One thing that was mentioned was that only the top 15-20 schools have scouts watching games. In 2023-24, there were 233 men’s D1 players from MN, and they came from 69 different HS programs. Whether it’s Edina or La Crescent-Hokah, scouts will find talent. Having the ability to stay at home through high school and play at the highest levels is an incredible perk of the non-profit community-based hockey model in Minnesota.
@@SlotChamp technically you can attend any school you want but that doesn’t mean you are eligible to play varsity sports there. Most districts have an application process and only if their enrollment numbers allow. Some district allow open enrollment more than others but you have to do it at the start of 9th grade or physically move into the district or sit wave your first year of eligibility. Also not transportation is provided. Also you aren’t 100% going to make the team. I live in 833 school district and there is no open enrollment in our district or surrounding districts based on current over capacity. It is possible to “play for any team” but it’s not easy to do so. These rules were changed to make transferring for sports difficult.
I would say one of the biggest factors for the success of MN hockey is simply the culture and the fact that it is very accessible and affordable compared to most everywhere else. The nonprofit community association model allows for more people to participate. Most kids start between 3 and 6 and play through bantams. If you can’t make the JV/Varsity you can still play junior gold. Almost every town has an association and an arena. MNs population is about 5.5 mil and there are about 50k registered USAhockey players and that doesn’t count the roughly 9k of high school players as MN hockey isn’t USA hockey sanctioned. There are rinks every where and registration is pretty affordable. HS is free to play, some schools have student athletes fees but those are usually only a couple hundred per family and cover all sports played.
In Minnesota, high school hockey fees are often covered if a student just mentions they’re struggling to pay. This help usually comes from teammates or their families who are better off. Growing up in Minnesota, then moving around before coming back, I've seen firsthand how "Minnesota Nice" shines in the hockey community. It’s a tight-knit, family-like environment. A lot of high school players have been skating together since they were five and younger all dreaming of playing in the state tournament. This friendship,connection, and love for the game is 100% why so many come back to play in the tourney and no matter where they are status wise or whatever, on that rink your just a kid playing on pond versus kids next door, its all about the "i kicked your ass last weekend on the pond!" type of vibe! For anyone from Minnesota, it’s obvious that the tournament is more than just a competition.They’re probably buddies with people on the other team too, having spent countless hours playing together on local ponds and lakes. It’s a bunch of kids who love skating and hockey who have often been playing together and alongside each other and became friends in a way. while also playing against people they’ve known for years, one final and last time on the biggest stage.
Grew up playing HS hockey in Minnesota, then played college in New England. For an outsider you get a lot of things correct, so kudos for that! The state high school tournament has been broadcast statewide for about 60 years. I am in my 50's, and I remember having a tv wheeled into my 3rd grade classroom so we could watch the quarterfinals. The other difference I have found is that hockey is woven into the culture of Minnesota, while in New England it is an activity... When the XCel Energy center opened over twenty years ago, each HS program in the state gave one of their jerseys, which are still displayed on the main concourse. I was a captain for my private school that makes a couple of appearances in your video (another bone of contention in MN, since there is only one league for public and private schools) and I am embarrassed at how bad our jerseys were back then... For further insight, look at the history of "Hockey Day in Minnesota." All in all, as a Minnesotan I think you did a really good job of capturing the unique essence of MN high school hockey!
This advisor just moved to Minnesota and went to Hockey Day Minnesota in Warroad this past year. Minnesota really does know how to celebrate this incredible game!
@@ahadvising8 I grew up and have lived in Minnesota my entire life (50 years). I remember the excitement of the teachers bringing a TV into the classroom because my future high school's team was in the tournament. The second weekend in March is my favorite weekend of the year (*weekend starting on Wednesday at 11:00 AM for me). I've taken vacation days from work so I can watch the games live. One of the reasons why the games are so exciting and the teams play so tightly with each other is the players often started skating together when they were kids. They moved through the different age levels, and are now on the big stage. I would love to have the playoff games to get to the tournament be televised as these games are the toughest teams in their divisions, and just getting past them is a major accomplishment. I love hearing NHL players' names and remembering hearing them repeated often during the tournaments (Okposo, Bjugstad, Goligoski, Wheeler, Mittelstadt, etc.). As a Minnesotan it makes me excited and proud to see them reach the highest level.
I would argue it’s part of the culture in eastern Mass too. Not at quite the same level, but still. Tons and tons of public schools with teams, 10k at the Garden for the D1/D1A final. Granted, NEPSAC hockey is the route to the NCAA, but public school hockey is still a big deal.
@@tegridy2740% of American hockey players in the NHL come from Minnesota so I don’t know what you’re laughing at tardboy? Lol @ your crappy Lavs getting beat by DalAss
@@tegridy27 None make what? Plenty of players get drafted out of Edina and other areas. Not even sure where this comment is coming from other than a place of not knowing what you're talking about
4:00 this is a big reason Europe and other countries have been catching up to Canada. Canadians who didn’t make the NHL went elsewhere and they settled down and stayed there lots of the time and then the next generation Has a bunch former Canadians helping in coaching the youth up
To understand how good Minnesota high school hockey is, in 2013, of the top 7 high school hockey teams in the nation, 6 were from Minnesota, 4 of those 6 were not state champions.
In Minnesota, high school hockey fees are often covered if a student just mentions they’re struggling to pay. This help usually comes from teammates or their families who are better off. Growing up in Minnesota, then moving around before coming back, I've seen firsthand how "Minnesota Nice" shines in the hockey community. It’s a tight-knit, family-like environment. A lot of high school players have been skating together since they were five and younger all dreaming of playing in the state tournament. This friendship,connection, and love for the game is 100% why so many come back to play in the tourney and no matter where they are status wise or whatever, on that rink your just a kid playing on pond versus kids next door, its all about the "i kicked your ass last weekend on the pond!" type of vibe! For anyone from Minnesota, it’s obvious that the tournament is more than just a competition.They’re probably buddies with people on the other team too, having spent countless hours playing together on local ponds and lakes. It’s a bunch of kids who love skating and hockey who have often been playing together and alongside each other and became friends in a way. while also playing against people they’ve known for years, one final and last time on the biggest stage.
Minn only state that treats Hockey like everyone else treats FBall, BBall, and baseball. Which I find strange. I thought at least Mich, Mass, and Upstate NY will be same.
I had a gym teacher who was a scout for the Washington Capitols. His schedule was insane during the season and before computers were a thing in the early 80's, he had two full filing cabinets on scouting reports of the players in state. After the 80 Olympics, teams didn't want to miss out on the next big player from Minnesota.
Towns typically own the rinks, not a lot of private expensive clubs. Kids in those town start at a young age with the goal of playing for their high school. That's powerful. There are outdoor rinks too because the weather allows for it and the towns take care of them, even providing warming houses, so kids skate a lot. Strong girls program too - same reasons that program is popular. I sent two kids through MN hockey, it's pretty special here.
There are plenty of kids who leave to play for the Juniors or the US Program in Ann Arbor, not to mention Shattuck-St. Mary's high school in Faribault. If you aren't 'connected', you can't move to Edina and make the team unless you are the top 1% of the top 1%.
Yes but as a former coach in that association I can tell you that you can move there there young and come up through the association. Generally, if you are good enough, you will play. Though there is always politics and it helps you don’t necessarily have to be from a “legacy/dynasty” family
one thing i never understood was why am I playing at the bantam level in high school in 9th grade. That freshman year should be the introduction into high school hockey. I would have loved to play JV hockey in 9th grade and develop my game but instead im playing with 8th grade middle school kids. Just something I look back on now that I am 5 years removed from high school hockey in Minnesota.
interesting take. I would think that the extra year at Bantams would be more beneficial because you are playing quite a bit more games, with a much longer season.
Longer season, more games, more ice time, etc... JV hockey is not great. Many of the best Bantam AA teams in the state could beat many of the JV teams in the state. For me, playing high level Bantam hockey (we got second in the state when I played at the "A" level, before there was AA so "A" was the highest level) was more challenging for me then when I played JV games as a Sophomore (I split Sophomore year between Varsity and JV) I think a lot of programs also would rather have you play Bantam's as a 9th grader for the experience, or play varsity as a 9th grader, but they don't see a lot of benefit in playing JV as a 9th grader. In good associations, there is a good relationship between the high school and youth programs, so the top players at the Bantam level have a lot of exposure and interaction with the high school coaches, training programs, etc...
You didn't miss much, I had to move up 9th grade year due to my birthday. It was fine, I went straight to varsity and was getting a regular shift but I was very much cast into the fire and overwhelmed. Bantams wouldve been better for more games and touches. My problem was all mental too, which maybe the year at a lower level solves, who knows.
@@hockeymikey how old were you when you graduated? Did you play bantams as a 7th and 8th grader? I was 18 my entire senior year but still played 9th grade bantams
@@markst.martinii9635 Ehh i can see your point but the majority of MSHSL teams that are good i would make the argument that they have better development and exposure then half of the AAA teams, not for sure though .
@@EssentialEmpire don’t get me wrong the Minnesota high school hockey is amazing. But the AAA teams are constantly playing in tournaments all over against all the other best teams in the nation. The exposure they get is way more than the high school league that plays against the same teams every year
@@markst.martinii9635 I’m going to respectfully disagree. Maybe if you’re on one of the absolute top tier AAA teams like Shattuck or Mission you’re going to get better exposure but just look at the numbers. MN produces the most D1 players and NHL players of any other state. On top of that of the exposure and game play was better don’t you think more MN kids would leave to go play on those AAA teams? Plus at the end of each year starting in U14 through U17, they have the High Performance Program that is one of the most highly scouted events in the nation.
@@markst.martinii9635 I would agree but i also do think that there is a more widespread quality of teams, generally saying there’s a lot of crap AAA teams that I would say good minnesota Bantam AA Teams, for reference there are a couple teams that beat or got close to shattuck st mary’s at the bantam AA level this year
Not mention the Upper Midwest High School Elite League is a fall league where the best varsity players in the Midwest play each weekend from August-Oct. This gives them a high level of competition and an additional 20 games before the HS season starts. These Elite League teams compete against them selves and also Ann Arbor, SSM. And honestly I’d say it’s a toss up on who wins those games. It’s amazing hockey to watch.
To add onto the coaches getting paid, depending on the program a high school head coach will make anywhere from 5-15k and many of these coaches are teachers within the school district. On the youth side, again depending on the program and size some coaches do get paid, but 85% of what goes on in youth hockey from logistics, coaching, scoreboard... it is all parents and community volunteers, which shows the commitment people have to the game here
The biggest observation is that MN State government seems to subsidize hockey through taxes. So rinks are 24/7 and teams are free. In every other state, whether A to AAA, it is pay (a lot of money) to play, so the cost portion prevents many players from participating at a high level. Because of this free to play model, most kids will play this sport, which increases the volume of players who will participate bantams and achieve to a higher level. That doesn't mean the top end quality is necessarily better than other states, but certainly volume-wise, MN will produce more players. But just know that the MN residents are paying for it through their school and property taxes, which is probably higher than most other places.
But at least they aren’t paying much extra after taxes. I played aaa in Chicago and Illinois taxes aren’t cheap, so after all of those, it was around 12k per season for aaa
Let the record show there are kids who are freshman or even 7th & 8th graders that can play Varsity. Pretty sure Travis Boyd was playing varsity for Hopkins
I would say former NHL players from Canada settling in MN and developing the youth programs has a very small impact on why MN is so good at hockey. MN has always been good at hockey and it is not even close compared to other states. I grew up in WI on the MN border and we would play a lot of teams from MN in the 80's and they were always better teams and often their 2nd or 3rd team would still beat your best team depending on the association. MN has developed their own hockey culture from grass roots that can compete with any hockey culture in the world, including Canada. Yes, former NHL players settle in MN but they may be drawn to the hockey culture as much as they contribute to it.
Not mentioned is junior gold. a league for kids of high school age who did not make varsity or junior varsity but can still play for their school in what is still a pretty talented league, and is still apart of usa hockey and not mnhshl. They also have their own state tournament, every level does down to squirts iirc. its split into two tiers, junior gold a and b, and back in the day (90s-early 00s) it used to be a pretty rough and tumble league mostly fully of kids talented enough for varsity but didn’t make the team or were kicked off for being trouble makers. I’ve been told fights were not uncommon back then. A bit more relaxed now adays although I saw my older brother get in at least two proper drop the helmet and gloves fights during his 2 year career in junior gold circa 2016-17ish so it still happens. Obviously being still youth hockey under usa hockey there’s a game or two suspension per fight but never deterred my brother for sticking up for his teammates.
I don't know where this guy lives but as someone who lives in Minnesota he got a few things wrong. We have open enrollment. So no you don't have to live in the area. Many prep private schools recruit. They don't have dorms, but they find a way. The winner of the girls tournament Gentry had more girls from Florida. No, rinks are not open 24/7. I know of one. In a small town on the Canadian border.
Mass used to have a model more like Minnesota. Now public school players basically never make NCAA D1, it’s all NEPSAC kids. Kinda sad, but public school hockey is still a big deal. Every town has a team and the Garden routinely sells out the lower bowl for the state final. The Super 8 was regarded as the best high school tournament outside of MN.
what don't you understand? Hockey in MN is a school sponsored sport like most other team sports in US schools. Meaning you play for the high school that you attend and are not eligible to play for or try out for another school unless you transfer or move to that district. The Varsity team is the top team for that high school, you are eligible to try out for most high school varsity teams starting in 7th grade but typically the team are comprised of Seniors, Juniors and a few sophomores.
You see alot of them wash out too. I had a guy who did that freshman year and I don't think it helped him really and he missed out on playing for his town. Good competition is usually over weighed and not as valuable as people think.
I mean I wouldn’t say moving there is that big a deal. If you are going to school and playing hockey, obvs both in person, you are going to have to move there anyway. My buddy played AAA in Winnipeg and had interest from the Portland Winterhawks but he wasn’t signed by them or anything. He had interest from Edina to move their and play for Edina. He ended up being one of those “what if guys”’because he came and played Canadian high school instead of Edina or Prov AAA again. jr A programs are fine with Canadian high school hockey but CHL teams stop scouting high school guys. Anyway he was named best in the Winnipeg high school league then went and was on pace to put up multiple PPG in city JR B league. Quit his 2nd year because the team had a shitty coach
One of these days those chickenshits in Hermantown should voluntarilymove up to AA. Winning all those state titles against far smaller schools considering they're the largest school in the single-A classification. Grand Rapids doesn't wimp out and play down as Hermantown does and they are only slightly larger than Hermantown in population, as well as not being in a metro area (Duluth, MN/Superior, WI) of 130,000. Rapids does the Iron Range proud and wins state titles against the likes of Eden Prairie and Edina. Unlike Hermantown who plays much smaller--yet formidable--schools such as Coleraine.
@silyrabittrxr4kids5 really? Humm. Pretty sure, warroad got beat, east grand forks got beat, holy family got beat, gentry academy got beat, st cloud got beat. Want me to keep going?
@@GCHG2014 not saying you’re right or wrong here but I am interested at what level? Also I find it pretty interesting if this is the case and a somewhat regular occurrence that ND teams are beating MN teams, that 1 we don’t hear about it and 2 ND doesn’t produce more D1 and up level players if the talent is so high.
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One thing that was mentioned was that only the top 15-20 schools have scouts watching games. In 2023-24, there were 233 men’s D1 players from MN, and they came from 69 different HS programs. Whether it’s Edina or La Crescent-Hokah, scouts will find talent. Having the ability to stay at home through high school and play at the highest levels is an incredible perk of the non-profit community-based hockey model in Minnesota.
Not all schools that play are public. There are plenty of private schools that also play in both AA and A.
this is true, but you still aren't allowed to billet like a prep school
Minnesota has open enrollment. So anyone can attend any public school of their choosing. Plus the private schools openly recruit players.
@@SlotChamp technically you can attend any school you want but that doesn’t mean you are eligible to play varsity sports there. Most districts have an application process and only if their enrollment numbers allow. Some district allow open enrollment more than others but you have to do it at the start of 9th grade or physically move into the district or sit wave your first year of eligibility. Also not transportation is provided. Also you aren’t 100% going to make the team. I live in 833 school district and there is no open enrollment in our district or surrounding districts based on current over capacity. It is possible to “play for any team” but it’s not easy to do so. These rules were changed to make transferring for sports difficult.
@@SlotChamp open enrollment yes, but there are penalties for transfers if you don’t physically move into the district
@@SlotChamp Yes you can attend school,but if you don't live in the School's boundaries you cannot play sports.
I would say one of the biggest factors for the success of MN hockey is simply the culture and the fact that it is very accessible and affordable compared to most everywhere else. The nonprofit community association model allows for more people to participate. Most kids start between 3 and 6 and play through bantams. If you can’t make the JV/Varsity you can still play junior gold. Almost every town has an association and an arena. MNs population is about 5.5 mil and there are about 50k registered USAhockey players and that doesn’t count the roughly 9k of high school players as MN hockey isn’t USA hockey sanctioned. There are rinks every where and registration is pretty affordable. HS is free to play, some schools have student athletes fees but those are usually only a couple hundred per family and cover all sports played.
they definitely take great care of their players in Minnesota.
In Minnesota, high school hockey fees are often covered if a student just mentions they’re struggling to pay. This help usually comes from teammates or their families who are better off. Growing up in Minnesota, then moving around before coming back, I've seen firsthand how "Minnesota Nice" shines in the hockey community. It’s a tight-knit, family-like environment.
A lot of high school players have been skating together since they were five and younger all dreaming of playing in the state tournament. This friendship,connection, and love for the game is 100% why so many come back to play in the tourney and no matter where they are status wise or whatever, on that rink your just a kid playing on pond versus kids next door, its all about the "i kicked your ass last weekend on the pond!" type of vibe!
For anyone from Minnesota, it’s obvious that the tournament is more than just a competition.They’re probably buddies with people on the other team too, having spent countless hours playing together on local ponds and lakes. It’s a bunch of kids who love skating and hockey who have often been playing together and alongside each other and became friends in a way. while also playing against people they’ve known for years, one final and last time on the biggest stage.
Grew up playing HS hockey in Minnesota, then played college in New England. For an outsider you get a lot of things correct, so kudos for that! The state high school tournament has been broadcast statewide for about 60 years. I am in my 50's, and I remember having a tv wheeled into my 3rd grade classroom so we could watch the quarterfinals. The other difference I have found is that hockey is woven into the culture of Minnesota, while in New England it is an activity... When the XCel Energy center opened over twenty years ago, each HS program in the state gave one of their jerseys, which are still displayed on the main concourse. I was a captain for my private school that makes a couple of appearances in your video (another bone of contention in MN, since there is only one league for public and private schools) and I am embarrassed at how bad our jerseys were back then... For further insight, look at the history of "Hockey Day in Minnesota." All in all, as a Minnesotan I think you did a really good job of capturing the unique essence of MN high school hockey!
This advisor just moved to Minnesota and went to Hockey Day Minnesota in Warroad this past year. Minnesota really does know how to celebrate this incredible game!
@@ahadvising8 I grew up and have lived in Minnesota my entire life (50 years). I remember the excitement of the teachers bringing a TV into the classroom because my future high school's team was in the tournament. The second weekend in March is my favorite weekend of the year (*weekend starting on Wednesday at 11:00 AM for me). I've taken vacation days from work so I can watch the games live.
One of the reasons why the games are so exciting and the teams play so tightly with each other is the players often started skating together when they were kids. They moved through the different age levels, and are now on the big stage. I would love to have the playoff games to get to the tournament be televised as these games are the toughest teams in their divisions, and just getting past them is a major accomplishment.
I love hearing NHL players' names and remembering hearing them repeated often during the tournaments (Okposo, Bjugstad, Goligoski, Wheeler, Mittelstadt, etc.). As a Minnesotan it makes me excited and proud to see them reach the highest level.
I would argue it’s part of the culture in eastern Mass too. Not at quite the same level, but still. Tons and tons of public schools with teams, 10k at the Garden for the D1/D1A final. Granted, NEPSAC hockey is the route to the NCAA, but public school hockey is still a big deal.
I must say when Edina came to play my school I saw many college scouts and a Vegas golden knight’s scout
And none make it😂
@@tegridy2740% of American hockey players in the NHL come from Minnesota so I don’t know what you’re laughing at tardboy?
Lol @ your crappy Lavs getting beat by DalAss
@@tegridy27 None make what? Plenty of players get drafted out of Edina and other areas. Not even sure where this comment is coming from other than a place of not knowing what you're talking about
@@tegridy27 Anders Lee and Sammy Walker (amongst MANY others) would be surprised to hear that.
@@peac2916 Lol
4:00 this is a big reason Europe and other countries have been catching up to Canada. Canadians who didn’t make the NHL went elsewhere and they settled down and stayed there lots of the time and then the next generation Has a bunch former Canadians helping in coaching the youth up
To understand how good Minnesota high school hockey is, in 2013, of the top 7 high school hockey teams in the nation, 6 were from Minnesota, 4 of those 6 were not state champions.
In Minnesota, high school hockey fees are often covered if a student just mentions they’re struggling to pay. This help usually comes from teammates or their families who are better off. Growing up in Minnesota, then moving around before coming back, I've seen firsthand how "Minnesota Nice" shines in the hockey community. It’s a tight-knit, family-like environment.
A lot of high school players have been skating together since they were five and younger all dreaming of playing in the state tournament. This friendship,connection, and love for the game is 100% why so many come back to play in the tourney and no matter where they are status wise or whatever, on that rink your just a kid playing on pond versus kids next door, its all about the "i kicked your ass last weekend on the pond!" type of vibe!
For anyone from Minnesota, it’s obvious that the tournament is more than just a competition.They’re probably buddies with people on the other team too, having spent countless hours playing together on local ponds and lakes. It’s a bunch of kids who love skating and hockey who have often been playing together and alongside each other and became friends in a way. while also playing against people they’ve known for years, one final and last time on the biggest stage.
1:34 look at that glorious Saint Cloud Apollo flying A. Beautiful logo never to be worn again.
Minn only state that treats Hockey like everyone else treats FBall, BBall, and baseball. Which I find strange. I thought at least Mich, Mass, and Upstate NY will be same.
I had a gym teacher who was a scout for the Washington Capitols. His schedule was insane during the season and before computers were a thing in the early 80's, he had two full filing cabinets on scouting reports of the players in state. After the 80 Olympics, teams didn't want to miss out on the next big player from Minnesota.
Another great vid! Could you pls do one about MD high school hockey for prep leagues like MAPHL?
Towns typically own the rinks, not a lot of private expensive clubs. Kids in those town start at a young age with the goal of playing for their high school. That's powerful. There are outdoor rinks too because the weather allows for it and the towns take care of them, even providing warming houses, so kids skate a lot. Strong girls program too - same reasons that program is popular. I sent two kids through MN hockey, it's pretty special here.
As a hockey player in mn there is so much money put into hockey then any other sport in mn
The flow is incredible.
There are plenty of kids who leave to play for the Juniors or the US Program in Ann Arbor, not to mention Shattuck-St. Mary's high school in Faribault. If you aren't 'connected', you can't move to Edina and make the team unless you are the top 1% of the top 1%.
Yes but as a former coach in that association I can tell you that you can move there there young and come up through the association. Generally, if you are good enough, you will play. Though there is always politics and it helps you don’t necessarily have to be from a “legacy/dynasty” family
one thing i never understood was why am I playing at the bantam level in high school in 9th grade. That freshman year should be the introduction into high school hockey. I would have loved to play JV hockey in 9th grade and develop my game but instead im playing with 8th grade middle school kids. Just something I look back on now that I am 5 years removed from high school hockey in Minnesota.
interesting take. I would think that the extra year at Bantams would be more beneficial because you are playing quite a bit more games, with a much longer season.
Longer season, more games, more ice time, etc... JV hockey is not great. Many of the best Bantam AA teams in the state could beat many of the JV teams in the state. For me, playing high level Bantam hockey (we got second in the state when I played at the "A" level, before there was AA so "A" was the highest level) was more challenging for me then when I played JV games as a Sophomore (I split Sophomore year between Varsity and JV)
I think a lot of programs also would rather have you play Bantam's as a 9th grader for the experience, or play varsity as a 9th grader, but they don't see a lot of benefit in playing JV as a 9th grader. In good associations, there is a good relationship between the high school and youth programs, so the top players at the Bantam level have a lot of exposure and interaction with the high school coaches, training programs, etc...
You didn't miss much, I had to move up 9th grade year due to my birthday. It was fine, I went straight to varsity and was getting a regular shift but I was very much cast into the fire and overwhelmed. Bantams wouldve been better for more games and touches. My problem was all mental too, which maybe the year at a lower level solves, who knows.
@@hockeymikey how old were you when you graduated? Did you play bantams as a 7th and 8th grader? I was 18 my entire senior year but still played 9th grade bantams
@@cglasford1 18. Yes I did. I was forced up I think peewee year so that was only 1yr.
Do you think that MSHL is better or as good as AAA for junior and college exposure?
Playing on even a decent AAA team at the 16U level is far greater than playing high school hockey. Even Minnesota high school hockey.
@@markst.martinii9635 Ehh i can see your point but the majority of MSHSL teams that are good i would make the argument that they have better development and exposure then half of the AAA teams, not for sure though .
@@EssentialEmpire don’t get me wrong the Minnesota high school hockey is amazing. But the AAA teams are constantly playing in tournaments all over against all the other best teams in the nation. The exposure they get is way more than the high school league that plays against the same teams every year
@@markst.martinii9635 I’m going to respectfully disagree. Maybe if you’re on one of the absolute top tier AAA teams like Shattuck or Mission you’re going to get better exposure but just look at the numbers. MN produces the most D1 players and NHL players of any other state. On top of that of the exposure and game play was better don’t you think more MN kids would leave to go play on those AAA teams? Plus at the end of each year starting in U14 through U17, they have the High Performance Program that is one of the most highly scouted events in the nation.
@@markst.martinii9635 I would agree but i also do think that there is a more widespread quality of teams, generally saying there’s a lot of crap AAA teams that I would say good minnesota Bantam AA Teams, for reference there are a couple teams that beat or got close to shattuck st mary’s at the bantam AA level this year
Not mention the Upper Midwest High School Elite League is a fall league where the best varsity players in the Midwest play each weekend from August-Oct. This gives them a high level of competition and an additional 20 games before the HS season starts.
These Elite League teams compete against them selves and also Ann Arbor, SSM. And honestly I’d say it’s a toss up on who wins those games. It’s amazing hockey to watch.
To add onto the coaches getting paid, depending on the program a high school head coach will make anywhere from 5-15k and many of these coaches are teachers within the school district. On the youth side, again depending on the program and size some coaches do get paid, but 85% of what goes on in youth hockey from logistics, coaching, scoreboard... it is all parents and community volunteers, which shows the commitment people have to the game here
The biggest observation is that MN State government seems to subsidize hockey through taxes. So rinks are 24/7 and teams are free. In every other state, whether A to AAA, it is pay (a lot of money) to play, so the cost portion prevents many players from participating at a high level. Because of this free to play model, most kids will play this sport, which increases the volume of players who will participate bantams and achieve to a higher level.
That doesn't mean the top end quality is necessarily better than other states, but certainly volume-wise, MN will produce more players.
But just know that the MN residents are paying for it through their school and property taxes, which is probably higher than most other places.
But at least they aren’t paying much extra after taxes. I played aaa in Chicago and Illinois taxes aren’t cheap, so after all of those, it was around 12k per season for aaa
No our top end quality isn't better than other states just because of volume. It just is better overall.
My u12 plays in MN and we pay roughly 1000 per year to play through the school. And our taxes are high.
We had a 7th grader play goalie for us
Yes from mn
Let the record show there are kids who are freshman or even 7th & 8th graders that can play Varsity. Pretty sure Travis Boyd was playing varsity for Hopkins
I would say former NHL players from Canada settling in MN and developing the youth programs has a very small impact on why MN is so good at hockey. MN has always been good at hockey and it is not even close compared to other states. I grew up in WI on the MN border and we would play a lot of teams from MN in the 80's and they were always better teams and often their 2nd or 3rd team would still beat your best team depending on the association. MN has developed their own hockey culture from grass roots that can compete with any hockey culture in the world, including Canada. Yes, former NHL players settle in MN but they may be drawn to the hockey culture as much as they contribute to it.
Not mentioned is junior gold. a league for kids of high school age who did not make varsity or junior varsity but can still play for their school in what is still a pretty talented league, and is still apart of usa hockey and not mnhshl. They also have their own state tournament, every level does down to squirts iirc. its split into two tiers, junior gold a and b, and back in the day (90s-early 00s) it used to be a pretty rough and tumble league mostly fully of kids talented enough for varsity but didn’t make the team or were kicked off for being trouble makers. I’ve been told fights were not uncommon back then. A bit more relaxed now adays although I saw my older brother get in at least two proper drop the helmet and gloves fights during his 2 year career in junior gold circa 2016-17ish so it still happens. Obviously being still youth hockey under usa hockey there’s a game or two suspension per fight but never deterred my brother for sticking up for his teammates.
Junior gold is good hockey as well, it is unfortunate that many of those players stop playing rather than trying to play Tier 3 juniors and move up.
LOL basically the Short Bus of Minn HS hockey.
Hill Murray is smaller than a lot of single A schools
And that would mean something if they weren't a private school...
They also poach most of the top talent cuz it costs a buttload to go there
You’re talking about the top 5 percent of schools your Edina Hm Tonka etc most mn high school hockey teams aren’t like this
I don't know where this guy lives but as someone who lives in Minnesota he got a few things wrong. We have open enrollment. So no you don't have to live in the area. Many prep private schools recruit. They don't have dorms, but they find a way. The winner of the girls tournament Gentry had more girls from Florida. No, rinks are not open 24/7. I know of one. In a small town on the Canadian border.
This is what makes Minnesota the state of hockey not junior pro and college teams comprised mostly of foreign athletes
Open enrollment allows you to live in another school district
Mass used to have a model more like Minnesota. Now public school players basically never make NCAA D1, it’s all NEPSAC kids. Kinda sad, but public school hockey is still a big deal. Every town has a team and the Garden routinely sells out the lower bowl for the state final. The Super 8 was regarded as the best high school tournament outside of MN.
It's basically Minnesota vs the cake eaters in Edina
I never understood this bc wayzata, Tonka, oreno r just as if not more wealthy than Edina
@@bradshaw2244 everyone hates the stuck up Edina elite
Anoka in the 70's
Please explain Vartisity.
It’s usually upper class men to seniors and juniors. It’s faster paced and more grown up.
what don't you understand? Hockey in MN is a school sponsored sport like most other team sports in US schools. Meaning you play for the high school that you attend and are not eligible to play for or try out for another school unless you transfer or move to that district. The Varsity team is the top team for that high school, you are eligible to try out for most high school varsity teams starting in 7th grade but typically the team are comprised of Seniors, Juniors and a few sophomores.
@@cglasford1 Go back and watch the video. This was a comment for AHA. Hint for you: the word is "Varsity"
@@gizmoituswhat are you talking about you’re the one that spelt it incorrect
@@cglasford1 Did I "spelt it incorrect"?🤫. Try watching at 0:12.
More elite players leave all the time and maybe only play their Freshman or Sophomore seasons
You are seeing a little up tick in people leaving but it’s still pretty rare and when they leave it’s typically their senior year to play in the USHL.
You see alot of them wash out too. I had a guy who did that freshman year and I don't think it helped him really and he missed out on playing for his town. Good competition is usually over weighed and not as valuable as people think.
What happened to Anoka
Andover/Rogers effect
Vartisity
I mean I wouldn’t say moving there is that big a deal. If you are going to school and playing hockey, obvs both in person, you are going to have to move there anyway. My buddy played AAA in Winnipeg and had interest from the Portland Winterhawks but he wasn’t signed by them or anything. He had interest from Edina to move their and play for Edina. He ended up being one of those “what if guys”’because he came and played Canadian high school instead of Edina or Prov AAA again. jr A programs are fine with Canadian high school hockey but CHL teams stop scouting high school guys. Anyway he was named best in the Winnipeg high school league then went and was on pace to put up multiple PPG in city JR B league. Quit his 2nd year because the team had a shitty coach
Compared to other high school hockey leagues in the US, nothing comes even close
Minn has lots of Hmong, and Somalis. Seeing as how things are going, they may even become the largest plurality. Are minorities into the game?
One of these days those chickenshits in Hermantown should voluntarilymove up to AA. Winning all those state titles against far smaller schools considering they're the largest school in the single-A classification. Grand Rapids doesn't wimp out and play down as Hermantown does and they are only slightly larger than Hermantown in population, as well as not being in a metro area (Duluth, MN/Superior, WI) of 130,000. Rapids does the Iron Range proud and wins state titles against the likes of Eden Prairie and Edina. Unlike Hermantown who plays much smaller--yet formidable--schools such as Coleraine.
Private school should = private tournament
Yikes. I’m not gonna put any faith into somebody who can’t even spell varsity
as a minnesotan who's school doesn't have a hockey team (I'm a football player),fuck the MSHSL
The best and most unknown part... Eastern North Dakota teams will play most of the top teams in Minnesota and win. Shhhh don't let that out there.
😂😂😂
No they don't! Not even close.
@silyrabittrxr4kids5 really? Humm. Pretty sure, warroad got beat, east grand forks got beat, holy family got beat, gentry academy got beat, st cloud got beat. Want me to keep going?
If you say so. I'm not going to argue about it. I'm from the area so it is very possible. I'll leave it at that.
@@GCHG2014 not saying you’re right or wrong here but I am interested at what level? Also I find it pretty interesting if this is the case and a somewhat regular occurrence that ND teams are beating MN teams, that 1 we don’t hear about it and 2 ND doesn’t produce more D1 and up level players if the talent is so high.
Simply stated, Minnesota supplies the most Americans in the NHL by far. The one and only State of Hockey.