2015 3AA section tournament

[Mnhockeys]

Will St Thomas be the favorite to win every year for the next 10 years?

Was adding this 3 head monster to 3AA section unfair to the original teams in the first place?

[almostashappy]

Will St Thomas be the favorite to win every year for the next 10 years?

Was adding this 3 head monster to 3AA section unfair to the original teams in the first place?

1. No

2. Not yet.

[blueblood]

Are you inferring they should have been placed in a different section? If yes, which one?

Section 1 - to strengthen the "Weak Section 1"
Section 2 - to battle Edina
Section 4 - eliminate at least one additional private school from the State Tourney (HM or STA)
Section 6 - same as above and why not add them to this gauntlet

- bb

[almostashappy]

Are you inferring they should have been placed in a different section? If yes, which one?

Section 1 - to strengthen the "Weak Section 1"
Section 2 - to battle Edina
Section 4 - eliminate at least one additional private school from the State Tourney (HM or STA)
Section 6 - same as above and why not add them to this gauntlet

- bb

We know that MSHSL doesn't give a hoot about "fairness" when it comes to assigning sections. It's all about geography. There are different ways of grouping based on geography, of course, but given STA's location some serious gerrymandering would be needed to place them in 1AA or 6AA.

I'm frankly more interested in different opinions on whether STA has set itself up for persistent hockey dominance over next decade or two. Any impact on enrollments/funding now that they've severed relationship with US Army? What happens if they don't find instant success at Section/State level at AA? Coaching situation set for next decade? Would STA be more at risk of losing best players if Tier 1 programs take off in MN?

[thestickler07]

Funding through JROTC is ending, they will simply transition to an independent military school. It will likely give them more flexibility with curriculum and releases them from a lot of federal regulations in other areas.

Sports (especially prep level) can be very cyclical but I think as long as the Vanellis are at the helm STAA will be fine.

[Imported from MN]

Are you inferring they should have been placed in a different section? If yes, which one?

Section 1 - to strengthen the "Weak Section 1"
Section 2 - to battle Edina
Section 4 - eliminate at least one additional private school from the State Tourney (HM or STA)
Section 6 - same as above and why not add them to this gauntlet

- bb

We know that MSHSL doesn't give a hoot about "fairness" when it comes to assigning sections. It's all about geography. There are different ways of grouping based on geography, of course, but given STA's location some serious gerrymandering would be needed to place them in 1AA or 6AA.

I'm frankly more interested in different opinions on whether STA has set itself up for persistent hockey dominance over next decade or two. Any impact on enrollments/funding now that they've severed relationship with US Army? What happens if they don't find instant success at Section/State level at AA? Coaching situation set for next decade? Would STA be more at risk of losing best players if Tier 1 programs take off in MN?

It is my understanding that JROTC funding has not be appropriated since the budget debacle in the recent past. I do not know for sure on the high school level but i know for a certainty that it has not been received at University levels since the budget has not been set. So I doubt that JROTC funding is going to be and issue based on the fact that it wasn't in the past. Again I am going off the premise of no funding. Maybe someone who knows the JROTC program better than myself can comment.

As for my opinion on the statement regarding the instant success I think if they have immediate success in AA it will benefit them greatly. Having a good track record would help them remain relevant for some time. Also I think the Vanellis are somewhat under-rated duo. St Thomas has had great success in getting their players to the next level they currently have three college commitments on their team. Behind LVN I think that could be the most. (I didn't dig deep just going off the top of my head)

As for an argument for the Tier 1 issue I don't think it is a problem that STA faces alone. I think all organizations are at a high risk of losing top end talent. Their are some wrinkles that still need to be ironed over before anyone could make a reasonable assessment. But to me it seems like MN hockey trying to control as much of the board as they possibly can.

Just the musings of a kid who should be typing a different paper.

[green4]

Are you inferring they should have been placed in a different section? If yes, which one?

Section 1 - to strengthen the "Weak Section 1"
Section 2 - to battle Edina
Section 4 - eliminate at least one additional private school from the State Tourney (HM or STA)
Section 6 - same as above and why not add them to this gauntlet

- bb

We know that MSHSL doesn't give a hoot about "fairness" when it comes to assigning sections. It's all about geography. There are different ways of grouping based on geography, of course, but given STA's location some serious gerrymandering would be needed to place them in 1AA or 6AA.

I'm frankly more interested in different opinions on whether STA has set itself up for persistent hockey dominance over next decade or two. Any impact on enrollments/funding now that they've severed relationship with US Army? What happens if they don't find instant success at Section/State level at AA? Coaching situation set for next decade? Would STA be more at risk of losing best players if Tier 1 programs take off in MN?

St Thomas has had great success in getting their players to the next level they currently have three college commitments on their team. Behind LVN I think that could be the most. (I didn't dig deep just going off the top of my head)
.

Edina and I think Wayzata each have three also

[EliteHockeyMind]

Let's not forget they may be favorites to win the section every year, but that doesn't mean squat. They lost to Eagan last year, and CDH is a strong team this year.

Will they be dominant the next decade or so, probably not like they were in single A. They may not be favorites to win the section every year, but they will always be in the top contention.

Tom Vanelli has done too much to build this program for it to collapse while he is there, with the help of a new arena. People thought he might leave once his son graduated, but since he hasn't I don't see him leaving anytime soon. They may not always be the favorite, but I just don't see them in the near future not being apart of that conversation.

[HShockeywatcher]

I think it will ultimately depend, as it does with many schools, on how many students decide to leave early. Before last year, this wasn't something St Thomas dealt with. Imagine last year with Dougherty or this year with Novak, plus the attraction to prospective students.

That will likely be the barrier going forward for this program.

[MNhocklover43]

Obviously STA should go, but who will be the 2,3,4 seeds in this section?
CDH, Eastview, Rosemount, Eagan?

[InYourFace09]

I dont think Eagan will be in the 4th spot. Cretin 2, then could go either way with Eastview/Rosemount for 3/4.

Tomorrow will be a big matchup with Eagan vs Rosemount. If Eagan wins they sweep the Irish on the year. Could Eagan possibly move into the 4th spot and move Rosemount down to 5?

Prediction:
1. St Thomas
2. Cretin
3. Eastview
4. Rosemount
5. Eagan
6. East Ridge
7. Woodbury
8. Apple Valley
9. Park

[MNhocklover43]

Looks probably correct. I don't think it is that big of a difference between 4 and 5 though because they have to play each other. But Eastview is a secured 3?

[Nuts&Bolts]

Wildcats will be fortunate to avoid a play in game with the 7 seed. With a win over Rosemount maybe they climb to 6 but a 5 seed ain't happening. A Rosemount win should give them the 3 seed IMO over EV.

[Nuts&Bolts]

Correction on Rosemount getting the 3 seed with a W over the Wildcats. Should this happen and EV beat LN then EV will get the 3 seed. Don't think I need to write that one in pencil.

[thestickler07]

I dont think Eagan will be in the 4th spot. Cretin 2, then could go either way with Eastview/Rosemount for 3/4.

Tomorrow will be a big matchup with Eagan vs Rosemount. If Eagan wins they sweep the Irish on the year. Could Eagan possibly move into the 4th spot and move Rosemount down to 5?

Prediction:
1. St Thomas
2. Cretin
3. Eastview
4. Rosemount
5. Eagan
6. East Ridge
7. Woodbury
8. Apple Valley
9. Park

Looks about right.

[Mnhockeys]

Wildcats will be fortunate to avoid a play in game with the 7 seed. With a win over Rosemount maybe they climb to 6 but a 5 seed ain't happening. A Rosemount win should give them the 3 seed IMO over EV.

If EV losses to Lvn then beats AV; Rosemount beats Eagan and losses to PL, EV should be 3rd ahead of Rosemount at 4th.

If EV losses to Lvn then beats AV; Rosemount wins the last 2 games, one can argue Rosemount at 3 and EV at 4?

If EV losses the last 2 games; Rosemount wins it's last 2 games, Rosemount at 3 and EV at 4.

[Nuts&Bolts]

Yeah this looks about right if the order would be different and you'd have all 10 of the teams in the section in your list. I'll say Park at the 10 against Woodbury or Eagan at 7 and AV and Hastings in the 8 vs 9 match-up.

[InYourFace09]

Wildcats will be fortunate to avoid a play in game with the 7 seed. With a win over Rosemount maybe they climb to 6 but a 5 seed ain't happening. A Rosemount win should give them the 3 seed IMO over EV.

Who would you put at 5 over the Wildcats?

Woodbury tied and lost to East Ridge, beat Hastings twice, tied Eagan.
Eagan beat Rosemount, beat East Ridge, beat Hastings.


I think just by the history of Eagan the last couple of years, they will get the 5 seed.

[Tenoverpar]

CDH may be the #2 seed but that doesn't mean much as they will match up against a Woodbury team they had a very even game with 2 weeks ago, if they hold serve in that one they will likely matchup against Eastview in the semi's and the 2 teams played a hard fought 1-0 OT game early in the season. While CDH would love a date with STA for a section final...once again the road will be bumpy.

[Mnhockeys]

Can Rosemount knock off STA?

CDH vs. EV should be a great matchup.

Cannot count out Eagan and Wes Walz's Eastridge.

[almostashappy]

Section 3AA seeding

1 St. Thomas Academy
2 Cretin-DH
3 Eastview
4 Rosemount
5 E Ridge
6 Eagan
7 Woodbury
8 Hastings
9 Apple Valley
10 Park

[curtiscurve]

Play-in Games

9) Apple Valley over 8 ) Hastings 5-4 O.T.
7) Woodbury over 10) Park of Cottage Grove 6-1

Quarter Finals
1) St. Thomas Academy over 9) Apple Valley 9-0
5) East Ridge over 4) Rosemount 4-2
2) CDH over 7) Woodbury 5-2
3) Eastview over Eagan 4-1

Semi Finals
1) St. Thomas over 5) East Ridge 7-0
2) CDH over 3) Eastview 4-1

Finals
1) St. Thomas Academy over 2) CDH 3-1

[Mnhockeys]

Play-in Games

9) Apple Valley over 8 ) Hastings 5-4 O.T.
7) Woodbury over 10) Park of Cottage Grove 6-1

Quarter Finals
1) St. Thomas Academy over 9) Apple Valley 9-0
5) East Ridge over 4) Rosemount 4-2
2) CDH over 7) Woodbury 5-2
3) Eastview over Eagan 4-1

Semi Finals
1) St. Thomas over 5) East Ridge 7-0
2) CDH over 3) Eastview 4-1

Private schools trump all public schools >>>>€€€£££¥¥¥¥$$$$



Private schools trump all public schools >>>> if this happens.

Sending your kids to private schools.

Finals
1) St. Thomas Academy over 2) CDH 3-1