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As I read this forum you get a take on how different peoples views on what success at this level is. Watching my sons team this year we had our battles. We started the year on fire and had people thinking this was it we were on our way to the top then reality set in and we are .500. Watched teams like WBL have a NICE season but yet it sounds like it didn't meet anyones expectations, coaching and injuries all included. Then you look at a team like Woodbury that loses 3 games and gets no respect because they lost early to Edina, what else does a team have to do? Hill starts the year on fire looked to repeat, Do you think the parents of the current roster at Hill are dissappointed or happy thier boys got to play at that level? Do you think if Jefferson fails to get to State and win it all the season will be a disappointment or just a good season? Edina has fought through and looks to be back in the state of mind to finish what everyone predicted last year and that is to win State. Did this season hurt more for Roseau then last year or was last years results what caused this years pains? Is it a Great season for one of the less prominant teams if they beat a rival at some point in the year or just another disappointing season? Does Tartan put an asterik by the Hill win and tie this year? There are many other story lines I could put up here these are just the ones I felt could paint a good picture. But what's the answer?

Scoring records were matched and broken by players on teams and in conferences that aren't very strong and aren't in the METRO area but do you think it mattered that much to the players that set those records? I don't, do you think that Sophmore or Freshmen playing a year of JV is now going to MISS out on that scholarship? I don't but I do think they had more fun and a better time then most of us parents and fans think they did.


As we get ready to wrap up another season and watch another group of seniors pack thier bags for what could be the last time. I hope players, coaches, parents and fans alike take note to what they have been a part of. Win or Lose, Good or Great the memories will live on, I know I remember my time as a high school hockey player and they were all great memories.

So in closing I would just like to say to all you players,
GOOD Luck in your Section tournaments,
Hope you have GREAT memories of your season and high school hockey career,
and your only DISSAPPOINTMENT is you can never say you didn't give it your all when you had the chance.

Youngie??? We've had our moments in dealing with Stillwater vs WBL, but I can whole heartedly agree, extend the olive branch, and pat you on the back for a very fine piece of work..

Yes... what if Buddish was still with Edina... What if the Hill-Murray boys didn't get tossed... ????? Those are just a couple samplings as to why we don't play this great game on paper... it's on ice....

I echo Youngie's sentiments and extend a "good luck" to all teams in their quest to get to state.

Very nice post.

As a player, this shouldn't be an issue. If a player can look into the mirror at the end of the season and say he gave all that he could, he should consider the season a success, no matter the result.

As fans and observers, we have a little more leeway. Obviously we've come in with a certain level of expectations, and adjusted them according to the results of the season. I'm sure I've used a large number of rather negative adjectives to describe results for certain teams as the season has gone on, especially as I go through the somewhat harsh process of sticking numbers in front of them. But as long as we keep it all in perspective, it isn't too much of an issue. Over the next few weeks, a lot of teams are going to have their hopes crushed, however unlikely their dreams may be; and some for which we have high expectations will see their seasons come to an abrupt end. As always, we need to remember that this is just a game, and ranting about the referees, coaches, or (especially) the players does no good.

Using the old New York Yankee "anything less than a championship is a disappointment" line sounds tough and makes for a good sound bite. But I think it's a fundamentally wrong assumption to make, particularly with high schoolers. It's also mentally agonizing when it doesn't come true for 150-some teams. For the player, the priority needs to be on what he can do to help the team in the next game, or even better, the next shift. Worry about the title when you get there. I'd recommend that fans stay similarly focused on the present.

Even when a season ends in agony (as Duluth East's did in my final 3 years there), there will still be plenty of positives to take away. And even after graduation, MN HS hockey keeps on hauling us back, and it's true that there always is a next year.