Upper Midwest High School Girls ELite League

[hockeyrube7]

Great comments! I'm not sure what would be a good cap or not, but if Juniors and Seniors are the ones the coaches are really looking at, maybe that should be the cap. Who knows, and I'm sure that would give in to even more controversy. Thing is this should be a great start, just very odd on the changing of the minds/rule.

[hockfan1980]

Pulled this off the website.

Eligible Players:

High School Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores in the 08/09 school year. 9th graders may be considered on a case by case basis.

With any tryout there are only so many sure things and always 10 or 15 girls who could be substituted with similar talent. These coaches were picked because they make the commitments throughout the year and have extended contacts with college scouts and have influence in having them attend. These teams all look pretty solid. My take is they could have added 1 or 2 more teams. If we all were graders and chose three teams out of the girls who tried out I guarantee people would question our picks! I watched the tryouts and thought how in the heck do you only pick 24 girls from this group.

[OntheEdge]

Pulled this off the website.

Eligible Players:

High School Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores in the 08/09 school year. 9th graders may be considered on a case by case basis.

With any tryout there are only so many sure things and always 10 or 15 girls who could be substituted with similar talent. These coaches were picked because they make the commitments throughout the year and have extended contacts with college scouts and have influence in having them attend. These teams all look pretty solid. My take is they could have added 1 or 2 more teams. If we all were graders and chose three teams out of the girls who tried out I guarantee people would question our picks! I watched the tryouts and thought how in the heck do you only pick 24 girls from this group.

Hockfan,

As stated in previous posts, the eligiblity rules on the website were changed after the 9th grader was selected.

Before last Thursday the 28th of August:

Eligible Players:
High School Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores in the 08/09 school year. 8th & 9th graders are not eligible.

The change was made the 28th of August to the following language:
Eligible Players:
High School Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores in the 08/09 school year. 9th graders may be considered on a case by case basis.

[hockfan1980]

My mistake. Then yes, I'll agree 9th graders shouldn't be allowed. I also agree with everyone that Jr, Sr. should be the first considered if equal talent.

[hockeya1a]

Pulled this off the website.

Eligible Players:

High School Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores in the 08/09 school year. 9th graders may be considered on a case by case basis.

With any tryout there are only so many sure things and always 10 or 15 girls who could be substituted with similar talent. These coaches were picked because they make the commitments throughout the year and have extended contacts with college scouts and have influence in having them attend. These teams all look pretty solid. My take is they could have added 1 or 2 more teams. If we all were graders and chose three teams out of the girls who tried out I guarantee people would question our picks! I watched the tryouts and thought how in the heck do you only pick 24 girls from this group.

I think the other thing that people brought up is that when the talent is so ,like what you said in bold above, they then should be taking the older kids to give them the Opportunities.

[SportsMa]

Do not like rules being changed after the fact as that really makes people question the integrity and mission of an organization and of course the politics at work. It is their league but as with any sports organization there are clear benefits to having a clear mission statement, philosophy and process to get there and being very open about it. A process does change typically with first year programs but usually the organization follows it's own rules the first year, re-evaluates and adjusts appropriately the following season and so on. No matter what someone is not going to like the process.

As has been said though it is great to have another opportunity for the HS girls and will be interesting to watch the league's development.

[wild77]

This is getting borderline ridiculous. When any of you want to start your own league you can make and break all the rules that you wish. Dr. Russo has developed a very successful model for the boys. he now wants to develop one for the girls. It gives the girl's development, exposure, and better competition. For god's sake quit whining becasue they took a very talented 9th grader and didn't follow their written policy. If you feel strongly about it, do not let your daughters play in the league, but I believe your daughter would be missing out on a great oppurtunity!

[Partagas]

THANK YOU!!!!.....I agree 100%

[finance_gal]

My daughter makes nearly every team she try’s out for, not because she kisses up to the coaches or we as parents are well liked, it’s because she plays by the stated rules, and works her tail off. Our daughter didn’t try out for this league, but I can tell you that there’s nothing worse than seeing favoritism happen in any sports situation especially when it takes the bending of the rules. This reflects poorly on the people running this league because they are striving to be the face of girls hockey in Minnesota and they showed that if you know the right people the rules don’t make a difference. I think this is a bad signal to send, If all of the coaches are connected with High School programs as someone stated earlier it shows a lack of character throughout the sport.

[Bensonmum]

............ For god's sake quit whining becasue they took a very talented 9th grader and didn't follow their written policy. If you feel strongly about it, do not let your daughters play in the league, but I believe your daughter would be missing out on a great oppurtunity!

I disagree. I don't have a daughter eligible for this league, but I hate it when people or organizations don't follow their own rules or make special allowances for one or two individuals. It tells you something about the people making the decisions.
I think most posters who have been complaining are doing so because of the perceived attitude of those running the league (admit it--changing the verbage on the website after the fact is extremely weak).

[chickendance]

Nice attempt at marginalizing the comments you don't like.

They have picked. It's unfortunate they didn't go find some of the others they should have found. They simply took the easy approach. It's the first year, hopefully they will improve the selection process in the future.

It appears that Mr Russo is mostly involved in name. Can some of you smart people that seem to know everyone and everything about the league clue us in on how much he is really involved? I am also curious if the selection model is the same on the boys side?

Again, this is a great step forward for the girls program. The girls need to keep getting pushed and these are the opportunities that have been too long in coming. The girls need to be allowed more opportunities and MN Hockey and MGHCA need to start looking for ways to further advance the kids. The two leagues are step forward no matter how flawed or good you think they are. They are only a step forward, don't let it stop there.

[OntheEdge]

This is getting borderline ridiculous. When any of you want to start your own league you can make and break all the rules that you wish. Dr. Russo has developed a very successful model for the boys. he now wants to develop one for the girls. It gives the girl's development, exposure, and better competition. For god's sake quit whining becasue they took a very talented 9th grader and didn't follow their written policy. If you feel strongly about it, do not let your daughters play in the league, but I believe your daughter would be missing out on a great oppurtunity!

I agree 100%. Who really cares about the rules, fairness, or the integrity of the process??? That stuff doesn't really matter. All I care is that my daughter gets in!!!

[Central]

http://hselitehockey.com/

Here is what the guys' website says about their process in the FAQ section:

"The player selection process for the H.S. Elite Hockey program is conducted year-round. H.S. Elite coaches and personnel actively scout high school games throughout the regular season and playoffs to evaluate top-end players. In addition, qualified high school coaches nominate top players from their team to take part in the program. These nominations are reviewed by league personnel and discussed with opposing high school coaches, scouts, etc. A final step, is a review of the Minnesota Hockey Select tryouts. League personnel attend the tryouts and conduct their own evaluation, they also review the final team selections as part of their analysis. A player does not have to attend the Select tryouts to be eligible to play in the program. The program then invites certain players into the program. Other players are invited to try-out for the program. Remember, the program targets only the top 115 players in Minnesota, no more. These players are generally on their team's top lines, among their team's top scorers, and are often all-conference selections with at least one full year of varsity experience. The selection process is completed in early July. If you feel you have what it takes to play in the program, have your varsity head coach contact us."

I do not know if this is the process that is truly followed but it is what was identified on their website. It will be interesting to see if they develop the girls' website in a similar fashion as it does identify who is involved in the program in terms of the directors and coaches.

[chickendance]

Thank you. Let's hope this process is used next year.

[wild77]

My daughter makes nearly every team she try’s out for, not because she kisses up to the coaches or we as parents are well liked, it’s because she plays by the stated rules, and works her tail off. Our daughter didn’t try out for this league, but I can tell you that there’s nothing worse than seeing favoritism happen in any sports situation especially when it takes the bending of the rules. This reflects poorly on the people running this league because they are striving to be the face of girls hockey in Minnesota and they showed that if you know the right people the rules don’t make a difference. I think this is a bad signal to send, If all of the coaches are connected with High School programs as someone stated earlier it shows a lack of character throughout the sport.

So now they are showing favoritism? Or is this young lady "kissing up to the coaches"? Or perhaps her parents are "well liked". I can't believe you are accsuing them of these things.
My bet is that 95% of the people don't care about this situation. It's all about the blame game and people needing to find fault and complain sometimes because of jealousy.
Before you tell me again, I know your daughter didn't try out for this league and you have nothing to complain about.

[finance_gal]

My daughter makes nearly every team she try’s out for, not because she kisses up to the coaches or we as parents are well liked, it’s because she plays by the stated rules, and works her tail off. Our daughter didn’t try out for this league, but I can tell you that there’s nothing worse than seeing favoritism happen in any sports situation especially when it takes the bending of the rules. This reflects poorly on the people running this league because they are striving to be the face of girls hockey in Minnesota and they showed that if you know the right people the rules don’t make a difference. I think this is a bad signal to send, If all of the coaches are connected with High School programs as someone stated earlier it shows a lack of character throughout the sport.

So now they are showing favoritism? Or is this young lady "kissing up to the coaches"? Or perhaps her parents are "well liked". I can't believe you are accsuing them of these things.
My bet is that 95% of the people don't care about this situation. It's all about the blame game and people needing to find fault and complain sometimes because of jealousy.
Before you tell me again, I know your daughter didn't try out for this league and you have nothing to complain about.

Take it easy, maybe have the dosage adjusted on your med's or something......the league changed their own rules to accomidate this underage girl. How much more proof of favortisim do you need? I don't know why they decided to make this girl such a special case but it doesn't reflect well on the laegue.

[chickendance]

95% of all statistics are made up

[Silent But Deadly]

My daughter makes nearly every team she try’s out for, not because she kisses up to the coaches or we as parents are well liked, it’s because she plays by the stated rules, and works her tail off. Our daughter didn’t try out for this league, but I can tell you that there’s nothing worse than seeing favoritism happen in any sports situation especially when it takes the bending of the rules. This reflects poorly on the people running this league because they are striving to be the face of girls hockey in Minnesota and they showed that if you know the right people the rules don’t make a difference. I think this is a bad signal to send, If all of the coaches are connected with High School programs as someone stated earlier it shows a lack of character throughout the sport.

So now they are showing favoritism? Or is this young lady "kissing up to the coaches"? Or perhaps her parents are "well liked". I can't believe you are accsuing them of these things.
My bet is that 95% of the people don't care about this situation. It's all about the blame game and people needing to find fault and complain sometimes because of jealousy.
Before you tell me again, I know your daughter didn't try out for this league and you have nothing to complain about.

Sure she does....especially if as chickendance suggests....she (and many others equally or more qualified) didn't even get a sniff at it!

[joehockey]

Ok so what is the right action to give to the League? If you don't like the process then e-mail is posted on the website:

http://www.girlselitehockey.com and email is info@girlselitehockey.com

This is a huge step forward and a platform for other opportunities for the top HS girls in MN. Just look at the evolution:

1) 2008 Year 1 - 60 kids (2 metro, 1 outstate) + SSM
2) 2009 Year 2 - 80 kids (3 metro, 1 outstate) + SSM + Guest
3) 2010 Year 3 - 100 kids (5 teams) + SSM + 2 Guest

I was just out east and this was viewed as a very unique league the concept of HS kids playing SSM and in future years other top U19AAA Guest teams (maybe Balmoral Hall, NAHA, Madison Capitals, Wisconsin Wild, Little Caesars......) was impressive to all and should provide a backdrop for college coaches to come and see more Minnesota kids.

So how were kids picked? The process this year was half from the one month long Phase Tryouts who were selected to go to NDP or top HS Varsity Play. The rest were invited to invite and I would guess from Phase II or Phase III play - three sets of invitations went out to give 60 a chance to try out - somone posted 48 did? So if you want to be in the League next year it would appear important to express to your HS Varsity coach you want to be selected/nominated to Phase I if underclassman or have a big HS season if you are a '90 or '91 - this year the Phase I slots were not full - spots went open.

Eric Johnson Coach from Minntonka heads the League has brought his experience from being a coach in the Elite I Boys League to form and head this the following have been involved and will be coaching. The following are the people who are trying to do the right thing - I don't know all of these people but the ones I do - work pretty tirelessly to create opportunities to get girls in hockey and help them at every level. They aren't parents they are former or current top players who know the game pretty well:

Maureen Hardwick Head Coach
Sanya Sandahl Asst Coach
Caesare Stimson Asst Coach

Brooke White Head Coach
Allison Lehrke Asst Coach
Chris Peterson Asst Coach

Winny Brodt Head Coach
Jenny Potter Asst Coach
Allison Sanchez Asst Coach

The other great new option is the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association League – again another great concept with no equal it was open to girls who where in the Phase tryouts, the Freshman Sophmore Camp Tryouts or the Freshman Sophmore Camp. Invitations went out and were due back on August 29 with tryouts on September 12-13.

[upnorthguy]

There are probably 4-5 Girls who are going to be Ninth Graders who could of made this team. Such as; Ilikainen - Grand Rapids, Ness - Roseau, Curtiss - Elk River, Mc millen - Breck and few others im sure. There are always a few who try to sneak and get ahead and buck the system. The people who are running the show have lost a little integrity. The few age ineligbles who are on the team. obviously didn't have to compete against these other players. These players should have respected there counterparts and stayed away from the situation.
As far as im concerned this should be for the Juniors and Seniors. They should have considered a fourth team. This team would have comprised itself with with the upcoming fresh and softmores.

[joehockey]

The rosters and revised schedule is up.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/index.htm

The idea of some of the Top MN HS girls playing against SHattuck one of the Top USA Hockey U19 AAA teams is a good measure to show where MN HS Hockey is and gives college coaches another reason to scout the League. Should be interesting to see how the HS teams compete.

[Bensonmum]

The rosters and revised schedule is up.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/index.htm

The idea of some of the Top MN HS girls playing against SHattuck one of the Top USA Hockey U19 AAA teams is a good measure to show where MN HS Hockey is and gives college coaches another reason to scout the League. Should be interesting to see how the HS teams compete.

Well, I see Hill Murray has 5 kids in this league....Roseville has 2 and Stillwater has 2. joehockey, I guess this means H-M is a shoo-in to win Section 4????

[joehockey]

I like your country math but - Stillwater has three Tuuri, Dahl, Charpentier.......lots of factors I am sure went into the numbers.....King and Sobczak are top players but not skating in League (not sure maybe on the alternate list?) - I would guess there were others at all the section 4 schools that had similar reasons for not pursuing.

No they will all have to play the games to find out the outcome WBL, Stillwater, Roseville.....all will be play hard - don't rule out NSP that group of girls probably skated more this summer than any group I know!

But I like the way you are thinking!

[MNHockeyFan]

The rosters and revised schedule is up.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/index.htm

The idea of some of the Top MN HS girls playing against SHattuck one of the Top USA Hockey U19 AAA teams is a good measure to show where MN HS Hockey is and gives college coaches another reason to scout the League. Should be interesting to see how the HS teams compete.

The SSM website [ http://www.s-sm.org/athletics/interscholastic/team.asp ] has put up their 2008-09 schedules and team rosters. I noticed that for this Elite League their U16 team will play the last weekend as their U19 team is scheduled to be in Manitoba.

[OntheEdge]

The rosters and revised schedule is up.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/index.htm

The idea of some of the Top MN HS girls playing against SHattuck one of the Top USA Hockey U19 AAA teams is a good measure to show where MN HS Hockey is and gives college coaches another reason to scout the League. Should be interesting to see how the HS teams compete.

The SSM website [ http://www.s-sm.org/athletics/interscholastic/team.asp ] has put up their 2008-09 schedules and team rosters. I noticed that for this Elite League their U16 team will play the last weekend as their U19 team is scheduled to be in Manitoba.

Interesting. According to the website the SSM U19 team is playing in the Elite League but not in the SSM tourney that Joe mentions. Therefore the HS Elite regular teams ("Elite regular" kind of an oxymoron isn't it) are playing the upper level SSM team and the HS Elite All Star team is playing the U16 team. It seems like it would be better competition-wise to do it the other way around.