Arguments such as this will never go away. Issues over A/AA/private schools/public schools/metro/outer-state be will never be perfectly solved. The current circumstances are NOT perfect, but they DO work (this year brought a remarkable tourney in both classes; I enjoyed every second of it). I am not convinced there is a need for change. Decisions to change things in the tourney and the classes, as they have been argued about in this thread, are not easily made because of possible negative outcomes. And, there are probably some good reasons for why some changes haven't been made by those who actually can make such decisions. So keep that in mind when speculating about what could or should be, and before lambasting the teams and the schools.
As an alumnus of STA, I would very much like to see the school opt up to AA. Someone commented earlier that there was an in-house effort to do this, but it was shot down by the administration. If the school's directors feel that it is in the best interest of the school and the student body (remember that of the 500+ kids who attend STA, only a fraction play in the hockey program) to stay in A, then I support them, and it is a decision to be respected and one that is not made out of a lack of concern for other schools. I'm sure there is and has been plenty of similar discussion at schools like Breck, Blake, etc. While there are obvious reasons why these schools should move up, and plenty of MN hockey fans advocating this, as well as a change in the tourney format, consider what could be some ramifications (+/-):
-Currently strong A programs opt up to AA and bite the dust (unlikely, but it would be unfortunate to see thriving hockey programs that encourage state-wide passion for the game fizzle out, leaving potential skaters to choose *gasp* basketball) --possibly resulting in less attention for MN hockey in general from D-I and scouts. I'm not advocating the protection of Private School X's monopoly on tourney bids for the health of the sport. It is more fun when there is a consistent cycle of good teams from all over the state playing at the "X", and when schools overcome struggling years to then gain greatness (mmm, STA hockey 1885-2003?).
-If every twin cities private school joins most of the area's public schools in AA (include out-states' Lourdes, Marshall, etc. - consistently strong teams, albeit the pool of players to draw from is smaller than a Breck), then by default the A tourney is all outer-state teams. The "State Tournament" becomes two "regional" tourneys, the classic twin cities - iron range rivalry dies, the A tourney is held at the DECC, the town of Warroad doesn't get to shut down, pack up, and head to St. Paul for a weekend, and International Falls is annexed by Canada...or have they been already?
-The seriousness of recruiting becomes SERIOUS. It was stated in a previous post that STA may have not opted up to AA because the administration did not want the reputation as just "a hockey school" (it might be too late). If the STAs and Brecks become AA contenders, Johnny Cakeater from Edina and a few of his MN Blades teammates from Eden Prairie decide they can all play together and win the "more prestigious, non-JV" AA title if they go to Blake. STA, having moved up to AA for being "too good" for 4 seasons in A, now has to ensure that its hockey program stays competitive, so the coaches recruit the more of the blossoming Lakeville feeder program. The metro's population density can ensure that cities like Lakeville will still fill a roster, but it won't be fun for the program's boosters, coaches, and Lakeville students to turn on channel 45 and watch their "cream of the crop" earn another championship banner for STA's ice arena. This might seem dramatic - cities like White Bear Lake and Wayzata have sent teams to the tourney recently, despite the school/hockey team choices of Hill-Murray and Benilde located just a carpool lane away. But also look at some quality hockey cities that were quiet for some time due to the availability of AA private school choices. Holy Angels has thrived off of Jefferson-based talent for years. Many St. Paul-area players have enrolled at Cretin and Hill hoping for the chance at a state championship. Yes, a lot of players who grow up in their city's public school systems and youth hockey programs pledge their allegiance to the public high school, the coaches, their classmates, and friends. Many of the talented players of Breck, Blake, STA, Benilde, etc. grew up fully aware that they would be attending a private high school; religion, family tradition, academic rigor, etc. always will tie some players to a school, regardless of the level of talent on the hockey team. However, the complaints of recruiting done by private school coaches that have filled this forum will only grow should more private schools begin to promote themselves as AA contenders.
-The notion of the A tournament as "JV" competition is unfair. I stated before that I think STA should opt up to AA, but that is not to disgrace the honor of a class A championship. Some posts stated that the STA championship trophy is "fake" or "plastic". Tell that to the kids who worked their tails off through overtime to win it. Tell the guys from Hermantown that it's o.k. they played their hearts out and came so close to living a dream that every kid in the state shares when they lace up their skates, because what they lost is just a "JV" trophy. I bet T.J. Oshie is pretty bummed that he and his team won the "less-significant title".
Those who think the successful private schools MUST opt up to AA need to understand the choices and decisions that are made by players, coaches, and the schools when they are forced with such a decision. I firmly believe that while there is a TREMENDOUS amount of pride in winning the class A title (and doing so multiple times), a school, such as STA, is not determined to exploit resources such as an on-campus ice facility and metro-wide enrollment potential to give the school what recently seems to some spectators as an annual opportunity to easily skate over hard-playing small town teams into "just another JV state championship".
Also, keep in mind that in the past when there was only one state champion come mid-march, the demographics of Minnesota were very different - more people lived on the range and many of the twin cities suburbs that have recently garnered tourney success were just starting to sprout hockey programs. In order for us all as hockey fans to appreciate the finer aspects of our state's favorite pastime, the notion that the tournament should be one single class should be disregarded. Unless the hockey audience is fine with seeing only 7 great games instead of 14, and fans won't mind that the only teams to travel past the center of the state could consistently be Moorhead and Duluth East - who would most likely be playing a heavy dosage of the same Edina, Eden Prairie, and Hill-Murray teams (generalized, but assessed on youth program size and previous success). Unless Breck and STA opted up and managed to territorially divide the top talent of the entire twin cities in two.
Everyone wants to see great games, but we all hope that it is our own team that is in those games. This year's tourney was a treat in both classes, and I think the tournament will continue to impress, as it has in the past, for many years to come. If it is necessary for some teams to move up, so be it, but (easy for me to say since the team I was cheering for made it) the competition needs to be stiff across the brackets to ensure that the talented and hardworking players are challenged to play at the top of their game, regardless of the class, size of school, nature of the school, or the location of the school.
To quickly dispel any finger pointing at STA - the school is nearly 130 years old, and the U.S. military-based JROTC program has been enforced for almost as long. It may seem silly, or almost offensive to some that the uniform and actions (saluting the flag, etc.) demonstrated by the cadets are traditions upheld by our great armed forces. While only a handful of kids in each class go on to serving in the U.S. military, the curriculum of the school strictly enforces a responsible code that in-part adheres to curriculum set by the U.S. Army. Many of the teachers at the school are retired vets who preach the leadership standards they demonstrated in their time of service. There are always some students that are less-serious about such rigor. But the uniform, and the tradition that comes with it, is worn with an understanding of pride - just like any other student at the "X" donning their school colors. It may seem ridiculous for a bunch of pimple-faced, hormone-driven guys to be jumping around and cheering (sometimes inappropriate things, I'm sure) in a military designated uniform, but it is not out of disrespect. We were/are all fans there to support the team, just like everyone else, but we do have to wear the uniform and try at best to uphold the traditions and values that come with it.
Longest second post ever? I was trying to bring up some points though as to why not every private school should be "forced" into AA, and if they are, what could happen - recruit, recruit, recruit, for hockey, hockey, hockey. ----->For those who are so harshly criticizing STA - it is a private school, "an academic business". No students=No STA. Essentially every one of ~540 boys who enrolls is "RECRUITED". ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO, the hockey team had a stroke of luck - there was a crop of good pucksters at STA, especially freshman. ~50 kids (~1/10th of students) showed up for tryouts to get some ice time. The majority of these prospects (NOT at STA FOR HOCKEY, since STA puck was ~2-18 year prior) elected to play for their city squads: Lakeville, W. St. Paul, Woodbury, Edina, etc. Lots of Bantam A/B players. Along with contributions from University of St. Thomas who shares the ice, an STA alum drops heavy $ - ice arena is built, new coaches come, new season, new life. Talented Bantams now in line for most of varsity and JV spots. Team gets better, success ensues. Word is passed around private (some public, too) grade school pucksters that STA isn't a dead-end for hockey anymore. More players enroll. A few are *more than likely* recruited for hockey. Tisk, tisk, right? (AHA had already blown the lid off this practice anyways) Team gets better, makes STATE! Next year team WINS STATE! Now you have a certified puck program at a school that has been promoting academic excellence, religion, leadership since 1885 (YES, it is a MILITARY school - Originally named St. Thomas Military Acad. JROTC is mandatory for all, even puckheads. The school receives money from the U.S. Army to have/promote this style of education. Students are in no way obligated to military service post grad, but each year several do via appointments to Naval Acad., Air Force, colleges w/ROTC). All Cadets must wear hair short (severely hinders good flow under the bucket) and keep proper uniform. Mothers like this. Mothers talk. They talk about this at Edina, Eagan, etc. Peewee A games. When high school arrives, former Peewee A players enroll at STA because mother wants hair trimmed and strong academics. The boys don't fuss because guess what? STA has hockey trophies now. STA Cadets are going D-1 now. That is how it happened, plain and simple.