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Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 1:27 pm
by BSUBeaver
As for the fans, if I am recalling correctly, current COVID guidelines will not allow for more than 250 people in an indoor setting, and that is if social distancing guidelines can be followed.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:02 pm
by ClassAGuy
Winter Prep Season Could Grow to Accommodate for COVID-19
The upcoming high school winter sports season could be longer than originally planned if the Minnesota State High School League follows the likely recommendations of a task force it commissioned to set start and end dates for those sports.
And the door was opened slightly for the possible return of state tournaments.
The league’s Return to Participation task force met virtually Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s board of directors meeting, which is expected to determine the start and end dates of winter sports seasons along with the number of contests to be allowed in each sport.
In August the league, at the urging of the task force and following Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, mandated that fall sports adopt 20 percent shorter seasons in length and 30 percent fewer contests.
But when presented with three options for the winter sports seasons – the fall-style reduced season, a full-length season with earlier start dates and a full-length season with a later start dates that extended deeper into March – a significant number of task force members spoke in favor of a longer season with earlier start dates. They cited a need to accommodate scheduling changes in the wake of potential COVID-19 outbreaks while also not infringing upon the spring season.
Most also felt a longer season would allow for athletes to stay together longer in a safer, controlled environment. With the exception of Alpine and Nordic skiing, other winter sports — basketball, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, boys’ swimming, dance team and adapted hockey — are played indoors.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned this fall, it’s that if our kids aren’t with us, they’re [playing sports] somewhere else,” said Waconia athletic director Jill Johnson, who heads up the task force.
Said league associate director Bob Madison, “The message we continue to hear is that kids continue to participate when they’re not under our guidance.”
While the task force is expected to recommend longer seasons, it remained committed to having fewer contests, roughly 18 each in hockey and basketball. In a typical season, basketball is allowed 26 regular-season games, hockey 25. There was support, however, for allowing more than two games per week — the limit for fall sports — nodding to the challenges of rescheduling postponed games.
“We know the season will need to be tweaked to account for the inevitable positive tests that will occur,” Madison said.
The Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association has made two proposals for the hockey season, each asking for its season to begin on Nov. 16. The task force is likely to recommend starting the hockey season on Nov. 23 to reduce the amount of overlap with football, which will be in the final week of its postseason by then.
Girls’ hockey, which normally begins practice in late October, is expected to begin near the same time as boys’ hockey, a late start designed to avoid overlap with volleyball.
The boys’ basketball season will likely start on Nov. 30, two days after the completion of the football season, with girls’ basketball’s start date likely to follow a week later, again to minimize conflicts with volleyball, which will conclude Dec 12.
The task force did not spend much time Wednesday discussing potential postseason scenarios. But in a direct address to the group, league Executive Director Erich Martens said if they did not consider potential state tournament possibilities, they were “missing an opportunity.”
“We believe it’s the task of the league to advocate for increased opportunities for kids,” he said.
This year the league has resisted holding traditional state tournaments, citing the potential for them to become super-spreader events, and talked of smaller season “culmination events.”
From the The TRIBE before tomorrow:
Looks like my Source was spot on Nov 23rd Start 18 games only a Sectional and leave the door open for state
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:36 pm
by blueblood
If there are limits on fans in attendance, why only a regional and no state tournament? #SMH
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:11 am
by InThePipes
blueblood wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:36 pm
If there are limits on fans in attendance, why only a regional and no state tournament? #SMH
As they stated: This year the league has resisted holding traditional state tournaments, citing the potential for them to become super-spreader events, and talked of smaller season “culmination events.”
Nevermind the 250 plus youth hockey teams from all over the region that came into the metro for a single AAA tournament in August (not to mention the others that were held the same weekend). The Edina summer scrimmages had HS teams from all over the state in the metro at Braemar/SLP with a total 40 teams here over a weekend. I guess two separate 8 team state tournaments with no fans apparently has more potential to becoming a super-spreader event though.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:24 am
by InThePipes
InThePipes wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:11 am
blueblood wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:36 pm
If there are limits on fans in attendance, why only a regional and no state tournament? #SMH
As they stated: This year the league has resisted holding traditional state tournaments, citing the potential for them to become super-spreader events, and talked of smaller season “culmination events.”
Nevermind the 250 plus youth hockey teams from all over the region that came into the metro for a single AAA tournament in August (not to mention the others that were held the same weekend). The Edina summer scrimmages had HS teams from all over the state in the metro at Braemar/SLP with a total 40 teams here over a weekend. I guess two separate 8 team state tournaments with no fans apparently has more potential of becoming a super-spreader event though.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 8:24 am
by BSUBeaver
blueblood wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:36 pm
If there are limits on fans in attendance, why only a regional and no state tournament? #SMH
Cost. Regional tournaments are put on by the region members, State Tournament is put on by the MSHSL. If the MSHSL has to rent out a building, no matter how big or small, can they make ends meet with only 250 people in the building. And remember, it is not 250 fans, it is 250 players, officials, off ice personal and fans. So you could possibly be cutting your "paying" crowd down by a quarter to a third.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:31 am
by bodyup88
Can someone please tell me how Minnesota arrived at the magical number of 250 when NDSU is hosting a football game this weekend at the Fargodome with a ticketed crowd of 8,500 in an 18,000 seat stadium? Asking for a friend.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:58 am
by jg2112
bodyup88 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:31 am
Can someone please tell me how Minnesota arrived at the magical number of 250 when NDSU is hosting a football game this weekend at the Fargodome with a ticketed crowd of 8,500 in an 18,000 seat stadium? Asking for a friend.
Different executive decisions informed by different sets of professionals. Minnesota and North Dakota are different states.
Neither state is "wrong" per se, but this is what we all signed up for with this system of government. Different interests, voices, concerns lead to different decisions.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:27 am
by blueblood
If that’s the case, then it’s not all about the kids, no matter what the activity. Reduce the bureaucracy and think about how to execute instead of why their shouldn’t be State Tournaments.
Give me the time and I could plan a memorable event and make it happen, no matter how many constraints you throw at me.
That’s how I roll.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:34 am
by InThePipes
blueblood wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:27 am
If that’s the case, then it’s not all about the kids, no matter what the activity. Reduce the bureaucracy and think about how to execute instead of why their shouldn’t be State Tournaments.
Give me the time and I could plan a memorable event and make it happen, no matter how many constraints you throw at me.
That’s how I roll.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:13 am
by WestMetro
Well stated Blueblood !
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:15 am
by WestMetro
Yhh Reporting on Twitter that a 20% reduction Is under discussion, I am assuming that would mean 20 games instead of 25
Someone’s got to explain to me why couldn’t just add a week on each end to get to 24 .
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:17 am
by WestMetro
Update from YHH
“Board member White makes motion to 20% reduction in games. An exception to allow 3 games a week in the final two weeks for COVID make ups.”
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:21 am
by WestMetro
Another update from YHH, now we are back to a 30% reduction
“A new motion on the floor to move back to 30% reduction of the Maximized plan below (with 3 game exception for COVID make ups in final two weeks of season)”
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:25 am
by WestMetro
Someone please explain:
1.Why will either 18 or 20 games instead of 24 spread out over 2 more weeks result in a less risk of Covid?
2.
If part of the rationale is because of timing or fairness synchronization with other sports, What in the world did those other sports have to do with Hockey being played on an ice rink
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:27 am
by WestMetro
Another update
“The MSHSL board unanimously approved a 30% reduction of games (18).
Boys Hockey - Nov. 23
Girls Hockey - Nov. 30”
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 am
by goaliedad31
is the flip of boys and girls hockey to allow boys go play juniors after? they will have lots of games with juniors starting later
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:43 am
by InThePipes
goaliedad31 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 am
is the flip of boys and girls hockey to allow boys go play juniors after? they will have lots of games with juniors starting later
No, has to do with when volleyball season ends now that it's back in the fall.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:47 am
by Eagles93
goaliedad31 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:33 am
is the flip of boys and girls hockey to allow boys go play juniors after? they will have lots of games with juniors starting later
I read that Volleyball goes later than Football so they want to try to avoid that overlap.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:42 pm
by InThePipes
blueblood wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 10:27 am
If that’s the case, then it’s not all about the kids, no matter what the activity. Reduce the bureaucracy and think about how to execute instead of why their shouldn’t be State Tournaments.
Give me the time and I could plan a memorable event and make it happen, no matter how many constraints you throw at me.
That’s how I roll.
Sounds like you'll have plenty of opportunity after today's meeting.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:50 pm
by Stang5280
WestMetro wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:27 am
Another update
“The MSHSL board unanimously approved a 30% reduction of games (18).
Boys Hockey - Nov. 23
Girls Hockey - Nov. 30”
Sounds like there was no limitation on number of opponents within that 18 games? So the idea of playing the same team twice during a week (a pseudo-bubble) never came to fruition.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:52 pm
by mrchips
Any discussion of fans vs. no fans in the stands? Or are they leaving that up to the rinks/communities?
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:58 pm
by InThePipes
Stang5280 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:50 pm
WestMetro wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:27 am
Another update
“The MSHSL board unanimously approved a 30% reduction of games (18).
Boys Hockey - Nov. 23
Girls Hockey - Nov. 30”
Sounds like there was no limitation on number of opponents within that 18 games? So the idea of playing the same team twice during a week (a pseudo-bubble) never came to fruition.
It sounds like they took the MHCA proposals and immediately filed them in the nearest garbage can.
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 1:48 pm
by blueblood
Burnt them to a crisp.
Thanks for not listening to the advisors who have been monitoring and developing Safe protocols
Re: MSHSL Oct 1st Meeting (Boys Hockey Season Fate)
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 1:50 pm
by 7TIMECHAMPS
Not sure that any of this makes sense but I guess this is the world that we live in now. It is hard to see how a reduction of 7 games factors into the bigger picture. Kids will still be playing hockey on the days that they would have had a game (practice, shiny, etc). I guess it limits spread to kids from other towns? Is there evidence of on ice transmission to another team? Again, hard to see the tangible impact. Other than the impact it may have on high school hockey going forward.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the state tournaments. The idea that we can have a million youth tournaments/scrimmagefests/elite league etc but not a state tournament is mind boggling. If they got rid of the consolation/3rd place they could do a tournament that is like 7 games per class? But I guess as stated above "that is the world we are living in" and "difficult to see the tangible impact".
I am glad that we are having a season. And it seems like people are coming around more as time goes on, so I am hopeful for a state tournament. I guarantee if funding is the issue boosters, parents, etc would provide the funds to rent ice, hire officials, etc. If that doesn't happen my heart really breaks for the kids. They continue to bear the brunt of this "pandemic".
I am not up on all of this stuff, is there a limit on scrimmages? Could teams supplement some games with "scrimmages"?
