Catching up on the District 6 vs. Bernie discussion

hockeydad11 · Post by **hockeydad11** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:10 pm

MKPFB

I don't know if they played in the International cup or not, but the International cup is played in June. As written (until June)

High Off The Glass · Post by **High Off The Glass** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:06 pm

hockeydad11 wrote:Wrong again. High on Grass.

The funny thing is that you are way out in left field on the 88s. No one from the Blade worked with those players yet. How about admitting you are self serving.

Just another thought...Mr. Blades himself Terry Morre's son is a 95. He would have been 2 or 3 year old when the 88s got going. Terry did not become involed with Blades until 2004.
Just be honest the Blades had nothing to do with that team and they are taking undeserved credit.

Never brought up Mr. Moore as having anything to do with the 88's.

GreatOne99 · Post by **GreatOne99** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:14 pm

Hey HOTG and HD11 (not BM, but Jingles himself), get back on topic. Start your Blades vs. Machine babble on a different thread. This one's too juicy to get muddled up in back and forth in Blades/Machine talk.

BadgerBob82 · Post by **BadgerBob82** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:59 am

Thank you to the "old timers" that brought in some of Bernie's history. My point in asking about his past is that people with the size ego it appears BM has, developed it over time. They start to believe they are the sole reason for a kids success. I have talked with coaches that "developed" great players at the youth or HS level. The greatest coaches are the ones that say, "These kids came to me with the tools and heart, I worked with them and most importantly didn't screw them up in the process."

Bernie (and other egotistical coaches) say, "These kids were bad when I got them. Had potential, but were so poorly coached in their past. I cured their bad habits and made them. Good thing the kids and parents listened to me. The line forms over here if you want your kid to be made."

Would love to hear more of the stories associated with the associations Bernie was involved. I think his AAA off season stuff is well documented.

High Off The Glass · Post by **High Off The Glass** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:49 am

BadgerBob82 wrote:Thank you to the "old timers" that brought in some of Bernie's history. My point in asking about his past is that people with the size ego it appears BM has, developed it over time. They start to believe they are the sole reason for a kids success. I have talked with coaches that "developed" great players at the youth or HS level. The greatest coaches are the ones that say, "These kids came to me with the tools and heart, I worked with them and most importantly didn't screw them up in the process."

Bernie (and other egotistical coaches) say, "These kids were bad when I got them. Had potential, but were so poorly coached in their past. I cured their bad habits and made them. Good thing the kids and parents listened to me. The line forms over here if you want your kid to be made."
Would love to hear more of the stories associated with the associations Bernie was involved. I think his AAA off season stuff is well documented.

Very well said. You take the high skill level these kids display at this young age and they are both lined up at the doors of the Blades and Machine at every age level and they are successful even before the first game is played. Again it goes back to the arguement "What happens to these players down the road when they get older" Kids leave one organization by the droves when they mature, while the other organization seems to hold on to their talent, why? Seems to me it may be the coaching or the lack of it.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:10 am

People give credit to the various AAA clubs for developing players, how about the associations and also the High schools. I would also think the either Shattuck or the NDP did more than any summer program for enhancing players skills.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:17 pm

What about the older brothers, dads, buddys, at the out door rink?

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:33 pm

Old goalie I do apologize for forgetting the brothers, buddies, dads and outdoor rinks. But I will include the Sunday afternoon shinny games.

By the way did you skate when the old Maroon and Gold arena had the sand floor with the temp plywood locker rooms?

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:51 pm

Yes. I remember the first year or two flooding the rink with my dad and some other fathers and their bottles . For some reason us kids did most of the flooding. You seem to remember this as well. It was not until my jr. year we got the cooling system.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:53 pm

Grey- I almost forgot the sandy plywood you had to walk on.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:17 pm

If only I had the skate sharping business there.

nahc · Post by **nahc** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:36 pm

I have no dog in this fight............Why does it matter where kids skate and with whom? So what if someone takes credit for coaching the entire Chicago Blackhawks Stanley cup team at some time in their career? Does that effect how MY son or daughter may plays or the enthusiasm they play with? Cmon people.........lets worry about REAL challenges, ie jobs, deficits, upcoming elections......these effect ALL of us and each of us has a say in the outcome..........unlike so many other areas in our lives...

mkpfb · Post by **mkpfb** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:06 pm

greybeard58 wrote:People give credit to the various AAA clubs for developing players, how about the associations and also the High schools. I would also think the either Shattuck or the NDP did more than any summer program for enhancing players skills.

Agreed. This was my original point. A kid drafted this June, even if he had the same coaching staff for both years of squirts, peewees and bantams (3), and switched AAA staffs only once (2) plus the high school staff (1) would also probably have spent time with some combination of NAHL, USHL, Karns, Ness, Steffen, Impact, Velocity. and other teachers. If you have 2-3 coaches on each staff, its pretty easy to get up to 25 total coaches contributing to his success (in a big or small way)

spin-o-rama · Post by **spin-o-rama** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:27 pm

Some people claim to be ex-nhlers, yet only made it to the big time for a cup of coffee. Should they have to provide an explanation everytime they mention they played in the NHL?
It's like bullet points on a resume. If it's a subject that's of concern, the potential employer or customer should do a little research.

Lot's of people can claim they were involved in the 88s development. That happens in the real world too. Look at scientific papers. Anyone and everyone wants author credit on articles. The author list can get insanely long.

SnowedIn · Post by **SnowedIn** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:21 pm

greybeard58 wrote:
"People give credit to the various AAA clubs for developing players, how about the associations and also the High schools. I would also think the either Shattuck or the NDP did more than any summer program for enhancing players skills. "

So you don't see the common thread in that like 10-12 of the 88s made the Select 15s, National Select 16s, evaluated by the US National Team Dev Pr. Then 7 Drafted and 3 in the top 10. All after spending 7-8 years with BM, which you call "any summer program".

You don't see it because you don't want to. Fact is you do see it but don't like him, so you resort to completely naive comments or___not too bright.

GreatOne99 · Post by **GreatOne99** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:49 pm

spin-o-rama[quote] wrote:Some people claim to be ex-nhlers, yet only made it to the big time for a cup of coffee. Should they have to provide an explanation everytime they mention they played in the NHL?

It's like bullet points on a resume. If it's a subject that's of concern, the potential employer or customer should do a little research.

Lot's of people can claim they were involved in the 88s development. That happens in the real world too. Look at scientific papers. Anyone and everyone wants author credit on articles. The author list can get insanely long.[/quote]

Yes they do! It's a great honor to "have a cup of coffee" with an NHL Club. Give them the credit they deserve.

hockeyrocks87 · Post by **hockeyrocks87** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 12:00 am

Greybeard - The AAA teams are what is actually making the MN kids better. With association hockey getting a good coach is a crap shoot. I'm not saying that all association coaches are bad but I would say that many of them are not qualified. If a kid gets a bad unqualified coach for one season it really sets them back. My association has a coach that teaches kids cycling and 7 different complex breakouts to squirts. Don't get me wrong, I know that most of the coaches are donating their time and trying their best but the association needs to train them better. What is nice about the AAA programs is that you can choose where you go and get the best fit for your kid including the coach. Right now I just hope that my kid makes it through association hockey and has a little fun without losing momentum.

HockeyDad41 · Post by **HockeyDad41** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:01 am

hockeyrocks87 wrote:Greybeard - The AAA teams are what is actually making the MN kids better. With association hockey getting a good coach is a crap shoot. I'm not saying that all association coaches are bad but I would say that many of them are not qualified. If a kid gets a bad unqualified coach for one season it really sets them back. My association has a coach that teaches kids cycling and 7 different complex breakouts to squirts. Don't get me wrong, I know that most of the coaches are donating their time and trying their best but the association needs to train them better. What is nice about the AAA programs is that you can choose where you go and get the best fit for your kid including the coach. Right now I just hope that my kid makes it through association hockey and has a little fun without losing momentum.

Sounds great! At my association, the coach would be challenged with how to incorporate those 6 kids on the squirt A team who can't really skate into those complex breakouts.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 4:52 pm

HR87,
I never stated the AAA/Summer programs do not help, I was simply stating that there are many other groups that are involved in the development of players during their time from mites to college and then the professional ranks if all works out right.

When you see college rosters they list the last team played for and that is either a high school team, the Ann Arbour program or Jr. Hockey, likewise with the professional teams. In all my years I have yet to see mentioned on any college or professional roster the listing of the above mentioned spring/summer programs. They like everything else are a part of the training and to give only one person credit for the success of any player or group of players no matter who they maybe is a big stretch.

SnowedIn · Post by **SnowedIn** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:11 pm

Hey GreyB

Like I said a few posts down "So you don't see the common thread in that like 10-12 of the 88s made the Select 15s, National Select 16s, evaluated by the US National Team Dev Pr. Then 7 Drafted and 3 in the top 10. All after spending 7-8 years with BM, which you call "any summer program.
You don't see it because you don't want to. Fact is you do see it but don't like him, so you resort to completely naive comments or___not too bright."

This doesn't happen_has not happened_with any "ONE" team anywhere. Was it just a coincidence that each of the players ended up succeeding at the highest levels of hockey as they moved on from the 7 years of 150+ hours of unique skills training each off season with BM?

Seems that only you find that it is a stretch that BM as the common thread and largely responsible for making this happen.

mkpfb · Post by **mkpfb** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:50 pm

SnowedIn wrote:Hey GreyB
...

This doesn't happen_has not happened_with any "ONE" team anywhere. Was it just a coincidence that each of the players ended up succeeding at the highest levels of hockey as they moved on from the 7 years of 150+ hours of unique skills training each off season with BM?

Seems that only you find that it is a stretch that BM as the common thread and largely responsible for making this happen.

Snow:

You need to do some research. The common thread is that the 88s gathered many of the best players from Minnesota hockey,as the best summer teams do every year. The bulk of Minnesota's national camp kids always come from the strongest summer programs of that birth year. the best Minnesota players always go D1. The best Minnesota players always get drafted.

Even in the vaunted 2006 draft year of the 88s, The Blades had nine draft picks from the team they put together after the 88s left. The 88s only had seven picks. The Blades site lists 31 D1 players in 1988, presumably many among those who left to the 88s.

Shattuck produces about 15 D1 players every year. How about the Bloomington and Edina teams of the 80s and 90s?

Minnesota generally has 15 or more players drafted. In 2006, seven of them played summer hockey for the 88s. LPH says we have about 50 Minnesotans in the NHL right now.

The 88s were a very strong Minnesota summer team. The 88 players were very good. As in all years, the strongest Minnesota players were sought after for the higher levels. The 88s have the right to be proud of their accomplishments and they have earned them. As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years.

SnowedIn · Post by **SnowedIn** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:31 am

mkpfb wrote:
SnowedIn wrote:Hey GreyB
...

This doesn't happen_has not happened_with any "ONE" team anywhere. Was it just a coincidence that each of the players ended up succeeding at the highest levels of hockey as they moved on from the 7 years of 150+ hours of unique skills training each off season with BM?

Seems that only you find that it is a stretch that BM as the common thread and largely responsible for making this happen.

Snow:

You need to do some research. The common thread is that the 88s gathered many of the best players from Minnesota hockey,as the best summer teams do every year. The bulk of Minnesota's national camp kids always come from the strongest summer programs of that birth year. the best Minnesota players always go D1. The best Minnesota players always get drafted.

Even in the vaunted 2006 draft year of the 88s, The Blades had nine draft picks from the team they put together after the 88s left. The 88s only had seven picks. The Blades site lists 31 D1 players in 1988, presumably many among those who left to the 88s.

Shattuck produces about 15 D1 players every year. How about the Bloomington and Edina teams of the 80s and 90s?

Minnesota generally has 15 or more players drafted. In 2006, seven of them played summer hockey for the 88s. LPH says we have about 50 Minnesotans in the NHL right now.

The 88s were a very strong Minnesota summer team. The 88 players were very good. As in all years, the strongest Minnesota players were sought after for the higher levels. The 88s have the right to be proud of their accomplishments and they have earned them. As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years.

You've gotta be kidding us. Bringing the Blades in again. You have been called out for not checking your facts my friend and here you go again. My facts are spot on. Your comments about summer teams are appropriate for the Blades. The Blades recruit and turn over their skaters from year to year in a big big way, especially these days. The Blades are a showcase team. The 88s were a development team.

The difference that you may or may not realize (and if you did your homework) is that the 88s were virtually all ecruited as squirts and then stayed together for 7 years developing under BM. BM did not "seek after" as you put it, the strongest players each summer. He developed the same group of kids in a highly progressive skills intensive program.

The Blades go after the most sought after players and bring them together for tournaments with little practice/development. Some guys developed better than others during the winter season and, like other summer programs, the Blades compete for these guys from Summer to Summer. These programs are off season tournament/showcase teams.

So here it is in a nutshell: Blades carry the best guys they can find and showcase them with very some/little development (a couple hours a week for those that live locally). You can claim an affiliation to those kids that moved on to bigger things if you want but really the Blades are providing a showcase service, and of course, if they attract some of the best kids they are going to move on to bigger shows regardless of whether they play for the Blades or not. On the other hand, the 88s got 150+ hours of development every off season in a skills program. They were essentially the same kids together for the 7 years and BM's development is what moved them on.

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

Then you say "As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years."

So are you saying Minnesota has produced a #1, #7 and #8 draft pick and four others in the same year from one team made up of kids virtually all that started together as squirts?

What year was that?
What year did MN produce three top 10 draft picks ever (never mind from one group of kids that worked their a$$es off in an unprecedented program)?

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:19 am

Snowed,
As far as summer hockey goes I really do not care,it is a buyer beware, and as far as Mr. McBain goes I do not know him and really I do not have either a personal like or dislike, I did pipe in because it seemed to me that MM was solely responsible for the 88'success and I wanted to point out that summer hockey is a piece of the development pie. You seemed to take offense that I considered MM another summer program, but in the real world in Minnesota I believe the number of summer teams is quite large, are they the best not my concern are others worse again not my concern.

Below is how the NHL listed the players from the 2006 draft and as I mentioned earlier it lists previous teams player for. Also from 1960 - 2009 the NHL list show that Mn High school players drafted: Edina 17, Hill Murray 15, Roseau 12, Minnetonka 11 and Shattuck is listed with 12 but not all were Mn residents. College players drafted for the same period Uof Minn 69 and UMD 13.
2006 DRAFT Min players and the teams they played for including the 2006-07 season:

2006 draft Minnesotans
Erik Johnson drafted #1
Bloomington, Mn
2003-2004
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-17
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-18
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2006-2007
University of Minnesota-WCHA
2006-2007

Kyle Okposo
St Paul,Mn
ROUND: 1st (7th overall)
2004-2005
Shattuck-St. Mary's-High-MN
2005-2006
Des Moines Buccaneers-USHL
2006-2007
University of Minnesota-WCHA

David Fischer
Apple Valley, Mn
Round 1 #20
2003-2004
Apple Valley-High-MN
2004-2005
Apple Valley-High-MN
2005-2006
Apple Valley-High-MN
2006-2007
University of Minnesota-WCHA

Cark Snepp
Brainerd, Mn
Round 2 #32
2004-2005
Brainerd High Warriors-High-MN
2005-2006
Brainerd High Warriors-High-MN
2005-2006
Lincoln Stars-USHL
2006-2007
Boston College Eagles-

Jamie McBain
Edina, Mn
Round 2 #63
Shattuck-St. Mary's-High-MN
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-17
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-18
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2006-2007
University of Wisconsin-WCHA

Michael Forney
Thief River Falls
Round 3 #80
2002-2003
Thief River Falls High-High-MN
2003-2004
Thief River Falls High-High-MN
2004-2005
Thief River Falls High-High-MN
2005-2006
Thief River Falls High-High-MN
2005-2006
Des Moines Buccaneers-USHL
2006-2007
University of North Dakota-WCHA

Mike Carman
Apple Valley, Mn
Round 3 #81
2003-2004
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-17
2004-2005
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-U-18
2005-2006
U.S. Nat'l Team Dev. Program-NAHL
2006-2007
University of Minnesota-WCHA

Aaron Marvin
Warroad,MN
Round 3 #89
2004-2005
Warroad Warriors-High-MN
2005-2006
Warroad Warriors-High-MN
2006-2007
Tri-City Storm-USHL

Kyle Medvec
Apple Valley, Mn
Round 4 #102
2003-2004
Apple Valley-High-MN
2004-2005
Apple Valley-High-MN
2005-2006
Apple Valley-High-MN
2005-2006
Sioux City Musketeers-USHL
2006-2007
Sioux City Musketeers-USHL

Andy Sackrison
St Louis Park,Mn
Round 5 #124
2004-2005
St. Louis Park High School-High-MN
2005-2006
St. Louis Park High School-High-MN
2006-2007
Tri-City Storm-USHL

Alex Kangas
Rochester, Mn
Round 5 #135
2001-2002
Rochester Century Panthers-High-MN
2002-2003
Rochester Century Panthers-High-MN
2003-2004
Rochester Century Panthers-High-MN
2004-2005
Rochester Century Panthers-High-MN
2005-2006
Sioux Falls Stampede-USHL
2006-2007
Indiana Ice-USHL

Jordan Fulton
Champlin, Mn
Round 6 #179
2002-2003
Breck Mustangs-High-MN
2003-2004
Breck Mustangs-High-MN
2004-2005
Breck Mustangs-High-MN
2005-2006
Breck Mustangs-High-MN
2006-2007
U. of Minnesota-Duluth-WCHA

Nick Oslund
Burnsville, Mn
Round 7 #191
2004-2005
Burnsville High School-High-MN
2005-2006
Burnsville High School-High-MN
2006-2007
Tri-City Storm-USHL

Chris Hickey
St Paul,Mn
Round 7 #192
2003-2004
Cretin-Derham Hall-High-MN
2004-2005
Cretin-Derham Hall-High-MN
2005-2006
Cretin-Derham Hall-High-MN
2006-2007
Cretin-Derham Hall-High-MN
2006-2007
Tri-City Storm-USHL

Jay Barriball
Prior Lake, Mn
Round 7 #203
2002-2003
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2003-2004
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2004-2005
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2005-2006
Academy of Holy Angels Stars-High-MN
2005-2006
Sioux Falls Stampede-USHL
2006-2007
University of Minnesota-WCHA

GreatOne99 · Post by **GreatOne99** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:09 am

SnowedIn wrote:
mkpfb wrote:
SnowedIn wrote:Hey GreyB
...

This doesn't happen_has not happened_with any "ONE" team anywhere. Was it just a coincidence that each of the players ended up succeeding at the highest levels of hockey as they moved on from the 7 years of 150+ hours of unique skills training each off season with BM?

Seems that only you find that it is a stretch that BM as the common thread and largely responsible for making this happen.

Snow:

You need to do some research. The common thread is that the 88s gathered many of the best players from Minnesota hockey,as the best summer teams do every year. The bulk of Minnesota's national camp kids always come from the strongest summer programs of that birth year. the best Minnesota players always go D1. The best Minnesota players always get drafted.

Even in the vaunted 2006 draft year of the 88s, The Blades had nine draft picks from the team they put together after the 88s left. The 88s only had seven picks. The Blades site lists 31 D1 players in 1988, presumably many among those who left to the 88s.

Shattuck produces about 15 D1 players every year. How about the Bloomington and Edina teams of the 80s and 90s?

Minnesota generally has 15 or more players drafted. In 2006, seven of them played summer hockey for the 88s. LPH says we have about 50 Minnesotans in the NHL right now.

The 88s were a very strong Minnesota summer team. The 88 players were very good. As in all years, the strongest Minnesota players were sought after for the higher levels. The 88s have the right to be proud of their accomplishments and they have earned them. As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years.

You've gotta be kidding us. Bringing the Blades in again. You have been called out for not checking your facts my friend and here you go again. My facts are spot on. Your comments about summer teams are appropriate for the Blades. The Blades recruit and turn over their skaters from year to year in a big big way, especially these days. The Blades are a showcase team. The 88s were a development team.

The difference that you may or may not realize (and if you did your homework) is that the 88s were virtually all ecruited as squirts and then stayed together for 7 years developing under BM. BM did not "seek after" as you put it, the strongest players each summer. He developed the same group of kids in a highly progressive skills intensive program.

The Blades go after the most sought after players and bring them together for tournaments with little practice/development. Some guys developed better than others during the winter season and, like other summer programs, the Blades compete for these guys from Summer to Summer. These programs are off season tournament/showcase teams.

So here it is in a nutshell: Blades carry the best guys they can find and showcase them with very some/little development (a couple hours a week for those that live locally). You can claim an affiliation to those kids that moved on to bigger things if you want but really the Blades are providing a showcase service, and of course, if they attract some of the best kids they are going to move on to bigger shows regardless of whether they play for the Blades or not. On the other hand, the 88s got 150+ hours of development every off season in a skills program. They were essentially the same kids together for the 7 years and BM's development is what moved them on.

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

Then you say "As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years."

So are you saying Minnesota has produced a #1, #7 and #8 draft pick and four others in the same year from one team made up of kids virtually all that started together as squirts?

What year was that?
What year did MN produce three top 10 draft picks ever (never mind from one group of kids that worked their a$$es off in an unprecedented program)?

Boy, what planet have you been living on to write something as absurd as that. Blades teams are on the ice just as much, if not more, than any Machine teams. Do your homework and report the facts please!

dogeatdog1 · Post by **dogeatdog1** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:17 am

SnowedIn wrote:
mkpfb wrote:
SnowedIn wrote:Hey GreyB
...

This doesn't happen_has not happened_with any "ONE" team anywhere. Was it just a coincidence that each of the players ended up succeeding at the highest levels of hockey as they moved on from the 7 years of 150+ hours of unique skills training each off season with BM?

Seems that only you find that it is a stretch that BM as the common thread and largely responsible for making this happen.

Snow:

You need to do some research. The common thread is that the 88s gathered many of the best players from Minnesota hockey,as the best summer teams do every year. The bulk of Minnesota's national camp kids always come from the strongest summer programs of that birth year. the best Minnesota players always go D1. The best Minnesota players always get drafted.

Even in the vaunted 2006 draft year of the 88s, The Blades had nine draft picks from the team they put together after the 88s left. The 88s only had seven picks. The Blades site lists 31 D1 players in 1988, presumably many among those who left to the 88s.

Shattuck produces about 15 D1 players every year. How about the Bloomington and Edina teams of the 80s and 90s?

Minnesota generally has 15 or more players drafted. In 2006, seven of them played summer hockey for the 88s. LPH says we have about 50 Minnesotans in the NHL right now.

The 88s were a very strong Minnesota summer team. The 88 players were very good. As in all years, the strongest Minnesota players were sought after for the higher levels. The 88s have the right to be proud of their accomplishments and they have earned them. As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years.

You've gotta be kidding us. Bringing the Blades in again. You have been called out for not checking your facts my friend and here you go again. My facts are spot on. Your comments about summer teams are appropriate for the Blades. The Blades recruit and turn over their skaters from year to year in a big big way, especially these days. The Blades are a showcase team. The 88s were a development team.

The difference that you may or may not realize (and if you did your homework) is that the 88s were virtually all ecruited as squirts and then stayed together for 7 years developing under BM. BM did not "seek after" as you put it, the strongest players each summer. He developed the same group of kids in a highly progressive skills intensive program.

The Blades go after the most sought after players and bring them together for tournaments with little practice/development. Some guys developed better than others during the winter season and, like other summer programs, the Blades compete for these guys from Summer to Summer. These programs are off season tournament/showcase teams.

So here it is in a nutshell: Blades carry the best guys they can find and showcase them with very some/little development (a couple hours a week for those that live locally). You can claim an affiliation to those kids that moved on to bigger things if you want but really the Blades are providing a showcase service, and of course, if they attract some of the best kids they are going to move on to bigger shows regardless of whether they play for the Blades or not. On the other hand, the 88s got 150+ hours of development every off season in a skills program. They were essentially the same kids together for the 7 years and BM's development is what moved them on.

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

Then you say "As a group, they have accomplished pretty much the same as the groups best players from Minnesota in other recent years."

So are you saying Minnesota has produced a #1, #7 and #8 draft pick and four others in the same year from one team made up of kids virtually all that started together as squirts?

What year was that?
What year did MN produce three top 10 draft picks ever (never mind from one group of kids that worked their a$$es off in an unprecedented program)?

Snowed,, with your 10 posts and such a huge opinion I am going to take a shot at you.. either you have changed your monikar and are really a cool aid guy or you have a kid in the Mite choice league and are thinking that your little JR. is gonna play in the NHL because you were given the 88's speech by BM.... either way you gain little respect from this board when you come out that strongly. If you Have a AAA hockey player and actually see what goes on instead of putting your head in the sand you will realize that there are very few top programs that will keep all of the kids together for a long period of time because to remain a top team you need to continue to try to impove. The bottom 4 kids on all of these teams are turned over every year to try to improve. Take a look at the 96's and you will see that there is turn over from year to year. (Iguess you can't look at the 96 Orange team as they turned over soo much they disbanded)

All I am saying is that Grey B is correct and maybe you should get your head out of the sand or hang around a bit longer before you buy in to that ol Muhamad Ali like mentality "I am the greatest in the world" The Credit for the 88's should go to many people in their development and mostly to the kids themselves!!!!