Elite II Rosters

[Sioux Fan]

My point was that the term Elite may be attractive but I have yet to see or understand it.

I was saying as long as we are cutting 44 good players nad another 17 to 20 good seniors wanted to play that are on the other team down here that we could have an even more competitive league with the seniors and top juniors and some sophomores and another with the juniors sophomores and freshman that are going on to High school.

I do know that we are trying to reduce the costs.

I do know that our practices are good and if a player wants to get better it is a good place to play. I think if we encourage our top kids to participate it will only get better for everyone involved. I never know on a given weekend who is going to perform up to thier ablity level or who is going to actually do better than I thought they could. It happens all the time that players get more serious train harder get better. I have one kid that has really improved this season and I am sure he is going to have a lot of fun this year and it is because of what he is doing.

[High Flyer]

My point was that the term Elite may be attractive but I have yet to see or understand it.
.

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues, which is why I suspect that you don't "see or understand it".

Another way of understanding what the term "elite" should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about.

[seek & destroy]

Another way of understanding what the term "elite" should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about.

Here's a partial list from the last 2 years:

Aaron Ness-LD Roseau 5'9 165 5-18-90 MINNESOTA Great Plains
Jordy Murray-RC Shattuck St.Mary's 5'10 172 1-8-90 WISCONSIN Great Plains
Joe Gleason-RD Edina 5'10 170 3-30-90 NORTH DAKOTA (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Jake Gardiner-LD Minnetonka 6'1 170 7-4-90 WISCONSIN (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Joey Frazer-RC Brainerd 5'7 155 5-18-90 NEBRASKA-OMAHA (2009) Team North
John O'Neill-C Anoka 5'10 155 4-4-90 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team NW
Adam Mueller-LC Roseville 5'9 155 10-4-89 MINNESOTA STATE (2009) Team NE
Drew Olson-LD Brainerd 5'11 195 4-4-90 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team North
Tyler Barnes-TC Burnsville 6' 175 2-13-90 WISCONSIN ( 2009) Team SW
Nathan Condon-LC Wausau, WI 6'1 185 5-29-90 MINNESOTA (2009) Team WI
Cory Fienhage-RD Eastview 6'4 195 5-4-90 NORTH DAKOTA Team NE
Jake Hendrickson-RC Burnsville 5'10 175 10-2-89 MINNESOTA-DULUTH (2009) Team SW
Anthony Decenzo-RW Hibbing 5'8 155 8-25-89 VERMONT (2009 or 2010) Team North
Chris Student-RD Benilde St.Margaret 5'9 160 7-22-89 NORTHEASTERN (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Rob Maloney-RW Eastview 5'11 178 12-16-89 PROVIDENCE Team SE
Justin Jokinen-RW Cloquet 6'2 165 11-25-89 MINNESOTA STATE Team North
Anthony Raiola-LD Minnetonka 6'1 185 1-4-90 U.MASS (2009) Team SW
Luke McManus-LD Rosemount 6' 178 5-9-90 U.MINN-DULUTH (2009) Team SE
Bryce Ravndalen-W Warroad 5'8 170 8-17-89 ST.CLOUD (2009) Great Plains
Matt Bergland-LW Benilde St.Margaret 5'10 175 5-28-90 PROVIDENCE Team SW
Zach Lehrke-C Park Rapids 5'8 160 6-4-90 MINNESOTA STATE (2009) Great Plains
David Eddy-RW Woodbury 5'10 165 12-10-89 ST.CLOUD (2009) Team NE
Chris Stafne-C Duluth Denfield 5'10 170 -89 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team North
David Brown-LD Cloquet 6'1 190-5-29-89 PROVIDENCE Team North
Jack Barnes-LC The Blake School 6' -1989 ARMY Team SW
Ben Hanowski-LW Little Falls 6'1 175 10-18-90 ST.CLOUD STATE Team North
Danny Mattson-RC Holy Angels 5'9 165 11-20-90 NORTH DAKOTA Team SW
Zack Budish-RW Edina 6'2 195 5-9-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Nick Leddy-LD Eden Prairie 5'11 170 3-20-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Tyler Pitlick-RW Centennial 5'10 150 11-1-91 MINNESOTA STATE Team NE
Nick Oliver-LC Roseau 6'1 190 5-4-91 ST.CLOUD STATE Great Plans
Josh Birkholz-RC Blake School 6' 170 3-28-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Seth Helgeson-D Faribault 6'4 185 10-8-90 MINNESOTA Team SW
Marshall Everson-LC Edina 6'1 188 9-5-90 HARVARD Team SW
Tyler Lapic-RW New Prague 6'2 195 -91 WISCONSIN (2010) Team SW
Max Tardy-C Duluth East 5'10 165 10-27-90 MINNESOTA-DULUTH Team North
Steven Hoshaw-D Culver Military 6'2 195 3-21-90 ALASKA-FAIRBANKS (2010)
Corey Leivermann-RC Mankato West HS 6'1 168 -90 MINNESOTA STATE (2010) Team SW
Michael Lee-G Roseau 6'1 180 10-5-90 ST.CLOUD STATE Team North
Nate Schmidt-LD St.Cloud Cathedral 6' 185 7-16-91 MINNESOTA Team North
Ryan Walters-LC St.Thomas Academy 6'0 175 7-30-91 MINNESOTA Team SE
Mark Alt-D Cretin-Derham Hall 6'4 185 -91 MINNESOTA Team NE
2007 Selections
Ryan McDonagh-LD Cretin-Derham 6'1 190 6-13-89 WISCONSIN Team NE
Taylor Matson-RW Holy Angels 5'10 160 9-16-88 MINNESOTA (2008) Team SW
Nick Larson-RW Hill-Murray 6'0 170 1-16-89 MINNESOTA Team NE
Patrick White-RW Grand Rapids 6'1 190 1-20-89 MINNESOTA Team North
Tyler Johnson-RC Cloquet 5'8 160 1-4-89 COLORADO COLLEGE Team North
Aaron Marvin-C/LW Warroad 6'3 180 5-27-88 ST.CLOUD Great Plains
Adam Estoclet-RW Benilde St.Margaret 6'2 172 3-24-89 DARTMOUTH Team SW
Bryan Brutlag-RD Holy Angels 6'1 190 5-25-89 RPI Team SW
Josh Levine-RW Bloomington Jefferson 5'10 205 11-10-88 PRINCETON (2008) Team SW
Mike Louwerse-RW Blake 5'8 155 8-21-88 MINNESOTA STATE Team SW
Jordy Christian-RW Moorhead 5'9 155 6-10-88 ST.CLOUD(2008) Great Plains
Chris Hickey-RC Cretin 6'1 190 9-28-88 WISCONSIN (2008) Team NE
John Lee-RD Moorhead 6'2 170 1-16-89 DENVER (2008) Great Plains
Tyler Kieffer-LD Stillwater 5'11 188 7-20-89 ST.CLOUD (2008) Team NE
Jeff Foss-D Moorhead 6'2 180 12-12-88 RPI Great Plains
Travis Erstad-RC Steven Point 6'4 185 11-9-88 WISCONSIN Team WI
Tyler Thompson-RW Benilde St.Margaret 5'11 185 3-24-89 MANKATO STATE Team SW
Brandon Martell-D Elk River 6'2 195 12-15-88 MINNESOTA (2008) Team NW
Matt Reber-RC Edina 6'1 165 1-16-89 DARTMOUTH Team SW
Joe Stejskal-D Grand Rapids 6'2 190 4-30-88 DARTMOUTH Team North
Scott Kishel-D Virginia 5'11 165 4-21-89 U.MINN-DULUTH (2008) Team North
James Knelman-W Holy Angels 6'0 200 8-27-88 COLGATE Team SW
Jack Connelly-C Duluth Marshall 5'8 160 8-15-89 MINNESOTA-DULUTH(2009) Team North
Joe Schiller-RW Detroit Lakes HS 6' 180 6-24-88 MINNESOTA STATE (2008) Great Plains
Dan Vranek-RW Eden Prairie 5'6 155 1-18-89 U.NEW HAMPSHIRE Team SW
Reid Ellingson-G Cloquet 5'9 155 4-14-89 NORTHERN MICHIGAN Team North

[High Flyer]

Another way of understanding what the term "elite" should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about.

Here's a partial list from the last 2 years:

Aaron Ness-LD Roseau 5'9 165 5-18-90 MINNESOTA Great Plains
Jordy Murray-RC Shattuck St.Mary's 5'10 172 1-8-90 WISCONSIN Great Plains
Joe Gleason-RD Edina 5'10 170 3-30-90 NORTH DAKOTA (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Jake Gardiner-LD Minnetonka 6'1 170 7-4-90 WISCONSIN (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Joey Frazer-RC Brainerd 5'7 155 5-18-90 NEBRASKA-OMAHA (2009) Team North
John O'Neill-C Anoka 5'10 155 4-4-90 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team NW
Adam Mueller-LC Roseville 5'9 155 10-4-89 MINNESOTA STATE (2009) Team NE
Drew Olson-LD Brainerd 5'11 195 4-4-90 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team North
Tyler Barnes-TC Burnsville 6' 175 2-13-90 WISCONSIN ( 2009) Team SW
Nathan Condon-LC Wausau, WI 6'1 185 5-29-90 MINNESOTA (2009) Team WI
Cory Fienhage-RD Eastview 6'4 195 5-4-90 NORTH DAKOTA Team NE
Jake Hendrickson-RC Burnsville 5'10 175 10-2-89 MINNESOTA-DULUTH (2009) Team SW
Anthony Decenzo-RW Hibbing 5'8 155 8-25-89 VERMONT (2009 or 2010) Team North
Chris Student-RD Benilde St.Margaret 5'9 160 7-22-89 NORTHEASTERN (2008 or 2009) Team SW
Rob Maloney-RW Eastview 5'11 178 12-16-89 PROVIDENCE Team SE
Justin Jokinen-RW Cloquet 6'2 165 11-25-89 MINNESOTA STATE Team North
Anthony Raiola-LD Minnetonka 6'1 185 1-4-90 U.MASS (2009) Team SW
Luke McManus-LD Rosemount 6' 178 5-9-90 U.MINN-DULUTH (2009) Team SE
Bryce Ravndalen-W Warroad 5'8 170 8-17-89 ST.CLOUD (2009) Great Plains
Matt Bergland-LW Benilde St.Margaret 5'10 175 5-28-90 PROVIDENCE Team SW
Zach Lehrke-C Park Rapids 5'8 160 6-4-90 MINNESOTA STATE (2009) Great Plains
David Eddy-RW Woodbury 5'10 165 12-10-89 ST.CLOUD (2009) Team NE
Chris Stafne-C Duluth Denfield 5'10 170 -89 MINNESOTA DULUTH (2009) Team North
David Brown-LD Cloquet 6'1 190-5-29-89 PROVIDENCE Team North
Jack Barnes-LC The Blake School 6' -1989 ARMY Team SW
Ben Hanowski-LW Little Falls 6'1 175 10-18-90 ST.CLOUD STATE Team North
Danny Mattson-RC Holy Angels 5'9 165 11-20-90 NORTH DAKOTA Team SW
Zack Budish-RW Edina 6'2 195 5-9-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Nick Leddy-LD Eden Prairie 5'11 170 3-20-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Tyler Pitlick-RW Centennial 5'10 150 11-1-91 MINNESOTA STATE Team NE
Nick Oliver-LC Roseau 6'1 190 5-4-91 ST.CLOUD STATE Great Plans
Josh Birkholz-RC Blake School 6' 170 3-28-91 MINNESOTA Team SW
Seth Helgeson-D Faribault 6'4 185 10-8-90 MINNESOTA Team SW
Marshall Everson-LC Edina 6'1 188 9-5-90 HARVARD Team SW
Tyler Lapic-RW New Prague 6'2 195 -91 WISCONSIN (2010) Team SW
Max Tardy-C Duluth East 5'10 165 10-27-90 MINNESOTA-DULUTH Team North
Steven Hoshaw-D Culver Military 6'2 195 3-21-90 ALASKA-FAIRBANKS (2010)
Corey Leivermann-RC Mankato West HS 6'1 168 -90 MINNESOTA STATE (2010) Team SW
Michael Lee-G Roseau 6'1 180 10-5-90 ST.CLOUD STATE Team North
Nate Schmidt-LD St.Cloud Cathedral 6' 185 7-16-91 MINNESOTA Team North
Ryan Walters-LC St.Thomas Academy 6'0 175 7-30-91 MINNESOTA Team SE
Mark Alt-D Cretin-Derham Hall 6'4 185 -91 MINNESOTA Team NE
2007 Selections
Ryan McDonagh-LD Cretin-Derham 6'1 190 6-13-89 WISCONSIN Team NE
Taylor Matson-RW Holy Angels 5'10 160 9-16-88 MINNESOTA (2008) Team SW
Nick Larson-RW Hill-Murray 6'0 170 1-16-89 MINNESOTA Team NE
Patrick White-RW Grand Rapids 6'1 190 1-20-89 MINNESOTA Team North
Tyler Johnson-RC Cloquet 5'8 160 1-4-89 COLORADO COLLEGE Team North
Aaron Marvin-C/LW Warroad 6'3 180 5-27-88 ST.CLOUD Great Plains
Adam Estoclet-RW Benilde St.Margaret 6'2 172 3-24-89 DARTMOUTH Team SW
Bryan Brutlag-RD Holy Angels 6'1 190 5-25-89 RPI Team SW
Josh Levine-RW Bloomington Jefferson 5'10 205 11-10-88 PRINCETON (2008) Team SW
Mike Louwerse-RW Blake 5'8 155 8-21-88 MINNESOTA STATE Team SW
Jordy Christian-RW Moorhead 5'9 155 6-10-88 ST.CLOUD(2008) Great Plains
Chris Hickey-RC Cretin 6'1 190 9-28-88 WISCONSIN (2008) Team NE
John Lee-RD Moorhead 6'2 170 1-16-89 DENVER (2008) Great Plains
Tyler Kieffer-LD Stillwater 5'11 188 7-20-89 ST.CLOUD (2008) Team NE
Jeff Foss-D Moorhead 6'2 180 12-12-88 RPI Great Plains
Travis Erstad-RC Steven Point 6'4 185 11-9-88 WISCONSIN Team WI
Tyler Thompson-RW Benilde St.Margaret 5'11 185 3-24-89 MANKATO STATE Team SW
Brandon Martell-D Elk River 6'2 195 12-15-88 MINNESOTA (2008) Team NW
Matt Reber-RC Edina 6'1 165 1-16-89 DARTMOUTH Team SW
Joe Stejskal-D Grand Rapids 6'2 190 4-30-88 DARTMOUTH Team North
Scott Kishel-D Virginia 5'11 165 4-21-89 U.MINN-DULUTH (2008) Team North
James Knelman-W Holy Angels 6'0 200 8-27-88 COLGATE Team SW
Jack Connelly-C Duluth Marshall 5'8 160 8-15-89 MINNESOTA-DULUTH(2009) Team North
Joe Schiller-RW Detroit Lakes HS 6' 180 6-24-88 MINNESOTA STATE (2008) Great Plains
Dan Vranek-RW Eden Prairie 5'6 155 1-18-89 U.NEW HAMPSHIRE Team SW
Reid Ellingson-G Cloquet 5'9 155 4-14-89 NORTHERN MICHIGAN Team North

and your point is?????

[GR3343]

High Flyer, who made you the Elite Police anyhow? Is it really that offensive to you? The leagues have flaws as does any system or orginization out there. Neither league captures all the right players, but they do attract many. As for why others aren't playing, you'd have to ask them, but it doesn't appear to be cost or competition as both seem to be okay to many. If it really is that offensive to you, perhaps don't follow either league and you won't be disappointed. The players involved are excited and proud to be where they are and I'd bet most of them are using these opportunities to springboard themselves into a successful high school campaign. Why can't it be about that?

[seek & destroy]

Another way of understanding what the term "elite" should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about.

and your point is?????

My point is that the number of players from Elite teams that have opportunities beyond H.S. that's shown on this list (there are more) is 42 players (2008). The league has roughly 160 players. Do the math and it is over 26% of the players in the league go on to play. Quite a bit more than your estimate of 1 - 2%.

Again, I am not saying that some aren't missed. And I know that there are some players who choose not to play because they are in other sports or have other opportunities that interest them. I am just saying that the league does have some pretty good players playing in it so it must do an okay job in getting the right players and giving them a chance to play.

[nickel slots]

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

[flatontheice]

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

I had a chance to watch 2 Elite League games this weekend. What I noticed this year (other than the level of play being down this year), was that there are more "bad" players in the league this year. Not sure how a few could have ever gotten there. I also think the level of play will improve as it is early in the season. On a positive note, Pitlick looked very good. Hanowski dominated at times.

[High Flyer]

Another way of understanding what the term "elite" should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about.

and your point is?????

My point is that the number of players from Elite teams that have opportunities beyond H.S. that's shown on this list (there are more) is 42 players (2008). The league has roughly 160 players. Do the math and it is over 26% of the players in the league go on to play. Quite a bit more than your estimate of 1 - 2%.

Again, I am not saying that some aren't missed. And I know that there are some players who choose not to play because they are in other sports or have other opportunities that interest them. I am just saying that the league does have some pretty good players playing in it so it must do an okay job in getting the right players and giving them a chance to play.

Seek an destory, not sure about your math, but thank you for agreeing with me, that by using your calculations, approximatly 74% of the 2008 players in the league will not play play beyond high school next year ="watered down".

[keepmeoutofit]

i can only speak for my local area. the kids that try out for the elite II and Elite I are always in the top tier. there are instances when a top tier player doesnt try out.
AAA hockey isnt what it was just a few years ago we have players getting calls and the only "requirement" is the year they were born. i recognize not all teams take this approach.

[High Flyer]

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

Nickel slots, your kiding right? You actually do not know which and how many elite high school players are not playing in the elite 1 & 2 leagues?

I think you should spend a little time on the inter net this weekend to try to figure this out your self. Get back to me on Monday if you still need my help.

[Can't Never Tried]

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

Nickel slots, your kiding right? You actually do not know which and how many elite high school players are not playing in the elite 1 & 2 leagues?

I think you should spend a little time on the inter net this weekend to try to figure this out your self. Get back to me on Monday if you still need my help.

I'm interested too HF... can you just cut to the Monday answers and enlighten me on those that are not playing.
Thanks

[seek & destroy]

Seek an destory, not sure about your math, but thank you for agreeing with me, that by using your calculations, approximatly 74% of the 2008 players in the league will not play play beyond high school next year ="watered down".

HF - Or the other way to look at it is that 74% of the kids were given a chance to show what they could do and did not perform well. There are no guarantees about going to D1 or beyond but what is important is to give better players a chance to show what they can do. Elite does that. By the way, a large number of those 74% will play beyond but just not at the D1 level...don't change your criteria now just because you were wrong.

My point is that your definition "understanding of what the term elite should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about" makes no sense if you look at the facts. With 26% going on from the Elite to D1 or beyond it seems that you were flat out wrong using your 1 - 2% number. Evidently you want a league where ONLY D1 players are playing. Elite is there to just give an OPPORTUNITY for some of the better players to show what they can do...no guarantees.

[Can't Never Tried]

Seek an destory, not sure about your math, but thank you for agreeing with me, that by using your calculations, approximatly 74% of the 2008 players in the league will not play play beyond high school next year ="watered down".

HF - Or the other way to look at it is that 74% of the kids were given a chance to show what they could do and did not perform well. There are no guarantees about going to D1 or beyond but what is important is to give better players a chance to show what they can do. Elite does that. By the way, a large number of those 74% will play beyond but just not at the D1 level...don't change your criteria now just because you were wrong.

My point is that your definition "understanding of what the term elite should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about" makes no sense if you look at the facts. With 26% going on from the Elite to D1 or beyond it seems that you were flat out wrong using your 1 - 2% number. Evidently you want a league where ONLY D1 players are playing. Elite is there to just give an OPPORTUNITY for some of the better players to show what they can do...no guarantees.

Actually it's to slow the tide of top players leaving HS for Jr's.

[flatontheice]

Seek an destory, not sure about your math, but thank you for agreeing with me, that by using your calculations, approximatly 74% of the 2008 players in the league will not play play beyond high school next year ="watered down".

HF - Or the other way to look at it is that 74% of the kids were given a chance to show what they could do and did not perform well. There are no guarantees about going to D1 or beyond but what is important is to give better players a chance to show what they can do. Elite does that. By the way, a large number of those 74% will play beyond but just not at the D1 level...don't change your criteria now just because you were wrong.

My point is that your definition "understanding of what the term elite should represent is how many of these players particapating in the elite leagues go on to play D1 hockey and beyond? Thats your top 1-2% that I'm talking about" makes no sense if you look at the facts. With 26% going on from the Elite to D1 or beyond it seems that you were flat out wrong using your 1 - 2% number. Evidently you want a league where ONLY D1 players are playing. Elite is there to just give an OPPORTUNITY for some of the better players to show what they can do...no guarantees.

Actually it's to slow the tide of top players leaving HS for Jr's.

Which worked for a while but is slowly losing its luster as the league becomes more political.

[High Flyer]

[Elite is there to just give an OPPORTUNITY for some of the better players to show what they can do...no guarantees.

Actually it's to slow the tide of top players leaving HS for Jr's.

Seek & Destroy, Can't Never Tried and Flat on the ice is correct, but that's a subject relating to the Elite I league and this thread is about the Elite II, so I guess we (me included) should stay on topic, though I think there is a direct coalition between what is or isn't happening in the Elite I league that does impact the Elite II league, ie.. trickel up affect or trickled down affect, depending on your view point.

SD, you also are mis-understand what I'm trying to illustrate when I'm talking about the top 1-2%. This is a percentage as it relates to the MN (not WI or ND) High School age elgible talent pool, by grade. So if we are talking about Elite 1, all the top high school aged srs. who will move on to play D1 hockey (not Jr. A). I don't think there are alot of players out there whos ultimate goal is to play Jr. A hockey, rather they see Jr. A hockey as a stepping stone to the next level which would be D1 hockey or profesisonal hockey.

If we are talking about Elite II, we are now talking about top MN Jrs. and some soph.

[Doglover]

Definitely no argument that there is a lot of good talent in Elite II. I also have to agree though that the politics have begun to dilute the talent pool, which always seems to be the case. Let's hope they improve the tryout process so they miss less of the talented kids and fewer just "big" kids end up playing. Some of the teams/regions seem to have it figured out or else they just have less talent to choose from so it's easier.

Elite II is an excellent option for many soph/jr kids to get ready for HS play. Let's hope the powers to be don't screw it up. It's definitely a smart concept for MN in my opinion. It's also important for other choices to be available. Alternative options and choices make every program work harder to be better and compete. If you're the only game in town, the hockey politics will be unstoppable.

[nickel slots]

The term "elite" should be considered the top 1-2% of the talent pool at each age/grade group. For various reasons, many of these 1-2% players are not particapating in the Elite I or II leagues

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

Nickel slots, your kiding right? You actually do not know which and how many elite high school players are not playing in the elite 1 & 2 leagues?

I think you should spend a little time on the inter net this weekend to try to figure this out your self. Get back to me on Monday if you still need my help.

Flyer that's High: I spent the entire weekend watching all 6 Minnesota teams in the Elite League. Guess what? I can't think of a single top end player (1-2%) that wasn't participating (outside of those with injuries and those playing in the USHL which is about 7 kids).

So can you share some of your infinite wisdom with the rest of us?

[Doglover]

Are you talking about Juniors or Sophomores? There are many of both (especially sophomores) missing but maybe I'm confused. You don't even have to watch the games - just check the rosters.

Doesn't really matter though. For the kids that are there, it a good experience and will help them get ready for HS. Just not fair to say all the Elite players are there. I think lots of Juniors that either don't get asked to tryout for Elite I or don't make it, feel Elite II may be below their talent level and they choose to do other things. Again - there are lots of kids enjoying the Fall Elite II season, so it's all good.

[chiefofmedicine]

If a kid makes the final 54 for select 17's should that earn him a spot on elite I's or no?
And elite II"s is a very good leauge with a lot of good players and competetive atmosphere

[High Flyer]

Nickel slots-

Were those 6 teams you watched this weekend the elite I or elite II league games?

[nickel slots]

Nickel slots-

Were those 6 teams you watched this weekend the elite I or elite II league games?

I

[High Flyer]

Out of morbid curiosity, which players that you consider to be in the top 1-2% are not participating in the Elite leagues??

Nickel slots, your kiding right? You actually do not know which and how many elite high school players are not playing in the elite 1 & 2 leagues?

I think you should spend a little time on the inter net this weekend to try to figure this out your self. Get back to me on Monday if you still need my help.

Flyer that's High: I spent the entire weekend watching all 6 Minnesota teams in the Elite League. Guess what? I can't think of a single top end player (1-2%) that wasn't participating (outside of those with injuries and those playing in the USHL which is about 7 kids).

So can you share some of your infinite wisdom with the rest of us?

You can only think of seven? Have you taken the time to look at the current USHL, NAHL rosters along with this years USA select 16 and 17 rosters to see that there is a lot more than just 7 elite players not playing. Can you get back to us with those revised numbers?

[nickel slots]

15. I stand corrected.

USNTDP: Mattson, Faulk
USHL: Oliver (before & after), Walters, T. Bruggeman, Birkholz, Johnson, Lee, Rush, Thompson, Thauwald, Ambroz, Jensen, Gunner
NAHL: Burgau

What's your point anyways? I've answered your questions, now you answer mine: Name ONE player that isn't a) injured, b) playing juniors, or c) you or your little brother or son, that you would consider top 1-2% that isn't playing in the Elite League.

[High Flyer]

15. I stand corrected.

USNTDP: Mattson, Faulk
USHL: Oliver (before & after), Walters, T. Bruggeman, Birkholz, Johnson, Lee, Rush, Thompson, Thauwald, Ambroz, Jensen, Gunner
NAHL: Burgau

What's your point anyways?.

Well you got a good start on a list of just some of our top players whom are not particapating in the high school elite, though you are still missing quite a few that are on those lists that I mentioned earlier. Also, don't forgot about those who are going the Major Jr. route to who are MIA.

So just with your list, thats 15 MIA's. Isn't that enough players for 1 hockey team? You don't think that these players and the others whom are not playing in the Elite 1 is impacting the quality of competition of the Elite 1 league? And where do you think those replacement players are coming from and does this impact the quality of the Elite II league?

Nickel slots, you are proving my point, that is there is a large percentage of our MN high school elite players, whom for various reasons are not playing in the high school elite league. So, in order to "field" the number of teams they are organizing, they drop down to the next level, hense my orginal point that the Elite 1 league is "waterdown" and as a result, drops down to the Elite II level, which also is "water down".