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I'm sorry but where has the passion for MN hockey and the history of the game in our great state gone?

I understand how MN Made and other private organizations have evolved at the youth levels, its because many associations have gone to mite full ice games and traveling 8U hockey, where skill development is not important. In fact, associations are being run by parents that have little experience in the game itself and therefore little respect for the history and passion that the game involves.

The thought that AAA hockey and Tier I hockey will soon consume the State of Hockey is concerning to this dedicated life timer. The game has never been as strong as it is today in MN, the pace, the skill, the physical nature has evolved beyond what anyone could have imagined 30 years ago.

A Bantam hockey has become the flagship for many associations around the state. With the recruitment of high profile coaches and former NHL players who have no "vested interest" in the team or association.

We compete and beat the best that the rest of the country has to offer ever chance that we get, from the B1 squirts to the A Bantams, they send their best to our tournaments and we send them home with friendship pins, not 1st place trophies.

Yet there are many that think our system is flawed and that AAA hockey will soon take over. For all of you that are in love with this idea, you are wrong. If you've grown up playing hockey in MN you'd know how things work. You'd know that we have a certain respect for the past and the future. We have a passion for the game and those that came before us. The only problem we have is that parents are too involved in trying to produce the next NHLer and less involved in teaching our kids the history and passion that has always been involved in playing hockey in MN. From I Falls to Albert Lea, the game has history, the state tournament has history and being the best at your age level has always been more important than any AAA team Quebec Invitational Team you've ever been apart of.

AAA hockey works in other areas of the US, but in MN we have tradition. Yes we have off season choices, but no where else can kids compete with their school mates, their buddies to win a title (state champions), than any AAA league could ever come close too.

I think Bobby Dylan said it ... "the times they are a changin'"

I grew up playing hockey in this great state for a great program in Bloomington Jefferson (95). There is no doubt I completely respect the tradition and history of the game.

HOWEVER ... I also own and iPod, use a composite stick, and get eMail on my cell phone. Like it or not, things change. If the associations can not give us what we want (yes, mine play assoc. in the winter) then we will look else where. That is America, we're always looking for something better. I want nothing more for my boy than to learn the pride that comes from representing your town in the state tournament and everything (girls!) that comes with it. But, the path to get there is changing. IM(this time)HO, I don't think HS hockey will be affected for quite sometime if ever(hopefully never). BUT, how the kids get there ... now that could get interesting.

And no, I don't miss one class hockey, I don't miss the "great" mining towns of hockey lore, and no I don't miss hockey mullets either (and I had a great one at that )

Has Been - I feel your pain, but have to agree with MN-Made's overall conclusion.

The world is getting smaller... and with that comes change. The largest change is the competition that MN hockey has today. In the hockey world, that competition is the AAA teams that have popped into the summer hockey world. It may or may not pop into the winter world, but it definitely looms large as a "competitive model" to MN association hockey. Whether the AAA/Tier 1/Tier 2 model takes hold in MN is up for debate, but one thing is for sure, the future will reflect MN hockey's ability to provide competitive hockey for all MN hockey players, from the C level all the way to the A level. Parents will decide this battle, and parents always go where they believe is best for their kid, not what is meant for "Minnesota" or what is best for "tradition".

MN winter hockey has some amazing tools in its arsenal. First, its centrally organized and change can be implemented across the board if the powers that be desire it. This just happened with the changes and tweeking of the residency rule... which dovetails into another huge advantage MN winter ass'n hockey has, playing with one's fellow community and neighborhood. This provides obvious advantages with travel/carpool, and playing with the kids the kids go to school with. MN hockey seemed to recognize this and changed for the best to allow kids who go to school outside their neighborhood to be able to choose to play with kids at their school if they choose.

Another tool in my opinion is the tradition of winter ass'n hockey and the way the state coalesces around it through MN hockey day, etc. MN hockey generally likes the way it is now and many, me included, take pride in our ways, and the traditions that created our great system. Thus, I believe that the only way something would change is if MN hockey stops being flexible and responsive to threats and parental options.

Here's to another generation and hopefully more of winter ass'n hockey! - So long as it continues to be the best option for our kids.

If you ever played in the Minnetonka bubble, or that tin shed in Wayzata, and all the outdoor rinks in Feb.

You would be glad to see that history....gone..

Quasar wrote:If you ever played in the Minnetonka bubble, or that tin shed in Wayzata, and all the outdoor rinks in Feb.

You would be glad to see that history....gone..

I think you missed the point of the topic.

Quasar wrote:If you ever played in the Minnetonka bubble, or that tin shed in Wayzata, and all the outdoor rinks in Feb.

You would be glad to see that history....gone..

The Minnetonka Bubble was awful, but the Hopkins Bubble was a million times worse. I seem to remember skating there a couple of times.

O-townClown wrote:

Quasar wrote:If you ever played in the Minnetonka bubble, or that tin shed in Wayzata, and all the outdoor rinks in Feb.

You would be glad to see that history....gone..

The Minnetonka Bubble was awful, but the Hopkins Bubble was a million times worse. I seem to remember skating there a couple of times.

Hi OTC,

Nice to hear from the sunny south... Just remember while you were skating the coach had to stand there stomping his feet and freezing to death.. Most people playing today don't realize that it was colder inside the bubble than it was out side. Your right about Hopkins, at least at Minnetonka you could go into the arena and warm up..

But all things considered..Those were great days back in the old 56 league.

To the guy that thinks I didn't get it... I am it!!

Oh and by the way, AAA all the way... Sorry OTC

O-townClown wrote:

Quasar wrote:If you ever played in the Minnetonka bubble, or that tin shed in Wayzata, and all the outdoor rinks in Feb.

You would be glad to see that history....gone..

The Minnetonka Bubble was awful, but the Hopkins Bubble was a million times worse. I seem to remember skating there a couple of times.

Tonka Bubble. Come on - you don't miss those big floating sheets of ice falling from the top? There was always a roar of laughter in the stands.

Puck Whisperer wrote:

O-townClown wrote: The Minnetonka Bubble was awful, but the Hopkins Bubble was a million times worse. I seem to remember skating there a couple of times.

Tonka Bubble. Come on - you don't miss those big floating sheets of ice falling from the top? There was always a roar of laughter in the stands.