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Sounds like the merge has no chance this year -------- Heard that some of the Two Rivers Hockey Conference coaches have North Branch as the favorites

No offense but I'm pretty sure you were the only one who thought this would happen next year anyway.

steelheader wrote:No offense but I'm pretty sure you were the only one who thought this would happen next year anyway.

No, I actually laughed about it.... I could see possibly 4th and that is if their top 1 or 2 players don't go to JR's

North Branch hired a new head coach, the chance for a merge in the near future seems bleek. No Blue Vikings

Who has been named coach? Do you know anything about him?

Hopefully whoever it is can turn things around.

Randy Gendreau - Article says he has over 20 years of coaching in the Centennial program and several years coaching AAA summer hockey at the youth and high school levels of competition. Last season he was an assistant at Chisago Lakes. ------------The last coach was a nice guy but he played some kids that had no business being on the ice ( third line played as much as first line ), lets hope the new coach amps it up a bit and likes to win......

I personally would love to see these two co-op at high school level, the merge last year was a great thing at both bantam a and peewee a, I can speak from participating there, my friends on others were pleased but there are always some of course who were not and most of that reason is their kid didn't make a level above what they may have if they hadn't merged. The Bantam A team will be losing more than 2 players looks to be 4-5 - 1 has already moved out of CI to the cities, no possible way to field Bantam A team (when the B1 bantam I believe only won 1 or 2 games) North Branch best group of high school kids will be finally on the top of the high school team with some talent coming forth, should be their best couple years of high school hockey maybe the new coach will help, a rink for this community is a waste of money, community does not support hockey in north branch, they should take their monies and build a practice sheet of ice at the David C Johnson Arena in Isanti that would provide enough ice for merge/coop at all levels with enough ice, and if you still needed more east bethel is not that far. Mites should be included also, I would prefer my kids to always be playing with kids of their ability and even a bit above. I think it would be really great if all the northern princeton, ci, nb, chisago could form a high school north star type team to be able to complete in big tournaments, (not talking high school tournament) just good invitational that these teams never get into. Merge Merge Merge at all levels. I will say between the two associations there are more and more participating in the summer AAA programs, but most will leave if things don't change. There are younger kids who have already left to play on fire from both associations and many play on top talented teams in the summer, ie machine, blades, cyclones, etc. Its just a matter of time.

Sneakyfast99 wrote:I personally would love to see these two co-op at high school level, the merge last year was a great thing at both bantam a and peewee a, I can speak from participating there, my friends on others were pleased but there are always some of course who were not and most of that reason is their kid didn't make a level above what they may have if they hadn't merged. The Bantam A team will be losing more than 2 players looks to be 4-5 - 1 has already moved out of CI to the cities, no possible way to field Bantam A team (when the B1 bantam I believe only won 1 or 2 games) North Branch best group of high school kids will be finally on the top of the high school team with some talent coming forth, should be their best couple years of high school hockey maybe the new coach will help, a rink for this community is a waste of money, community does not support hockey in north branch, they should take their monies and build a practice sheet of ice at the David C Johnson Arena in Isanti that would provide enough ice for merge/coop at all levels with enough ice, and if you still needed more east bethel is not that far. Mites should be included also, I would prefer my kids to always be playing with kids of their ability and even a bit above. I think it would be really great if all the northern princeton, ci, nb, chisago could form a high school north star type team to be able to complete in big tournaments, (not talking high school tournament) just good invitational that these teams never get into. Merge Merge Merge at all levels. I will say between the two associations there are more and more participating in the summer AAA programs, but most will leave if things don't change. There are younger kids who have already left to play on fire from both associations and many play on top talented teams in the summer, ie machine, blades, cyclones, etc. Its just a matter of time.

A merged CINB hs team would compete for, or win, a 7AA title next year.
It makes no sense why a hs would have their team practice at those times with no home ice and and they have C-I that wants to merge. Go with co-head coaches and lets roll
The kids are also not going to want to go their seperate ways after youth hockey.
NB has a stubborn AD........spread the news!

MrBoDangles wrote:

Sneakyfast99 wrote:I personally would love to see these two co-op at high school level, the merge last year was a great thing at both bantam a and peewee a, I can speak from participating there, my friends on others were pleased but there are always some of course who were not and most of that reason is their kid didn't make a level above what they may have if they hadn't merged. The Bantam A team will be losing more than 2 players looks to be 4-5 - 1 has already moved out of CI to the cities, no possible way to field Bantam A team (when the B1 bantam I believe only won 1 or 2 games) North Branch best group of high school kids will be finally on the top of the high school team with some talent coming forth, should be their best couple years of high school hockey maybe the new coach will help, a rink for this community is a waste of money, community does not support hockey in north branch, they should take their monies and build a practice sheet of ice at the David C Johnson Arena in Isanti that would provide enough ice for merge/coop at all levels with enough ice, and if you still needed more east bethel is not that far. Mites should be included also, I would prefer my kids to always be playing with kids of their ability and even a bit above. I think it would be really great if all the northern princeton, ci, nb, chisago could form a high school north star type team to be able to complete in big tournaments, (not talking high school tournament) just good invitational that these teams never get into. Merge Merge Merge at all levels. I will say between the two associations there are more and more participating in the summer AAA programs, but most will leave if things don't change. There are younger kids who have already left to play on fire from both associations and many play on top talented teams in the summer, ie machine, blades, cyclones, etc. Its just a matter of time.

A merged CINB hs team would compete for, or win, a 7AA title next year.
It makes no sense why a hs would have their team practice at those times with no home ice and and they have C-I that wants to merge. Go with co-head coaches and lets roll
The kids are also not going to want to go their seperate ways after youth hockey.
NB has a stubborn AD........spread the news!

Isn't NB getting a new AD?

The biggest issue isn't an AD, it's whether the two youth associations will continue their arrangement in the coming years.

Are the boards for each association working well together? Not so much?

Don't fast forward to combining the highschool teams (which would be a good thing in my opinion), before the associations cement a long-term relationship. It only takes a few vocal parents or board members to mess it up...

I hope they find a way. A combined program would be great to see.

I think the original youth merger was for 2 years, I think after that it will be renewed year by year until N.B. gets their own arena then it will probably disolve. I don't think the majority of N.B. parents want a permanent merge as they seem to be working very hard to get that arena in Stacy.

As for a co-op at the high school level it would need to be approved by both school boards then be approved by the other AD's in the section and then by the state. I don't know how thrilled the other AD's and state would be about losing a high school program with enough numbers on it's own simply to combine for the purpose of being competative. That kind of goes against the purpose of high school sports in the first place.

The only way a co-op at the high schools will occur is if the N.B. school board cuts hockey for financial reasons and their kids have no place to play. Even then a co-op would still cost a lot of money for the N.B. school district and they probably wouldn't be able to recoup any of that money through ticket sales at the high school games. But the way schools are trying to cut costs it would surprise me if it happened in the next couple years.

Cowboy wrote:I think the original youth merger was for 2 years, I think after that it will be renewed year by year until N.B. gets their own arena then it will probably disolve. I don't think the majority of N.B. parents want a permanent merge as they seem to be working very hard to get that arena in Stacy.

As for a co-op at the high school level it would need to be approved by both school boards then be approved by the other AD's in the section and then by the state. I don't know how thrilled the other AD's and state would be about losing a high school program with enough numbers on it's own simply to combine for the purpose of being competative. That kind of goes against the purpose of high school sports in the first place.

The only way a co-op at the high schools will occur is if the N.B. school board cuts hockey for financial reasons and their kids have no place to play. Even then a co-op would still cost a lot of money for the N.B. school district and they probably wouldn't be able to recoup any of that money through ticket sales at the high school games. But the way schools are trying to cut costs it would surprise me if it happened in the next couple years.

The fact is ...... The North Branch players having to practice at 5:30 in the morning in Chisago or 10:30 at night in Pine City on a school day should be reason enough.
Almost everyone we talked to wants the merge
The North Branch HS team seems to be on the verge of the chopping block every year. It only makes sense that a co-op would be easier to finance for the schools.
From what I hear C-I youth hockey alone would have a very tough time financially and competitively in the very near future, including fielding even a less than average AA HS team in a couple years so it is probably a bigger benefit for the C-I side.
The state, section, and hockey community would be gaining a solid team instead of a here today gone tommorow team. If other AD's had a problem it would be for all the wrong reasons. Like I said before the merged numbers are less than most AA Associations............. The kids are going to want to stay together after playing together through youth hockey, and that should be the deciding factor

northwoods oldtimer wrote:Interesting discussion, what kids are moving to Grand Rapids?

NWOT, the kids that I heard going to grand rapids, now one to hill murray and one moved out of association, I suppose there could be someone else that said they are moving there, but doubt it, they are losing a handful of their most talented group this year would have been neww bantam a or returning A bantam and or high school players. I still wish they would merge permanent from mites to high school, much easier said than done, thanks for sure.

I understand why it would be nice for N.B. to co-op now, but when they get their own arena they will have prime ice hours.

I don't understand how C-I will have trouble in the very near future. They still are getting more mites than they did 6-7 years ago so their numbers may have dipped from the previous growth spurt but they aren't in any worse shape than before. And they are already a less than average AA team. The youth teams may appear to be down when compared to the past, but that is because they are now playing A hockey (even before the merger with N.B.). They may not have the same number of wins, but if those teams dropped down to the B1 level everyone in C-I would be taking about the bright future.

If N.B. is serious about a long term relationship with C-I they need to drop the plans for their own rink. The merger may have worked great last year, but when Cambridge parents are told they have to start driving to Stacy for practice, that will be the beginning of the end of the merger. It was a major issue with the C-I and S.F. bantam A merger even though East Bethal is only 15 minutes away. And I understand parents of some of the girls refused to drive to Mora to practice and they have had a full merge for years both at the youth and h.s. level. Things are fine in Cambridge when parents are not inconvenienced in any way, but make life a little difficult and that will all change.

A permanent merge at the youth level and co-op at the high school level might be fine. But I think people are jumping the gun a bit just because things went well at the youth level one year. Give it a few years and see how things are working out before pushing for a h.s. co-op. You just might get what you wish for and then you may regret it.

Cowboy wrote:I understand why it would be nice for N.B. to co-op now, but when they get their own arena they will have prime ice hours.

Prime ice hours? If NB does anything in the next few years, it will simply be an outdoor rink with no refrigeration. They won't have any "prime ice hours" for years and years to come -- short of some large grants or donations coming out of the woodwork. Highly unlikely in these economic times.

Don't worry about NB building an indoor rink with refrigerated ice any time soon. They simply don't have the funds to put one up.

That may not be what some have been led to believe -- but it's a fact.

Estimates for building an indoor rink with refrigeration -- approaching $2M.

Funds available -- $300,000.

Talk of NB having their own indoor rink sometime soon -- priceless.

Cowboy wrote:I understand why it would be nice for N.B. to co-op now, but when they get their own arena they will have prime ice hours.

I don't understand how C-I will have trouble in the very near future. They still are getting more mites than they did 6-7 years ago so their numbers may have dipped from the previous growth spurt but they aren't in any worse shape than before. And they are already a less than average AA team. The youth teams may appear to be down when compared to the past, but that is because they are now playing A hockey (even before the merger with N.B.). They may not have the same number of wins, but if those teams dropped down to the B1 level everyone in C-I would be taking about the bright future.

If N.B. is serious about a long term relationship with C-I they need to drop the plans for their own rink. The merger may have worked great last year, but when Cambridge parents are told they have to start driving to Stacy for practice, that will be the beginning of the end of the merger. It was a major issue with the C-I and S.F. bantam A merger even though East Bethal is only 15 minutes away. And I understand parents of some of the girls refused to drive to Mora to practice and they have had a full merge for years both at the youth and h.s. level. Things are fine in Cambridge when parents are not inconvenienced in any way, but make life a little difficult and that will all change.

A permanent merge at the youth level and co-op at the high school level might be fine. But I think people are jumping the gun a bit just because things went well at the youth level one year. Give it a few years and see how things are working out before pushing for a h.s. co-op. You just might get what you wish for and then you may regret it.

All good points..!

C-I with their numbers and playing at a B-1 level would have a tough time developing players for AA high school hockey in my opinion. I think that NB had 20 more mites this year and they are class A

Even if the grand outdoor hockey phase is built it would take little effort at all for a CINB hockey community to raise funds for a indoor hockey bubble at Isanti ( like Forest Lakes )or more.

I would only regret having my son to not get a fair chance for all around success in HS hockey down the road.

Make one strong program and we wll KEEP the kids home -

North Branch is AA.

They may have higher mite #'s but only because it is very cheap. Their numbers dwindle dramatically when they get to travel levels. Most likely because they have no home and cost go up.

Without a co-op, North Branch would not exist. They have exactly zero goalies in SQ thru BT.

They may ruin this co-op w/ CIHA because their parents and board (some) want to win at the B level. They will try to hijack CIHA's commitment to A at the last minute, just like last year. Combine and play B? Stupid!

steelheader wrote:North Branch is AA.

They may have higher mite #'s but only because it is very cheap. Their numbers dwindle dramatically when they get to travel levels. Most likely because they have no home and cost go up.

Without a co-op, North Branch would not exist. They have exactly zero goalies in SQ thru BT.

They may ruin this co-op w/ CIHA because their parents and board (some) want to win at the B level. They will try to hijack CIHA's commitment to A at the last minute, just like last year. Combine and play B? Stupid!

North Branch is class A Section 5A

The traveling numbers are a little less right now but with more mites you will have more traveling players in the future. This will be the first year in a while that C-I will not field a D-mite team and they didn't even have a C-mite team last year. This fact might enlighten you a little bit - NO OFFENSE THOUGH

I am sure players would take turns putting on the goalie pads and certain players would fall into the position- Not exist

(SOME) from both C-I and NB want to skate B AT CERTAIN LEVELS FROM TIME TO TIME . I DO agree to always skate A but at what point does it become a negative experience? For instance we had a very competitive Bantam A team last year but we had many top kids leave to HS and greener pastures. Can we expect a 3 win B-1 team to fill those roles? STUPID! MAYBE, MAYBE NOT!

I think it's embarrassing that C-I and NB would consider merging. Why can't these two large school field teams? I know they aren't in hockey country. But come on

This doesn't say much for the sport of hockey. Or maybe it speaks volumes...

ozzie679 wrote:I think it's embarrassing that C-I and NB would consider merging. Why can't these two large school field teams? I know they aren't in hockey country. But come on

This doesn't say much for the sport of hockey. Or maybe it speaks volumes...

It sounds like everything is peachy in your world

NB is going to cut most of it's jr high sports next year........

The NB hs team is year to year for being cut and they have no home ice.......

Most of the people in the area cannot afford to have their children play the expensive sport of hockey.......

Our associations combined would still be a third of the size of bigger associations.......(the teams they would play)

The Isanti arena would struggle to stay open without a merge.........

C-I numbers are going down and NB is class A.....



No we are not Edina, Eden Praire or Minnetonka with boosters to fork over the cash for HS programs, arena's, and training facilities.....

What is your motive for saying such stupid words? It does not do much for the state of hockey having weakening teams and youth organizations

You are the embarassment! Are you afraid of a little competition?

this is the stupidest idea ever! CI has enough players as it is.. plus most if not all of the NB players are garbage. we just scrimmaged them and tossed their salad.. only a few nb players would makke the team anyhow... And North branch just got a great new head coach Randy Gendreau.. he is a great coach but he also does not like the CI coach that much

CLDafencemen17 wrote:this is the stupidest idea ever! CI has enough players as it is.. plus most if not all of the NB players are garbage. we just scrimmaged them and tossed their salad.. only a few nb players would makke the team anyhow... And North branch just got a great new head coach Randy Gendreau.. he is a great coach but he also does not like the CI coach that much

NB gave the 24 dressed skaters equal ice time........ and the top 2-3 lines matched up very well without a couple of their top players. You would have to be lucky to beat a shaved down team.
Have fun tossing guys salads Isn't that a prison thing?

MrBoDangles wrote:

CLDafencemen17 wrote:this is the stupidest idea ever! CI has enough players as it is.. plus most if not all of the NB players are garbage. we just scrimmaged them and tossed their salad.. only a few nb players would makke the team anyhow... And North branch just got a great new head coach Randy Gendreau.. he is a great coach but he also does not like the CI coach that much

NB gave the 24 dressed skaters equal ice time........ and the top 2-3 lines matched up very well without a couple of their top players. You would have to be lucky to beat a shaved down team.
Have fun tossing guys salads Isn't that a prison thing?

ya well our top goalie was playin basebal and our other top two players are training with benilde.

I heard there had been two scrimmages for the NB High School Team and both were stopped mid way through due to kids wanting to fight and anything else under the sun but play hockey, sounds like last year starting over again, hopefully this randy can get a grip on some of these youngsters, obviously the parents can't. One reason it may have done good for these kids to have played outside of "winter season" hockey and try either spring summer and or fall try a elite level and probably would have gained some disclipine.

hockeychick wrote:I heard there had been two scrimmages for the NB High School Team and both were stopped mid way through due to kids wanting to fight and anything else under the sun but play hockey, sounds like last year starting over again, hopefully this randy can get a grip on some of these youngsters, obviously the parents can't. One reason it may have done good for these kids to have played outside of "winter season" hockey and try either spring summer and or fall try a elite level and probably would have gained some disclipine.

I heard that the NB kids were being the knuckleheads in the CL scrimmage, and it was mostly the Pine City kids being the knuckleheads in NB's second scrimmage. It is a problem that needs to be fixed to succeed.....

CLDafencemen17 wrote:this is the stupidest idea ever! CI has enough players as it is.. plus most if not all of the NB players are garbage. we just scrimmaged them and tossed their salad.. only a few nb players would makke the team anyhow... And North branch just got a great new head coach Randy Gendreau.. he is a great coach but he also does not like the CI coach that much

I was able to watch the scrimmage tonight, "GARBAGE" they are not! NB tied a very good (I will admit) CL team 7-7. After being up 5-0 NB lost their intensity and let the lead slip away. NB will have a couple very dominant lines next season and Jarret Sachs and Lane Noyes (played tonight at about 50%) will be among the best players in class A (not that class matters).
Watch what you say about other teams, you're only making your own look less credible.....