Official Coaching Openings - 2025-26

[headsupsticksdown]

headsupsticksdown--You seem to be a little plugged in, or at least know someone that knows someone. What are you hearing about the EP coaching search?

I heard two things, so who knows if it's true, but this is a message board, so it's fun to throw this on a wall:
1) An assistant interviewed & was NOT one of the semifinalists.
2) Someone who is/was one of the semifinalists was a parent of a former player who, lets say, had some eligibility questions, that were solved in time for a championship run a few years ago.

Rumor 1 would not surprise me; Rumor 2 definitely would surprise me.

Rumor 1 is true. Actually, there were let's just say more than one assistant who applied and the one I believe you are referring to here was not selected in the next pool of candidates. Others or the other IMO should be SERIOUSLY considered to remain in some capacity with the program as everyone seems to have nothing but good things to say. Although I do not believe this individual or individuals are HC material according to the criteria. Now, if it were up to me I'd take two off of that staff and twist another's arm to come back and that'd provide continuity with the program but I obviously have no say in matters.

Rumor 2 would be a bad, bad, bad choice. If you're going by credentials of professional experience and how successful his child has been, sure. But this individual whom you speak of could really give two craps about the program and is not really one to extend his reach into the association in an attempt to same it from oblivion, which should also be part of this makeover. From what I know, he hasn't really been involved with the association and when he was, really didn't do much. My view is if who we are referring to is the same person, is not the relationship builder or communicator EP seeks to hire.

Of the pool of candidates I've heard, I honestly do not have any warm fuzzies about. And there have been some high profile names which some would be shocked to hear have applied. I think the AD has let this drag out far too long, but I get it considering what has happened over the past few years and even right now with what seems like the parting of the seas between a group of parents, community members and the association. If everyone would have listened to me 3 years ago and hired candidate #2 instead, we wouldn't be here though.

[yesiplayedhockey]

Does it really matter who EP hires? Sounds like this group of parents (and lets by honest, ALMOST ALL PARENTS TODAY) are going to try to run the coach out on the first day their little Billy isn't on PP1 !!!

[bardown27]

Hearing the Armstrong/Cooper job will be posted in a few days.

[BP]

Hearing the Armstrong/Cooper job will be posted in a few days.

Added. Yes - it is open.

[bardown27]

Also hearing EP job should be decided by sometime next week. Final interviews are end of this week. Believe it’s down to three

[Puckguy19]

Also hearing EP job should be decided by sometime next week. Final interviews are end of this week. Believe it’s down to three

And now two. One got a difficult vibe from the AD and withdrew.

[headsupsticksdown]

Also hearing EP job should be decided by sometime next week. Final interviews are end of this week. Believe it’s down to three

And now two. One got a difficult vibe from the AD and withdrew.

Hahaha! Classic….

[headsupsticksdown]

St Paul

I thought swc hired a former Iowa wild player

They did and believe Staal is joining his staff as an assistant.

yes he is... sources (i asked him yesterday and he confirmed lol)

I have no idea what a "special assistant to the GM" is, but does this have any impact on him being on the staff at SWC now?

[bardown27]

Hearing Lincoln Nguyen will be hired as the new head coach at Eden Prairie

[headsupsticksdown]

Hearing Lincoln Nguyen will be hired as the new head coach at Eden Prairie

Nothing against him, but if this is true holy cow has Eden Prairie fallen off.

[bardown27]

Hearing Lincoln Nguyen will be hired as the new head coach at Eden Prairie

Nothing against him, but if this is true holy cow has Eden Prairie fallen off.

Sources have confirmed this is who they hired

[OldManRiver]

Hearing Lincoln Nguyen will be hired as the new head coach at Eden Prairie

Official Release:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LYU ... it?tab=t.0

[Doc Holliday]

So I know nothing about him, but I can’t imagine this is how those parents who chased out Twig saw this one playing out like this.

[SpreadOut!]

So I know nothing about him, but I can’t imagine this is how those parents who chased out Twig saw this one playing out like this.

The reality is Eden Prairie is a dying program. It’s going the way of other former powerhouses like Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson. The city is fully developed, the school district has declining enrollment, the youth hockey numbers are way down and the high school is now more than 50% non-white—all factors that historically are not good for hockey. This happened fast, so it appears some parents in EP have a hard time believing reality. But keep in mind that the last EP team to win state in 2021 was a one-line team driven by a USHSL/part-time high school hockey superstar and some prime Lee Smith recruits. EP is done. RIP.

[headsupsticksdown]

So I know nothing about him, but I can’t imagine this is how those parents who chased out Twig saw this one playing out like this.

The reality is Eden Prairie is a dying program. It’s going the way of other former powerhouses like Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson. The city is fully developed, the school district has declining enrollment, the youth hockey numbers are way down and the high school is now more than 50% non-white—all factors that historically are not good for hockey. This happened fast, so it appears some parents in EP have a hard time believing reality. But keep in mind that the last EP team to win state in 2021 was a one-line team driven by a USHSL/part-time high school hockey superstar and some prime Lee Smith recruits. EP is done. RIP.

That’s a bold statement. EP numbers are definitely not trending in the right direction but they will become an attractive destination for move ins. It seems like every other California kid that hits the shore seems to end up in EP and I’m guessing this new regime will have to resort to extending their reach outside of what’s in the current pipeline.

Seems like some people wanted this so it will be interesting to watch.

[yesiplayedhockey]

Spread....

The last time ???

You act like 2021 was 50 years ago....

[Doc Holliday]

The reality is Eden Prairie is a dying program. It’s going the way of other former powerhouses like Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson. The city is fully developed, the school district has declining enrollment, the youth hockey numbers are way down and the high school is now more than 50% non-white—all factors that historically are not good for hockey. This happened fast, so it appears some parents in EP have a hard time believing reality. But keep in mind that the last EP team to win state in 2021 was a one-line team driven by a USHSL/part-time high school hockey superstar and some prime Lee Smith recruits. EP is done. RIP.

That’s a bold statement. EP numbers are definitely not trending in the right direction but they will become an attractive destination for move ins. It seems like every other California kid that hits the shore seems to end up in EP and I’m guessing this new regime will have to resort to extending their reach outside of what’s in the current pipeline.

Seems like some people wanted this so it will be interesting to watch.

I think if they want to maintain success, they will have to rely on players moving or transferring in. But it is still a name school that is an attractive option for kids. They will always play a tough schedule against big name opponents with a legit shot at the state tournament every year.

They'll have to change, but I don't think they're done.

[SpreadOut!]

Spread....

The last time ???

You act like 2021 was 50 years ago....

Yes, I noted that the fall “happened quickly.” It will only get worse. Beginning with last year’s 2nd year peewees, the youth program is completely bottoming out. Crowley’s kid (2nd year peewee last year) “transferred” to Tonka for his second year of peewees. This “transfer” trend at the youth level is accelerating, just like at the high school level. Tonka (which had transfers on their roster beyond Crowley) beat Maple Grove (which also had transfers on their roster) for peewee AA title last season in OT. The dye has been cast. EP will be a loser on the transfer front both at the youth and high school level. Their high school team may be competitive for about three more years (unless they lose more talent to transfers) but will absolutely bottom out after those three years. EP is not a destination transfer school. No way. Not anymore.

[Lino Lakes Hockey]

It’s pretty sad to read these post. Transferring at the youth level? Wow! For what? A youth hockey state tournament trophy which ends up in a bin full of dust. Then move to college and the ever changing NIL environment and the landscape of college sports, just let the kids be kids. All these people think their kid is making it to the NHL and are going to be the top dog in D1. Pretty sad representation of our society. So glad I’m on the down side of life.

[yesiplayedhockey]

Yes EP will never go back to its glory years of winning unless this new coach can recruit like a SEC football coach. My thoughts are the AD made a huge mistake with this hiring and the initial reaction will be more abandonment by key families. EP families probably wanted a "higher profile" name and they didn't get it.. EP probably deserved a higher profile coach yet I think the AD stayed away from hiring someone like that because he didn't want the drama.

Bottom line is high school hockey as we know is it over...The glass boards...done...Single Class hockey Done.....Playing for the town you grew up in DONE....Now that major Junior hockey kids can play college hockey we are going to see a huge increase in recruiting our 15-16 year old kids....It's going to be Tonka vs Holy Family Vs the USHL vs The W....All making promises to these families in hopes of landing that next toe dragging phenom.

[BSUBeaver]

With the changes now allowing Major Juniors to maintain NCAA eligibility, the WHL went in pretty heavy into Minnesota in the US Prospects Draft (2010 players). 19 of the 46 picks were Minnesotans, 11 from the 14U Blue Ox team that won Nationals.

https://chl.ca/whl/article/western-hock ... ity-draft/

Another 15 Minnesotans were also selected in the regular WHL Prospects Draft (227 players).

https://chl.ca/whl/article/western-hock ... cts-draft/

[headsupsticksdown]

Yes EP will never go back to its glory years of winning unless this new coach can recruit like a SEC football coach. My thoughts are the AD made a huge mistake with this hiring and the initial reaction will be more abandonment by key families. EP families probably wanted a "higher profile" name and they didn't get it.. EP probably deserved a higher profile coach yet I think the AD stayed away from hiring someone like that because he didn't want the drama.

Bottom line is high school hockey as we know is it over...The glass boards...done...Single Class hockey Done.....Playing for the town you grew up in DONE....Now that major Junior hockey kids can play college hockey we are going to see a huge increase in recruiting our 15-16 year old kids....It's going to be Tonka vs Holy Family Vs the USHL vs The W....All making promises to these families in hopes of landing that next toe dragging phenom.

If you have inside knowledge, then please spill the beans. There are two sides to what seemingly is going on in EP one side destined to bring EP back to its glory days by recognizing kids wanting to transfer in and allowing more say from key knowledgeable community and association members deserves serious consideration. The other side is wanting to keep things in house with the board having more say, despite a majority of the board members never having any major experience in the game. What I hear most of the reasoning for Twigs being forced out is due to lack of communication within the program and what appeared to be growing concern for game type preparation, most saying he was ill prepared and lacked what some folks felt were were necessities of the position including getting players to the next level or on to other opportunities beyond HS. Taking that into consideration, you might say these folks got exactly what they were asking for. Maybe not the individual they had in mind but they got Twigs to step down and what would appear to be a clean slate. On the other side this surely means a lot of the kids who have come through the association are at risk of being pushed out of what was viewed as a lock but you cannot have it both ways. Once more comes to light about who this new coach is bringing on you'll start to see more come to light.

The AD did not want any blow back this time around. Smith was forced out and he put Twigs on a platter for what was believed to be possesing the qualities these parents were asking for only to be in the same situation 3 years later. This time around he cleared the cupboard.

[SpreadOut!]

Yes EP will never go back to its glory years of winning unless this new coach can recruit like a SEC football coach. My thoughts are the AD made a huge mistake with this hiring and the initial reaction will be more abandonment by key families. EP families probably wanted a "higher profile" name and they didn't get it.. EP probably deserved a higher profile coach yet I think the AD stayed away from hiring someone like that because he didn't want the drama.

Bottom line is high school hockey as we know is it over...The glass boards...done...Single Class hockey Done.....Playing for the town you grew up in DONE....Now that major Junior hockey kids can play college hockey we are going to see a huge increase in recruiting our 15-16 year old kids....It's going to be Tonka vs Holy Family Vs the USHL vs The W....All making promises to these families in hopes of landing that next toe dragging phenom.

If you have inside knowledge, then please spill the beans. There are two sides to what seemingly is going on in EP one side destined to bring EP back to its glory days by recognizing kids wanting to transfer in and allowing more say from key knowledgeable community and association members deserves serious consideration. The other side is wanting to keep things in house with the board having more say, despite a majority of the board members never having any major experience in the game. What I hear most of the reasoning for Twigs being forced out is due to lack of communication within the program and what appeared to be growing concern for game type preparation, most saying he was ill prepared and lacked what some folks felt were were necessities of the position including getting players to the next level or on to other opportunities beyond HS. Taking that into consideration, you might say these folks got exactly what they were asking for. Maybe not the individual they had in mind but they got Twigs to step down and what would appear to be a clean slate. On the other side this surely means a lot of the kids who have come through the association are at risk of being pushed out of what was viewed as a lock but you cannot have it both ways. Once more comes to light about who this new coach is bringing on you'll start to see more come to light.

The AD did not want any blow back this time around. Smith was forced out and he put Twigs on a platter for what was believed to be possesing the qualities these parents were asking for only to be in the same situation 3 years later. This time around he cleared the cupboard.

EP’s AA Peewee team went 11-33-2 last year. They got blown out of the arena against the top teams. Prior to the season, what would have been EP’s two best players—Crowley’s kid and the Sylvia kid (his dad played for Boston University)—“transferred,” with Crowley “transferring” to Tonka’s AA Peewee team and Sylvia “transferring back” to Chaska-Chan’s AA team (I guess he has always lived in the Chaska-Chan association boundaries but “transferred” to play for EP). The transferring at the youth level will be much worst next season, as Tonka and Maple Grove (both rosters filled with transfers) dominated AA Peewee last year, with Tonka beating MG in OT for the state title. You can bet other competitive youth associations will follow this formula next season.

Again, while EP might be competitive the next couple years at the high school level if they can prevent the flood gates from opening and their players from transferring elsewhere, the writing is on the wall: they are a dying program heading the way of former powerhouses Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson—but EP will hit bottom faster, as the dynamics of hockey in Minnesota have changed with the transfer culture.

But get used to it, as nobody with power, including the MSHSL and Minnesota hockey, will do anything to stop the transferring, almost all of which is done on a fraudulent basis—with the transfers claiming to live at an address within the association/high school boundaries they are transferring to, but everyone knowing they don’t. Minnesota Hockey and the MSHSL then claim ignorance, saying “how can we police this?” Here’s an idea:Go and knock on the doors of the addresses these transfers claim to be living at. Hint: They will NOT be there. Then go and knock on the doors of their actual address where they transferred from. Hint: They WILL be there.

[headsupsticksdown]

Yes EP will never go back to its glory years of winning unless this new coach can recruit like a SEC football coach. My thoughts are the AD made a huge mistake with this hiring and the initial reaction will be more abandonment by key families. EP families probably wanted a "higher profile" name and they didn't get it.. EP probably deserved a higher profile coach yet I think the AD stayed away from hiring someone like that because he didn't want the drama.

Bottom line is high school hockey as we know is it over...The glass boards...done...Single Class hockey Done.....Playing for the town you grew up in DONE....Now that major Junior hockey kids can play college hockey we are going to see a huge increase in recruiting our 15-16 year old kids....It's going to be Tonka vs Holy Family Vs the USHL vs The W....All making promises to these families in hopes of landing that next toe dragging phenom.

If you have inside knowledge, then please spill the beans. There are two sides to what seemingly is going on in EP one side destined to bring EP back to its glory days by recognizing kids wanting to transfer in and allowing more say from key knowledgeable community and association members deserves serious consideration. The other side is wanting to keep things in house with the board having more say, despite a majority of the board members never having any major experience in the game. What I hear most of the reasoning for Twigs being forced out is due to lack of communication within the program and what appeared to be growing concern for game type preparation, most saying he was ill prepared and lacked what some folks felt were were necessities of the position including getting players to the next level or on to other opportunities beyond HS. Taking that into consideration, you might say these folks got exactly what they were asking for. Maybe not the individual they had in mind but they got Twigs to step down and what would appear to be a clean slate. On the other side this surely means a lot of the kids who have come through the association are at risk of being pushed out of what was viewed as a lock but you cannot have it both ways. Once more comes to light about who this new coach is bringing on you'll start to see more come to light.

The AD did not want any blow back this time around. Smith was forced out and he put Twigs on a platter for what was believed to be possesing the qualities these parents were asking for only to be in the same situation 3 years later. This time around he cleared the cupboard.

EP’s AA Peewee team went 11-33-2 last year. They got blown out of the arena against the top teams. Prior to the season, what would have been EP’s two best players—Crowley’s kid and the Sylvia kid (his dad played for Boston University)—“transferred,” with Crowley “transferring” to Tonka’s AA Peewee team and Sylvia “transferring back” to Chaska-Chan’s AA team (I guess he has always lived in the Chaska-Chan association boundaries but “transferred” to play for EP). The transferring at the youth level will be much worst next season, as Tonka and Maple Grove (both rosters filled with transfers) dominated AA Peewee last year, with Tonka beating MG in OT for the state title. You can bet other competitive youth associations will follow this formula next season.

Again, while EP might be competitive the next couple years at the high school level if they can prevent the flood gates from opening and their players from transferring elsewhere, the writing is on the wall: they are a dying program heading the way of former powerhouses Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson—but EP will hit bottom faster, as the dynamics of hockey in Minnesota have changed with the transfer culture.

But get used to it, as nobody with power, including the MSHSL and Minnesota hockey, will do anything to stop the transferring, almost all of which is done on a fraudulent basis—with the transfers claiming to live at an address within the association/high school boundaries they are transferring to, but everyone knowing they don’t. Minnesota Hockey and the MSHSL then claim ignorance, saying “how can we police this?” Here’s an idea:Go and knock on the doors of the addresses these transfers claim to be living at. Hint: They will NOT be there. Then go and knock on the doors of their actual address where they transferred from. Hint: They WILL be there.

SO, I don't disagree with anything you've stated. It really depends on how people measure success. Getting specific with that Peewee team, the writing was on the wall. They lost 4 key players from that team that should've been back with 3 of them transferring out. It was a domino effect with the two players mentioned above but one factor that is forgotten is EP had no goalie at this level as they only had like 2 goalies for 5 teams and eded up having to get a goalie from out of town. This was a known issue that several, including the parents of the kids mentioned above screamed about. That ended up snowballing because if you don't have a goalie, how are you going to even field a team or if you do you end up on a team with who they believe to be top players and a below average goalie combined with the water cooler conversations at BA and what happened happened. It's water under the bridge, but what really should have been done is the association coming to terms with what was on their plate and opting to play down. This should have been the case for several teams in that association and what ended up happening? You had teams literally not winning a single game or finishing with a laughable record when they would have been more competitive and not crushed those kids confidence by being too stubborn about the letter game. This falls on the association just as much as it does those parents who choose to jump ship. The laughable thing is that Tonka team will then eventually lose 5-6 kids anyways but they have the numbers so it will be fine.

The different between where BJ and Burnsville are and where EP eventually might be headed is that EP still I believe will be a destination for kids transferring in. You don't see that at BJ or Burnsville, you will at EP so whether you like it or not they will still be in the mix at least how I see it. If they in fact do start opting to play down at some levels, this may deter some kids caught up in the letter game but we will see.

[SpreadOut!]

If you have inside knowledge, then please spill the beans. There are two sides to what seemingly is going on in EP one side destined to bring EP back to its glory days by recognizing kids wanting to transfer in and allowing more say from key knowledgeable community and association members deserves serious consideration. The other side is wanting to keep things in house with the board having more say, despite a majority of the board members never having any major experience in the game. What I hear most of the reasoning for Twigs being forced out is due to lack of communication within the program and what appeared to be growing concern for game type preparation, most saying he was ill prepared and lacked what some folks felt were were necessities of the position including getting players to the next level or on to other opportunities beyond HS. Taking that into consideration, you might say these folks got exactly what they were asking for. Maybe not the individual they had in mind but they got Twigs to step down and what would appear to be a clean slate. On the other side this surely means a lot of the kids who have come through the association are at risk of being pushed out of what was viewed as a lock but you cannot have it both ways. Once more comes to light about who this new coach is bringing on you'll start to see more come to light.

The AD did not want any blow back this time around. Smith was forced out and he put Twigs on a platter for what was believed to be possesing the qualities these parents were asking for only to be in the same situation 3 years later. This time around he cleared the cupboard.

EP’s AA Peewee team went 11-33-2 last year. They got blown out of the arena against the top teams. Prior to the season, what would have been EP’s two best players—Crowley’s kid and the Sylvia kid (his dad played for Boston University)—“transferred,” with Crowley “transferring” to Tonka’s AA Peewee team and Sylvia “transferring back” to Chaska-Chan’s AA team (I guess he has always lived in the Chaska-Chan association boundaries but “transferred” to play for EP). The transferring at the youth level will be much worst next season, as Tonka and Maple Grove (both rosters filled with transfers) dominated AA Peewee last year, with Tonka beating MG in OT for the state title. You can bet other competitive youth associations will follow this formula next season.

Again, while EP might be competitive the next couple years at the high school level if they can prevent the flood gates from opening and their players from transferring elsewhere, the writing is on the wall: they are a dying program heading the way of former powerhouses Burnsville and Bloomington Jefferson—but EP will hit bottom faster, as the dynamics of hockey in Minnesota have changed with the transfer culture.

But get used to it, as nobody with power, including the MSHSL and Minnesota hockey, will do anything to stop the transferring, almost all of which is done on a fraudulent basis—with the transfers claiming to live at an address within the association/high school boundaries they are transferring to, but everyone knowing they don’t. Minnesota Hockey and the MSHSL then claim ignorance, saying “how can we police this?” Here’s an idea:Go and knock on the doors of the addresses these transfers claim to be living at. Hint: They will NOT be there. Then go and knock on the doors of their actual address where they transferred from. Hint: They WILL be there.

SO, I don't disagree with anything you've stated. It really depends on how people measure success. Getting specific with that Peewee team, the writing was on the wall. They lost 4 key players from that team that should've been back with 3 of them transferring out. It was a domino effect with the two players mentioned above but one factor that is forgotten is EP had no goalie at this level as they only had like 2 goalies for 5 teams and eded up having to get a goalie from out of town. This was a known issue that several, including the parents of the kids mentioned above screamed about. That ended up snowballing because if you don't have a goalie, how are you going to even field a team or if you do you end up on a team with who they believe to be top players and a below average goalie combined with the water cooler conversations at BA and what happened happened. It's water under the bridge, but what really should have been done is the association coming to terms with what was on their plate and opting to play down. This should have been the case for several teams in that association and what ended up happening? You had teams literally not winning a single game or finishing with a laughable record when they would have been more competitive and not crushed those kids confidence by being too stubborn about the letter game. This falls on the association just as much as it does those parents who choose to jump ship. The laughable thing is that Tonka team will then eventually lose 5-6 kids anyways but they have the numbers so it will be fine.

The different between where BJ and Burnsville are and where EP eventually might be headed is that EP still I believe will be a destination for kids transferring in. You don't see that at BJ or Burnsville, you will at EP so whether you like it or not they will still be in the mix at least how I see it. If they in fact do start opting to play down at some levels, this may deter some kids caught up in the letter game but we will see.

Good info. But what’s it say about the state of EP’s youth hockey association—and the future of the high school program—that they didn’t have enough goalies for the peewee level? That’s not a good sign of association health at all.

Curious as to why you see EP being able to recruit in transfers for the high school team. They are a net loser now, correct? Crowley’s older kid transferred from EP to Holy Family a couple years ago, of course without skipping a beat on his eligibility. Crowley must know a real good realtor!

(Admission for transparency: If I had any power, and I absolutely do not, I would absolutely be a brutal dictator on transferring, permanently sending to Siberia any family/player caught cheating, which is now widespread, with Minnesota Hockey fully aware of the problem and completely ignoring it, just like the MSHSL).