7AA 2014-15

[kniven]

1-3 are probably Elk River, East, and Grand Rapids.
-Elk River probably has the most talent on paper, and has very good depth. Keeping the top players around would make them a clear favorite; without them, they're probably in a similar situation to this past year--a good spot to be in, but not markedly ahead of the others.
-Rapids has a nice potential all-junior top line, and more good young players coming up. More experience on defense and in the new coaching staff will help, too. They're still on the young side, though, and Shepard and Peterson aren't the sorts of players you can just replace.
-East only loses 4 seniors, but they are important seniors. The biggest change will be the lack of a dynamic top D pair, which has been the heart and soul of these past two East teams and the key to those gaudy special teams stats. No more Moore, Beaulieu, or Trapp running the show from the blue line. They only bring back one D-man who saw a regular shift, though they did have two converted D-men playing forward on the third line, so one or both might shift back to D. There's no lack of respectable players to fill the few holes in the lineup, and the top line should be pretty good; they just need to find the right combinations and adapt to the lack of obvious stars on D.

4-7: Cloquet, STMA, Andover, Forest Lake
-Cloquet won't have overwhelming talent, but they were playing the top teams very tough at the end of the year and could cause some serious trouble with another year of experience.
-STMA has some intriguing young talent and should be relevant, if not quite yet a contender. We'll see how quickly they can build up this program. They're worth keeping an eye on.
-Andover and Forest Lake both lose some big pieces, but their programs have enough depth that they won't go off the cliff and have to be taken seriously.

8-9
-Barring some surprise, St. Francis, then Cambridge. St. Francis was decent for an 8-seed this year, but I don't know how old the key players were.

Captains practice a month away? Seeing the Elite league and other fall hockey is getting me excited for the upcoming season. Yay!!!

[elliott70]

Also note that 7AA is locked in to play at Amsoil through 2017 per last administration meeting. Vote was 9-1, financials being the key component. Anyone want to venture on who had the lone dissenting vote?
Not sure why the majority of the southern schools would not even vote against it?

You obviously just read this information from an article in the Elk River Star News, so why are you asking people to guess on the odd man on the 9-1 vote? The article, (written by editor Bruce Strand) clearly states it was Elk River's A.D. Mike Cunningham. It is an interesting article and explains the financials of the whole Amsoil deal:

http://erstarnews.com/2014/04/05/commen ... y-section/

Sarcasm

Who is Bruce Strand?

Its 145 miles not 200 miles, most of it on the freeway.
3 hour trip, 2 hours 14 minutes.

He refers to the northern section 7AA teams as iron rangers, but to my knowledge there are no iron rangers making up the northern tier of section 7AA.

He complains about no Elk fans at the game. Now I think that is a choice made by Elk fans. I think they have the right to attend just as anyone else does. A long drive, yes, but they can still make the drive.
From Bemidji to St Cloud (where we have to travel for hockey, baseball and football playoffs) its 2 hours, 150 miles. We go.

[Froggy Richards]

You obviously just read this information from an article in the Elk River Star News, so why are you asking people to guess on the odd man on the 9-1 vote? The article, (written by editor Bruce Strand) clearly states it was Elk River's A.D. Mike Cunningham. It is an interesting article and explains the financials of the whole Amsoil deal:

http://erstarnews.com/2014/04/05/commen ... y-section/

Sarcasm

Who is Bruce Strand?

Its 145 miles not 200 miles, most of it on the freeway.
3 hour trip, 2 hours 14 minutes.

He refers to the northern section 7AA teams as iron rangers, but to my knowledge there are no iron rangers making up the northern tier of section 7AA.

He complains about no Elk fans at the game. Now I think that is a choice made by Elk fans. I think they have the right to attend just as anyone else does. A long drive, yes, but they can still make the drive.
From Bemidji to St Cloud (where we have to travel for hockey, baseball and football playoffs) its 2 hours, 150 miles. We go.

I always get a kick out of how people throw around the term, "Iron Range." You always hear Rapids being described as an Iron Range team, even though they aren't on the Iron Range. Cloquet and Duluth are obviously nowhere near the Iron Range. At least they didn't call it the Iron Ridge like President Bush did a few years back when he visited Duluth.

[mnmouth]

I always get a kick out of how people throw around the term, "Iron Range." You always hear Rapids being described as an Iron Range team, even though they aren't on the Iron Range. Cloquet and Duluth are obviously nowhere near the Iron Range. At least they didn't call it the Iron Ridge like President Bush did a few years back when he visited Duluth.

There are plenty of people who live on the Iron Range, or have lived on the Iron Range, who consider Grand Rapids part of the Iron Range. To be fair, there are also plenty of people who don't. Take a seat at a bar in Hibbing, Virginia or Tower and you're likely to engage more than a few patrons in a healthy debate on the issue.

[old goalie85]

Forest Lake likes amsoil. It doesn't take much longer to get to Duluth then ER. Freeway all the way. We send "spirit" buses for kids. Moms drive/dads bring bring the coolers.

[Duluthguy]

I always get a kick out of how people throw around the term, "Iron Range." You always hear Rapids being described as an Iron Range team, even though they aren't on the Iron Range. Cloquet and Duluth are obviously nowhere near the Iron Range. At least they didn't call it the Iron Ridge like President Bush did a few years back when he visited Duluth.

There are plenty of people who live on the Iron Range, or have lived on the Iron Range, who consider Grand Rapids part of the Iron Range. To be fair, there are also plenty of people who don't. Take a seat at a bar in Hibbing, Virginia or Tower and you're likely to engage more than a few patrons in a healthy debate on the issue.

Geologically speaking, the Iron Range refers to the iron/taconite deposit in that part of the state. Towns like Hibbing, Virginia, Nashwauk, etc. are all situated on this deposit, called the Mesabi Iron Range. (There's also the Vermilion Range and the Cuyuna Range) However, the Mesabi Iron Range deposit ends somewhere east of Grand Rapids, between there and Coleraine, so in terms of geology, Grand Rapids isn't on the Range.

HOWEVER, in terms of athletics, Rapids is and for a long time has been, a member of the Iron Range Conference. So saying it's not an "Iron Range team" is difficult since they're in the IRC. Now, Rapids is no longer in the IRC for hockey, but in my mind, being able to undeniably say whether Grand Rapids is an "Iron Range team" is murky at best.

[old goalie85]

How is STMA going to be this year ?? They shoild start making noise soon.

[woodstickguy]

STMA will be about 1-year away from their peak with 3-4 good years ahead of them. I am a little concerned it may drop off after 4 years but the right people are back in place to develop more kids at the youth level.

[old goalie85]

FL may be a little down after losing big class. Still should be a fun year in 7aa

[Thehockeyman28]

[quote="old goalie85"]How is STMA going to be this year ?? They shoild start making noise soon.[/quote] Theyll have a pretty solid season in my opinion since they only lost one key player. They still only have 3-4 seniors this year so next year should be the start of a 3-4 year window where they are competitive. After that they will drop off.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Just a reminder about the playoffs for 7AA and 7A, the semi-finals for both will be at Amsoil Arena on the same day. Saturday, Feb 21, the 7AA Semi-Finals begin at Noon. The 7A Semi-Finals begin at 6:00PM. Should be a blast having 8 schools in one arena on the same day!

[boblee]

Just a reminder about the playoffs for 7AA and 7A, the semi-finals for both will be at Amsoil Arena on the same day. Saturday, Feb 21, the 7AA Semi-Finals begin at Noon. The 7A Semi-Finals begin at 6:00PM. Should be a blast having 8 schools in one arena on the same day!

The bummer here is that the 7AA games should be the night cap. Other than that, kind of a cool day!

[TheHockeyDJ]

Just a reminder about the playoffs for 7AA and 7A, the semi-finals for both will be at Amsoil Arena on the same day. Saturday, Feb 21, the 7AA Semi-Finals begin at Noon. The 7A Semi-Finals begin at 6:00PM. Should be a blast having 8 schools in one arena on the same day!

The bummer here is that the 7AA games should be the night cap. Other than that, kind of a cool day!

Agreed! I would think the southern schools like Elk River and Andover would prefer driving up for a night game compared to an early afternoon. Though, some years I know Elk River has come up Friday afternoon and practiced at the old DECC before a UMD game.

[TheHockeyDJ]

My preseason seed prediction:

1. Duluth East
2. Elk River
3. Grand Rapids
4. Cloquet
5. St. Michael-Albertville
6. Andover
7. Forest Lake
8. St. Francis
9. Cambridge

[alcloseshaver]

My preseason seed prediction:

1. Duluth East
2. Elk River
3. Grand Rapids
4. Cloquet
5. St. Michael-Albertville
6. Andover
7. Forest Lake
8. St. Francis
9. Cambridge

Not exactly going out on a limb here DJ, We all know East is is pre-ordained to get the one seed regardless of results during the season.

[TheHockeyDJ]

My preseason seed prediction:

1. Duluth East
2. Elk River
3. Grand Rapids
4. Cloquet
5. St. Michael-Albertville
6. Andover
7. Forest Lake
8. St. Francis
9. Cambridge

Not exactly going out on a limb here DJ, We all know East is is pre-ordained to get the one seed regardless of results during the season.

Exactly, I given up all hope that East can be seeded anything other than 1. #fixed #rigged

[NLHockey]

My preseason seed prediction:

1. Duluth East
2. Elk River
3. Grand Rapids
4. Cloquet
5. St. Michael-Albertville
6. Andover
7. Forest Lake
8. St. Francis
9. Cambridge

Not exactly going out on a limb here DJ, We all know East is is pre-ordained to get the one seed regardless of results during the season.

Exactly, I given up all hope that East can be seeded anything other than 1. #fixed #rigged

1. Elk River
2. Duluth East
3. Grand Rapids
4. Andover
5. Cloquet
6. STMA
7-9 ??

[Immigrant Fan]

Wow, while relatively new to this, I am pretty pure orange and black. But, it is hard to dismiss any of East's number one seeds in recent years as being undeserved. It sucks, but they have an excellent system and a coach that makes it work. It has been a while since anyone belied the number one seeds. Maybe this year.

Whoever does it, I bet they attack the last 5 minutes of the third period, rather than desperately trying to hang-on while sitting back on their heels.

[alcloseshaver]

Wow, while relatively new to this, I am pretty pure orange and black. But, it is hard to dismiss any of East's number one seeds in recent years as being undeserved. It sucks, but they have an excellent system and a coach that makes it work. It has been a while since anyone belied the number one seeds. Maybe this year.

Whoever does it, I bet they attack the last 5 minutes of the third period, rather than desperately trying to hang-on while sitting back on their heels.

Old news, but ER should have been the one seed last year, even Karl agreed with that. It is in the past "to be the best you must beat the best".

[TheHockeyDJ]

Wow, while relatively new to this, I am pretty pure orange and black. But, it is hard to dismiss any of East's number one seeds in recent years as being undeserved. It sucks, but they have an excellent system and a coach that makes it work. It has been a while since anyone belied the number one seeds. Maybe this year.

Whoever does it, I bet they attack the last 5 minutes of the third period, rather than desperately trying to hang-on while sitting back on their heels.

Old news, but ER should have been the one seed last year, even Karl agreed with that. It is in the past "to be the best you must beat the best".

Everyone agreed with it. I just wonder what coaches in 7AA are so influenced by Randolph or perhaps were stupid enough to have East 1 on their ballot before the meeting. All across this board and everywhere else Elk River was the consensus #1. Randolph couldn't handle having to face Cloquet in the QF.

[alcloseshaver]

Wow, while relatively new to this, I am pretty pure orange and black. But, it is hard to dismiss any of East's number one seeds in recent years as being undeserved. It sucks, but they have an excellent system and a coach that makes it work. It has been a while since anyone belied the number one seeds. Maybe this year.

Whoever does it, I bet they attack the last 5 minutes of the third period, rather than desperately trying to hang-on while sitting back on their heels.

Old news, but ER should have been the one seed last year, even Karl agreed with that. It is in the past "to be the best you must beat the best".

Everyone agreed with it. I just wonder what coaches in 7AA are so influenced by Randolph or perhaps were stupid enough to have East 1 on their ballot before the meeting. All across this board and everywhere else Elk River was the consensus #1. Randolph couldn't handle having to face Cloquet in the QF.

Cloquet had ER as the three seed last year and that cost ER the one seed. No more comments from me on the past seedings or venue. The other teams in the section need to focus on getting it done in sections. ER should focus on what it takes to win the section no matter where it takes place or what they are seeded. That is the attitude of ER's head coach and it should be reflected in their fans and players.

[mnmouth]

Old news, but ER should have been the one seed last year, even Karl agreed with that. It is in the past "to be the best you must beat the best".

Everyone agreed with it. I just wonder what coaches in 7AA are so influenced by Randolph or perhaps were stupid enough to have East 1 on their ballot before the meeting. All across this board and everywhere else Elk River was the consensus #1. Randolph couldn't handle having to face Cloquet in the QF.

Cloquet had ER as the three seed last year and that cost ER the one seed. No more comments from me on the past seedings or venue. The other teams in the section need to focus on getting it done in sections. ER should focus on what it takes to win the section no matter where it takes place or what they are seeded. That is the attitude of ER's head coach and it should be reflected in their fans and players.

Hounds took care of any questions of seeding with their 5-1, 2-to-1 SOG dismantling of the Elks in the title game.

[green4]

Everyone agreed with it. I just wonder what coaches in 7AA are so influenced by Randolph or perhaps were stupid enough to have East 1 on their ballot before the meeting. All across this board and everywhere else Elk River was the consensus #1. Randolph couldn't handle having to face Cloquet in the QF.

Cloquet had ER as the three seed last year and that cost ER the one seed. No more comments from me on the past seedings or venue. The other teams in the section need to focus on getting it done in sections. ER should focus on what it takes to win the section no matter where it takes place or what they are seeded. That is the attitude of ER's head coach and it should be reflected in their fans and players.

Hounds took care of any questions of seeding with their 5-1, 2-to-1 SOG dismantling of the Elks in the title game.

5-1? They won 3-2 in overtime.

[alcloseshaver]

Everyone agreed with it. I just wonder what coaches in 7AA are so influenced by Randolph or perhaps were stupid enough to have East 1 on their ballot before the meeting. All across this board and everywhere else Elk River was the consensus #1. Randolph couldn't handle having to face Cloquet in the QF.

Cloquet had ER as the three seed last year and that cost ER the one seed. No more comments from me on the past seedings or venue. The other teams in the section need to focus on getting it done in sections. ER should focus on what it takes to win the section no matter where it takes place or what they are seeded. That is the attitude of ER's head coach and it should be reflected in their fans and players.

Hounds took care of any questions of seeding with their 5-1, 2-to-1 SOG dismantling of the Elks in the title game.

What year was that?

[mnmouth]

Cloquet had ER as the three seed last year and that cost ER the one seed. No more comments from me on the past seedings or venue. The other teams in the section need to focus on getting it done in sections. ER should focus on what it takes to win the section no matter where it takes place or what they are seeded. That is the attitude of ER's head coach and it should be reflected in their fans and players.

Hounds took care of any questions of seeding with their 5-1, 2-to-1 SOG dismantling of the Elks in the title game.

5-1? They won 3-2 in overtime.

Indeed they did. My bad . . .