The good old days

[inthetwine]

I miss the good old days of this forum when there was many, many, many more people responding, and tons of good natured banter!

[east hockey]

I miss the good old days of this forum when there was many, many, many more people responding, and tons of good natured banter!

Twitter (or X if you insist) has picked up much of the slack over the past several years.

Lee

[ryguyMN]

I lurk more on X for high school hockey content. Maybe I'm not looking at the right accounts, but I don't really see much banter. It's more just everyone just throwing their opinion out there (mainly rankings) or what game you're watching without much conversation.

I still find a lot of good content (news and nuggets) here even if there isn't the traffic.

The younger generation are also flocking to the social media platforms. Forums are for the "boomers" (one of the overused terms of this decade, but I digress).

[east hockey]

I lurk more on X for high school hockey content. Maybe I'm not looking at the right accounts, but I don't really see much banter. It's more just everyone just throwing their opinion out there (mainly rankings) or what game you're watching without much conversation.

The younger generation are also flocking to the social media platforms. Forums are for the "boomers".

I used to get most of my info (opinions) from X but said sayonara to that platform a few months ago. Not much going on with Bluesky where I currently hang, but more people are joining every day. I'm hoping this brings in more high school hockey fans but, as you said, us fossils are still trying to make Internet Forums work and pining for a long-lost time As least we aren't stuck with Compuserve, AOL and Prodigy like in Elliot's heyday!

Lee

[TTpuckster]

I lurk more on X for high school hockey content. Maybe I'm not looking at the right accounts, but I don't really see much banter. It's more just everyone just throwing their opinion out there (mainly rankings) or what game you're watching without much conversation.

The younger generation are also flocking to the social media platforms. Forums are for the "boomers".

I used to get most of my info (opinions) from X but said sayonara to that platform a few months ago. Not much going on with Bluesky where I currently hang, but more people are joining every day. I'm hoping this brings in more high school hockey fans but, as you said, us fossils are still trying to make Internet Forums work and pining for a long-lost time As least we aren't stuck with Compuserve, AOL and Prodigy like in Elliot's heyday!

Lee

And mine!

[east hockey]

I lurk more on X for high school hockey content. Maybe I'm not looking at the right accounts, but I don't really see much banter. It's more just everyone just throwing their opinion out there (mainly rankings) or what game you're watching without much conversation.

The younger generation are also flocking to the social media platforms. Forums are for the "boomers".

I used to get most of my info (opinions) from X but said sayonara to that platform a few months ago. Not much going on with Bluesky where I currently hang, but more people are joining every day. I'm hoping this brings in more high school hockey fans but, as you said, us fossils are still trying to make Internet Forums work and pining for a long-lost time As least we aren't stuck with Compuserve, AOL and Prodigy like in Elliot's heyday!

Lee

And mine!

Yeah, nothing beat that squaking sound as our 28.8 baud modem connected to the network, did it?

Lee

[grindiangrad-80]

I have to squint my eyes real hard to remember (like Forest Gump) just to remember the good ole days.

I never did switch over to the newer platforms because I did enjoy the banter on here as well. The forum had a life of its own. There was some legendary posters on here. I’m not saying the limits weren’t exceeded . They were.

But this was, and still is, a great source for current and past Minnesota high school hockey information.

The ole days provided a ton of humor. Does anyone remember the Synergystud thread? Unbelievable night in forum history.

The current version is still very good in a different way.

Rankings by Karl and Class A guy are awesome. Both very well done.

Pagestat by Lee is really good stuff.

LQS rankings are interesting as heck.

I appreciate all the info I still get on here.

I haven’t lived near the Rapids for over 40 years. This is like home away from home during hockey season.

[TTpuckster]

There was the insanity of slapshooter. Who never made any sense.
Or did he?

[grindiangrad-80]

Slappy was the bomb.

[BlueLineSpecial]

I still enjoy this place. I follow quite a few people on twitter - but it isn't the same. It's mostly just someone posting, getting a couple of likes and then one person responding with a 5 word comment. I prefer the ability to have a more thoughtful discussion - but I guess attention spans aren't what they used to be.

If you engage certain people on twitter - the dave spehar parody account, classAguy, Jeff Papas, Karl, FabFive to name a few - you can get a dialogue going. Unfortunately it just seems like most people consume the content rather than engage.

[east hockey]

I still enjoy this place. I follow quite a few people on twitter - but it isn't the same. It's mostly just someone posting, getting a couple of likes and then one person responding with a 5 word comment. I prefer the ability to have a more thoughtful discussion - but I guess attention spans aren't what they used to be.

If you engage certain people on twitter - the dave spehar parody account, classAguy, Jeff Papas, Karl, FabFive to name a few - you can get a dialogue going. Unfortunately it just seems like most people consume the content rather than engage.

That was what I found on Twitter also. Folks like whom you mentioned were a blast to read and occasionally chime in, but the overall experience there was getting bad for my brain (yes, I actually have one! ) I miss that about being there but I can follow Karl and classAguy here, too.

Lee

[grindiangrad-80]

I do have some contact with the fab5 guys. They are a great source of hockey knowledge. I also think they are really cool people.

Looking forward to the next time I see them.

[elliott70]

Back in the day it was radio and newspapers.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

What I miss is the in depth threads that were here on big section games and especially tournament games. There's a lot to take in over the three days of the tournament, and it's easy to miss some of it.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Back in the day it was radio and newspapers.

Tell us again about when your family got that "radio with pictures" box.

[elliott70]

Back in the day it was radio and newspapers.

Tell us again about when your family got that "radio with pictures" box.

I remember like it was yesterday.
My grandparents got the 4th television in the area. My uncle’s family, my aunt’s family and our family gathered in the living room. One of the grandkids was chosen to turn the tv on. There were two channels initially cbs and nbc but abc was added and then cbc. It was black and white and grainy but magical. A few months later we got one. My Dad’s favorites were Gillette Friday night fights and a Saturday hockey night in Canada.

[inthetwine]

I hope I started something, this is exactly the humor I was looking for!

[BlueLineSpecial]

I don't think HS hockey in Minnesota has faded in popularity. Arenas are still packed for big games, there is excitement and people seem to be engaged. What does seem to have faded in popularity is bantering with strangers about it. I do feel like there's just a desire to consume content rather than be a part of it, and ultimately there's only a select few that create. For example, I saw late last night that FabFive's twitter account reposted a link to an article by LetsPlayHockey that previewed potential difference-makers in sections. It was fun to read about the various impact players heading into sections, and I always like to see a couple of Hill kids mentioned so that was enjoyable. That's great content that someone created. But no one is engaging. It's just consume and move on. What I'd much prefer is that an article like that gets talked about - that people start chiming in with players they think should have made the list, or debating who is the best of them all, etc. Instead, again, it's just posted and a bunch of people consume it.

I see classAguy post tons of great content on twitter (and yes I like reading about class A). He does an awesome job and clearly puts a lot of time into it. Yet, he'll get some likes and maybe a couple of comments - even though if you look at the views it's often in the thousands. So again, lots of consuming of content, just not a lot of active engagement.

[TTpuckster]

Back in the day it was radio and newspapers.

[The51]

I don't think HS hockey in Minnesota has faded in popularity. Arenas are still packed for big games, there is excitement and people seem to be engaged. What does seem to have faded in popularity is bantering with strangers about it. I do feel like there's just a desire to consume content rather than be a part of it, and ultimately there's only a select few that create. For example, I saw late last night that FabFive's twitter account reposted a link to an article by LetsPlayHockey that previewed potential difference-makers in sections. It was fun to read about the various impact players heading into sections, and I always like to see a couple of Hill kids mentioned so that was enjoyable. That's great content that someone created. But no one is engaging. It's just consume and move on. What I'd much prefer is that an article like that gets talked about - that people start chiming in with players they think should have made the list, or debating who is the best of them all, etc. Instead, again, it's just posted and a bunch of people consume it.

I see classAguy post tons of great content on twitter (and yes I like reading about class A). He does an awesome job and clearly puts a lot of time into it. Yet, he'll get some likes and maybe a couple of comments - even though if you look at the views it's often in the thousands. So again, lots of consuming of content, just not a lot of active engagement.

I don't think interest in MN HS hockey has faded in terms of this time of year with sections and state but it does seem to me that it has faded somewhat substantially with the regular season. I remember growing up where regular season games would be packed and sold out. Standing room only for games at Braemar.

I went to an Edina/Wayzata regular season game last year where Edina had 15 students and Wayzata had nobody but parents. The rink was a quarter full at most. It was sad to see.

Perhaps too many distractions these days?

[BlueLineSpecial]

I don't think HS hockey in Minnesota has faded in popularity. Arenas are still packed for big games, there is excitement and people seem to be engaged. What does seem to have faded in popularity is bantering with strangers about it. I do feel like there's just a desire to consume content rather than be a part of it, and ultimately there's only a select few that create. For example, I saw late last night that FabFive's twitter account reposted a link to an article by LetsPlayHockey that previewed potential difference-makers in sections. It was fun to read about the various impact players heading into sections, and I always like to see a couple of Hill kids mentioned so that was enjoyable. That's great content that someone created. But no one is engaging. It's just consume and move on. What I'd much prefer is that an article like that gets talked about - that people start chiming in with players they think should have made the list, or debating who is the best of them all, etc. Instead, again, it's just posted and a bunch of people consume it.

I see classAguy post tons of great content on twitter (and yes I like reading about class A). He does an awesome job and clearly puts a lot of time into it. Yet, he'll get some likes and maybe a couple of comments - even though if you look at the views it's often in the thousands. So again, lots of consuming of content, just not a lot of active engagement.

I don't think interest in MN HS hockey has faded in terms of this time of year with sections and state but it does seem to me that it has faded somewhat substantially with the regular season. I remember growing up where regular season games would be packed and sold out. Standing room only for games at Braemar.

I went to an Edina/Wayzata regular season game last year where Edina had 15 students and Wayzata had nobody but parents. The rink was a quarter full at most. It was sad to see.

Perhaps too many distractions these days?

That could certainly be true. I've attended a handful of games this year, and watched many more on streaming. Hill/Moorhead, Hill/STA and Hill/Stillwater all had very large crowds. Some of the other games non-Hill games I watched seemed to have good crowds. I guess it depends on the teams playing and their rankings & such.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I agree it's been a good ten years now that regular season crowds are not what they once were. And the dropoff started before games were streamed.

[ryguyMN]

As far as attendance and popularity goes, I think streaming plays a role in smaller attendance numbers. Sure, it's nothing like seeing a game live and video doesn't capture the speed of the game, but it does makes it convenient to be two places at once.

Even at this year's Holiday Classic at Braemar, but brother and I were commenting on how small the crowds were. Granted the games were a little closer to Christmas than in prior years, and that may have played a role. Last season's Tonka vs. Edina matchup at Braemar was pretty well attended. It was probably the last "big" regular season matchup I've attended.

I think there has been two "golden eras" to MN HS hockey...one from about 1984 through 1996 (when WCCO took over broadcasting rights and made a Grade A production out of it through the Jefferson dynasty and the Apple Valley/Duluth East game) and then again from 2006 through 2019 (more about the talent on the ice than the broadcasting spectacle).

[headsupsticksdown]

I don't think HS hockey in Minnesota has faded in popularity. Arenas are still packed for big games, there is excitement and people seem to be engaged. What does seem to have faded in popularity is bantering with strangers about it. I do feel like there's just a desire to consume content rather than be a part of it, and ultimately there's only a select few that create. For example, I saw late last night that FabFive's twitter account reposted a link to an article by LetsPlayHockey that previewed potential difference-makers in sections. It was fun to read about the various impact players heading into sections, and I always like to see a couple of Hill kids mentioned so that was enjoyable. That's great content that someone created. But no one is engaging. It's just consume and move on. What I'd much prefer is that an article like that gets talked about - that people start chiming in with players they think should have made the list, or debating who is the best of them all, etc. Instead, again, it's just posted and a bunch of people consume it.

I see classAguy post tons of great content on twitter (and yes I like reading about class A). He does an awesome job and clearly puts a lot of time into it. Yet, he'll get some likes and maybe a couple of comments - even though if you look at the views it's often in the thousands. So again, lots of consuming of content, just not a lot of active engagement.

I don't think interest in MN HS hockey has faded in terms of this time of year with sections and state but it does seem to me that it has faded somewhat substantially with the regular season. I remember growing up where regular season games would be packed and sold out. Standing room only for games at Braemar.

I went to an Edina/Wayzata regular season game last year where Edina had 15 students and Wayzata had nobody but parents. The rink was a quarter full at most. It was sad to see.

Perhaps too many distractions these days?

I don't know what it was like back in the day, but a few possibilities could be: 1) They stream nearly every game now, whether that's the local crew, MN Hockey, Livebarn, etc. -- being able to view things from the comfort of your home without having to travel has become the preferred option for a lot of people 2) Prices for adults are $7 and students $5 -- not sure if pricing is a factor here but things could rack up if you're going to every game. Even at some of the games, you do get a decent amount of students who turn up, but it certainly isn't a whole mob of people like you see in a lot of the media from time to time. Things obviously pick up once sections start, but I just think students have a ton of things going on these days with all the activities and other distractions.

Sadly, this new generation of kids would rather be scrolling on their phones or recording some lame af dance move for likes...

[Duluthguy]

As far as attendance and popularity goes, I think streaming plays a role in smaller attendance numbers. Sure, it's nothing like seeing a game live and video doesn't capture the speed of the game, but it does makes it convenient to be two places at once.

Even at this year's Holiday Classic at Braemar, but brother and I were commenting on how small the crowds were. Granted the games were a little closer to Christmas than in prior years, and that may have played a role. Last season's Tonka vs. Edina matchup at Braemar was pretty well attended. It was probably the last "big" regular season matchup I've attended.

I think there has been two "golden eras" to MN HS hockey...one from about 1984 through 1996 (when WCCO took over broadcasting rights and made a Grade A production out of it through the Jefferson dynasty and the Apple Valley/Duluth East game) and then again from 2006 through 2019.

I think that first golden era goes back a little further, well before 1984. I'd start it at 1969 was when the tournament moved to Met Center. The final that year was Warroad with Henry Boucha against Edina, which won its first title. All the tournaments through the next decade seemed epic--but maybe I think that because that's when I was first cognizant.

I'm guessing a few here would go back even further, to Antonovich-led Greenway teams of 67-68, or even the Falls teams with Sheehy from 64-66. But moving to an NHL rink in '69 seems to be a logical spot to me.

The other factor: The basketball tournament was "king" in terms of attention through the 1960s, but the first two-class tournament was 1971. The "passing of the crown" from basketball to hockey had probably already begun by that point, but it surely accelerated then.

The "grade A production" of the hockey tournament actually began in 1979 when KSTP got the rights and brought in a bunch of celebrities--including Howard Cosell--but also ramped up the number of cameras, replay machines, and everything else from what WTCN Channel 11 had been doing. The difference in production value was night and day.