and no horse in the race.

Who are you and how dare you undermine this debate with factual analysis???

In all seriousness, great post.

I would like the original poster to specify the exact criteria he would like for mandatory move-ups:

1) score discrepancies? (Warroad is putting up some of the highest differentials and is PUBLIC)
2) won a title? (TRF beat Blake last year and almost lost to EGF the previous year - both PUBLIC)
3) St. Paul Academy has only been in the tourney one time ever - and lost to 2 PUBLICS in that single appearance, and to a PUBLIC in the section final last year)

You get my point.

Your argument is that hockey is dictating private enrollment? But if Blake and Breck opt up won't other Class A privates get those kids who entered B and B years ago or planned to enroll in the future "only for hockey"???

In all honesty, the section format gets some teams to St. Paul who would never get past A LARGE NUMBER of metro teams who will also never get there because their sections are loaded, in both classes. Not unique to girls hockey or even hockey.

This private vs public debate then becomes a north/south vs metro debate, or a north metro vs south metro debate, or a first ring suburb vs lake suburb debate. What's "fair" this year will probably be "unfair" and "unbalanced" next year. IMO the MSHSL tries to balance the sections so the entire state has a chance to send a team to the tourneys. But in doing so the better teams (oftentimes some of the BEST teams) don't always get to the tourneys.

Bottom line, unless my team or your team gets to play at Excel, we can argue forever about the system and its inherent flaws. If my team and your team make it, well then the MSHSL model and systems seem to be working just fine...

It is a well known fact that Warroad has been recruiting for many, many years. TRF has joined the game there as well.

[maristar]

Let's do the quick simple math, I prefer things simple

These numbers are from the same table of USA Hockey, only MN Girl stats

The foundation for girls hockey would be the youngsters (7/8 yr olds) when all the parents are excited and investing into their future D1 superstar. And then the late bloomers at 9-10 yrs old. But after that, not sure how many girls start playing at U12. By U12 everyone is sizing up their local HS program and will she be the 1st line star that can skip U15s to be on Varsity.

Year - 12-13 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 2,124
Year - 13-14 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 2,106
Year - 14-15 (Age) 9/10 yr olds: 1,995 every yr neg growth

Year - 12-13 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,914
Year - 13-14 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,896
Year - 14-15 (Age) 7/8 yr olds: 1,995 flat, neg, minimal growth

I guess I am confused, where are these amazing growth numbers for the State of Hockey that are the foundation for years to come?

I'm confused too, where on this thread do you see anyone saying amazing growth? But a 29% increase over a ten period does not meet the definition of dying, decline or demise. I would take a 29% growth in my retirement account over a ten year period!

Are there more or less girls playing hockey in the last ten years? The answer is yes. If you can show facts that prove there are less, please produce those! Just don't pick your one or two year dips by age.

[thegreatone99]

[/quote]

I'm confused too, where on this thread do you see anyone saying amazing growth? But a 29% increase over a ten period does not meet the definition of dying, decline or demise. I would take a 29% growth in my retirement account over a ten year period!

Are there more or less girls playing hockey in the last ten years? The answer is yes. If you can show facts that prove there are less, please produce those! Just don't pick your one or two year dips by age.[/quote]



From the board minutes of a very prominent association that was a past HS State Champ, produced numerous college and even olympic players, but as you stated looking at the early age groups does not matter. Sounds like Richfield all over.


Girls Director: Numbers at all levels are low. Won’t know numbers until after HS tryouts for a 15U team. Graders are lined up.

[thegreatone99]

In Minnesota, the sports our kids play are changing – fast

HOCKEY SLIPPING - Oct 15, Pioneer Press

The phrase “Minnesota — State of Hockey” is OK as a chamber of commerce slogan. But it’s not exactly accurate any longer. In the past 10 years, participation in girls hockey has dropped by 7 percent, and it’s dropped by 12 percent in boys hockey. Hockey is now tied with swimming, with about 9,600 boys and girls in each sport.

One reason hockey suffers is its high costs, said Laura Ranum, St. Paul Public Schools’ athletic department specialist and a mother of four boys.

“For something like cross country, the cost is a pair of tennis shoes. Look at swimming — not a whole lot of equipment there,” Ranum said. “Then you have hockey, with all the equipment and the ice time.”

Although “Minnesota — State of Track and Field” might not be a slogan that excites the blood, it reflects reality here.

[thegreatone99]

MAINE


Schoolgirl hockey began play in 2009 and it has five co-op teams among its 15.

“There has been a lot of work and cooperation taking place between [co-op] schools to provide kids with the opportunity to play hockey,” said Mike Burnham, the MPA’s assistant executive director, who oversees hockey.

High school hockey’s dilemma

Schoolboy hockey has grown to 42 teams after fielding only five in 1975 — Lewiston, St. Dominic of Lewiston, Waterville, Brunswick and Edward Little High of Auburn — but some teams are now struggling to fill their rosters.

When Dennis Martin was playing for Waterville in the mid-to-late 1980s, he recalled 75 players trying out for the team.

As the head coach of the Purple Panthers, Martin guided them to a state Class A title in 2009. But numbers began decreasing and they had only 14 players on the varsity team last season and went 4-14 in Class A, which led them to drop to Class B this winter.

Waterville has explored having a co-op team, he said.

Martin blames the economy and the high expense of the sport for the dwindling numbers in the youth programs that serve as feeder systems for high school teams.

“It’s at least $800 to play house league youth hockey, including equipment, and that doesn’t include the travel costs,” according to Martin.

“A few years ago, it looked like gas prices were going up to $4.50 to $5 a gallon. People were losing their jobs so everybody had to tighten their belts,” Brewer High coach Dave Shedd said. “People were worried. They weren’t getting involved with the sport as much as they were previously.”

[thegreatone99]

What’s Happening To High School Hockey? Declining Numbers Prompt Hard Questions
February 2, 2016 10:15 PM By David McCoy


State-wide, participation in boys hockey is down 12 percent from where it was 10 years ago. Girls hockey is down 7 percent. Over that same period of time, total participation in Minnesota high school sports is up.

That means the kids aren’t leaving sports. They’re just leaving hockey.

In a state where the sport is so important to our identity – what high school football is to Texas, and high school basketball is to Indiana – it begs the question: Can we still call Minnesota the State of Hockey?

“Minnesota high school hockey has some challenges, and they’re going to have to try to decide which way to go,” said Minneapolis coach Joe Dziedzic. “And I think we’re starting to be at a crossroads.”

[allhoc11]

In Minnesota, the sports our kids play are changing – fast

HOCKEY SLIPPING - Oct 15, Pioneer Press

The phrase “Minnesota — State of Hockey” is OK as a chamber of commerce slogan. But it’s not exactly accurate any longer. In the past 10 years, participation in girls hockey has dropped by 7 percent, and it’s dropped by 12 percent in boys hockey. Hockey is now tied with swimming, with about 9,600 boys and girls in each sport.

One reason hockey suffers is its high costs, said Laura Ranum, St. Paul Public Schools’ athletic department specialist and a mother of four boys.

“For something like cross country, the cost is a pair of tennis shoes. Look at swimming — not a whole lot of equipment there,” Ranum said. “Then you have hockey, with all the equipment and the ice time.”

Although “Minnesota — State of Track and Field” might not be a slogan that excites the blood, it reflects reality here.

In fairness it isn't called the State of Hockey because the number of kids who play hockey as to those who play other sports. It's called that because of the numbers who play compared to other states.

When you look at you have a U18 national team with 16 kids from Minnesota and no other state having more the 1 player I think our State of Hockey name is safe for a while.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

Oh great one. Your single minded quest to demonize privates and the costs of playing hockey are killing this board right as we go into the best time of the year.

http://www.morethanasundayfaith.com/wp- ... m-card.jpg

Nah nah na na hey hey hey goodbye. See you at the X! Oh wait,

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

In Minnesota, the sports our kids play are changing – fast

HOCKEY SLIPPING - Oct 15, Pioneer Press

The phrase “Minnesota — State of Hockey” is OK as a chamber of commerce slogan. But it’s not exactly accurate any longer. In the past 10 years, participation in girls hockey has dropped by 7 percent, and it’s dropped by 12 percent in boys hockey. Hockey is now tied with swimming, with about 9,600 boys and girls in each sport.

One reason hockey suffers is its high costs, said Laura Ranum, St. Paul Public Schools’ athletic department specialist and a mother of four boys.

“For something like cross country, the cost is a pair of tennis shoes. Look at swimming — not a whole lot of equipment there,” Ranum said. “Then you have hockey, with all the equipment and the ice time.”

Although “Minnesota — State of Track and Field” might not be a slogan that excites the blood, it reflects reality here.

In fairness it isn't called the State of Hockey because the number of kids who play hockey as to those who play other sports. It's called that because of the numbers who play compared to other states.

When you look at you have a U18 national team with 16 kids from Minnesota and no other state having more the 1 player I think our State of Hockey name is safe for a while.

Thank you allhoc. Thank you.

I love how you start with "in fairness" when you are debating a guy who is arguing that girls hockey (not all MN hockey mind you. Just HS girls) is the antithesis of "fair" and money not talent buys success and opportunity. Over it