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I'm directing this at the people who have invested time in looking at A and AA level schools and have some distinct data points that are used when trying to make a decision at the level to play.

I've been asked to gather some information about what factors go into a high school playing A versus AA, and the different things that should be looked at in order to make a decision that is best for the kids playing. I'd like to know if there are specific data points and/or measures of equitable talent grouping that are common among the schools that determine if they are A or AA level.

As a frequent reader on this Forum, I'd appreciate it if we could keep away from the inevitable Hermantown tangent - I'm looking for the factors that go into a decision (and I can apply the data in our specific case).

Thank you!

Regarding private schools, since every private school has to recruit tuition paying students to fill as many desks as possible, privates have determined that hockey families fit the socioeconomic and demographic profile of the market they are targeting. Since most if not all are small enough to be classified "A" I believe the determination of whether they stay at "A" or move up to "AA" is mostly determined by which classification they determine will fill the most desks.

WarmUpTheBus wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 4:19 pm Regarding private schools, since every private school has to recruit tuition paying students to fill as many desks as possible, privates have determined that hockey families fit the socioeconomic and demographic profile of the market they are targeting. Since most if not all are small enough to be classified "A" I believe the determination of whether they stay at "A" or move up to "AA" is mostly determined by which classification they determine will fill the most desks.

How much would a wood chuck chuck wood if the wood could chuck enough wood would he be a real wood chuck.

OldManRiver wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 1:36 pm I'm directing this at the people who have invested time in looking at A and AA level schools and have some distinct data points that are used when trying to make a decision at the level to play.

I've been asked to gather some information about what factors go into a high school playing A versus AA, and the different things that should be looked at in order to make a decision that is best for the kids playing. I'd like to know if there are specific data points and/or measures of equitable talent grouping that are common among the schools that determine if they are A or AA level.

As a frequent reader on this Forum, I'd appreciate it if we could keep away from the inevitable Hermantown tangent - I'm looking for the factors that go into a decision (and I can apply the data in our specific case).

Thank you!

A few different aspects of an A program going up, or a program that has played AA going down, but what I would look at would be similar.

Record against AA programs. (Youth and HS).
W-L record against Section/Geographic AA, particularly the top half/established/successful teams.
W-L record of comparable programs vs. AA.
Feeder program number and trends compared with target level programs (A or AA).
Community growth/decline, resources, income, etc. compared with target level programs.
Geography/Location/Access to opponents and hockey development --more for outstate programs.


I think there are also more difficult to qualify components related to community history, tradition, expectations, and personnel.

There are only a few programs I feel are truly in the opt-up consideration stage. I think those programs have the data, it is just a matter of decision makers deciding if that that the direction they want to go.

I think a good starting point for anyone considering this is what does the MSHSL say you are? Does the evidence strongly support or disprove the classification.

As you said, I think the decision needs to be made in the best interest of the kids playing. Most kids are lucky to get 3 years of varsity hockey and the priority should be about giving them the best experience possible. Playing to the proper level is more important that an A or AA label.

I would be interested in knowing more about the situation. Are you looking at moving up or down?