Mergers

[iseepalms]

So now in district 1 the only teams left without co-ops are Johnson and Como and if they combined they still could not compete.

[muckandgrind]

So now in district 1 the only teams left without co-ops are Johnson and Como and if they combined they still could not compete.

[sarcasm]But Minnesota Hockey works for entire state...don't ya know? It's the best system there is!![/sarcasm]

You're right...District 1 is the red-headed step child of the State (no offense to red headed step children everywhere)

Like I said in another thread, the system stinks and it needs to be fixed.

Maybe what ought to happen is all of District 1 associations should merge into two associations: Irondale, Mpls Park, Washburn, and Richfield could form a "Minneapolis Association" and Como, Johnson and Highland could form a "St. Paul Association" and let them move into Districts 3 and 2, respectively. That might create some competitive balance.

[conditioningsucks]

Iseepalms,

Is Highland Central involved in a co-op? What about Irondale?

Most associations that enter a co-op do so in order to provide all players the opportunity to play at a skill level that fits whether they are a C or an A player.

Seems to me that Johnson and Como should co-op or else place their teams at lower levels. They do a disservice to their kids placing them at levels where they are setting themselves up for failure (a consistent 10+ goal drubbing does nothing for a kid's desire to continue playing the game - and they certainly don't develop when the other team plays three periods of keep-away). The problem most likely is the adults - the Govvie parents don't want to give up their identity and the Saints parents don't want to give up their identity. Meanwhile their kids development and programs fall way behind proactive programs.

If they don't compete, slide 'em down a level. Associations all over the state have done this for years.

District 1 should be eliminated/reorganized in 09-10 with teams west of the Mississippi going west and teams east of the Mississippi going east.

This is where Minnesota Hockey is changing. Co-ops are here to stay and will only increase. Families in small associations want to see their kids compete and give their kids development opportunities that only can be done by having a larger pool of players.

[Tony Soprano]

conditioningsucks - Como and Johnson will probably never merge unless it is the final straw to existence. Your reference to the Saints is confusing, since that is a HS program, not a youth program, unless I missed something?

Even if Como and Johnson merged at the youth level what happens with their HS programs? I really don't think a merge at the youth level with seperate HS programs is something they would do. I know this is the youth forum, but the high schools come into play with this topic.

Having been involved with D1 for 15 years in the past, I do believe it is time to go with a St. Paul team and a Mpls team at the youth level. Then the players will go to their respective HS programs.

MN Hockey does need to try and provide the best opportunity for all players to develop at the youth level. But this is no secret about what is and has been going on with D1 numbers for several years now.

[tomASS]

So now in district 1 the only teams left without co-ops are Johnson and Como and if they combined they still could not compete.

[sarcasm]But Minnesota Hockey works for entire state...don't ya know? It's the best system there is!![/sarcasm]

You're right...District 1 is the red-headed step child of the State (no offense to red headed step children everywhere)

Like I said in another thread, the system stinks and it needs to be fixed.

Maybe what ought to happen is all of District 1 associations should merge into two associations: Irondale, Mpls Park, Washburn, and Richfield could form a "Minneapolis Association" and Como, Johnson and Highland could form a "St. Paul Association" and let them move into Districts 3 and 2, respectively. That might create some competitive balance.

The other system of open borders also has it major faults. Let the MN Hoc appeal to the masses and AAA appeal to those that want options and want to pay for it.