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casualfan wrote:Larsen at Apollo is going to be GM of Lumberjacks not coach

He's going to be both.

George Blanda wrote:A LONG time ago they did an article on Larson being GM. A few weeks ago they did an article on him becoming coach.

The article was archived online...but here is the opening line..."Craig Larson wants to someday be a college coach. That's one reason why Larson turns in his resignation as St. Cloud Apollo's boys hockey coach today. The 31-year-old Grand Rapids High School graduate is taking over as general manager and head coach of the Granite City Lumberjacks, a Junior 'B' team that opens play at the Municipal Athletic Complex for the 2007-08 season."--Tom Elliott, SCtimes.com

Tom Bruce? Not a snowball's chance in hell. Well, I guess their may be a snowball's chance in hell, but who knows. His kids are in the private school system. Apollo's coaching job isn't that desirable.

I'd be surprised if Pete Matanich didn't apply for the job. He has a pretty good resume as assistant at Tech for the past several years. Also a former Eagle.

I'm going to "one up" you George. Here is a write up on the MJ website:

Granite City puts plan in motion
Expansion Lumberjacks hit recruiting trail hard

February 8, 2007


As one of three new teams set to enter the Minnesota Junior Hockey League next season, the Granite City Lumberjacks are committed to the development of players in North Central Minnesota and beyond.

“We’re very excited to be a new member of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League,” said Lumberjacks president John Hall. “They have a longstanding tradition of development for players and coaches."

The team will play its home games out of Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud, Minn. Craig M. Larson will serve at the team’s head coach and general manager.

“It’s a great opportunity for hockey in North Central Minnesota,” said Larson. “With our location, we believe we can offer more players from North Central Minnesota the opportunity to develop their game on the ice, become role models off the ice and compete at the next level, whether it be college or Junior A.”

In addition to Larson, Jim Michaud will serve as the Lumberjacks’ hockey consultant and an assistant coach. Cale Finseth has also been named an assistant coach, with a scouting staff comprised of Jim Hartman, Reed Larson, Joe Ciaradelli, Eric Johnson, Brent Boerger, T.J. Thomas and Kris Dougherty.

“With an excellent scouting and coaching staff geared towards player development and team goals, we feel we have the ingredients for a successful winning program,” said Larson

And I think you may be on to something with your last statement.

Thanks for all the updates-I didn't catch that article. My point in the names I throw out there were just that names. I know Tom personally I don't think his job would allow it as well. I agree the job might not be desirable, but some old alum might want to take a chance and try to get it moving in the right direction. Look at the Jr situation that Larsen is taking a stab at, John Hall the owner was an Apollo Alum who can't seem to get the hockey blood out of his system. I would hope someone could bring some new energy over to the northside because it is long over due. It would be nice to get back to the good old day's with the likes of a John Tapp and Eddie Zins type to get Apollo moving in the proper direction. Look what Burnsville did in tapping former Wisconsin Superior player's maybe Apollo could tap into SCSU as an option as well?

Puckguy19 wrote:

RamFan2010! wrote:

gatzke wrote:i've heard rumors, and don't quote me on it, that a petition is going around to get rid of oliver in roseau.

I heard the parents wanted to get rid of him, but now they dont want to even try cause he coached them to a Section 8AA title for the second year.... but really our team just has talent, I think he is a ok coach, but I really think all the assistant coaches really help out alot, like Billy Lund, etc. Is it true he doesnt skate with the team , cause he cant or just doesnt feel the need to??? This is all stuff I have heard, but I live in a small town so everybody knows everything around here, dont take it as concrete stuff, prob. just rumors or somthing.

Coach Oliver can skate, but has a considerable injury from his football days, that supposedly locks up pretty bad in the winter. He is without a doubt a rough and tumble character, and was seen by many as a questionable appointment four years ago.

Two things work in his favor:

1. It is awful tough to fire a coach that has just been to the state tournament. The last coach Roseau fired via petition was in the late eighties so they could bring in Blais. That coach made the mistake of losing to Warroad in the Section final.

2. There is a player named Nick Oliver that Roseau would like to keep in the system.

Gotziaman had to know what he was getting into with Oliver. It's been the same at Glyndon, Moorhead, and Crookston. He's not easy to be around but he wins.

I believe if Roseau were to win the title, he would be the first to win a football title (Glyndon-Felton) and a hockey title.

There was no petition in 1989 to get rid of Hokanson and he wasn't fired, he was asked nicely to resign. No offense intended toward Coach Hokanson, but it was the best thing to happen to Roseau Hockey at the time.

any other schools hiring besides
como park, chaska, new prague, & andover

ndirishfighting - where did you get your information that Como Park is hiring a new coach from? I have not been able to confirm this one.

I am not sure where you are getting your information on Thoreson, but I can tell you he will not be fired. He will get his chance with a talented group coming up and he will make a very good run at the x-center in the future. Not only that, he will get all the support he needs from the LOYAL Andover people that he possibly needs.

rock06 wrote:I am not sure where you are getting your information on Thoreson, but I can tell you he will not be fired. He will get his chance with a talented group coming up and he will make a very good run at the x-center in the future. Not only that, he will get all the support he needs from the LOYAL Andover people that he possibly needs.

He won't be making many runs if he remains in section 7AA

Hey Hckyfa 62-before you go running your yapper about Coach Thoreson you should do a little research. I assume you are aware that before he came to Edina he coached boys in Antigo Wisconsin-where he basically built the entire program and won a state championship. I assume you know that he was one of the most respected coaches in Wisconsin for all of the work he did with his own program and hockey in general in the state. I assume you also know that he has been very involved in USA Hockey for many years where he has been selected to coach some of the top players in the country at the National Festivals. Guys like you that have no clue about hockey should not even be allowed to make a post. Have some respect for the game and the people involved that are making a difference. If you want someone to earn more respect by yelling at the refs then you obviously know nothing about coaching. Coach Thoreson will build a championship program and Andover is lucky to have him.

hckyfan62 - not sure how you can even call yourself a hockey fan!

You know nothing of coach Thoreson's ability to coach. If you were smart - and really knew ANYTHING about Andover's program, you would realize that coach Throeson has not had a TON of talent to work with. He's done a GREAT job these past two seasons and will continue for a long time.

He DOES get respect from the players and parents. He has coached for better than 15 years and he has gained respect from high school hockey programs in Wisconsin AND Minnesota.

Quite possibly, you are the one and only kid that 'quit' Andover's program or you are a friend of his that only listens to rubbish! Either way - unless you have solid facts - keep your mouth shut.

LOYALTY - the key to success!

When my kids start to act up and run their mouths in the backseat of the car I'll throw them some Cheetos and that usually settles them down.

Some supporters of Andover hockey told me to give you this hckyfan62.

Grizz77-you are a beauty like your buddie hckyfan62-you even say you are not from Andover yet you claim to know what is going on. As far as kids getting caught with drugs and having no consequesces- why don't you expand on that-I assume you do know that the school and high school league are responsible for the consequences. I also would like to think that if a kid makes a mistake they should not be banished for life-Coach Thoreson is a teacher and he realizes that hockey is a way for kids to learn about life-not the other way around. You know-2nd chances-learn a lesson and move on. People like you that are not even associated with a program should not pretend to know what is going on-you are on the outside looking in-where it is easy to be a critic-where do you coach grizz?how about you hckfan62? How many state titles do you have? And as far as taking a shot at Wisconsin hockey-that is even more of an example of how ignorant and uninformed you are!

rams1989 wrote:

Puckguy19 wrote:

RamFan2010! wrote: I heard the parents wanted to get rid of him, but now they dont want to even try cause he coached them to a Section 8AA title for the second year.... but really our team just has talent, I think he is a ok coach, but I really think all the assistant coaches really help out alot, like Billy Lund, etc. Is it true he doesnt skate with the team , cause he cant or just doesnt feel the need to??? This is all stuff I have heard, but I live in a small town so everybody knows everything around here, dont take it as concrete stuff, prob. just rumors or somthing.

Coach Oliver can skate, but has a considerable injury from his football days, that supposedly locks up pretty bad in the winter. He is without a doubt a rough and tumble character, and was seen by many as a questionable appointment four years ago.

Two things work in his favor:

1. It is awful tough to fire a coach that has just been to the state tournament. The last coach Roseau fired via petition was in the late eighties so they could bring in Blais. That coach made the mistake of losing to Warroad in the Section final.

2. There is a player named Nick Oliver that Roseau would like to keep in the system.

Gotziaman had to know what he was getting into with Oliver. It's been the same at Glyndon, Moorhead, and Crookston. He's not easy to be around but he wins.

I believe if Roseau were to win the title, he would be the first to win a football title (Glyndon-Felton) and a hockey title.

There was no petition in 1989 to get rid of Hokanson and he wasn't fired, he was asked nicely to resign. No offense intended toward Coach Hokanson, but it was the best thing to happen to Roseau Hockey at the time.

Can't argue the merits of whether it was best or not, as it worked out well. There was in fact a petition, whether it was heard or whether Hokie chose not to fight it is the question.

Just heard the Forest Lake coaching position is up for grabs.

Saw in the above post, Cale Finseth announced assistant coach of Granite City Lumberjacks...........

means Eveleth-Gilbert is looking for someone new behind the helm

So what do ya all think about the Flake job---big school---crappy rink---hows the youth association ?

Rumor has it that New Prague will offer the job to Troy Ward. Ward has been the assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, assistant coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, General Manager of the ECHL, head coach of the Trenton team in the ECHL, a couple more at the junior level too i think. He also played hockey for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

This would be a great hire for NP. This is an up and coming program with a great youth system and good town support. Put Ward in there and this team could be in the top 10 year after year.

Ward having experience at the pro and college level does not automatically transfer into success at the HS level. If you look at this guys track record he hasn't spent more than 3 yrs and any one place. NP had a good year this year but the talent level drops off considerably after this year. Sure they have 1 or 2 ok players but 1 or 2 does not make a team. They will struggle next year and in the years to come and a shot at being a top 10 team for years to come is wishful thinking.

MC12 wrote:Ward having experience at the pro and college level does not automatically transfer into success at the HS level. If you look at this guys track record he hasn't spent more than 3 yrs and any one place. NP had a good year this year but the talent level drops off considerably after this year. Sure they have 1 or 2 ok players but 1 or 2 does not make a team. They will struggle next year and in the years to come and a shot at being a top 10 team for years to come is wishful thinking.

I see where you are coming from in regards to his track record. There are some things that you should understand first though. He had kind of a raw deal at University of Wisconsin. Basically, him exploring other job opportunities led to Eaves giving him the ax. In Pittsburgh, he was an assistant under Kevin Constantine. Constantine was fired after 2 years??, not much he can do there as most coaching staffs go with the head coach. While in the ECHL, he climbed the ranks so fast that he wasn't going to stay there for very long. I think that if you look at the work he does with kids of all ages at his hockey camp, Hockey & Sons, it shows that he knows how to work with all kids and how to teach the game of hockey.


I think New Prague will be good for years to come. I think that they have one of, if not the best youth programs south of the metro. They have a town that has grown immensely in the past couple of years.


I think that if New Prague doesn't give Ward the job, they will regret it for a long time as he will go somewhere else and build a winner.

Why would Ward go to New Prague if he wants to coach high school? Why wouldn't he go after of the other jobs that will be opening that may be a little more high profile?

New Prague will not be good for many years because they have absolutely no goaltending in the program at all. Unless someone steps it up big time, after this next year, they fall off the map, with Ward coaching or not.

i agree with the last two post. First, if Ward is that hard up for a job that he has to head to the HS level why would he select a program such as NP? There are many other programs out there that would be much more appealing. NP's youth program isn't as great as everyone says. Look at the history. Yea, maybe a few made it to districts or maybe even region tournaments but what have they done??? Nothing! Their association is ran by a select few who, like all associations, favor their kids and their own group.

As for goaltending....couldn't agree with you more tootoo. Yikes! If they are considering be a top 10 team for years to come then Ward or whoever steps in better be able to keep the opposition to under 3 shots per game.

Has anyone heard anything about trfs coaching position?anyone?Please someone help us!!!!!

As far as I know or have been told there are no changes in store for next year at TRF.

Anyone have any information on that Chaska coach opening? and who may fill that job?