Academy of Holy Angels

[elliott70]

Recruiting of hockey players no longer a priority?
Are they destined to be a blimp in hockey history?
Did their weak conference keep players away?

What is the story with AHA?

[Night Train]

A little metro tutorial. Took their eye off the ball and the economy.

Benilde has the SW metro private school luster for now. Benilde may have an advantage as they're based in St. Louis Park and attract players that play on the Mpls-Park co-op Bantam A team. Holy Angels is in Richfield and Richfield doesn’t have a top ranked bantam team to develop 8th and 9th graders like the Mpls-Park team ranked 6th in the State. Not sure the coach worked on his recruiting as much as in the past.

But, having mentioned recruiting, it’s my opinion that less happens than people are lead to believe. I believe most of it is parent driven, wanting their child to attend a private school to play hockey, and making statements around the arena as if they’re being recruited. Not sure it happens quite like that as I don’t think coaches, or alumni, are running around making offers like some believe. I think the Reillys decided to check out Holy Angels, talked to the coach and he said he’d be happy to have them. Not the coach running around trying to make friends with families of strong hockey players. I’m just not hearing it happen that way.

Will Hopkins figure it out as Breck, in Golden Valley, is in the Hopkins youth hockey footprint. Blake High School is in Minneapolis so maybe Blake will start to partner with Minneapolis Youth Hockey as Benilde has with St. Louis Park. The key for the 8th and 9th graders leaving their community based association to play for the youth association where their private school is located is the experience has to be perceived as likely better than the association they’re leaving. Good team and good coaching. No 8th or 9th grader is leaving a strong community association to play bantam hockey at Richfield. For now Benilde and St. Louis Park is the only partnership that seems to be a strong one. Like my comment on recruting, I'm not sure it's a formal arrangement with much of any dialogue between organizations or coaches, but it does seem to be working for both St. Louis Park Youth Hockey and Benilde.

[HShockeywatcher]

Recruiting of hockey players no longer a priority?
Are they destined to be a blimp in hockey history?
Did their weak conference keep players away?

What is the story with AHA?

The story is that they were upset in the section finals 4 seasons ago and the last 3 seasons have been beat by Edina in the section semifinals.

I guess I'm a little confused by the intent of this thread before the Stars have played one game this season.

[TTpuckster]

Recruiting of hockey players no longer a priority?
Are they destined to be a blimp in hockey history?
Did their weak conference keep players away?

What is the story with AHA?

The story is that they were upset in the section finals 4 seasons ago and the last 3 seasons have been beat by Edina in the section semifinals.

I guess I'm a little confused by the intent of this thread before the Stars have played one game this season.

The intent, I perceive, (Elliot might say otherwise),is just a little wondering why it appears that HA does not seem to be as strong as just a few years ago.

[HShockeywatcher]

They won state in 2006 and ended the year at #1 on the PageStat2 rankings. The following 4 seasons, they ended the year at #2, #18, #12 and last year at #10.

2 of the last 3 years, they have simply had 3 section opponents ranked higher. The 3rd they had 2.

Unless something has happened to implode the program that has not been mentioned, it seems more like taking a jab a good program that has lost to a good team 3 years years in a row than inquiring.

I may be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

[observer]

Watcher,

They're down this year. They may not win a single non-conference game.

[HShockeywatcher]

Watcher,

They're down this year. They may not win a single non-conference game.

This is possible. This is also a statement you could make about any teams before any season starts.

How many seniors did they lose?

Their non-conference games are Roseau, Elk River, Burnsville, two Silver cup opponents, Edina, Tonka, Hill, Eden Prairie, Shattuck and Benilde. While I personally doubt they will lose all 11 of those games; in a typical year, a team could lose to these 9 teams (with maybe the exception of ER) and be a quality team.

That being said, in a down year for the Stars, I predict them winning at least 3 of their first 5 and at least 1 of their last 6.

Regardless of personnel, I don't think before the first game is played is a good time to say a team seems to be down.

[elliott70]

They won state in 2006 and ended the year at #1 on the PageStat2 rankings. The following 4 seasons, they ended the year at #2, #18, #12 and last year at #10.

2 of the last 3 years, they have simply had 3 section opponents ranked higher. The 3rd they had 2.

Unless something has happened to implode the program that has not been mentioned, it seems more like taking a jab a good program that has lost to a good team 3 years years in a row than inquiring.

I may be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

You are wrong.
And everyone else that is posting is giving me answers.
Sure tehy lost to good teams in their secdtion, but hat is true of almost every team in every section. Last year 18-8-1, a goo drecord but not that good when you look at their conference games. In that conference they will be above .500 every year. It is what they do with the rest of it that makes them a good program or not.

The question is, 'Are they going south, and if so, why?'
Most people understood the question and answered.

[Zamman]

AHA went to state in 99, 02 -05. Won in 02 and 05.
Lost to Apple Valley in the semis in 06, lost to Burnsville in 07, lost to Edina in 08 - 10. Yes they are down, but recruiting is not the reason. Have you forgotten that recruiting is not allowed in High school sports.....
AHA pulled all their talent during their "prime" from all over the southern quadrant. Now the economy is bad and there are a lot more private schools to choose from. Also, moving sections and having to deal with a better Edina team does make it harder to get to state. Fact is, there are only 8 spots and only 8 teams go.
At least they are not like St. Thomas and all the other privates in class A.

AHA will win some games and lose some games, they play like a team and win and lose like a team. Let's wait and see....

[MNpuckfanatic77]

In my opinion the program is not going south. I feel it is very common for people to think their program is crumbling but I think they have the opportunity to surprise a lot of people. They have a lot of young talent on the team this year that are going to be with them the next few years and still as of this season have the seniors to lead the team. Their three senior captains Joseph LaBate, Cullen Hurley, and Tyler Craig are all looking to be strong and talented leaders for their squad along with the young talent I was talking about such as sophomores Frankie Mork, Mario Bianchi, Zach Hartley, and new addition CJ Smith; in addition freshmen Will Dupont who is a goalie, and Connor Hurley who played on the Shattuck St. Marys Tier 1 team last year (just to name a few). Thats also not to mention the strong coaching staff behind the team and the other younger talent they have currently on JV looking for their shot. All of that being said, I think that as long as Holy Angels gets a steady inflow of talent next year they will be a solid team giving some of the best teams in the state a run for their money. I'd watch them carefully this season too guys, it should be interesting to see the outcome this season. We'll see.

[HShockeywatcher]

In my opinion the program is not going south. I feel it is very common for people to think their program is crumbling but I think they have the opportunity to surprise a lot of people. They have a lot of young talent on the team this year that are going to be with them the next few years and still as of this season have the seniors to lead the team. Their three senior captains Joseph LaBate, Cullen Hurley, and Tyler Craig are all looking to be strong and talented leaders for their squad along with the young talent I was talking about such as sophomores Frankie Mork, Mario Bianchi, Zach Hartley, and new addition CJ Smith; in addition freshmen Will Dupont who is a goalie, and Connor Hurley who played on the Shattuck St. Marys Tier 1 team last year (just to name a few). Thats also not to mention the strong coaching staff behind the team and the other younger talent they have currently on JV looking for their shot. All of that being said, I think that as long as Holy Angels gets a steady inflow of talent next year they will be a solid team giving some of the best teams in the state a run for their money. I'd watch them carefully this season too guys, it should be interesting to see the outcome this season. We'll see.

How many seniors did they lose?

Apparently not many and it doesn't seem to matter. Best of luck; hopefully two teams in blue win state. Over and out

[old goalie85]

Sounds like they hit Jefferson hard.

[ssppuck]

HA. Come join St Thomas in class A

[MNpuckfanatic77]

HA. Come join St Thomas in class A

I don't understand what that is supposed to mean?

[Zamman]

HA. Come join St Thomas in class A

Sorry AHA plays varsity hockey......

[starmvp]

HA. Come join St Thomas in class A

Sorry AHA plays varsity hockey......

[HShockeywatcher]

HA. Come join St Thomas in class A

Sorry AHA plays varsity hockey......

Hopefully the two teams meet in Schwan's Cup...oh wait, AHA isn't in the Gold Cup this year because they went 0-3 last year.

My bad guys, I guess they are down.

[MNpuckfanatic77]

That means nothing. Last year in the tournament STA lost to Minnetonka 5-2 while AHA lost to Minnetonka 5-3. The two teams never played each other so there is no way of proving that AHA was actually the worst team in there. Besides you're saying that the program is down based on the outcome of one tournament and the fact that someone dissed STA... those are not the right reasons to say AHA is down. I do think STA has a solid program so I'm not against them by any means, I'm only saying that you are wrong about your comment that AHA is down. No Rivalry going on here, just want to make sure we take credit away from any teams.

[Zamman]

You also missed the point, maybe it is time for STA to step up and play the varsity program. I am not dissing them at all. No respect until you play with the big boys....And so they went 3 - 0. They are not the first team to have that happen and something tells me they won't be the last. Last note, the final tournament of the year is how we rate a team, not after the team has played 3 games.

[HShockeywatcher]

That means nothing. Last year in the tournament STA lost to Minnetonka 5-2 while AHA lost to Minnetonka 5-3. The two teams never played each other so there is no way of proving that AHA was actually the worst team in there. Besides you're saying that the program is down based on the outcome of one tournament and the fact that someone dissed STA... those are not the right reasons to say AHA is down. I do think STA has a solid program so I'm not against them by any means, I'm only saying that you are wrong about your comment that AHA is down. No Rivalry going on here, just want to make sure we take credit away from any teams.

You must have read one post in this thread...I have been saying all thread that they are not down and giving much evidence of it. There has been 0 evidence given that they are down this year. It was a joke, as they were the only team to go 0-3 in the Gold Cup last year. I would love to see them play sometime, as they are two schools I have a lot of respect for.

The fact that the MSHSL allows teams to opt up to a different class is the issue in my opinion. If they didn't, we would have two equally competitive tournaments, year in, year out, with the A champ many years being the best team in the state.

Funny how St Thomas hasn't made it to state in two years, has only 2 titles in their history, but yet somehow they should opt up. The logic is oozing out

[stpaul]

Success or failure in MN HS Hockey is all about going to and winning State. This reminds me of when Hill-Murray was knocked off in sections by White Bear Lake in 1994, 1995 & 1996. I heard people say that Hill-Murray was done, that enrollment was down, tuition was too high and the Godbout brothers would be their last blue chippers. In fact they were 60-14 during those 3 years. Holy Angels has averaged 21 wins over the last 5 years, but has not made it to State. I suspect that they will be back.

[MNpuckfanatic77]

Now I see what you mean. Well I do agree with all the points you are making.

[AHA fan]

Let's save opinions until after their 1st game vs Chanhassen. Strong seniors, LaBate, Hurley, Craig, Sauro, Wise, Haben. Big players, big size.

[WB6162]

My grandpa donated the land their school is built on. That's all I have.

[elliott70]

Success or failure in MN HS Hockey is all about going to and winning State. This reminds me of when Hill-Murray was knocked off in sections by White Bear Lake in 1994, 1995 & 1996. I heard people say that Hill-Murray was done, that enrollment was down, tuition was too high and the Godbout brothers would be their last blue chippers. In fact they were 60-14 during those 3 years. Holy Angels has averaged 21 wins over the last 5 years, but has not made it to State. I suspect that they will be back.

Hill has always played a very tough schedule.
AHA's conference is such that they should always be over 500.
Nice non-conference schedule this year and that should be somewhat of a tell of their team's quality.

The question is, are they trying to be an athletic school as well as an academic school as part as their recruitment process.

And don't say they don't recruit, because we are not talking about illegal recruiting but the simple fact that private schools 'recruit students'.