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ghshockeyfan wrote:Did the Canadian teams play games this past weekend too against the other canadian teams? And if so what were the results of those games. They would be useful in the standings I assume. Is it a balanced schedule, or will certain teams get more games opportunity for points? Not sure how this is addressed, but truly not an issue in my mind as the standings aren't what is important, it's the opportunity afforded to play these games!

The Canadian teams play interdivisional games throughout the month as to not conflict with their tourney schedules i.e. Lightning/Mustang tourneys. The standings should be balanced with the 7 teams. Westman Selects will fill the Ice cat slot in the Canadian/US play in Winnipeg. I would think an updated standing would be available soon.

Makes sense I guess. I just hate standings that assign points for unbalanced schedule. Pretty easy to get the most points if you play more games than everyone else, etc.!

I'd remove the IceCats from the standings then too as thats not fair to them if they aren't participating anymore.

Also - I suppose technically you have a "US" and "Canada" division & subsequently division leaders/standings as well in a sub-section sense.

Beyond that, not sure how you account for the split between Wessman Selects and US team that only play that component of the respective schedule depending on location...

Two games in Canada

Lightning 3 Pembina Valley 2 (Last Friday)
Lightning 6 Pembina Valley 4 (5/15 - not in above standings)

With one less US teams we need to resolve how to address. League standings will seed the League Championship series last weekend of June.

The US teams play the Canadian teams this weekend in Winnipeg Friday night, Saturday morning and late afternoon and Sunday morning before traveling home.

Came across this interesting article in the latest LPH:

http://www.letsplayhockey.com/925league.html

This is great as far as the financial piece. I think the concept is wonderful as well. Travel is a pain however and may preclude some kids from participating I suppose. I've always been of the belief that we need something that will attract outside elite teams to MN as many eastern & canadian areas do. We have the greatest concentration of top talent in the nation, so this should be doable. This league may be the start of that, and I don't have a problem with those teams that wish to travel from MN. My hope long term is that we could create local teams that would participate in a local version of this same thing done at cost. I'm willing to guess that we could create 3 top level teams at U19 and 3 more at U16 - maybe 4 but that would be pushing it - but could work with TBreds & SSM to get up to 5 or 6 local teams at both U19 and U16 levels I suppose. Essentially we'd be talking about Phase 2 or higher NDP kids participating, although you won't get them all obvioulsy due to other sports, etc., etc. I hear the MGHCA is working on something "elite league" wise like the boys do. This should be good as well.

ghshockeyfan wrote:This is great as far as the financial piece. I think the concept is wonderful as well. Travel is a pain however and may preclude some kids from participating I suppose. I've always been of the belief that we need something that will attract outside elite teams to MN as many eastern & canadian areas do. We have the greatest concentration of top talent in the nation, so this should be doable. This league may be the start of that, and I don't have a problem with those teams that wish to travel from MN. My hope long term is that we could create local teams that would participate in a local version of this same thing done at cost. I'm willing to guess that we could create 3 top level teams at U19 and 3 more at U16 - maybe 4 but that would be pushing it - but could work with TBreds & SSM to get up to 5 or 6 local teams at both U19 and U16 levels I suppose. Essentially we'd be talking about Phase 2 or higher NDP kids participating, although you won't get them all obvioulsy due to other sports, etc., etc. I hear the MGHCA is working on something "elite league" wise like the boys do. This should be good as well.

I do think there is something special about playing teams vs. our northern neighbor, especially if the cost can be kept reasonable as this league has tried so hard to do. It does become a bit old, IMO, playing against mostly the same players here in MN, so the idea of competing against players from a different country holds a lot of appeal. For Minnesotans, Canada is relatively close and you don't get this opportunity to compete against their best in the regular high school season. I hope the idea catches on and provides more opportunity for MN girls in the future.

MNHockeyFan wrote:

ghshockeyfan wrote:This is great as far as the financial piece. I think the concept is wonderful as well. Travel is a pain however and may preclude some kids from participating I suppose. I've always been of the belief that we need something that will attract outside elite teams to MN as many eastern & canadian areas do. We have the greatest concentration of top talent in the nation, so this should be doable. This league may be the start of that, and I don't have a problem with those teams that wish to travel from MN. My hope long term is that we could create local teams that would participate in a local version of this same thing done at cost. I'm willing to guess that we could create 3 top level teams at U19 and 3 more at U16 - maybe 4 but that would be pushing it - but could work with TBreds & SSM to get up to 5 or 6 local teams at both U19 and U16 levels I suppose. Essentially we'd be talking about Phase 2 or higher NDP kids participating, although you won't get them all obvioulsy due to other sports, etc., etc. I hear the MGHCA is working on something "elite league" wise like the boys do. This should be good as well.

I do think there is something special about playing teams vs. our northern neighbor, especially if the cost can be kept reasonable as this league has tried so hard to do. It does become a bit old, IMO, playing against mostly the same players here in MN, so the idea of competing against players from a different country holds a lot of appeal. For Minnesotans, Canada is relatively close and you don't get this opportunity to compete against their best in the regular high school season. I hope the idea catches on and provides more opportunity for MN girls in the future.

Agreed. I will say though that this may create more specialists as many multi-sport athletes (or kids with other things than just hockey) may not be able to make the trips north or elsewhere no matter how well you schedule to try to avoid conflicts. In the end the kids that really want it the most and can dedicate themselves will participate. The hope is that these kids are also those that are the most talented. Often they are, but not always.

As to the commentary about seeing other opponents besides the same few MN elite teams, agreed too. I always laugh too when I see 2-3 MN teams travel somewhere to end up playing each other. Out of their control sometimes. What I'd really like to see is someone mixing up area talent of an elite level so that we don't see the same alignments all the time with elite teams, etc. A local league of top talent that incorporates a draft would be best and then players could elect to be part of the travel component which then could select from all the kids that elect to partake in this option. Then, you could draft for the travel component too. That way, we'd get all the elite kids playing locally that otherwise may not due to the travel issue, and those that want to travel get both. And, those that are local may even be able to play the non-mn teams when they come in? Or I suppose you could do a draft initially based on who can travel and who can't and then the travel & non-travel teams just stay together both locally and if they travel. Get SSM & TBreds involved too... I think we could attract non-mn teams here then for tourneys, etc. and if done at a reasonable cost to cover expenses would be great (much like current setup). There should be a Tier 2 too that doesn't travel.

ghshockeyfan wrote:A local league of top talent that incorporates a draft would be best and then players could elect to be part of the travel component which then could select from all the kids that elect to partake in this option. Then, you could draft for the travel component too.

Although it sounds appealing, I think when you start thinking about forming a "local league" you will start to lose a lot of potential elite players who can't (or do not want to) commit to a heavy game schedule in the off season. When you talk about kids having to become "specialists" I think a set Minnesota Elite League would be more imposing in this regard than the current variety of options that girls can now choose from. Those that are truly multi-sport athletes that want to commit themselves to playing a summer sport - or would just prefer not to commit to a heavy, regular league schedule in the summer months - would be pressured into make a difficult decision. When drafted by one of the teams, it would be tough to say, "No, I can't play on the Elite Team" if this were the only good option to play some competitive hockey in the off season.

Even though the existing mixture of camps and AA/AAA teams is not without its flaws, it does provide a lot of choice and flexibility that allows girls to play other sports, take jobs, or whatever else they want to do that fits into their schedules.

Final weekend of this league is this weekend in Fargo - schedule is on link below on their website.

http://www.2nationsfemalehockeyleague.com

Great website by the way!!!

Games in Fargo were all great hockey.

In a US vs. Canada Final the Extreme beat Manitoba Lightning 3-2 in shoot out overtime, it went to 10 shooters to determine the winner, great game as both teams played well. The Extreme won the Mint Cup which was a neat trophy donated by the Canadians. About 10 schools had scouts on hand on Saturday and Sunday to watch games.

Extreme beat Manitoba Pembina Valley Ice Cats 5-1, Manitoba Mustangs 7-4 (two open net). They then beat the St. Croix Saints 5-1 in the second and third place game to get to finals.

Manitoba Lightning beat Manitoba Coyotes 6-5 and OnEdge 7-0 to be seeded number one in Championship Game.

St. Croix Saints beat Manitoba Mustangs 3-2, Manitoba Coyotes 3-1 and lost to Extreme 5-1 to take thrid place.

I understand the league is considering adding classes next year and have teams at the U14, U16 and U19 level.

I get the feeling there are girls out there who do absolutely nothing but play hockey all summer.

Bensonmum wrote:I get the feeling there are girls out there who do absolutely nothing but play hockey all summer.

Clearly, there are girls who do play hockey all summer and love it.

My one daughter's best days in the summer according to her are when she can play all three of her HS sports in one day and then jump in the lake. We do not live metro so to play hockey in the summer we travel at least an hour or more so she does not play as much hockey as she would like to. We have another daughter who does not particularly care if she is playing a sport or not so she enjoys a more laid back summer. My point is girls are different in interests and activities. Differences make life interesting and if the girls are having fun playing hockey all summer good for them.

We were in Fargo for a softball tournament and did catch a two nations game and watched some great competition and the girls seemed to be having a great time. The coolness of the rink felt great, too.

Nice article in LPH last week!

Looks like this league is back for a second year and has expanded.

"Over the past two years a group of parents in the US and Canada have worked together to develop this low cost, value based, ladies first, top competition model between US and Canadian female players. The Two Nations Female Hockey League was formed in 2007 with 3 US teams and 4 CDN teams and has expanded to 14 teams, 9 US and 5 Canadian, for the spring of 2008.

The 2008 schedule is:
CDN vs. CDN – Winnipeg, MB April 25-27
US vs. US - Plymouth, MN May 2-4
US vs. CDN - Plymouth, MN May 9-11
CDN vs. US - Winnipeg May 23-25
TNFHL Championship - Super Rink Blaine, MN June 6-8

The league will have two divisions with each team having a roster of 23 girls. The Elite I League has returning US teams The Minnesota EXTREME, Saint Croix Saints; plus Walser and OS competing against the returning Canadian clubs the Lightning, Mustangs, Coyotes. The new Elite II League will feature the returning Pembina Valley Ice Cats plus the Jr. Lighting and Northern Starzz (out of Warroad, Minnesota but playing as a Canadian team) from Canada and on the US side The Blades, Wild, Walser."

Another moneymaker for someone.

Actually no it is non-profit with no mark up - cost this year for 18 games that are 60 minute stop time is only $230 per player! It is a tremendous league with great competition versus the Canandians.

really - WOW ONLY $239.00 per player. So each player gets 18 games for only $239.00? Thats only $13.22 per game!

Of course it's a TREMENDOUS league with OUTSTANDING competition and the Candiens are SOO much better than us - how could someone NOT be interested...

Just tack on these words: CANADIEN, TREMENDOUS, ELITE, INVITE ONLY, TIER 1, HYBRID, OUTSTANDING, GRETSKY and of course don't forget. "please make check payable too_____"

I am sure will be a darn good tourney with some good players, stop the BS hype already.

Here is more info on this league:

Two Nations Female Hockey League – Kicks Off Season Number Two!
Twice the Teams and Competition

The Two Nations Female Hockey League is back for a second season of action between top US and Canadian players. At the recent IIHF U18 Tournament in Calgary the final came down to the US vs. Canada for the gold with the US prevailing 5-2. Of course last summer it was the Canadians winning 3 out of 3 over the US. So it goes that the two power houses of women’s hockey, the US and Canada, developing the best players in the world and locked in top competition.

Over the past two years a group of parents in the US and Canada have worked together to develop this low cost, value based, ladies first, top competition model between US and Canadian female players. The Two Nations Female Hockey League was formed in 2007 with 3 US teams and 4 CDN teams and has expanded to 14 teams, 9 US and 5 Canadian, for the spring of 2008. The schedule is:

CDN vs. CDN – Winnipeg, MB April 25-27
US vs. US - Plymouth, MN May 2-4
US vs. CDN - Plymouth, MN May 9-11
CDN vs. US - Winnipeg May 23-25
TNFHL Championship - Super Rink Blaine, MN June 6-8

The vision for the league is to create an environment of great competition, continued hockey skill development and have a partnership approach with the Universities and Colleges in both Canada and the USA to gain exposure and experience for top players.

The Two Nations Female Hockey League dedicates itself to the advancement of female hockey for all individuals through progressive leadership by ensuring meaningful opportunities and enjoyable experiences in a safe sportsmanlike environment. The League has adopted a "Code of Conduct" that all teams, members and families are expected to follow and to maintain a fun, competitive respectful experience for all who attend any function of this league. To support continued excellence the league is developing a proper succession plan to improve and sustain the league across functions and for all levels and with that we have instituted a mentorship program.

The league will have two divisions with each team having a roster of 23 girls. The Elite I League has returning US teams The Minnesota EXTREME, Saint Croix Saints; plus Walser and OS competing against the returning Canadian clubs the Lightning, Mustangs, Coyotes. The new Elite II League will feature the returning Pembina Valley Ice Cats plus the Jr. Lighting and Northern Starzz (out of Warroad, Minnesota but playing as a Canadian team) and on the US side The Blades, Wild, Walser.

“We had a great first year and had lots of interest from many teams and players to join the league,” said Two Nations head Mike McGetrick. “Everyone loved the fast, physical play and our commitment to keep everything at cost.”

“Last year we monitored this league and were impressed with the level of play” said Bill Quinn of Walser. “We entered two teams for this year because our kids wanted the unique competition you get playing the Canadians and we couldn’t beat the price or competitive schedule.” Joining the Walser teams is Tim Olson’s strong Wild team and the Blades coached by Frank Mork and Annie Katz. This team was part of the Ice Cats group and switched to the Blades Organization a perennial leader on the boys side. The Blades are a team with a collection of very good young players who are already making their marks in HS hockey.
The league though had a problem, more players wanting to play than teams able to commit so they contacted Winny Brodt Brown and asked if OS could somehow help. “I know first hand the value of competing against the Canadians and I wish this was an option when I was in HS” said Winny Brodt Brown “if you want to be the best play the best”. The team is a bit of a coop with young ladies from Edina, the Schwan’s organization and a few at large all skating under the OS name and coached by John Barton. Time will tell if it is the equivalent of the “mythical HS COOP of Eden Prairie-Edina joked about after Metro Stars played in the state tournament in 2007” said Mike Tuuri of the Saint Croix Saints “but it accomplish the same thing as the North Metro Stars – putting a great group of kids together to compete at the highest level.”

The league has also adopted a coach mentoring initiative that fits it’s long term objectives with a ladies first approach, this initiative is designed to create an opportunity for young people and specifically young woman to get involved in coaching women’s hockey with a view they will become head coaches with in Two Nations and elsewhere. “Parents and other volunteers have been the backbone of this league and have worked tirelessly to create this league” said Kip Pendleton “but if Two Nations is to have longevity it will require a commitment from all of us to introduce and empower these young people to take over when ready, this will not only be good for Two Nations but also, and more importantly, female hockey in the US and Canada.” “We want players to hear first hand about the level of team play, strength and the mental requirements to play at the next level” said Colin Ward with the Lightning. More information and contacts are on this program are on the website

www.2NationsFemaleHockeyLeague.com

The league will also take the same approach at the executive level as well moving to establish a board of experienced individuals committed to evolving women’s hockey. With that said the league recently added Steve Macdonald who, along with Annie Katz, will head up the Mentorship Initiative, oversee the application of the Code of Conduct and help on the Canadian Finance Committee. Steven’s education, Kinesiology & Applied Health and Psychology and completing his Masters in Sport Psychology as well as his involvement as the Co-chair of Sport Psychology and a Student member within the Canadian Sport Psychology Association will serve him well. “We are very pleased to have someone the caliber of Steven Macdonald involved at the Executive level of Two Nations” said Ron Van Denakker, “and Annie brings her background as a player and coach to work together with Steve on this initiative”. In addition Two Nations will have an Advisory Board that will have former and current female Olympic players from both Canada and the USA to further broaden the experience and knowledge required to move this female league forward.
The competition level has been very high from last years teams and a number of players gained college exposure and are headed to play Division I hockey next fall. The League has a high population of US NDP players, Canadian POE participants and even Canadian U18 team members. Top Canadians playing in the league are listed below:

Player Position D1 Commitment National Honors Winter Team/Home Town
Bailey Bram F Mercyhurst Canadian U18 Team CAN 18s/Balmoral Hall
Ste-Anne, MB
Jenelle Kohanchuk F Boston University Balmoral Hall
Winnipeg, MB
Kyleigh Palmer F/D Vermont Balmoral Hall
Winnipeg, MB
Rebecca Hewett D Connecticut Canadian U18 Team CAN 18s/APHA Rangers
Winnipeg, MB
Kristi-Lynn Pollock D Colgate Balmoral Hall
Virden, MB
Tayler Vandenakker G St. Cloud State Balmoral Hall
Winnipeg, MB
Lana Steck G Minnesota Duluth St. Vital Victorias
Winnipeg, MB

Jennifer Kranz Assistant Coach at St. Cloud Sate says, “The intensity of competition within the Two Nations Female Hockey League is very beneficial to any HS player who desires to play at the D1 or National level. This league gives College Coaches a chance to see top players playing with and against other top players on the Championship weekend. ”

So in year two a lot is on the line and many questions to answer - can the Saints win the regular season again in the US, will the Lightning beat the top team overall in regular season, will the EXTREME repeat as the Playoff Champion and retain the “Mint Cup”, will the trophy go to one of the new teams or will the Canadians seek revenge? “Hey Hockey is our National Sport we have the best kids in Manitoba in the league for this season and we can’t wait to bring the Cup Home” says Reese Cretton of the Coyotes. Nothing is for sure except the benefit and life time experience every player will receive.

This sounds like the best thing going at that level. It is very cheap (my math says $12.78 per game) and the competition sounds tough.

I wonder why the Superstar is so bitter? Apparently she/he knows about hockey leagues/camps/teams/programs that play for free.

EXCELLENT, SUPERB, AWESOME!! Couldn't be better - The TOP of the TOP, THE BEST OF THE BEST US and Canadien players will be there. Unbelievable talent, INCREDIBLE. THE WORLD WILL BE Waiting....

Like I said, It will be a good tourney - relax with the SUPERSTAR, BEST IN THE WORLD, SCHOLARSHIP DESTINED rhetoric.

Like Jennifer Kranz said, The SCSU Head Womens Varsity coach: It will be beneficial to the kids and it will be intense - leave it at that. WHoever plays will play and who ever doesn't won't.

Quit making out to be more than it is.

Not sure why all the bitterness from "superstar". I think you would be hard pressed to find a better value. Nice to see someone putting together things like this for the girls to skate in. Best of luck to the girls that choose to participate.

Gee Superstar Jen Kranz the head Varsity coach at SCSU I know she is an up and coming coach but pretty sure Mr. Giesen didnt make her the head coach yet

Superstar - looking at past posts - appears to be be someone from the Pee Wee youth ranks forum who decided to just come take pot shots on the Girls HS Forum...odd to many hours in the day?

For those looking for info on Girls HS Hockey lots of good info and people on this forum - great to read the comments diverse as they may get....Superstar included.....