The Hermantown Thread

[Thunderstruck]

Just quit opt ups and have teams play where their enrollment dictates 7A would have Grand Rapids, CEC, HTOWN(Lake Superior Stars High), Denfeld, Geenway Rock Ridge, Hibbing and 8A Roseau, Warroad etc. Would make for some better sectional match ups.

[Edinahopkins]

Um heck no , rather play in the big tournament the real class with 20,000 fans not 6500 and besides a little upt up town of Grand Rapids won in 2017 AA state tournament with the same amount of kids in the youth program as Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Thief River Falls , Alexandria, East Grand Forks, Delano just to name a few Heck Roseau gets it done. Single A is for towns like Park Rapids not decent size towns, I have no Sympathy For Hibbing size class A teams Fix you’re program ! , I do feel sorry for Park Rapids size teams because they are getting the shaft. My opinion not changing it.

[rainier2]

Um heck no , rather play in the big tournament the real class with 20,000 fans not 6500 and besides a little upt up town of Grand Rapids won in 2017 AA state tournament with the same amount of kids in the youth program as Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Thief River Falls , Alexandria, East Grand Forks, Delano just to name a few Heck Roseau gets it done. Single A is for towns like Park Rapids not decent size towns, I have no Sympathy For Hibbing size class A teams Fix you’re program ! , I do feel sorry for Park Rapids size teams because they are getting the shaft. My opinion not changing it.

GR has double the enrollment Hibbing does, FYI. And Hibbing is #59 in enrollment among Class A schools. I only see about 20 Class A teams with a smaller enrollment than Hibbing. Even so, ten D1 players have come out of Hibbing in the last decade, including very high enders like Johnson and Perunovich. There have been retention issues, for sure, but production like that out of the #59 enrollment school in Class A is still very good.

And I agree, not allowing teams to opt up is the single worst idea proposed on this board. It should be EVERY program's goal to one day be good enough to compete in AA.

[Thunderstruck]

Well then I guess no problem with certain A teams recruiting to make all star type teams to almost guarantee a trip to state and keep kids moving in. Pretty much a public school operating as a private. If that is a good thing then I digress

[ironranger2]

Um heck no , rather play in the big tournament the real class with 20,000 fans not 6500 and besides a little upt up town of Grand Rapids won in 2017 AA state tournament with the same amount of kids in the youth program as Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Thief River Falls , Alexandria, East Grand Forks, Delano just to name a few Heck Roseau gets it done. Single A is for towns like Park Rapids not decent size towns, I have no Sympathy For Hibbing size class A teams Fix you’re program ! , I do feel sorry for Park Rapids size teams because they are getting the shaft. My opinion not changing it.

Comparing Grand Rapids enrollment to the towns on the central and east range is laughable. Are you even aware of the enrollment declines over the last two decades with all the cuts in the mining labor force?

From the MSHSL website for 9-12 enrollments (2019-20)

Duluth East 1363
Grand Rapids 1006
C-E-C 991
Denfeld 716
Hermantown 630
Hibbing 583
Virginia 423
I-Falls 290
Greenway 250
Eveleth 248

I would bet the school enrollments from Hibbing to Hoyt Lakes have been cut in half (probably more). I would be willing to bet I-falls is closer to 65-70% reduction.

I think it's great Grand Rapids and Cloquet opt up. I hope to god that Virginia/Eveleth combo chooses to go that route as well. I also think that for their size school, Hibbing was producing as much homegrown talent as anyone for a ten year stretch.

[Jeffy95]

Um heck no , rather play in the big tournament the real class with 20,000 fans not 6500 and besides a little upt up town of Grand Rapids won in 2017 AA state tournament with the same amount of kids in the youth program as Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Thief River Falls , Alexandria, East Grand Forks, Delano just to name a few Heck Roseau gets it done. Single A is for towns like Park Rapids not decent size towns, I have no Sympathy For Hibbing size class A teams Fix you’re program ! , I do feel sorry for Park Rapids size teams because they are getting the shaft. My opinion not changing it.

Comparing Grand Rapids enrollment to the towns on the central and east range is laughable. Are you even aware of the enrollment declines over the last two decades with all the cuts in the mining labor force?

From the MSHSL website for 9-12 enrollments (2019-20)

Duluth East 1363
Grand Rapids 1006
C-E-C 991
Denfeld 716
Hermantown 630
Hibbing 583
Virginia 423
I-Falls 290
Greenway 250
Eveleth 248

I would bet the school enrollments from Hibbing to Hoyt Lakes have been cut in half (probably more). I would be willing to bet I-falls is closer to 65-70% reduction.

I think it's great Grand Rapids and Cloquet opt up. I hope to god that Virginia/Eveleth combo chooses to go that route as well. I also think that for their size school, Hibbing was producing as much homegrown talent as anyone for a ten year stretch.

To be fair, he said number of kids in the Youth Program, not enrollment. That's the only thing that matters. Enrollment means nothing in Hockey. If it did, Minneapolis would be the favorite every year and Warroad would not be the #1 seed in 1A.

[defense]

I think they all should opt up, would be entertaining. Even though I am against any rules besides enrollment for A and AA, I have long wondered the real benefit to class A for hockey in general and to the individual program. Get to go to state? Awesome, but isn't a single class section final four extremely exciting on its own?? Didn't see any myself so I am wondering. In any case, for the individual program, most would have very similar results in AA as in A. Maybe not advancing as far as often, but average it out and I think so.

[Edinahopkins]

I could care less about the enrollment. All that matters is how many kids are currently Playing in your program the range schools including Grand Rapids are the same. both field a A team of some kind and a B team. So what’s your excuse now.

[rainier2]

I could care less about the enrollment. All that matters is how many kids are currently Playing in your program the range schools including Grand Rapids are the same. both field a A team of some kind and a B team. So what’s your excuse now.

How many kids go out for hockey at minis and mites in GR compared to the other range schools? I'm willing to bet a lot more do at GR. By the time they get to squirts, more kids quit hockey at GR because they know they'll never get to play, while in Hibbing, darn near every kid will get a chance on one of the squirt teams.

[rainier2]

Um heck no , rather play in the big tournament the real class with 20,000 fans not 6500 and besides a little upt up town of Grand Rapids won in 2017 AA state tournament with the same amount of kids in the youth program as Hibbing, Virginia, Eveleth, Thief River Falls , Alexandria, East Grand Forks, Delano just to name a few Heck Roseau gets it done. Single A is for towns like Park Rapids not decent size towns, I have no Sympathy For Hibbing size class A teams Fix you’re program ! , I do feel sorry for Park Rapids size teams because they are getting the shaft. My opinion not changing it.

Comparing Grand Rapids enrollment to the towns on the central and east range is laughable. Are you even aware of the enrollment declines over the last two decades with all the cuts in the mining labor force?

From the MSHSL website for 9-12 enrollments (2019-20)

Duluth East 1363
Grand Rapids 1006
C-E-C 991
Denfeld 716
Hermantown 630
Hibbing 583
Virginia 423
I-Falls 290
Greenway 250
Eveleth 248

I would bet the school enrollments from Hibbing to Hoyt Lakes have been cut in half (probably more). I would be willing to bet I-falls is closer to 65-70% reduction.

I think it's great Grand Rapids and Cloquet opt up. I hope to god that Virginia/Eveleth combo chooses to go that route as well. I also think that for their size school, Hibbing was producing as much homegrown talent as anyone for a ten year stretch.

To be fair, he said number of kids in the Youth Program, not enrollment. That's the only thing that matters. Enrollment means nothing in Hockey. If it did, Minneapolis would be the favorite every year and Warroad would not be the #1 seed in 1A.

But he did also say "decent size towns", implying population=enrollment.

[Edinahopkins]

Grand Rapids has 4-5 mite teams usually and right now Hibbing has 4 mite teams and 5 mini mite teams. How great would it be for range hockey to have Grand Rapids, hibbing and the new Eveleth Virgina team in 7AA plus big rivalry with Hermantown, Duluth East and cloquet.

[ironranger2]

My bad on my previous post. Brain automatically went with enrollment, not youth hockey levels.

I have heard that Hibbing has very large numbers at the Squirt and lower levels. No idea on what Virginia and Eveleth are at, but I would guess they would be similar to Hibbing if they combined.

[ShakestheClown]

The east range schools are the definition of what class A hockey is supposed to be about. They are comprised of smaller schools, who put together an once-in-a-decade team that has the chance to make a good run to state at the class A level. GR is exactly where they are supposed to be. They can make a pretty serious run once or twice a decade at AA. CEC had a similar chance that never panned out within the past few years as well.

Hermantown can make a run for the class A championship EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That is not an accurate reflection of the intent of class A hockey. It is a program taking advantage of a loophole to chase trophies.

[Jeffy95]

The east range schools are the definition of what class A hockey is supposed to be about. They are comprised of smaller schools, who put together an once-in-a-decade team that has the chance to make a good run to state at the class A level. GR is exactly where they are supposed to be. They can make a pretty serious run once or twice a decade at AA. CEC had a similar chance that never panned out within the past few years as well.

Hermantown can make a run for the class A championship EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That is not an accurate reflection of the intent of class A hockey. It is a program taking advantage of a loophole to chase trophies.

That’s the downside to the Honor System. Some people have none.

[Sparlimb]

Clearly the f'ing hockey hub knows something we don't...

Tonight's f'ing headline...


Hermantown embraces its 'Edina' status
Less lovable to many after run of success, Hermantown returns to 1A title game.

https://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/1093041

Maybe the should play the semis first. Star & Sickle newspaper strikes again.

[northwoods oldtimer]

The east range schools are the definition of what class A hockey is supposed to be about. They are comprised of smaller schools, who put together an once-in-a-decade team that has the chance to make a good run to state at the class A level. GR is exactly where they are supposed to be. They can make a pretty serious run once or twice a decade at AA. CEC had a similar chance that never panned out within the past few years as well.

Hermantown can make a run for the class A championship EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That is not an accurate reflection of the intent of class A hockey. It is a program taking advantage of a loophole to chase trophies.

This man knows what he is talking about!! The fans of Hermantown, back pedaling hockey coach and AD bootlickers defending the trophy chasing can stuff it where the sun don't shine!!


BTW Hibbing does need to fix their hockey program problems even the alumni from those great youth teams of the 90's early 2000's will admit that. Come in Hibbing you can do it!

[rainier2]

The east range schools are the definition of what class A hockey is supposed to be about. They are comprised of smaller schools, who put together an once-in-a-decade team that has the chance to make a good run to state at the class A level. GR is exactly where they are supposed to be. They can make a pretty serious run once or twice a decade at AA. CEC had a similar chance that never panned out within the past few years as well.

Hermantown can make a run for the class A championship EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That is not an accurate reflection of the intent of class A hockey. It is a program taking advantage of a loophole to chase trophies.

This man knows what he is talking about!! The fans of Hermantown, back pedaling hockey coach and AD bootlickers defending the trophy chasing can stuff it where the sun don't shine!!


BTW Hibbing does need to fix their hockey program problems even the alumni from those great youth teams of the 90's early 2000's will admit that. Come in Hibbing you can do it!

With all due respect, oldtimer, the idea that Hibbing needs to "fix" their program is inaccurate, and just further highlights how Hermantown has skewed expectations for Class A teams. Improve? Yes, for sure, but "fix" implies there is some long-term, systemic problem, which I totally disagree with.

Just a few years ago, Hibbing had a top three team in Class A, and the year after, they were top ten. The three years since then, yes, the team has swooned, but it's because a couple top forwards and the goalie left, not because no good players were coming up through the ranks. Had those players stayed, Hibbing would have been in the mix for the #3 seed, with a shot at #2. Take the top two skaters and goalie off any Class A team not located in a metro area and see what that does to the team's record. Even Hermantown would take a big step back if you took away Biondi, Pierce, and their best goalie.

So Hibbing has had a bad couple years, after a coach left because of off-ice issues, something we've seen in GR and CEC recently, and because some top players left, something we've seen in CEC, GR, and even Duluth East for god's sake; these things aren't unique to Hibbing. And, very soon, things will improve greatly. Here are a few examples of how they are improving, and as you read it, keep in mind that Hibbing has the 59th largest enrollment in Class A.

Bantams: Won VFW consolation title last year despite a top player being injured, won the district tournament this year despite top goalie being injured, ranked in top ten of bantam A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, lost one goal games to #1 Warroad and #3 Tartan, went 9-3 against 7A teams, including going 3-2 vs #5 Virginia and #7 Denfeld.

Pee Wees: Won district tournament, came within one goal of being in regional tournament final, ranked #11 of pee wee A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, went 12-5-1 vs 7A teams.

Squirts and below: Had four squirt teams this year, two of which are ranked in top five of teams that will actually play Class A someday, had a #2 ranked squirt team last year, and overall numbers at these levels are very high.

Are these mind-boggling, going-to-state-every-year results? No, but...THEY SHOULDN'T BE! To Shakes' point, the Class A teams that are not filled with transfers and open enrollees have great classes come through every once in a while and they make a run, like Hibbing in 16-17, or Greenway last year, or the TRF, LF, Luverne, etc. community teams we've seen compete well at state. Even Warroad, as good of a program as there is, who has the #1 seed in the tourney this year, DIDN'T GO TO STATE FOR A DECADE!

What Hermantown has done by sandbagging it's way to state every year is that they have created this hallucinogenic environment where it's not okay to have a down couple of years. No longer is it accepted that teams will have up and down cycles in talent, now it just means your program sucks, and any top players still there better transfer to Hermantown, or CEC, or someplace else with reportedly greener grass to make sure those players' NHL careers aren't derailed by having to play for the #4 seed in 7A. It's complete and utter madness, and with Range kids now going to Hermantown for their senior year to "get noticed", it's reaching full-blown, marbles-lost, truly-gone-fishing insanity.

I've heard the current Hibbing coach resigned, which, if true, is a good thing, because even with the talent exodus their record should have been better. I'm hoping the AD gets it right and hires a Clafton-like coach who will bring energy and dedication to his coaching duties. That said, Hibbing could hire a cyborg downloaded with the combined hockey knowledge of Herb Brooks, Scotty Bowman, and Scott Sandelin, but their 59th largest enrollment in Class A still isn't going to keep up every year with a program that collects talent from 150,000 person metro area and beyond. A team or two per decade? Sure, but NOT EVERY YEAR!

When Scott Perunovich steps on the ice for the St. Louis Blues this spring, he will be the second player from Hibbing to play in an NHL game this year, with both of those players graduating within the last seven years. How many other programs in MN can say this? Ten D1 players have come out of Hibbing over the last decade, plus some D3 players, and because a few of them have left recently because it's no longer acceptable to play for a 4 or 5 seed, that means the program needs to be "fixed"? You'll have to excuse me for thinking the problem just might be in the social media-warped minds of parents and players.

The true irony of players leaving Hibbing and people saying they need to fix their program is this: The two Hibbing players who made it to the freaking NHL didn't find it necessary to transfer to "better" HS programs in order to become world-class players. Adam Johnson stayed through his senior year, and Perunovich had every intention of coming back for his senior year, but Hibbing didn't offer online classes to allow him to do a USHL before-and-after.

Hermantown is killing 7A hockey. Scott Pionk knows it, Lou Nanne knows it, and 99% of HS hockey fans know it.

[defense]

The east range schools are the definition of what class A hockey is supposed to be about. They are comprised of smaller schools, who put together an once-in-a-decade team that has the chance to make a good run to state at the class A level. GR is exactly where they are supposed to be. They can make a pretty serious run once or twice a decade at AA. CEC had a similar chance that never panned out within the past few years as well.

Hermantown can make a run for the class A championship EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That is not an accurate reflection of the intent of class A hockey. It is a program taking advantage of a loophole to chase trophies.

This man knows what he is talking about!! The fans of Hermantown, back pedaling hockey coach and AD bootlickers defending the trophy chasing can stuff it where the sun don't shine!!


BTW Hibbing does need to fix their hockey program problems even the alumni from those great youth teams of the 90's early 2000's will admit that. Come in Hibbing you can do it!

With all due respect, oldtimer, the idea that Hibbing needs to "fix" their program is inaccurate, and just further highlights how Hermantown has skewed expectations for Class A teams. Improve? Yes, for sure, but "fix" implies there is some long-term, systemic problem, which I totally disagree with.

Just a few years ago, Hibbing had a top three team in Class A, and the year after, they were top ten. The three years since then, yes, the team has swooned, but it's because a couple top forwards and the goalie left, not because no good players were coming up through the ranks. Had those players stayed, Hibbing would have been in the mix for the #3 seed, with a shot at #2. Take the top two skaters and goalie off any Class A team not located in a metro area and see what that does to the team's record. Even Hermantown would take a big step back if you took away Biondi, Pierce, and their best goalie.

So Hibbing has had a bad couple years, after a coach left because of off-ice issues, something we've seen in GR and CEC recently, and because some top players left, something we've seen in CEC, GR, and even Duluth East for god's sake; these things aren't unique to Hibbing. And, very soon, things will improve greatly. Here are a few examples of how they are improving, and as you read it, keep in mind that Hibbing has the 59th largest enrollment in Class A.

Bantams: Won VFW consolation title last year despite a top player being injured, won the district tournament this year despite top goalie being injured, ranked in top ten of bantam A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, lost one goal games to #1 Warroad and #3 Tartan, went 9-3 against 7A teams, including going 3-2 vs #5 Virginia and #7 Denfeld.

Pee Wees: Won district tournament, came within one goal of being in regional tournament final, ranked #11 of pee wee A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, went 12-5-1 vs 7A teams.

Squirts and below: Had four squirt teams this year, two of which are ranked in top five of teams that will actually play Class A someday, had a #2 ranked squirt team last year, and overall numbers at these levels are very high.

Are these mind-boggling, going-to-state-every-year results? No, but...THEY SHOULDN'T BE! To Shakes' point, the Class A teams that are not filled with transfers and open enrollees have great classes come through every once in a while and they make a run, like Hibbing in 16-17, or Greenway last year, or the TRF, LF, Luverne, etc. community teams we've seen compete well at state. Even Warroad, as good of a program as there is, who has the #1 seed in the tourney this year, DIDN'T GO TO STATE FOR A DECADE!

What Hermantown has done by sandbagging it's way to state every year is that they have created this hallucinogenic environment where it's not okay to have a down couple of years. No longer is it accepted that teams will have up and down cycles in talent, now it just means your program sucks, and any top players still there better transfer to Hermantown, or CEC, or someplace else with reportedly greener grass to make sure those players' NHL careers aren't derailed by having to play for the #4 seed in 7A. It's complete and utter madness, and with Range kids now going to Hermantown for their senior year to "get noticed", it's reaching full-blown, marbles-lost, truly-gone-fishing insanity.

I've heard the current Hibbing coach resigned, which, if true, is a good thing, because even with the talent exodus their record should have been better. I'm hoping the AD gets it right and hires a Clafton-like coach who will bring energy and dedication to his coaching duties. That said, Hibbing could hire a cyborg downloaded with the combined hockey knowledge of Herb Brooks, Scotty Bowman, and Scott Sandelin, but their 59th largest enrollment in Class A still isn't going to keep up every year with a program that collects talent from 150,000 person metro area and beyond. A team or two per decade? Sure, but NOT EVERY YEAR!

When Scott Perunovich steps on the ice for the St. Louis Blues this spring, he will be the second player from Hibbing to play in an NHL game this year, with both of those players graduating within the last seven years. How many other programs in MN can say this? Ten D1 players have come out of Hibbing over the last decade, plus some D3 players, and because a few of them have left recently because it's no longer acceptable to play for a 4 or 5 seed, that means the program needs to be "fixed"? You'll have to excuse me for thinking the problem just might be in the social media-warped minds of parents and players.

The true irony of players leaving Hibbing and people saying they need to fix their program is this: The two Hibbing players who made it to the freaking NHL didn't find it necessary to transfer to "better" HS programs in order to become world-class players. Adam Johnson stayed through his senior year, and Perunovich had every intention of coming back for his senior year, but Hibbing didn't offer online classes to allow him to do a USHL before-and-after.

Hermantown is killing 7A hockey. Scott Pionk knows it, Lou Nanne knows it, and 99% of HS hockey fans know it.

Another way thinking has warped:
The resume that was just drafted sure looks like the Blujackets could or should go to AA . Just a few years ago that resume would warrant people to encourage Hibbing to take a good look at it.

[rainier2]

This man knows what he is talking about!! The fans of Hermantown, back pedaling hockey coach and AD bootlickers defending the trophy chasing can stuff it where the sun don't shine!!


BTW Hibbing does need to fix their hockey program problems even the alumni from those great youth teams of the 90's early 2000's will admit that. Come in Hibbing you can do it!

With all due respect, oldtimer, the idea that Hibbing needs to "fix" their program is inaccurate, and just further highlights how Hermantown has skewed expectations for Class A teams. Improve? Yes, for sure, but "fix" implies there is some long-term, systemic problem, which I totally disagree with.

Just a few years ago, Hibbing had a top three team in Class A, and the year after, they were top ten. The three years since then, yes, the team has swooned, but it's because a couple top forwards and the goalie left, not because no good players were coming up through the ranks. Had those players stayed, Hibbing would have been in the mix for the #3 seed, with a shot at #2. Take the top two skaters and goalie off any Class A team not located in a metro area and see what that does to the team's record. Even Hermantown would take a big step back if you took away Biondi, Pierce, and their best goalie.

So Hibbing has had a bad couple years, after a coach left because of off-ice issues, something we've seen in GR and CEC recently, and because some top players left, something we've seen in CEC, GR, and even Duluth East for god's sake; these things aren't unique to Hibbing. And, very soon, things will improve greatly. Here are a few examples of how they are improving, and as you read it, keep in mind that Hibbing has the 59th largest enrollment in Class A.

Bantams: Won VFW consolation title last year despite a top player being injured, won the district tournament this year despite top goalie being injured, ranked in top ten of bantam A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, lost one goal games to #1 Warroad and #3 Tartan, went 9-3 against 7A teams, including going 3-2 vs #5 Virginia and #7 Denfeld.

Pee Wees: Won district tournament, came within one goal of being in regional tournament final, ranked #11 of pee wee A teams that will actually play Class A once in HS, went 12-5-1 vs 7A teams.

Squirts and below: Had four squirt teams this year, two of which are ranked in top five of teams that will actually play Class A someday, had a #2 ranked squirt team last year, and overall numbers at these levels are very high.

Are these mind-boggling, going-to-state-every-year results? No, but...THEY SHOULDN'T BE! To Shakes' point, the Class A teams that are not filled with transfers and open enrollees have great classes come through every once in a while and they make a run, like Hibbing in 16-17, or Greenway last year, or the TRF, LF, Luverne, etc. community teams we've seen compete well at state. Even Warroad, as good of a program as there is, who has the #1 seed in the tourney this year, DIDN'T GO TO STATE FOR A DECADE!

What Hermantown has done by sandbagging it's way to state every year is that they have created this hallucinogenic environment where it's not okay to have a down couple of years. No longer is it accepted that teams will have up and down cycles in talent, now it just means your program sucks, and any top players still there better transfer to Hermantown, or CEC, or someplace else with reportedly greener grass to make sure those players' NHL careers aren't derailed by having to play for the #4 seed in 7A. It's complete and utter madness, and with Range kids now going to Hermantown for their senior year to "get noticed", it's reaching full-blown, marbles-lost, truly-gone-fishing insanity.

I've heard the current Hibbing coach resigned, which, if true, is a good thing, because even with the talent exodus their record should have been better. I'm hoping the AD gets it right and hires a Clafton-like coach who will bring energy and dedication to his coaching duties. That said, Hibbing could hire a cyborg downloaded with the combined hockey knowledge of Herb Brooks, Scotty Bowman, and Scott Sandelin, but their 59th largest enrollment in Class A still isn't going to keep up every year with a program that collects talent from 150,000 person metro area and beyond. A team or two per decade? Sure, but NOT EVERY YEAR!

When Scott Perunovich steps on the ice for the St. Louis Blues this spring, he will be the second player from Hibbing to play in an NHL game this year, with both of those players graduating within the last seven years. How many other programs in MN can say this? Ten D1 players have come out of Hibbing over the last decade, plus some D3 players, and because a few of them have left recently because it's no longer acceptable to play for a 4 or 5 seed, that means the program needs to be "fixed"? You'll have to excuse me for thinking the problem just might be in the social media-warped minds of parents and players.

The true irony of players leaving Hibbing and people saying they need to fix their program is this: The two Hibbing players who made it to the freaking NHL didn't find it necessary to transfer to "better" HS programs in order to become world-class players. Adam Johnson stayed through his senior year, and Perunovich had every intention of coming back for his senior year, but Hibbing didn't offer online classes to allow him to do a USHL before-and-after.

Hermantown is killing 7A hockey. Scott Pionk knows it, Lou Nanne knows it, and 99% of HS hockey fans know it.

Another way thinking has warped:
The resume that was just drafted sure looks like the Blujackets could or should go to AA . Just a few years ago that resume would warrant people to encourage Hibbing to take a good look at it.

I dream of the day the MN HS hockey community finds it necessary to call for Hibbing to opt up. But, they would opt up before that ever needed to happen, guaranteed.

[kniven]

Duluth Marshall opted up. So why not Hibbing.

[SpreadOut!]

I don’t have a year of spare time to read through this full thread, so if this has already been noted, sorry.

Hermantown’s AA Bantam team has been ranked in top 3 all year and is in the state tourney next weekend. These guys are gonna play Class A in high school?!

[Jeffy95]

I don’t have a year of spare time to read through this full thread, so if this has already been noted, sorry.
Koi
Hermantown’s AA Bantam team has been ranked in top 3 all year and is in the state tourney next weekend. These guys are gonna play Class A in high school?!

Yep, outscored their opponents in Regions 19-1. And their Bantam A team finished ahead of every other Bantam A team that will play 7A in High School. Guess those other programs need to work harder with the kids they have left who didn’t leave for Hermantown!

[defense]

Just a few years ago the popular opinion on this board was that youth hockey and high school hockey are different and what happens in youth hockey doesnt mean much in high school. What changed??? Ot did the members here just turnover?

[rainier2]

Duluth Marshall opted up. So why not Hibbing.

Other than the incredibly obvious fact that DM is located smack dab in the center of a metro area of 150,000 people, you're right, they are in identical scenarios.

But, hey, I'm on board. I would be completely happy if Hibbing went AA, in fact, I'll do you one better: I support every team in 7A going AA. Hermantown is already better than any 7AA team, so why not? The only thing that would change for 7A teams is that their season would end one game earlier. Why don't you direct some of your "Cloquet step down to A" community canvassing energy towards the 7A teams moving to AA?

But my question for you is this: Why would someone who is actively and publicly campaigning that a program that just sent three consecutive bantam AA teams to state should step down to A think that the opposite should happen for a team that just had consecutive single-digit win seasons in A?

[kniven]

Just a few years ago the popular opinion on this board was that youth hockey and high school hockey are different and what happens in youth hockey doesnt mean much in high school. What changed??? Ot did the members here just turnover?

Yes. Very true. Cloquet PeeweeAA and BantamAA were in state tournament 3-4 years in a row 5-6 years ago and didn’t do anything in high school.