Birkholz to St Olaf

breck blake · Post by **breck blake** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:36 am

Andrew Birkholz, a 4-year Breck Varsity Forward who scored about 170 points during his Breck career is on his way to St. Olaf to play D3 Hockey in the MIAC. Congrats to Andrew.

timmyo · Post by **timmyo** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:23 am

Birkholz is a nice player, and St. Olaf seems to be building a nice program. D-III hockey is alot better than many give it credit for. Is that a done deal, however? I ask because I have also heard he was heading out East for a try-out with the New England Jr. Falcons, a great developmental team in the EJHL.

MNPuckster27 · Post by **MNPuckster27** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:40 am

That is good for him. St. Olaf had a young team this year that looks like they got better later in the year. Birkholz will be a nice addition for them. The MIAC is a less physical and more of an open skating D3 league from my understanding so that will be a good fit for him. I also heard at a So. St. Paul game this year that Nick Stalock from SSP (2004) had signed to play at Air Force but has backed out and will probably be going to St. Olaf next year too. I dont mean to start rumors, I just heard through the grapevine, but can anyone confirm this?

Puckguy · Post by **Puckguy** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:56 am

Sounds like Collins from Edina may also join them. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat">

Hockeyisthebest21 · Post by **Hockeyisthebest21** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:03 pm

St. Olaf did have a nice season and it sounds like some nice talent is headed their way. However, I do not know why you would go there for hockey. One of the worst rinks in the state, and by far in the MIAC, plus it is all that way off campus. If it is going to be off-campus you might as well get a place like St. Thomas or St. John's uses the National Hockey Center. Augsburg and Gustavus are the only MIAC schools to have rinks on campus.

LloydBraun · Post by **LloydBraun** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:38 pm

sometimes you dont have a choice....

kenny06 · Post by **kenny06** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:06 pm

st. mary's also has a rink on campus, but i will say, st. olaf's rink may not be the best, their fans are loud, noisy and it is crowded. their games are also on the internet/radio, something other schools do not have.

fluffybunny33 · Post by **fluffybunny33** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:23 pm

Congrats to Andrew and his great accomplishments he is very deserving

2DaRink · Post by **2DaRink** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:07 pm

I would bet that most of these players are picking St. Olaf for the academics, and then hockey, as it should be. These players are smart enough to know that the education they receive will pay the bills, and not their hockey. Also, St. Olaf's campus is absolutely beautiful, and the players will spend more time there than at the rink. In fact, their rink is only 5 minutes from campus, and they have great fans.

wcha fan · Post by **wcha fan** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 7:30 am

Well said, sometimes some kids have to face reality and figure out that they aren't going to play d1 or nhl. Here they will get a great education, still play at a very competitive level, and have fun doing it. Hats off to him for making a good decision.

MNPuckster27 · Post by **MNPuckster27** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:34 am

Well said guys. Also, realize that this happens at the D1 level too (Example: Mike Taylor of AHA easily could have been an impact player in the WCHA, but its safe to say he is setting his future up nicely with a free education from Harvard University). D3 hockey is very competitive and it certainly takes a talented player to play at that level, and St. Olaf is a good school, along with many others that have D3 hockey programs. Congrats again to Andrew.

oletimer · Post by **oletimer** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:45 am

If you want a world class education on a beautiful campus playing competitive hockey in a solid D-III program this is a wonderful choice. Trust me driving 30 mins. one to practice in St. Cloud is a drawback not a plus, and playing to smallish D-III crowds in a cavernous fairgrounds coloseum is not to exciting either. The "structure" on the other hand offers a packed house and crazed atmosphere for every home game. The only problem is you are worried if the roof might collapse at any time. But all things considered a wonderful expierence.

shutout · Post by **shutout** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:47 pm

MNPUCKSTER: I am afraid that you are sadly mistaken if you think Taylor is getting a "free Ride" at Harvard. Ivy league schools do not give athletic scholarships and you get a "need basis" rate which in Taylors case is around $ 25,000 per year.

slapshotbg · Post by **slapshotbg** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 6:17 pm

thats correct, but he is set for the rest of his life... hopefully i can be part of his entorouge.

MNPuckster27 · Post by **MNPuckster27** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 6:17 pm

OK. My apologies. My point of the post wasnt about who is getting full rides to D1 schools. I just used him as an example because he could have been an impact player in the WCHA but went to Harvard and is getting a great education, and that is what led him there, not the hockey team.

BrokenStick06 · Post by **BrokenStick06** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:37 pm

Puckster, When I saw some of the posts here ($25,000 "In Need" Assistance at Harvard) I gulped! Initial reaction was to respond based on hockey. Well, I did some homework because with my kid, a junior (who plays hockey but probably won't because of size in college) receiving letters daily including Harvard) based on ACT and GPA records, I better start doing more homework. Harvard actually looked affordable based on what we're paying for my D-III gymnastics daughter. Here's a link which says hey!, if your kid is interested in any well-known school, and the possibilities beyond hockey dreams at graduation from college, has the academics to back it up, go for it. If hockey fits in too, all the better. Long term, ours kids will need jobs. Tough to admit, but my wife has been telling me this! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> oops the link <a href="http://www.thebostonchannel.com/educati ...  Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... Stick06</A> at: 3/28/05 8:39 pm

MNPuckster27 · Post by **MNPuckster27** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:47 pm

BrokenStick- I think you mean to direct that post at Shutout (who posted about Harvard tuition and not having athletic scholarships). I just meant that kids choose schools based on other things besides the strength of the hockey program. A lot of kids, especially kids that choose the D3 route, just want to continue playing hockey for the love of the game, and are not as worried about national attention or glory. That link you posted is amazing. I knew Harvard was expensive but wow. I went to public HS and College so I dont know exactly what the numbers are, but what do most of the MIAC schools cost these days? I guess I always thought somewhere around 20-25,000 per year. I definately agree with your assessment of "Long term, our kids will need jobs." That is why I think the level of play at the D3 level in hockey is so good. I think more MN kids are realizing that there are so many great schools in our state and even in Wisconsin. They can stay close to home and get a top notch education while continuing to play hockey. You have to respect a kid that bases a college decision based on academics ahead of hockey, no matter how high caliber the player.

BrokenStick06 · Post by **BrokenStick06** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 10:41 pm

Puckster. I was just responding to the thread. sorry. but regarding d-3 schools, my daughter is attending one as a "recruited" gymnast. Nope no scholarship, so about $20,000 per year without academic aid, but having the blast of her life....she is competing in Nationals this weekend as a freshman. Reciprocity is important too. if ur looking for neighboring states. Amazing the diff in costs. Long time ago I said in a post my son wanted to not compete, but go to a school where he could watch good hockey. I just smiled, he had it right. Just have fun in hockey while ya can, tell your kids to remember that.

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