Top 75 High Schools teams of all-time

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:02 pm

This analysis is “points based”; the higher you finish in a particular year, the more points you get for that year.

Teams which have had programs for a long time obviously will have an advantage over newer teams.

Class A teams are included, rewarded with much lower point levels than Class AA teams. I toyed with the idea of leaving out Class A tournament results totally, but decided that ignoring their efforts was not fair to those who had played on these teams. After all, playing in Class A wasn’t the students’ decision. It was their school administrators or coaches. Class A is a “good fit” for the vast majority of those schools.

Only results from MSHSL-sanctioned state tournaments are considered.

Results from the Tier II tournament in 1992-93 are not considered either, because the teams in that tournament were "leftover" after the top eight teams were seeded in each section (those which ended up in the Tier I tournament).

The highest point totals are awarded for teams in the State Tournament from 1975-1991, followed by 1992-2011, 1961-74, 1951-60 and 1945-50. A strong enough argument was made for it being tougher to make state during 1975-91 (prior to the two-class tournament) that these years carry a slightly heavier weight than more recent results.

What individual players on these teams did during and after their high school years is not considered.

I’ll be posting teams in the Top 75 as I have time to do the write-ups on these teams with the goal of being done within the next couple weeks.

Lee

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:09 pm

#75: Tartan

15.76 pts
--0 state titles
--2 state tournaments

Making the Class AA state tournament in back-to-back seasons (2003-04 & 04-05) gives Tartan enough points to be the first entry in the Top 75 listing. Their best season was 2004-05 when they were 24-5-2. Since then, they have only made their section semifinals once.

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:10 pm

#74: Eastview

15.80 pts

--0 state titles
--1 state tournament

Eastview has just one Class AA state tournament appearance (2001), but captured the consolation title that year. A relatively new program (started in 1997), the Lightning have made their section finals three times but has failed to advance past the Section 3AA quarterfinals the past three years.

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:11 pm

#73: Osseo

17.72 pts
--0 state titles
--1 state tournament

Osseo’s program dates back to the 1950’s and had very little success until their first section final in 1988. Since then they have been 1-7 in section finals, with only a 1994 appearance in the Class AA tournament, losing in the consolation finals.

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:05 pm

#72: St. Louis Park

17.75 pts
--0 state titles
--4 state tournaments (Class AA); 2 state tournaments (Class A)

St Louis Park’s four Class AA state appearances were all in the single-class tournament and happened prior to 1959, their best finish being in 1958 when they finished fourth. They dropped down to Class A in 1995 and have made the Class A state tournament twice. They have had recent difficulties, making their section semifinals only once since their last trip to State in 2003.

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:06 pm

#71: Alexandria

17.87 pts
--0 state titles
--1 state tournament (Class AA); 2 state tournaments (Class A)

Without a doubt Alexandria's best season was in 1995-96 when they lost to eventual state champion Apple Valley in the quarterfinals but bounced back and won the Class AA consolation title. They dropped down to Class A in 2005 and have made the Class A state tournament the past two seasons, going 0-2 both times.

Post by **east hockey** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:10 pm

#70: Blake

18.10 pts
--0 state titles
--5 state tournaments (Class A)

The first of ten private schools in the listing, the Bears had teams which came close to making the one-class State Tournament (1978, 1983) but had much better success in Class A, making five trips to St. Paul but not finishing higher than fourth place in any tournament. They’ve made twelve appearances in their section final, going 5-7, which has also helped their rating.

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:47 pm

#69: Lakeville North

18.55 pts
--0 state titles
--3 state tournaments

How can a team which has never garnered a better W/L record than 14-13-3 since Lakeville split into two high schools in 2005 make it onto this list? Simple; three Class AA state tournament appearances including a consolation title this year. They have also reached their section finals in all six of the years they’ve been playing.

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:48 pm

#68: Orono

18.74 pts
--0 state titles
--5 state tournaments (Class A)

Orono is another beneficiary of the two-class system, having only made it to their one-class section semifinal once (1983). They made it to state in both years of the Tier I/Tier II tournament, but Tier II participation is not considered in this study. In the state Class A tournament, they’ve earned one runner-up, one third place, and one consolation title. And once they get to their section finals, they’ve done very well, going 5-1 in the past decade.

hockeyjunkie2 · Post by **hockeyjunkie2** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:07 pm

east hockey wrote:#74: Eastview

15.80 pts

--0 state titles
--1 state tournament

Eastview has just one Class AA state tournament appearance (2001), but captured the consolation title that year. A relatively new program (started in 1997), the Lightning have made their section finals three times but has failed to advance past the Section 3AA quarterfinals the past three years.

Actually had all post-season accolades stripped by the MSHSL the year they made their only state tournament appearance. Had some ineligible players that season.

Just saying, as a fan of the real Apple Valley school.

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:26 pm

hockeyjunkie2 wrote:
east hockey wrote:#74: Eastview

15.80 pts

--0 state titles
--1 state tournament

Eastview has just one Class AA state tournament appearance (2001), but captured the consolation title that year. A relatively new program (started in 1997), the Lightning have made their section finals three times but has failed to advance past the Section 3AA quarterfinals the past three years.
Actually had all post-season accolades stripped by the MSHSL the year they made their only state tournament appearance. Had some ineligible players that season.

Just saying, as a fan of the real Apple Valley school.

You know, something was striking me funny about that. When I do the final listing, I'll correct Eastview's rating. Taking out that state tournament appearance would obviously pull them out of the Top 75, moving Tartan to #74 and bringing Little Falls into the list at #75.

Lee

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:41 pm

#67: St. Paul Humboldt

19.42 pts
--0 state titles
--2 state tournaments

The first of twelve teams in this list which no longer have their own program (either due to school closure or due to co-oping with another school), Humboldt went to state in 1952 and 1953, garnering a fourth place finish and a consolation title. Three other times they made their region finals, making the semifinals another eight times.

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:41 pm

#66: Woodbury

20.95 pts
--0 state titles
--2 state tournaments

Woodbury’s small amount of success has come about in the past several seasons, making it to the Class AA state tournament in 2007 & 2008. Prior to this, they didn’t make their section semifinals until 2001. Woodbury has had an overall winning record since then, but their continued success could be in doubt with the opening of East Ridge in 2009.

Post by **east hockey** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:42 pm

#65: Bloomington

22.60 pts
--0 state titles
--3 state tournaments

Bloomington had three state tournament appearances between 1960-65, culminating in a runner-up finish in 1965 despite having a .500 record.

defense · Post by **defense** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:40 am

east hockey wrote:#70: Blake

18.10 pts
--0 state titles
--5 state tournaments (Class A)

The first of ten private schools in the listing, the Bears had teams which came close to making the one-class State Tournament (1978, 1983) but had much better success in Class A, making five trips to St. Paul but not finishing higher than fourth place in any tournament. They’ve made twelve appearances in their section final, going 5-7, which has also helped their rating.

Interesting how this team with a highest finish of 4th in class A can get in, but other outstate teams who've outperformed this team are out of the list.

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:48 am

defense wrote:
east hockey wrote:#70: Blake

18.10 pts
--0 state titles
--5 state tournaments (Class A)

The first of ten private schools in the listing, the Bears had teams which came close to making the one-class State Tournament (1978, 1983) but had much better success in Class A, making five trips to St. Paul but not finishing higher than fourth place in any tournament. They’ve made twelve appearances in their section final, going 5-7, which has also helped their rating.
Interesting how this team with a highest finish of 4th in class A can get in, but other outstate teams who've outperformed this team are out of the list.

How do you know they're "out of the list"?

Lee

defense · Post by **defense** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:00 pm

I most likely spoke too soon. I know that there is some scientific formula being used, looks decent anyway.

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:01 pm

defense wrote:I most likely spoke too soon. I know that there is some scientific formula being used, looks decent anyway.

Well, yeah, considering there are 64 more teams for me to post.

It is numbers based. Interpretations of what the numbers should consider will vary wildly, of course.

Lee

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:07 pm

#64: Wayzata

22.64 pts
--0 state titles
--2 state tournaments

Wayzata’s first state tournament appearance in 1954 wasn’t repeated until they made the Class AA tournament in 2004, ending up in fourth place. Evidence exists that the Trojans may be ready to break out and take their place amongst the upper-tier teams in Minnesota. They will rise quickly up the Top 75 should this happen.

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:09 pm

#63: Totino Grace

24.92 pts
--1 state title (Class A)
--3 state tournaments (Class A)

Other than their Class A state title in 2002, the closest Totino-Grace has come to winning a title was in 2005, when they lost in the title game to Warroad in two overtimes. They are always in the mix in their section, having failed to get at least to the section semifinals only twice since the two class system started in 1993-94.

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:09 pm

#62: Fergus Falls

25.02 pts
--0 state titles
--7 state tournaments (Class A)

The Otters were a fixture in the Class A tournament for a time, getting to the Show seven straight years from 1997-2003, winning four quarterfinal games during that time but never getting to the title game. Since that run, Fergus Falls has struggled somewhat, making their section finals only once in the past eight seasons.

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:11 pm

#61: Williams

25.70 pts
--0 state titles
--3 state tournaments

Remember Williams? I don’t. They made their mark on the state tournament scene with three consecutive appearances from 1949-51, finishing runner-up twice. They also made the Region 8 semifinals in five straight years in the early 50’s. By the late 60’s, their program was gone. (note: I have no record of this team after the 1965-66 season but it's possible they played on for a few seasons)

Survey · Post by **Survey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:55 pm

east hockey wrote:#63: Totino Grace

24.92 pts
--1 state title (Class A)
--3 state tournaments (Class A)

Other than their Class AA state title in 2002, the closest Totino-Grace has come to winning a title was in 2005, when they lost in the title game to Warroad in two overtimes. They are always in the mix in their section, having failed to get at least to the section semifinals only twice since the two class system started in 1993-94.

Class A you mean

Post by **east hockey** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:13 pm

Survey wrote:
east hockey wrote:#63: Totino Grace

24.92 pts
--1 state title (Class A)
--3 state tournaments (Class A)

Other than their Class AA state title in 2002, the closest Totino-Grace has come to winning a title was in 2005, when they lost in the title game to Warroad in two overtimes. They are always in the mix in their section, having failed to get at least to the section semifinals only twice since the two class system started in 1993-94.
Class A you mean

Correct. Sorry bout that. I've made the correction.

Lee

Red Ice · Post by **Red Ice** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:35 pm

east hockey wrote:#61: Williams

25.70 pts
--0 state titles
--3 state tournaments

Remember Williams? I don’t. They made their mark on the state tournament scene with three consecutive appearances from 1949-51, finishing runner-up twice. They also made the Region 8 semifinals in five straight years in the early 50’s. By the late 60’s, their program was gone. (note: I have no record of this team after the 1965-66 season but it's possible they played on for a few seasons)

You would not believe how small the town of Williams is. Absolutely amazing to finish runner-up twice.