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I'll give it up to Holy Cross, they did beat the gophers, but as an Air Force recruit, there is a further committment to the Air Force and just to play hockey for four years, but have to fulfill a further obligation to the Air Force?? God bless our Air Force. Kids enrolled in the Air Force should be committed to the Air Force and not hockey.

youngblood08 wrote:I believe Alex McLean and Ben Persian got offers from Air Force and an Baker from Edina got an offer from Holy Cross just last year alone. I think there were a few more and don't know about D3 teams.

Lakeviewing wrote:I'll give it up to Holy Cross, they did beat the gophers, but as an Air Force recruit, there is a further committment to the Air Force and just to play hockey for four years, but have to fulfill a further obligation to the Air Force?? God bless our Air Force. Kids enrolled in the Air Force should be committed to the Air Force and not hockey.

youngblood08 wrote:I believe Alex McLean and Ben Persian got offers from Air Force and an Baker from Edina got an offer from Holy Cross just last year alone. I think there were a few more and don't know about D3 teams.

Point being they got offers at Great 8. Air Force offers one of the Best Educations. The Academy is beautiful out in Colorado.

Jamnick from hibbing signed with providence after winning the great 8 last year also. its a good tournament and that was a ridiculous statement.

Ditto
Again lakeviewing, yes go to Air Force for education and degree, play hockey : a bonus, just like anywhere else. Maybe hockey allows a kid to get into Air Force who otherwise might not get the same opportunity.

Right and we should abolish the Army-Navy-Air Force football teams too.

suntzu wrote:

youngblood08 wrote:Explain to me Why they are letting the College Committed kids play this year? If is only for the MN Senior Showcase why not just make a team of those College committed kids and leave the Great 8 for the uncommitted kids to get another look. They want the best tourney possible, the Great 8 Team won last year in Chicago. They had no comitted kids in it.

Youngblood, college-committed kids have always been allowed to play in the Great 8. However, they have not been allowed to play in the Chicago Showcase.

Prior to this year that was not the case. No committed players were supposed to play in the Great 8.

Players with college commitments have always been allowed to play in the Great 8.It's the team that was picked following that,that went on to the Chicago Showcase that excluded them.

Hello -

Can someone put the rosters on the thread when they are available.
The Ted Brill website doesn't have them unless I am not seeing them.

Thank you.

$$

Forest Lake banquet just ended. Three players rep. F.L. Danny Fick, Chistian Gaffy, Trevor Waldoch. Most ever from one Ranger team. Congrats to Three great young men. G.P.A.'s All Between 3.6 & 4.0 .

Lakeviewing wrote:TRUST ME. A PARENT ALLOWING MY KID TO PLAY IN THE GREAT 8. THIS IS A JOKE. MOST SCOUTS ARE LOOKING FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO KIDS TO PLAY AT A DIVISION THREE LEVEL. THIS IS NOT A DIVISION ONE LEVEL OF PLAY. IF YOUR SON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE USHAL LEVEL, FORGO THE GREAT 8. THE GREAT 8 DOESN'T GET THE BETTER PLAYERS. WHO HAS COME OUT OF THE GREAT 8 PLAY?? NO ONE.

backcheck101 wrote:Is there a web site for the great 8?

Trust me the USHL and NAHL will be scouting this tourny

Yes the USHL and NAHL will be scouting. Lerkhe not sure how to spell his name is playing at Bemdji state and his brother is going to play at Mankato BOTH players attended the Great 8 So D1 schools do attend

Rosters are posted on the MNHOCKEY web site.

Looks like great players and a great night in SSP. I'm picking section 7.

[quote="Lakeviewing"]I'll give it up to Holy Cross, they did beat the gophers, but as an Air Force recruit, there is a further committment to the Air Force and just to play hockey for four years, but have to fulfill a further obligation to the Air Force?? God bless our Air Force. Kids enrolled in the Air Force should be committed to the Air Force and not hockey.

Lakeviewing boo hoo you probably have not done anything for anybody other than yourself or your Country to make such a dumb comment. Let me see here the kids get to play hockey get a great education oh ya and a guaranteed job after graduation is there any other college out there that offers that package? Yep West Point, and the Naval Academy well they do not have a hockey team. there is no better offer out there than a military academy because none of the others give them jobs once they graduate.
So you mean to tell me you would not allow your kid to play for Air Force, wow such arrogance I suppose you feel you are entitled for some reason because a family member served a hundred years a go or something. Nice touch adding God bless the Air Force, but I do not think they need your blessing. Now if a kid is truly playing the game for the love of it they should welcome any offers that are going to put them approx. $250,000 a head of any other student athlete in college sports.

Proudly serving since 1993 in the Army. One last thing West point was voted the #1 college for education by Forbes magazine and you can play hockey too.

http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/docu ... osters.pdf

I like section 2 for goalies, section 7 for offensive defensement, and section 8 for high scoring forwards. However, my pick is section 4 because they have a little of everything.

The Exiled One wrote:http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/docu ... osters.pdf

I like section 2 for goalies, section 7 for offensive defensement, and section 8 for high scoring forwards. However, my pick is section 4 because they have a little of everything.

Where are the Edina boys????

I have had two kids that played in the GREAT 8. Nothing materialized with any D1 or even D3 level scouts. They have played at top level high school programs in the metro. Just to be asked to play in this tournament leave me to think these kids are slightly above average in their play. No takers, even D3 level. So as a parent, I told my kids to go to school and get educated. Sad to say, one needs to tryout and pay the USHAL tryout fees where they are looking for may be one or two skaters. My feeling is you can try to get to the USHAL level where Division 1 scholarship are available, but to waste 1-2 years playing at the junior B level is a waste of time. Times have changed when I played in the early 1980's in a high level high school program. I am okay with this. The college programs have changed from opportunities to just play at the college level, to win and create income for the program. Just look at Bemidji, the coach there won't consider you un less you have two years at the junior level. This just goes to show how important winning and income to the program is rather than giving kids an opportunity to skate at a higher level of play. Sour-grapes? May be the Gopher program should seek kids that are committed to playing into their senior season.

nickel slots wrote:

Lakeviewing wrote:TRUST ME. A PARENT ALLOWING MY KID TO PLAY IN THE GREAT 8. THIS IS A JOKE. MOST SCOUTS ARE LOOKING FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO KIDS TO PLAY AT A DIVISION THREE LEVEL. THIS IS NOT A DIVISION ONE LEVEL OF PLAY. IF YOUR SON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE USHAL LEVEL, FORGO THE GREAT 8. THE GREAT 8 DOESN'T GET THE BETTER PLAYERS. WHO HAS COME OUT OF THE GREAT 8 PLAY?? NO ONE.

backcheck101 wrote:Is there a web site for the great 8?

There were oodles of USHL and NAHL scouts at last year's Great 8. For the kids that have made it this far - and don't have a college commitment - the reality sets in that they are going to have to grind it out in juniors if they want to continue their hockey careers. I wouldn't consider it a joke at all. Most kids consider it an honor to be one of the top players in their section, whether it's A or AA.

If your son is still thinking he's going to get a DI deal at this stage of the game, it's time to start concentrating on grades. If they are going to get one now, chances are very good that it won't come until they've proven themselves at the junior level. This is a great opportunity to open doors into the junior level.

[quote="Lakeviewing"]I have had two kids that played in the GREAT 8. Nothing materialized with any D1 or even D3 level scouts. They have played at top level high school programs in the metro. Just to be asked to play in this tournament leave me to think these kids are slightly above average in their play. No takers, even D3 level. So as a parent, I told my kids to go to school and get educated. Sad to say, one needs to tryout and pay the USHAL tryout fees where they are looking for may be one or two skaters. My feeling is you can try to get to the USHAL level where Division 1 scholarship are available, but to waste 1-2 years playing at the junior B level is a waste of time. Times have changed when I played in the early 1980's in a high level high school program. I am okay with this. The college programs have changed from opportunities to just play at the college level, to win and create income for the program. Just look at Bemidji, the coach there won't consider you un less you have two years at the junior level. This just goes to show how important winning and income to the program is rather than giving kids an opportunity to skate at a higher level of play. Sour-grapes? May be the Gopher program should seek kids that are committed to playing into their senior season.[/quote]

Sour grapes.. You bet ya!! What is so wrong with playing two years of junior hockey? I don't think their is a kid out there that is playing junior hockey right now or in the past that will say ya i wasted two years of my life playing a game i love! Times have changed and if you want to move onto the next level you have to be willing to pay the price. Hockey is no different then getting an education. If you want it, you gotta pay for it! Their is more opportunity now then there ever was for kid to further his playing career and play at the next level!! Also, go and do a little research and you will quickly find out that their is not very many Athletic Departments that make money during the course of the year!! Especially Universities that have D1 Hockey programs, they are lucky to break even each year!!

Lakeviewing wrote:I have had two kids that played in the GREAT 8. Nothing materialized with any D1 or even D3 level scouts. They have played at top level high school programs in the metro. Just to be asked to play in this tournament leave me to think these kids are slightly above average in their play. No takers, even D3 level. So as a parent, I told my kids to go to school and get educated. Sad to say, one needs to tryout and pay the USHAL tryout fees where they are looking for may be one or two skaters. My feeling is you can try to get to the USHAL level where Division 1 scholarship are available, but to waste 1-2 years playing at the junior B level is a waste of time. Times have changed when I played in the early 1980's in a high level high school program. I am okay with this. The college programs have changed from opportunities to just play at the college level, to win and create income for the program. Just look at Bemidji, the coach there won't consider you un less you have two years at the junior level. This just goes to show how important winning and income to the program is rather than giving kids an opportunity to skate at a higher level of play. Sour-grapes? May be the Gopher program should seek kids that are committed to playing into their senior season.

nickel slots wrote:

Lakeviewing wrote:TRUST ME. A PARENT ALLOWING MY KID TO PLAY IN THE GREAT 8. THIS IS A JOKE. MOST SCOUTS ARE LOOKING FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO KIDS TO PLAY AT A DIVISION THREE LEVEL. THIS IS NOT A DIVISION ONE LEVEL OF PLAY. IF YOUR SON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE USHAL LEVEL, FORGO THE GREAT 8. THE GREAT 8 DOESN'T GET THE BETTER PLAYERS. WHO HAS COME OUT OF THE GREAT 8 PLAY?? NO ONE.

There were oodles of USHL and NAHL scouts at last year's Great 8. For the kids that have made it this far - and don't have a college commitment - the reality sets in that they are going to have to grind it out in juniors if they want to continue their hockey careers. I wouldn't consider it a joke at all. Most kids consider it an honor to be one of the top players in their section, whether it's A or AA.

If your son is still thinking he's going to get a DI deal at this stage of the game, it's time to start concentrating on grades. If they are going to get one now, chances are very good that it won't come until they've proven themselves at the junior level. This is a great opportunity to open doors into the junior level.

Lakeviewing - I noticed that you used the term "USHAL" twice in this post - at first I thought it was a type-o. Then I noticed that you used the same term in the EP Captain thread. Just for the sake of clarification, it's the "USHL."

Like I posted earlier, most of the kids that get through their senior year without a college offer on the table are going to have to go the junior route if they aspire to play college hockey. I am willing to bet that most kids that go to the Great 8 tourney do so in hopes of catching the eyes of the junior scouts... whether that is USHL or NAHL. Kids that participate in the Great 8 will more than likely do some tryout camps. Some will make teams, some won't. Those that don't will have to decide if they want to continue to live the dream and grind it out in the MJ for a year - or, if they are age eligible (1992 and younger next year), catch on with a midget AAA team and try again next year.

Lakeviewing wrote:TRUST ME. A PARENT ALLOWING MY KID TO PLAY IN THE GREAT 8. THIS IS A JOKE. MOST SCOUTS ARE LOOKING FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO KIDS TO PLAY AT A DIVISION THREE LEVEL. THIS IS NOT A DIVISION ONE LEVEL OF PLAY. IF YOUR SON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE USHAL LEVEL, FORGO THE GREAT 8. THE GREAT 8 DOESN'T GET THE BETTER PLAYERS. WHO HAS COME OUT OF THE GREAT 8 PLAY?? NO ONE.

backcheck101 wrote:Is there a web site for the great 8?

Wow...I don't have all of the facts but here are a few from Team Minnesota that have played in Chicago ( and therefore also the Great 8 )

1997: at least 14 of 20 on Team Minnesota ended up playing D1, several others D3. Tom Preissing 326 NHL games so far. Mark Cullen 32 NHL games.

1998: at least 12 of 20 D1
1999: I don't have the roster for 1999
2000: at least 8 d1, Bochenski is still making a living playing hockey
2001: at least 9 D1
2002: at least 9 D1, Steve Wagner has NHL experience

As you can see, quite a few end up playing D1.

And of course the numbers listed above do not include the kids in the Great 8 who already had scholarship offers or who received them immediately after the Great 8 (as those kids who already have scholarship offers do not play in Chicago).

Non-hockey: Jamie Hoffman was voted MVP of the Showcase after leading Team Minnesota to the title in 2002, but chose to pursue baseball instead of hockey. He had 22 AB's and 7 RBI's for the LA Dodgers last year.

Steve Wagner has NHL experience

And still cashing professional paychecks
Good work Mitch!

Any updates?

Sorry, I apologize, back when I played it was the United States Hockey American League, but that was a long time ago. Sorry, bad habit. I just wanted to bring out the fact that it is really tough to get a kid into the USHL. There are a lot of really good hockey players out there that just went college. Face it, trying to move up from the Junior B programs to get a shot at the USHL prorgam is a very tough road.

nickel slots wrote:

Lakeviewing wrote:I have had two kids that played in the GREAT 8. Nothing materialized with any D1 or even D3 level scouts. They have played at top level high school programs in the metro. Just to be asked to play in this tournament leave me to think these kids are slightly above average in their play. No takers, even D3 level. So as a parent, I told my kids to go to school and get educated. Sad to say, one needs to tryout and pay the USHAL tryout fees where they are looking for may be one or two skaters. My feeling is you can try to get to the USHAL level where Division 1 scholarship are available, but to waste 1-2 years playing at the junior B level is a waste of time. Times have changed when I played in the early 1980's in a high level high school program. I am okay with this. The college programs have changed from opportunities to just play at the college level, to win and create income for the program. Just look at Bemidji, the coach there won't consider you un less you have two years at the junior level. This just goes to show how important winning and income to the program is rather than giving kids an opportunity to skate at a higher level of play. Sour-grapes? May be the Gopher program should seek kids that are committed to playing into their senior season.

nickel slots wrote: There were oodles of USHL and NAHL scouts at last year's Great 8. For the kids that have made it this far - and don't have a college commitment - the reality sets in that they are going to have to grind it out in juniors if they want to continue their hockey careers. I wouldn't consider it a joke at all. Most kids consider it an honor to be one of the top players in their section, whether it's A or AA.

If your son is still thinking he's going to get a DI deal at this stage of the game, it's time to start concentrating on grades. If they are going to get one now, chances are very good that it won't come until they've proven themselves at the junior level. This is a great opportunity to open doors into the junior level.

Lakeviewing - I noticed that you used the term "USHAL" twice in this post - at first I thought it was a type-o. Then I noticed that you used the same term in the EP Captain thread. Just for the sake of clarification, it's the "USHL."

Like I posted earlier, most of the kids that get through their senior year without a college offer on the table are going to have to go the junior route if they aspire to play college hockey. I am willing to bet that most kids that go to the Great 8 tourney do so in hopes of catching the eyes of the junior scouts... whether that is USHL or NAHL. Kids that participate in the Great 8 will more than likely do some tryout camps. Some will make teams, some won't. Those that don't will have to decide if they want to continue to live the dream and grind it out in the MJ for a year - or, if they are age eligible (1992 and younger next year), catch on with a midget AAA team and try again next year.

Lakeviewing wrote:Sorry, I apologize, back when I played it was the United States Hockey American League, but that was a long time ago. Sorry, bad habit. I just wanted to bring out the fact that it is really tough to get a kid into the USHL. There are a lot of really good hockey players out there that just went college. Face it, trying to move up from the Junior B programs to get a shot at the USHL prorgam is a very tough road.

That is the first thing I have agreed with you on in two weeks of you spewing your negative garbage on here. Lots of above average kids are going to spend a lot of their parents money getting cut by every team in the USHL.

The guys who end up making tier III teams need to focus on getting better and stronger so they can make a tier II team the following year. If you don't make a USHL team right out of high school, there's a 99.9 percent chance you'll never play in it.