Hockey players playing football?

[Mite-dad]

Any notable hockey players having good football seasons? Just curious how many of the top high school hockey players also play football.

[elliott70]

I cannot think of any hockey player on the varsity football team in Bemidji.
And cannot recall any for several years.

[OTB987]

My guess was that football is too physically demanding and that more hockey players play high school soccer than football.

But, in a short glance at the mnsoccerhub.com (which is not much better than the hockey version by the way) and mshsl website at the top Twin Cities team rosters I only found one name that played varsity hockey last year. I saw more hockey players playing soccer from the northern part of the state (Hermantown, Marshall) so I guess I was wrong.

I see a lot of hockey players playing Spring sports.

[Wblhcky2424]

He's plays 2nd/3rd line so he's not a "top" hockey player but Tyler Steffen from White Bear plays on the football team. He actually quit soccer after his sophomore year to play football and was actually one of the top receivers on the team last year. They have him playing mostly defense this year though

[old goalie85]

Jonny Suess / Brandan Rodgers both are starters on the football team @ Forest lAKE. Rodgers has played varsity hockey since 9th grade Suess since soph year. Four or five hockey players on soccer team.

[Froggy Richards]

Any notable hockey players having good football seasons? Just curious how many of the top high school hockey players also play football.

Very interesting topic. I'm guessing you don't see a lot of Hockey Players playing football anymore in the large, metro areas. They still do in the smaller towns but even that is decreasing as more and more are being turned off on Football because of all of the concussion and head trauma stories. It's been predicted by a lot of smart people that football as we know it may not exist anymore in 15-20 years. I read an interesting article awhile back that predicted in 5-10 years only those that are on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum will be playing it, hence, even less Hockey Players.

I played High School football and hockey. But back then you didn't have the opportunities to start playing hockey in August to gear up for the season. And Soccer was only available in the Twin Cities Metro. I played WR and CB so I wasn't in the trenches, I knew how to tackle properly and never suffered a serious injury. I did get one pretty serious concussion, but nobody really talked about them back then. So I played the rest of the game. My son is obsessed with sports but I purposely never introduced him to football or showed any interest in it myself. I always highlighted the injury stories. Obviously, I don't want him to play it but I'm not sure if I could say no if he asked. But right now I'm thankful that he doesn't want to and plays Soccer. I just don't know if it's possible to play football and not suffer a concussion or three at some point. It makes no difference what they do with the helmet or how much they stress safety. When two kids collide, which happens on every single play, there is a pretty good chance your brain is going to bounce off the inside of your skull. I'm not sure why parents would even want their kids to play football anymore. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great game and that's just my opinion. And I realize the chances of concussions are high in Hockey too. But you can't avoid big contact in Football, it's the end result of every play. It's not like a small, quick center in hockey that you can never seem to line up for a solid hit.

[xy]

You have to think that Zach Budish's knee injury while playing football in high school has scared some players off who might have also played football. For players with a potential Division I/NHL future, I can't say that's a bad decision; it's up to the kid and his family. Paul Martin, I have read, doesn't regret playing high school football, but had he blown an ACL, he'd likely have a different view.

[almostashappy]

The Elite League has provided even more reasons for top-end players not to play football in the fall. While it claims that its schedule accommodates fall sports seasons, it's not all that conducive.

At Eagan, both Nicky Wolff and Zach Glinke quit football after being varsity starters their junior years so that they could focus on hockey. OTOH, last year's second line wing Spencer Roth is lighting it up on the football field this season.

[nahc]

Highschool hockey is changing. The sport is becoming more finess and less about physical play. Can see why most kids would play soccer and hockey...... Football takes a differant breed if athlete that does not mind physical contact. Fewer and fewer hockey players fit that mold. Defense is a perfect example. The big, strong, physical, great D zone player is being phased out for more "end to end" types. Not saying this is right or wrong just the way the game is evolving.

[Mite-dad]

Any notable hockey players having good football seasons? Just curious how many of the top high school hockey players also play football.

Very interesting topic. I'm guessing you don't see a lot of Hockey Players playing football anymore in the large, metro areas. They still do in the smaller towns but even that is decreasing as more and more are being turned off on Football because of all of the concussion and head trauma stories. It's been predicted by a lot of smart people that football as we know it may not exist anymore in 15-20 years. I read an interesting article awhile back that predicted in 5-10 years only those that are on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum will be playing it, hence, even less Hockey Players.

I played High School football and hockey. But back then you didn't have the opportunities to start playing hockey in August to gear up for the season. And Soccer was only available in the Twin Cities Metro. I played WR and CB so I wasn't in the trenches, I knew how to tackle properly and never suffered a serious injury. I did get one pretty serious concussion, but nobody really talked about them back then. So I played the rest of the game. My son is obsessed with sports but I purposely never introduced him to football or showed any interest in it myself. I always highlighted the injury stories. Obviously, I don't want him to play it but I'm not sure if I could say no if he asked. But right now I'm thankful that he doesn't want to and plays Soccer. I just don't know if it's possible to play football and not suffer a concussion or three at some point. It makes no difference what they do with the helmet or how much they stress safety. When two kids collide, which happens on every single play, there is a pretty good chance your brain is going to bounce off the inside of your skull. I'm not sure why parents would even want their kids to play football anymore. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great game and that's just my opinion. And I realize the chances of concussions are high in Hockey too. But you can't avoid big contact in Football, it's the end result of every play. It's not like a small, quick center in hockey that you can never seem to line up for a solid hit.

Interesting you should bring that up because in our smallish town, we need 3 sport athletes to have competitive teams in all of our sports. We don't have the luxury of having enough athletes to be competitive in everything. There are several hockey players playing varsity football. At one time I thought the 3 sport athlete was an admirable goal for a student. Now it seems like way too much. Every sport demands way more commitment than when I was a 3 sporter.

As far as playing hockey and football, I can see why parents want nothing to do with football. They've invested a ton of money in hockey and the thought of sending their kid into two solid months of collision football and then another 5-6 months of hockey isn't maybe the wisest choice. Two very physical sports in a row is a lot to ask nowadays. I know I tried to talk my boys out of playing football, but I failed. One thing that ticked me off though, was one of my boys was kind of guilt-ed into playing by an administrator and a football coach. There is a lot of pressure to play in a small town. At least in my small town.

[SCBlueLiner]

Highschool hockey is changing. The sport is becoming more finess and less about physical play. Can see why most kids would play soccer and hockey...... Football takes a differant breed if athlete that does not mind physical contact. Fewer and fewer hockey players fit that mold. Defense is a perfect example. The big, strong, physical, great D zone player is being phased out for more "end to end" types. Not saying this is right or wrong just the way the game is evolving.

Styles change, what once was old will be new once again. Imagine a defenseman who could set himself apart from the rest of the D clones who are "end to end" types precisely because he has skills but is also rugged, physical, and goes hard to the body. Such a player would get noticed. Imagine an entire team that adopts that and plays a very physical style. Could become a pretty successful team...or spend every minute in the penalty box because every check is "loud" and we can't have that anymore.

[SCBlueLiner]

I'll also add my son is playing JR High football. I played football through college so I am partial to the sport. I do cringe though and am just hoping he makes it through the season with no injuries. One thing for sure, football makes these boys harder, more aggressive, and more physical. He's also a lot stronger for having played football. I've noticed a big difference in just a month in his strength and physique.

[Sats81]

I played HS football and Hockey at a very large metro school not that long ago (late 90s) and played college football on a scholarship. The majority of every guy I played with on the hockey team (9 regular forwards and 6 d-men) played HS football (depending on the 3 yrs I played HS, it varied anywhere from 9-13 guys.) Most everyone played a spring sport (baseball, track or tennis as well) Our football teams were top 5-10 every year, hockey teams top 10-15. I think this had a great deal to do with kids learning to compete hard and play tough and physical and a lot of that is forged through football. I am not arguing the concussion issue that is becoming clearly apparent these days. I think what is happening is real and serious but sad as well. My HS that I went to is now a top 5 hockey school and top 3-5 football team annually, and I am almost certain there are ZERO kids on the hockey team that play football. The last of the football/hockey kids was probably 2-3 years ago and he plays college football I believe and was a pretty solid, above average skill, but very tough, rugged, physical HS hockey player that, as pointed out earlier in this thread we are seeing less and less of.

[green4]

Ben Foley, the senior defenseman for the Hornets plays football. I think he might actually be the captain.

[puckbreath]

It's very close, if not already there, very difficult for a kid to play much more than one sport these days.

Every sport demands much, much more time than even the recent past. They all have pre and post season crap going on.

I know a handful of three sport athletes, every year for the last ten or so, and *every* one of them was so burned out by the time they graduated, they were done with all sports.

And every one of them, in my mind because of playing to many sports in today's environment, was mediocre at all of them......

[slacsap]

Davis Zarembinski is about to play his third year of varsity hockey for Hill-Murray and is a starting running back, defensive back and punter for the football team

[alcloseshaver]

Pete Jones of Elk River is playing linebacker and some fullback for the football team. Big kid.

[nosoupforyou]

Davis Zarembinski is about to play his third year of varsity hockey for Hill-Murray and is a starting running back, defensive back and punter for the football team

Davis a nice little football player.

Kellen Campbell and Zach Taylor for Mahtomedi, both 2 year hockey letter winners, playing football for Mahtomedi. Campbell is a captain in both sports. Similar to other smaller communities that see more multi-sport athletes, last year's hockey team had 10 players that also played football. However, this year the number will be less than half as last year as several have quit football and are down to single sport. Doesn't make as much sense to me for players not to play multiple sports when they most likely are not going to play much further after high school. Take advantage of the options in HS before you move closer to the real world.

[goldy313]

We were talking about this the other night, Mike Kvasnicka from Lakeville might be last 3 sport athlete who was recruited D1 in 3 sports; football, hockey, and baseball. He was 2007 or so, maybe earlier. He chose baseball by the way.

Maybe (heck, probably) we missed someone though.

[57special]

Ben Foley, the senior defenseman for the Hornets plays football. I think he might actually be the captain.

I believe one of the few freshman on the Varsity football team is also likely to make the Varsity hockey team, as he is one of the uber talented Edina hockey players. I did hear that he might've injured his ankle in the opener?

[blindref]

Both of my sons played football, hockey and baseball in high school.
The older own now plays college baseball, the hs junior hopes to possibly
play Dlll hockey someday. He has played varsity since he was a freshman.
Their teams have had 5-6 football players each hear.
The older kid broke his arm playing football as a senior and was out for
a month.
He broke his other arm two years before that on a dirt bike.
You can't put kids in bubble wrap year round.

I've read several articles that state that more soccer players fill up
the ER than any other sport. I think this is because of huge youth
participation. I do know three soccer players that have had a concussion.

[Sats81]

We were talking about this the other night, Mike Kvasnicka from Lakeville might be last 3 sport athlete who was recruited D1 in 3 sports; football, hockey, and baseball. He was 2007 or so, maybe earlier. He chose baseball by the way.

Maybe (heck, probably) we missed someone though.

Excellent baseball player. Have a very hard time believing he could of played D1 in hockey or football. D2 football at best, maybe a small D1 in hockey after grinding it out 2 years in Juniors.

[Sats81]

We were talking about this the other night, Mike Kvasnicka from Lakeville might be last 3 sport athlete who was recruited D1 in 3 sports; football, hockey, and baseball. He was 2007 or so, maybe earlier. He chose baseball by the way.

Maybe (heck, probably) we missed someone though.

Excellent baseball player. Have a very hard time believing he could of played D1 in hockey or football. D2 football at best, maybe a small D1 in hockey after grinding it out 2 years in Juniors.

Of course "being recruited" and actually playing are two COMPLETELY different things.

[keepyourheadup]

Charlie Hayes from Lakeville North played football (all state and now playing at Augustana) Hockey (first line player) and Lacrosse his senior year in 2012. A real rarity these days.

[keepyourheadup]

Come to think of it I think Brady Skjie did the same thing as a freshman....football,hockey, golf