Best team in lake confrence?

Lakeviewing · Post by **Lakeviewing** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:46 am

gophermadman wrote:as for the lake, I expect the Jags to be the best this year. From what I hear they still lack good coaching, but their team is very deep. They've been playing with almost an identical roster for the last 2 years, and now they lose Tommy O'Donnell and pick up a much more talented Caleb Herbert. This Jags team could be almost as strong as the Jags of 2004-2005 and their 2005-2006 teams..hopefully.

for second, I would have pick Eastview, I hear they are a very good team. I am always nervous to bet on the lightning though, with all the talent they had the last two seasons they just couldn't get anything done.

third, I want to pick Eden Prarie, but they took a hard hit. They need to put the Rush fiascos behind them and show everybody they are capable with the more loyal players that stayed.

What happened to Rush?

seek & destroy · Post by **seek & destroy** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:47 am

Lakeviewing -

You keep asking who they lost. It has been discussed on this board in several places but they lost several very good players in the last couple of years since Bantams. Those players include Blake Thompson (Juniors) Jason Clark (Shattuck) Jacob Meyers (Benilde) and I think Alec Rush (Juniors). Although EP has some depth, most programs will struggle when they lose several key players from Bantams to H.S. (a defenseman, forward and goalie). I'm sure they will be decent but they will have a tough time getting through sections.

Doglover · Post by **Doglover** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:47 am

EP lost Blake Thompson (Juniors) Jason Clark (SSM) and Rush to Juniors. They also lost Jacob Meyers - the best EP goalie - to BSM. They have McCarten, Rau and Molenaar coming up from Bantams. They need to stop the bleed or they'll continue to struggle at the HS level.

Why would Jefferson not give Caleb the C because he was hurt last year? Seems a bit cold. He is an amazing player.

hockeylover · Post by **hockeylover** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:39 pm

I'm sure he will get his chance to be captain next season.

easton18 · Post by **easton18** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:03 pm

The biggest thing for Burnsville, besides finding which of the 3 aforementioned goalies is their starter, will be the play of their top junior line which was JV last year then called up during the playoffs, they may be light as Doglover said but from what i hear they have some good puck handlers and quick skaters. I think Jefferson wins the conference but I look to Burnsville and EP as teams that could get hot come playoff time.

Doglover · Post by **Doglover** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:03 am

easton18 - I could be way off on Burnsville. Who plays on the top Junior line? I agree that it's certainly possible that Burnsville and EP could give Jefferson some trouble come playoff time. With the info we have right now, just think Jefferson will come out stronger at least at the start.

hockeylover · Post by **hockeylover** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:45 am

I think EP is in a different section than Burnsville and Jefferson. Edina will be the problem for the Jags and the Blaze. EP will have to overcome BSM and Minnetonka.

Goldy Gopher · Post by **Goldy Gopher** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:10 pm

hockeylover wrote:I think EP is in a different section than Burnsville and Jefferson. Edina will be the problem for the Jags and the Blaze. EP will have to overcome BSM and Minnetonka.

EP is in section 6 with Wayzata, Tonka, BSM and Hopkins

Burnsville and Jefferson are in probably the toughest section in the state, section 2, with Holy Angels and Edina.

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:05 pm

dog lover... the junior line is King,may,pearson... all seniors now, but they earned the nickname last year.. Agreed tho easton, burnsville is extremely quick and have a few juniors this year that can light the lamp(smyth, wroblewski,mosey)..Defense needs a little help but i think the goaltending will be split between schlink and sturlaughson

pioneerhockey12 · Post by **pioneerhockey12** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:48 am

the junior line was never on jv last year... all three played varsity as sophomores as well... as far as goalies for burnsville neither played last year and if you have two starters you have no starters

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:23 pm

Doglover wrote:EP lost Blake Thompson (Juniors) Jason Clark (SSM) and Rush to Juniors. They also lost Jacob Meyers - the best EP goalie - to BSM. They have McCarten, Rau and Molenaar coming up from Bantams. They need to stop the bleed or they'll continue to struggle at the HS level.

Why would Jefferson not give Caleb the C because he was hurt last year? Seems a bit cold. He is an amazing player.

I wonder why the loss of players. Is it development? Exposure? Playing for Eden Prairie seemed to work out for Leddy. He had offers by Ann Arbor, USHL and Major Junior. I would imagine there will be a few scouts in the stands at Eden Prairie games this year.

http://westerncollegehockey.blogspot.com/

I applaud the Mattson's, Budish's, Everson's, Hanowski's, etc. that stay with their buddies. Seems to have worked out for them too.

Jefferson is my pick in the Lake, followed by EP.

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:25 pm

pioneer.... sturlaughson played a handful of games last year.. Both schlink and herkal got plenty of varsity practice time too.

pioneerhockey12 · Post by **pioneerhockey12** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:12 pm

my daughter got a little bit of varsity practice time too..... i expect some big things from her this year

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:51 pm

lets wait until week 3 to discuss the goalie situation.. Im calling a burnsville win against hill murray 3-2

Doglover · Post by **Doglover** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:47 pm

I'm curious why so many EP players have left as well. It will be fun to watch Leddy - but I bet he sure wishes he had some of those guys to work with. Good point breakout about how exposure shouldn't be a problem given Leddy's success - maybe those that chose to leave just figured they wouldn't make it to the Show so why not try another avenue? I also give the kids credit that stay and play with their buddies, but it's not always the best choice for every kid in every program.

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:48 pm

Doglover wrote:I'm curious why so many EP players have left as well. It will be fun to watch Leddy - but I bet he sure wishes he had some of those guys to work with. Good point breakout about how exposure shouldn't be a problem given Leddy's success - maybe those that chose to leave just figured they wouldn't make it to the Show so why not try another avenue? I also give the kids credit that stay and play with their buddies, but it's not always the best choice for every kid in every program.

Edina use to lose players. Edina hockey types tried to run Giles out of town multiple times during the recent past. A core group of players led by Budish, Everson, etc. decided to play with their buds. Both could have played Jr this year. Decided, along with their other pals that they would chase the dream of becoming state champs. Budish = Gophs, Everson = Harvard, Baker and Gaarder are likely to play beyond high school.

I believe you could add Centennial to that list with Pitlick, Schmitz, etc.

I hope the talented group of 10th grade EP kids take notice of what a terrific example that has been provided for them.

Players, there are plenty of examples of talented hockey types that went on to Jr. and did not succeed. Jr is a business. Hockey should be about fun, development and playing with your buddies. You will surface and get noticed if you are talented and put the work in.

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:02 pm

also pioneer your daughter did not get any time with varsity practice time last season. But i did see her out there in the sunday night summer league(im not even kidding)

pioneerhockey12 · Post by **pioneerhockey12** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:06 pm

what is that supposed to mean?

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:14 pm

its supposed to mean that burnsville had a girl playing in the sboys summer league in august.. i think it was your daughter.. Bunce was the last name?

Doglover · Post by **Doglover** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:40 pm

I agree the ideal would be to play for a strong team like Edina with solid team mates and a shot at the State Tournament most years. When Edina was weak though, players left for Juniors and private schools. Sometimes you may have to choose other options inorder to create opportunities and exposure if hockey is your dream. No one is looking out for your players long term best interests. Not everyone has the opportunity to play for a team like Edina. There has to be a reason those EP players are leaving.

I think you short changed Lee. He may evolve into the leader of that team but we'll have to see. It will be fun to watch but would have been better with Budish at the helm.

AHA & Hill are probably planning to work their boys over time now.

countrygentleman · Post by **countrygentleman** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:54 pm

Eden Prairie loses players for a couple reasons. 1) Head Coach Lee Smith is a moron. During last year's section playoffs, scouts from Ann Arbor were attending a game, to be the last, or close to, game of the year, to watch Jason Clark. For no reason at all Smith decided this would be a great opportunity to sit Clark and play him third line if at all. There are countless other examples of Smith not knowing what is going how or how to handle situations. So that's the biggest reason. Why play for a moron coach? You may ask "Then why doesn't Eden Prairie fire Smith and hire a decent coach?" Answer- Football coach Mike Grant, who is also the athletic director, refuses to let any sport gain popularity unless it's football. God forbid hockey grows and gains some exposure in Eden Prairie, Grant would have a heart attack. It's all about his precious little football squad and their countless state championships.

2) Kids are leaving because everybody else is leaving. Why stick around if your friends aren't? Obviously, to stop this a solid group of players need to make a pact like the Edina boys did and just stick with Eden Prairie.

3) The days of team glory are gone. Everybody plays for themselves and solely tries to improve their play. Kids would much rather ditch out on a chance at a high school state championship and take that miniscule chance they might some day play in the NHL by playing at a higher level of competition now.

That is the answer as to why kids leave E.P.

HockeyCHOLO · Post by **HockeyCHOLO** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:55 am

Koho, no reason to get your undies in a bunch. Pioneer is right, burnsville does have a lot of questions at goalie. 3 senior goalies if i'm not mistaken.

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:17 am

countrygentleman wrote:Eden Prairie loses players for a couple reasons. 1) Head Coach Lee Smith is a moron. During last year's section playoffs, scouts from Ann Arbor were attending a game, to be the last, or close to, game of the year, to watch Jason Clark. For no reason at all Smith decided this would be a great opportunity to sit Clark and play him third line if at all. There are countless other examples of Smith not knowing what is going how or how to handle situations. So that's the biggest reason. Why play for a moron coach? You may ask "Then why doesn't Eden Prairie fire Smith and hire a decent coach?" Answer- Football coach Mike Grant, who is also the athletic director, refuses to let any sport gain popularity unless it's football. God forbid hockey grows and gains some exposure in Eden Prairie, Grant would have a heart attack. It's all about his precious little football squad and their countless state championships.

2) Kids are leaving because everybody else is leaving. Why stick around if your friends aren't? Obviously, to stop this a solid group of players need to make a pact like the Edina boys did and just stick with Eden Prairie.

3) The days of team glory are gone. Everybody plays for themselves and solely tries to improve their play. Kids would much rather ditch out on a chance at a high school state championship and take that miniscule chance they might some day play in the NHL by playing at a higher level of competition now.

That is the answer as to why kids leave E.P.

You are thinking that EP coach should have show cased a player for NTDP people instead of playing for a win?

koho snipe · Post by **koho snipe** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:29 pm

i can assure you my undies are fine. but no, sturly is the set goalie and he has plenty of experience and is ready to be consistent, just wait.

hockeymania · Post by **hockeymania** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:11 pm

His transfer was in fact denied. He is now in the appeals process. Why he left is still a mystery to all in Shakopee,He would have been the starter the next 2 years and been/was the BMOC. He was a very popular boy with all on the team and school, it seems he thought he would get more "Looks" @ Chaska!!! (Why not AHA/BSM/Breck etc.etc.etc.) The one opinion of him not making smart decisions is correct, both his mother and Step Father still reside in Shakopee (he's using his Aunts address in Chaska) and thinking he would get away with it was a little "DUMB". Plus he told everyone @ Shakopee what he was doing and he didn't think the Shako Coach would find out, Again DUMB!!! Hopefully he does get his chance to play (Just not this year) and do well, he was ranked in the top 10-15 in the state for select's in the 15's so he can play. Good Luck Louie

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Best team in lake confrence?

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Re: Who have they lost??

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goalie from Shakopee