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The 2 Nations U16 Hockey League starts this weekend with games at New Hope, each team playing 4 games Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Canadian teams are from Manitoba - Mustangs, Lightning, Coyotes and Pembina Valley. The Minnesota teams are the St. Croix Saints, Ice Cats, Extreme and OnEdge. Should be good hockey and a chance for US girls to play 4 different Canadian teams and style of play.

The league was put together by the Canadians and they invited the US teams. Each US team will play 17 games starting this weekend (8 Canadian games, 6 US games based in the metro and 3 PlayOff Games in Fargo), they play in Winnipeg over Memorial Day and wrap up with a league championship end of June in Fargo. Total league cost/player is under $200.

The games are free and open to public.

The Icecats U16 team was a late entry into this as apparently another team had pulled out for some reason. They are scheduled to play in just the games at New Hope with no out-of state travel. All of the other teams are U19 I believe (?) - if so there could be some one-sided games but it should be good experience.

The league is U16 age based. The Saints, Extreme and OnEdge play some games at U19 during the summer. I think there are a few '89 players on rosters across the league. Ice Cats should do well and enjoy the competition.

Schedule has Ice Cats playing in Canadian games this weekend and US games next weekend and in June. Westman Selects are going to play in the travel events as a stand in in Winnipeg and Fargo. Another US team based out of Northern Minnesota was orginally planning to play and hopefully can join the league in the future.

I like the concept and what a neat thing for the kids, but sounds like a lot of travel, commitment, and cost associated beyond the quoted $200.

If about visibility then I guess I can understand if it is helping with this? Always great to travel and make some memories. I assume we have equal or better opponents in the area though that could be done with far less travel if an elite league arranged properly for the area elite players?

In the end, as long as the kids enjoy it and it doesn't cause burn-out due to the commitment and travel, then I think it's great! I'm sure our MN teams will represent us and the US well.

joehockey wrote:The Canadian teams are from Manitoba - Mustangs, Lightning, Coyotes and Pembina Valley. The Minnesota teams are the St. Croix Saints, Ice Cats, Extreme and OnEdge.

The Coyotes were totally overmatched tonight as the U16 Icecats won 11-1, even though the Icecats were missing 5 players and had only two lines. These games are long as they play three 20 minute stop time periods.

The Coyotes (from Winnepeg) appear to be the weakest of the Canadian teams, as on the other rink OnEdge got beat by a healthy margin (don't know the final score, and am not sure if it was the Mustangs or the Lightning). Reports are that Pembina is also supposed to have a good team.

The scores for last night were:

St. Croix Saints 1 Manitoba Mustangs 1
EXTREME 3 Pembina Valley Ice Cats 4
Ice Cats 11 Manitoba Coyotes 1
OnEdge 2 Manitoba Lightning 8

Three of the Canadian Teams appear very good. What is fun is to watch their different fast physical style. Also the Canadians are a lot of fun we have met some good hockey people in just the first day.

This league is much cheaper than playing 17 regular AAA tournament games. The teams are what they are picked by coaches who. The league was formed by a group of Canadians who approached US teams starting last summer about the idea. There is a similar league in Detroit.

I like this as it's obvious that it's being done at cost. Meaning, the ice & refs are being paid for and that's it - no profit built in to the cost of the hockey itself.

I would still argue though that you could do it better if done elite league locally - or - if the area AAA teams simply bought ice, paid for refs, and played each other in the Twin Cities.

But, the travel/experience and memories made through this are neat too I suppose and maybe well worth the travel cost & time commitment as a result. If nothing else, it's a lot of fun I would imagine and neat for these kids to make the statement that they've played in a "2 Nations" or "Can-Am" league/event/etc. Also, if it creates some visibility for them too, or even just the resume building piece, that's a good thing.

The competition was good and different than the normal teams here in the US and the Canadian style is different. These are some of the better AAA teams playing against their top teams. EXTREME appears to be a collection of EXTREME, Walser and Ice Cat girls put together for this league.

Saturday Scores

Morning:
EXTREME 8
Coyotes 4

St. Croix Saint 3
Lightning 2

Ice Cats 3
Mustangs 6

OnEdge 0
Pembina Valley 8

Night:
EXTREME 4
Mustangs 0

St. Croix Saints 3
Pembina Valley 6

Ice Cats 4
Lightning 6

OnEdge 4
Coyotes 1

Sunday Morning First Games:
Ice Cats 2
Pembina Valley 7

St. Croix Saints 6
Coyotes 4

Most of the Twin City based NDP kids at the '92 level and some at the '91 level seemed to be in this toruney.

We should clairify - there are two "Ice Cats" in this - the "Pembia Valley Ice Cats" are not the same as the "MN Ice Cats."

Also, we need to realize the difference between Canadian levels and what we call "AAA" hockey here in MN...

- from the USCHO:
http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?p=3152471

Interesting discussion too about "AA" vs "AAA" Hockey. All our "AAA" teams really should be classified as "AA" if using the top Canadian designation (assuming they really are at this level...), and I'm guessing that if playing in Canada that many of the young "U19" teams would be either "A" or even "B" unless they really played in their actual age classification vs. playing up.

Here are the rosters for this:

(Note there are a number of players from other area MN teams filling in with Canadian & MN teams in this due to open spots - but these fill-ins may not be reflected on the rosters below...)

MN On Edge:
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
1 Goalie Johnson Jessica 8 1993 Prior Lake
1 Goalie Ladden Chelsa 8 1992 Lakeviile
30 Goalie Horn Katie 10 1989 Lakeville
3 White Melissa 10 1990 Lakeville
5 Kartak Sarah 10 1991 Lakeville
6 Marzario Maddie 8 1992 Prior Lake
6 Walston Liz 10 1991 Eagan
7 Larkin Jessica 10 1991 Lakeville
10 Dvorak Maren 10 1990 Northfeild
11 Jirink Katie 10 1991 Northfeild
13 Audrey Ronedelli 10 1990
14 Addie Adams 8 1993 Wayzata,
15 Fredregill Sarah 10 1990 Lakeville
17 Dalhberg Kailey 10 1990 Lakeville
19 Miller Cali 10 1990 Lakeville
21 Schlieske Angela 9 1992 Lakeville
55 Hohag Katie 10 1990 Bloomington
88 Foss Andrea 9 1991 Elko
99 Foley Allie 10 1989 Faibault



MN Extreme:
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
30 Goalie Muske Nicole 11 1990 Anoka
32 Goalie Newstrom Jessica 10 1990 Isanti
35 Goalie Sobczak Marah 9 1992 Lake Elmo
2 Forward O'Connor Korrine 10 1990 New Ulm
3 Defense Jackson Alyssa 11 1990 Cambridge
4 Forward Chute Margaret 10 1990 Wayzata
5 Forward Anderson Kaycie 10 1991 Maple Plain
7 Forward McDonald Gina 9 1991 New Brighton
8 Forward Meuwissen Tamara 10 1991 Chanhassen
9 Forward Rutledge Hayley 10 1991 Vicoria
11 Forward Krause Sam 11 1990 Chanhassen
12 Forward Ness Sara 10 1991 Carver
14 Defense Nelson Ali 10 1990 Maple Grove
16 Defense Nicholson Kayla 10 1990 Chanhassen
17 Forward Williams Lauren 11 1990 Eagan
18 Forward Lieder Kim 11 1990 EAGAN
19 Forward Fladebo Kelly 11 1990 Mora
20 Defense Meuwissen Samantha 10 1991 Chanhassen
21 Forward Forcier Megan 10 1991 Victoria
25 Defense Maskel Ashley 11 1990 Apple Valley
28 Forward Komarek Sally 10 1991 Plymouth
29 Defense Wheelhouse Erika 10 1991 Crookston
99 Defense Neumann Nicole 10 1991 Bloomington


MN St. Croix Saints
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR School
31 G Frederick Kim 11 1989 Forest Lake
35 G MacRostie Rebecca 10 1990 St. Paul Blades
31 G Joarnt Lauren 9 1992 Shattuck
2 F/D Fischer Micehelle 9 1991 Cretin Derham Hall
3 D Daleiden Judy 10 1990 Blaine
4 D Marcotte Madison 9 1992 White Bear
5 F Sommer Kaylee 10 1991 Mahtomdi
6 D Duellman Allie 9 1992 Roseville
7 F Charpentier Lauren 10 1991 Stillwater
8 F Burman Lyndsay 9 1991 Cambridge
9 F Cox Meagan 9 1992 New Richmond
10 F/D Jacobsen Alexa 9 1992 Woodbury
11 D Schendel Christine 9 1991 N. St. Paul
12 F Henning Corrine 9 1992 Culver Academy
14 F King Kristi 9 1992 Stillwater
15 F O'Brien Mary 9 1992 N. St. Paul
16 F/D Lundberg Kari 9 1991 Woodbury
17 F Steinmetz Meg 9 1991 Blaine
19 F Anderson Stephanie 9 1992 N. St. Paul
21 F/D Tuuri Lisa 9 1992 Stillwater
22 D Vennemann Cassie 10 1990 St. Paul Blades
49 F/D McDowell Maggie 9 1992 Hill Murray
77 D/F Pendleton Maggie 9 1992 Cretin Derham Hall


MN U16 Ice Cats:
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR School
30 Goalie Press Tiana 8 1992 Benilde-St.Margarets
33 Goalie Billadeau Chloe 8 1992 Blake

3 Defense Borer Melissa 9 1992 Benilde-St. Margarets
5 Defense Baumgartner Julie 10 1991 Benilde-St. Margarets
6 Defense Alleva Rose 9 1992 Red Wing
7 Forward Colin Amanda 9 1992 Burnsville
8 Defense Bergh Maddie 9 1992 Benilde-St. Margarets
9 Forward Citrowske Alex 8 1992 Prior Lake
10 Defense Burns Jordyn 8 1992 Benilde-St. Margarets
12 Defense Opperman Hayley 9 1992 Breck
14 Forward Williams Danielle 9 1992 Chaska
15 Forward Ramsey Rachel 8 1992 Minnetonka
17 Forward Micheletti Allison 8 1992 Rosemount
18 D/F Meyer Bonnie 8 1992 Hudson
19 Forward Umland Alison 10 1991 Wayzata
21 Forward Paul Jenn 9 1991 River Lakes
23 Forward Gilbert Megan 10 1991 Andover
27 D/F Domaas Lindsay 10 1992 Benilde-St. Margarets
28 Forward Snodgrass Emily 8 1992 Eastview
29 Defense Ladner Catie 9 1992 Chaska
55 Forward Barnes Lauren 9 1992 Burnsville


COYOTES
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
31 Goalie Kashuba Stacie 10 1991
1 Goalie Nelson Chloe 11 1990 Winnipeg
Goalie
Siegnerschmidt Gen 11 1990 St. Adolphe
Wilson Carlee 9 1992 Winnipeg
Cockerill Kristin 10 1991 Selkirk
Bodnarchuk Charlene 10 1991 Winnipeg
Ryplanski Jill 10 1991 Winnipeg
Moore Allison 12 1989 Winnipeg
Chin Kristen 10 1991 Winnipeg
Maxwell Danielle 10 1991 Lake Francis
Lagasse Courtney 12 1989 St. Adolphe
Funk Becky 10 1991 Steinbach
Cortilet Suzanne 11 1991 Landmark
Chomokovski Kayla 10 1991 Great Falls
Bosc Rachele 10 1992 Dufrense
Kellestine Cecelia 10 1991 Winnipeg
Tomczak Renee 10 1991 Winnipeg
Reith Brea 10 1991 East St. Paul
McGurry Danielle 11 1990 Winnipeg
Edie Glenda 10 1991 Dugald
Engstrom Kyley 9 1992 Dryden
Favot Brittany 10 1991 Sioux Lookout



MANITOBA LIGHTNING
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
0 Goalie Van Denakker Tayler 11 1990 Winnipeg
2 Defence Pollock Brandi 9 1992 Virden
4 Forward Ward Celine 11 1990 Winnnipeg
5 Defence Blyth Keely 11 1990 McGregor
8 Defence Boult Joanna 11 1990 Winnipeg
9 Forward Potvin Ashley 11 1990 St. Laurent
11 Forward Anger Alanna 11 1990 Winnipeg
12 Forward Thomson Ashton 11 1990 McGregor
13 Forward Bram Bailey 11 1990 St. Anne
14 Defence Shepell Courtney 11 1990 Fisher Branch
16 Forward Robinson Seanna 11 1990 Winnnipeg
17 Defence Gregoire Nicole 10 1991 Lorette
18 Defence Eakin Cassidy 12 1989 Winnnipeg
18 Forward McGetrick Gabrielle 11 1990 Winnipeg
21 Forward Barkwell Brooke 11 1990 Winnipeg
22 Forward Hrehirchuk Jordyn 10 1991 McGregor
23 Forward Renaud Jacky 11 1990 Sanford
33 Defence Palmer Kyleigh 11 1990 Winnipeg
Defence Frost Samantha 11 1990 Stony Mountain
Defence Hewitt Rebecca 11 1990 McDonald
Forward Minchell Nellie 11 1990 Pierson

Manitoba Mustangs:
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
33 Goalie Ursal Tara 1991 Pine Falls
Goalie Loewen Ann 1990
Goalie
3 Defense Rand Danielle 1991 East St. Paul
4 Forward Krasnesky Shayne 1991 Winnipeg
6 Defense MacMillan
7 Forward Papko Allison 1990
9 Forward Kelsey Stephanie 1991 Winnipeg
12 Forward Jardine Dana 1991 St.Andrews
13 Forward Moniz Karlie 1990 Winnipeg
14 Forward Zembik Teigen 1991 St.Andrews
15 Forward Danard Erynne 1991 Arnes
16 Forward Ostash Kelly
17 Defense Hergessheimer Brittany 1991 Winnipeg
19 Defense Wilks Amanda 1990 Winnipeg
21 Forward Wilson Katie 1991 Winnipeg
87 Forward Zacharias Sara 1991 Winnipeg
89 Forward Grenier Shanelle 1991 Winnipeg

s Illchuk Chelsea 1990 Lockport
s Fornier Sara 1991 Winnipeg


Pembia Valley Ice Cats:
Dark Pos. Last First Year YR City
31 Goalie Klassen Leitte 10 1991
35 Goalie Peters Shanley 9 1992
5 Defense Herbert Chantal 8 1993
7 Defense Blight Lindsay 8 1993
9 Forward Grenier Kristine 8 1993
10 Defense Vigier Danielle 11 1991
12 Forward McKnight Emily 9 1992
14 Forward Klippenstein Melissa 9 1992
16 Forward Wiens Kayleigh 8 1993
17 Defense Nelissen Shaye 9 1992
18 Defense Brunet Lindy 8 1993
19 Forward Dusik Tess 9 1992
33 Forward VanDamme Louann 9 1992
41 Forward McMannis Cara 9 1992
88 Defense Steinert Caley 8 1993
91 Forward Bestland Christine 9 1992
99 Forward Kostenko Natasha 8 1993
AP Durand Naomi 11 1990
AP Klassen Kylie 11 1990
AP Ostberg Haley 8 1993
AP Mandy Desrochers 9 1992

Sunday Scores Late Games:

Manitoba Lightning 5
MN EXTREME 4

Manitoba Mustangs 6
MN OnEdge 1

Standings after one weekend:
Manitoba Pembina Valley Ice Cats 4-0-0 8 pts
Manitoba Lightning 3-1-0 6 pts
MN St. Croix Saints 2-1-1 5 pts
Manitoba Mustangs 2-1-1 5 pts.
MN EXTREME 2-2-0 4 pts.
MN Ice Cats 1-3-0 2 pts.
MN OnEdge 1-3 2 pts.
Manitoba Coyotes 0-4-0 0 pts.

Interesting that Pembina Valley Ice Cats are one of the younger teams but went 4-0 over the weekend and are in first.

The Minnesota Ice Cats had one win but they skated well in every game I saw. OnEdge did not play that strong maybe they are just forming for the summer. The EXTREME had a lot of girls at prom.

The Manitoba Coyotes were without some of their best players who were at another event. After the Friday loss some of the Canadian players from the Mustangs were moved to the Coyotes to make for a more competitive team for all. The Coyotes also skated this weekend a couple of girls from the Schwan Blues U16 team to fill out their roster.

Next Saturday and Sunday morning the 4 US teams play each other at New Hope.

The U16 Icecats had a very poor showing this weekend due to two factors:

1. The Mustangs, Lightning and Pembina Valley are all very good teams, and
2. The Icecats simply wore down because they didn't have enough players to compete in the last three games.

You really hate to make excuses, and I am not saying they necessarily would have beaten any of these three teams even with a full lineup, but in two of the games they had just 9 skaters and in the other one just 10. To play this much hockey - four 60 minute stop time games, from Friday night to early Sunday morning (about 36 hours total) - against quality opposition you need three full lines giving it their all from start to finish.

Next weekend should provide some more great hockey from this league. The US teams battle each other! The Saints look to be the dominate US team, but should the Extreme roster all show, that could change.

"Hats Off" to the group that put this league together![/quote]

I like the idea that the teams will play each other locally too - as this is esentially an elite league concept then w/o the travel, etc. expenses!

Looking at the roster the EXTREME have a great roster and are much older than the St. Croix Saints - it would have to be considered an upset if the Saints beat the EXTREME's expereinced powerhouse team.

The Saints have gained much experience from playing at the U19 level in the past two tourneys. At some point that experience will pay off, and maybe sooner rather than later. The Saints are the team of the future, that's for certain. Going to be fun to watch them the next few years assuming they stay together. Other than their goalies, they're very young but extremely talented.

I think the Extreme have to have all their talent show up and if so would be interesting to see how the Extreme/Saints game plays out.

The three US teams are playing this week all games at New Hope. The Canadians are having similar inter-country play in Winnipeg.


Saturday
On Edge
versus (Game 1)
5/12 South 1:00-3:00PM
Saints

On Edge
versus (Game 2)
5/12 South 3:15-5:15PM
Extreme

Saints
versus (Game 3)
5/12 South 7:00-9:00PM
Extreme

Sunday
Saints
versus (Game 4)
5/13 South 8:00-10AM
On Edge

Extreme
versus (Game 5)
5/13 South 12:30-2:30PM
On Edge

Extreme
versus (Game 6)
5/13 South 2:45-4:45PM
Saints

Where are the Ice Cats? Did they bail for the weekend or the whole league?

HOCKEYFREAK wrote:Where are the Ice Cats? Did they bail for the weekend or the whole league?

The Icecats decided to drop the remainder of these games because they could not get enough players on the ice. The team was a very late addition and as it turned out too many of the girls have other committments and could not participate on a regular basis. The first weekend they tried to compete with 9 or 10 skaters but with the heavy compressed weekend schedule they simply wore out. Too bad because the competition is excellent and it would be fun if more of the team could make it.

Thats a bummer...Was nice to see quality teams playing in this league..Part of the league "Growing Pains" I guess.

The Ice Cats are a great team, the US teams and the Canadian teams were sad to see them withdraw from the US games they had committed to this weekend and the first weekend in June. I understand the door is open to the Ice Cats to be a part of the league next year as they are a great group of players and famalies.

I also understand the league had contact with about four other US teams but none were able to commit to this weekend. They all said they would like to get involved for next year so the concpet seems to be good, with great competition and the price is right.

Friday Scores:
Manitoba Lightning 3 Pembina Valley Ice Cats 2 (33-32 shots in favor of Lightning)
Saturday Scores:
St. Croix Saints 8 OnEdge 1
EXTREME 6 OnEdge 4
EXTREME 3 St. Croix Saints 2 (Shots were 41 to 25 in favor of Saints - Mora Sobczak was outstanding in goal for EXTREME)

joehockey wrote:Friday Scores:
Manitoba Lightning 3 Pembina Valley Ice Cats 2 (33-32 shots in favor of Lightning)
Saturday Scores:
St. Croix Saints 8 OnEdge 1
EXTREME 6 OnEdge 4
EXTREME 3 St. Croix Saints 2 (Shots were 41 to 25 in favor of Saints - Mora Sobczak was outstanding in goal for EXTREME)

Although I've only seen her play twice, including a tournament game up in Canada two years ago, I've REALLY been impressed by the Lightning's No. 13, Bram Bailey. In addition to possessing all the individual skills and great hockey sense, she's a real team player who makes her linemates look good too.

Bailey is one of many very talented Canadians playing on the 4 Canadian teams!

Sunday US Scores

St. Croix Saints 4 OnEdge 2
EXTREME 9 OnEdge 1
St. Croix Saints 6 EXTREME 2

Standings after two weekends:
Games Played Wins Losses Ties Points
MN St. Croix Saints 8 5 2 1 11
MN EXTREME 8 5 3 0 10
Manitoba Pembina Valley Ice Cats 6 5 1 0 10
Manitoba Lightning 6 4 2 0 8
Manitoba Mustangs 5 3 1 1 7
MN OnEdge 8 1 7 0 2
MN Ice Cats 4 1 3 0 2
Manitoba Coyotes 5 0 5 0 0

Did the Canadian teams play games this past weekend too against the other canadian teams? And if so what were the results of those games. They would be useful in the standings I assume. Is it a balanced schedule, or will certain teams get more games opportunity for points? Not sure how this is addressed, but truly not an issue in my mind as the standings aren't what is important, it's the opportunity afforded to play these games!