If you have a chance. Read the article in the StarTribune today.
The gifted hockey talent flowing freely from Minnesota has been reaching the highest levels more quickly, thanks to a number of options that speed their development.
Doug Risebrough Stated "Much like the 60's, 70's, right now I think Minnesota's producing as many or more players than anywhere in the world. It's just not the number. It's the quality of players.
It talks about Deep roots in youth hockey. It talks about training programs available for the athletes.
It even covers Minnesota made. Eric Johnson credits Bernie McBain. Johnson stated. "I honed all my skills in McBains program. We all got together when we were 9 years old. Nobody worked harder than we did. In the summers, three hours a day, five days a week.
It talked about Eric Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller all skating on the same team. From that team. Six players were drafted by the NHL.
Eight players received division I scholarships.
McBain stated "During the summer when you get into independent hockey, there are really no rules. No board saying you can't practice or play this many games."
It covers the fall Elite league an invitation league only. It gives all the elite players a chance to play with all the other elite players. Gives the Scouts a good look at all the talent.
From reading the article. I think applause should go around to all the programs out there.
I think all the people that volunteer should receive recognition.
This is: Minnesota "The State of Hockey" [/i]
I've heard more than one person state. The "99" birth year kids are the best group of kids since Johnson, Okposo and Mueller. Some say this group is better. Time will tell.
Those idiots who talk about the 99's need to watch the CBC TV show the Tournement. Then they will see how much they are like Barry McConnell (the hockey dad) and how stupid it is to label kids. I also believe the point of the article was not Bernie McBain but the fact that a player like Brian Bochenski was able to succeed in our A,B and C system. New hockey Dads and Moms won't realize how stupid they act until they have been around for a while. I am sure I get a post from one of these people, they know everything.
There was a recent story in one of the Mankato papers where the father of Zach Harrisons a player for Mankato said that his son would have never played D1 hockey if had not been for Bernie Mcbain.
Eric Johnson in the Bloomington magazine credited Bernie Mcbain and Denny Connelly with his success. He has to be doing some thing right.
0904-
You're walking a dangerous line. The anti-Minnesota made people will not like to hear such things.
It even covers Minnesota made. Eric Johnson credits Bernie McBain. Johnson stated. "I honed all my skills in McBains program. We all got together when we were 9 years old. Nobody worked harder than we did. In the summers, three hours a day, five days a week.
It talked about Eric Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller all skating on the same team. From that team. Six players were drafted by the NHL. Eight players received division I scholarships.
McBain stated "During the summer when you get into independent hockey, there are really no rules. No board saying you can't practice or play this many games."
HockeyDadMN wrote:Bernie McBain's son was one of the first round picks in 2006, so obviously Bernie recruited and trained a good youth team for his son to play on.
In 2007 the #1 and #2 picks were Americans for the first time ever. Ten Americans were drafted in the first round.
How many were trained by Bernie McBain? I could be wrong, but I don't think any were.
I have nothing against Bernie and he has a great program, but let's see how many kids trained by Bernie will be drafted in 2008.
Any guesses?
Jamie McBain was not a 1st Rounder. The time spent training kids was mainly with those his son's age. His next group won't be draft-eligible for years so it doesn't make sense to judge him on the 2008 Draft.
Since there have been only parts of the article mentioned here is the whole article.
The notion that Minnesota is the state of hockey is nothing new. Heck, it's been
trademarked. The state has been producing NHL players pretty much as long as thel eague has been around.
But the past few years the number of highly drafted, highly anticipated, high-impact
players has been on the rise.
"For 20 years you had a bunch of OK players," said Tom Thompson, assistant general
manager for the Minnesota Wild. "It wasn't like there weren't players coming through. But
there weren't many top-end guys for quite a while. Now there are guys every year."
To wit:
• Twenty Minnesotans were taken in the first two rounds of the past three NHL entry
drafts. Among them: Peter Mueller, center for the Phoenix Coyotes, and Erik Johnson,
defenseman for the St. Louis Blues.
• Four of the 16 players in the Young Stars game at the NHL All-Star weekend were from
Minnesota.
• Six Minnesotans were on the 22-man USA Hockey team that went to the world junior
championships last month in the Czech Republic.
"I think it's a unique environment right now," Wild President and General Manager Doug
Risebrough said. "Much like the '60s, '70s, right now I think Minnesota's producing as
many or more players than anywhere in the world. And it's not just the number, it's the
quality -- Erik Johnson, [Kyle] Okposo -- these guys are top picks."
Thompson, who oversees the Wild's amateur scouting, has been watching this state for
decades. He was with Calgary when the Flames chose Bemidji's George Pelawa in the
first round of the 1986 draft. So he has seen the ebbs and flows of hockey talent. What
does he think of today's skill level?
"Elite level talent in this state is being developed more," Thompson said.
Developed, and noticed. Of the 38 Minnesotans who have played for an NHL team this
season, 27 are 27 years old or younger, and 16 were drafted in the first three rounds of
the NHL draft.
Young stars? Johnson and Mueller were among six Minnesotans who were taken in the
first two rounds of the 2006 draft. Johnson went first overall. Kyle Okposo -- who left the
University of Minnesota in December and who appears on the verge of being called up by
the New York Islanders -- went seventh. Mueller went eighth.
"Minnesota has been on the upswing the last few years," said Jim Johannson, a
Rochester native and the senior director of hockey operations for USA Hockey.
"[Minnesota is] separating itself a bit from other places. And I think what has been really
impressive is the physical ability of these guys. There are some real horses in the bunch.
Some big guys who have the athleticism. I'm saying they're physically built better. They're
training better, and they're men at a younger age"
Deep roots to youth hockey
Minnesota has always had a deep and strong youth hockey system. This is the one
constant in the equation, Johannson said. "You have to credit the structure of youth
hockey," he said. "By and large in Minnesota, it's, 'I want to make the Bloomington team,'
or 'I want to make the Edina team.' Every kid wants to play for his team."
According to Mark Jorgensen, executive director of Minnesota Hockey, 34,726 boys were
registered in youth hockey in Minnesota this year. That is slightly more than runner-up
Massachusetts (34,642).
But it's the structure, not just the size, that matters. In most states youth hockey is
club-based, set up to cull lower-level players at a young age. Minnesota's is
community-based, with A and B leagues, and is more inclusive.
"It gives kids time to develop," Jorgensen said. "That's our secret. A kid can play B
hockey for years, develop his skills, then jump up."
One example of that is Anaheim Ducks winger Brandon Bochenski, who played B-level
youth hockey for years until he developed into a top-level talent. In another state, he
might have been lost along the way, Jorgensen said.
And high school hockey is still played at a level unmatched around the country. Phil
Housley went from South St. Paul High School to the NHL in the early 1980s and played
for 21 seasons. Housley, who now coaches at Stillwater High School, said high school
hockey is as competitive as it's ever been.
"I think the state high school tournament, over the last four years, is getting back to where
it used to be," Housley said. "The competition is great."
Risebrough does a great deal of scouting and lately has spent a lot of time in Minnesota.
He has watched enough to think there are at least two more high-end draft picks coming
in Minnetonka's Jake Gardiner and Roseau's Aaron Ness. But those two aren't alone.
''There is a high level of competition," he said of the Minnesota high school scene. ''So,
consequently, people are finding good coaches. The enthusiasm is back. ... I went to
three games, and they were all really good crowds."
Other avenues for elite players
But why are so many elite players emerging now?
"There are so many options for good young players to play more, to develop more, I
guess just to get on the ice more against high-quality opponents," said Phoenix
defenseman Keith Ballard, a Baudette native who was the 11th pick in the 2002 draft.
Want to play 365 days a year? Take your pick.
There is Jason Berg's FHIT (Flex Hockey Institute of Training) in Mendota Heights. His
company is four years old, and it specializes in both on- and off-ice training. Berg, who is
also the Minnesota scout for the United States Hockey League, is well aware of all the
options a player has. One of his company's goals is to advise each player according to
what's best for him, Berg said. For example, he advised Ryan McDonagh to stay in high
school so he could play baseball. Gardiner stayed at Minnetonka so he could compete for
the golf team.
Bernie McBain's 15-year-old Minnesota Made program in Edina is another training option.
Many of the high-end NHL draftees have worked through his summer program.
McBain has a picture that was taken seven years ago on a frozen pond in his back yard.
All the boys in the picture are 12 years old, and all had spent countless hours every
summer in his program. In the picture are Johnson, Okposo and Mueller. All three were
first-round picks in 2006.
On the ice that winter day long ago were six players who were drafted by the NHL and
eight who got Division I scholarships. But it was the warm-weather months when those
players honed their skills.
"During the summer, when you get into independent hockey, there are really no rules,"
McBain said. "No board saying you can't practice or only play this many games."
Johnson said he honed his skills during those sessions in McBain's program. "The first
time we all got together we were 9," he said. "Nobody worked harder than we did. In the
summers, three hours a day, five days a week."
More options abound
Twenty years ago, a player had few choices once he reached high school age. He could
play for his local school or leave and play juniors. Those options are still there. But there
are other options, too:
• The fall Elite League, an invitation-only league that starts with a training camp on Labor
Day and includes 24 games played over eight weekends.
The advantage is that top-level players can get two months of exposure against other top
players and still have the option of playing for their high school team in the winter. It also
offers college and pro scouts an opportunity to see the best the state has to offer under
one roof.
"Scouts get to see, for eight weekends straight, a kid play against other top-level kids,"
said Chris McAlpine, an NHL agent and former NHL player who coaches one of the Elite
teams each fall.
• Another option is the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, which was
created in 1996 and is based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Since its inception, nine Minnesotans
have gone through that program and ended up as first-round NHL picks, including
Johnson, Mueller and Ballard. Currently there are four Minnesotans on the NTDP's
under-18 team, including Jordan Schroeder and Danny Kristo, two of Berg's clients.
Ryan Rezmierski is the program's director of player personnel. A staff of scouts scours
the country in search of talent, and 46 players get an invitation to a tryout camp each
year in March. Those who make the team -- and choose to move away from home -- are
treated to an intense program. Each year the team plays most of its games against older
players -- including college opponents.
"We push them," Rezmierski said. "We play them against older players, accelerate their
development, then they come down and play against players their own age in
international tournaments."
Final choices, NHL future
Scott Monaghan is the director of operations for the Ann Arbor program. He looks out
over an amateur hockey landscape that looks a lot different than it used to.
"Things have changed so much in the past 20 years," he said. "There are so many
options for kids. A kid can do what he wants to do developmentally."
There are many paths to choose for a player. He can go through high school, choose
juniors or, given the opportunity, move to Michigan. But, more often, those roads are
leading to the NHL for some of Minnesota's top young hockey players.
"It used to be you'd go to college, and you'd get the training you needed there, then you'd
become a top-tier NHL prospect," Johnson said. "Now those guys are already prospects,
and they [go to college] to hone their skills and mature. Colleges do a great job. But guys
are getting better a lot earlier."
What I find very interesting is that more is mentioned about the association and High school hockey. Yes some do give Bernie credit but also they played with other organizations including the NDTP. More made it using other origination's.
Greybeard- You make a great point. That's the subject of the article. Many different avenues for players to take. Minnesota overall is doing a great job at developing the players.
I think the associations are doing a great job. Just as AAA hockey is doing a great job. Just as Minnesota made is doing a great job. I found it interesting that Eric Johnson gives more credit to Bernie than anyone.
The number where he was picked is important for the contract he signs. The most important part is what they make of the opportunity's when they get them. To often players that were high draft picks seem sometimes to struggle and others that developed later seem to do rather well. Sometime it only takes an injury or other misfortune to strike and then it is all gone. The good question to ask is how many undrafted players succeed in the various levels of hockey.
I would also believe that if a person has the talent to develope NHL quality players on a constant basis then I believe that there would be a number of programs knocking on the door with some really high numbers in a contract.
Coachk wrote:Those idiots who talk about the 99's need to watch the CBC TV show the Tournement. Then they will see how much they are like Barry McConnell (the hockey dad) and how stupid it is to label kids. I also believe the point of the article was not Bernie McBain but the fact that a player like Brian Bochenski was able to succeed in our A,B and C system. New hockey Dads and Moms won't realize how stupid they act until they have been around for a while. I am sure I get a post from one of these people, they know everything.
Coachk,
Would you mind explaining what you mean by "New hockey Dads and Moms won't realize how stupid they act until they have been around for a while"?
This isn't a loaded question as I think we're on the same page (or am I the stupid parent your referring too). I'm not understanding what you might believe to be obvious in your post. Thank you!
Just so you know where I stand: I love McBain. Summer training is a must to compete at a high level. But the key is still "keeping it fun"!
Lastly, people forget kids can still play summer hockey and have fun!
Last edited by mnhcp on Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Coachk wrote:Those idiots who talk about the 99's need to watch the CBC TV show the Tournement. Then they will see how much they are like Barry McConnell (the hockey dad) and how stupid it is to label kids. I also believe the point of the article was not Bernie McBain but the fact that a player like Brian Bochenski was able to succeed in our A,B and C system. New hockey Dads and Moms won't realize how stupid they act until they have been around for a while. I am sure I get a post from one of these people, they know everything.
Coachk,
Would you mind explaining what you mean by "New hockey Dads and Moms won't realize how stupid they act until they have been around for a while"?
I never heard of the CBS show Tournament? I even googled it to no avail.
This isn't a loaded question as I think we're on the same page (or am I the stupid parent your referring too). I'm not understanding what you might believe to be obvious in your post. Thank you!
Just so you know where I stand: I love McBain. Summer training is a must to compete at a high level. But the key is still "keeping it fun"!
Lastly, people forget kids can still play summer hockey and have fun!
