City Pages Cover Story Part 2: Game Misconduct 2

[Froggy Richards]

Their slogan is what jumps out at me the most. "Great Hockey players aren't born, they're Made." Anyone who has been around the game for awhile knows this simply isn't true. Most of them are in fact, born. 99% of the players in the NHL are there because they were blessed with God-Given talent. Of those kids, the ones who also put in the work have a shot.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I think a lot of kids have that kind of athletic potential, just that they choose not to pursue that course. I think any kid who is extraordinarily passionate about hockey and moderately athletic could get at least to the NAHL level, possibly beyond.

I agree with that, but I said NHL. Nobody is getting to the NHL unless they are born with the talent. And that's only the start, they need to have the passion and put the work in as well. If Bernie's marketing was focused on the NAHL then I would cut him some slack, but most of it focuses on the kids who played there and then made the NHL. You can't work or train your way there without the talent. Those kids that make it are in fact, born IMO.

[The Exiled One]

I agree with that, but I said NHL. Nobody is getting to the NHL unless they are born with the talent. And that's only the start, they need to have the passion and put the work in as well. If Bernie's marketing was focused on the NAHL then I would cut him some slack, but most of it focuses on the kids who played there and then made the NHL. You can't work or train your way there without the talent. Those kids that make it are in fact, born IMO.

I think where we differ is that I think that, while talent and passion are both necessary, I think the passion is more important. Passion can be (carefully) fostered by example but not by force. Hence, NHL players can be (partially) made. Where we agree is that Minnesota Made doesn't help creating passion. If anything, it destroys it.

[Sats81]

and some would argue that grit, passion, hustle, determination, etc are skills too....just as much as skating, shooting, stickhandling, etc.

[SCBlueLiner]

and some would argue that grit, passion, hustle, determination, etc are skills too....just as much as skating, shooting, stickhandling, etc.

Those are the "intangibles" that make a decent player good, a good player great, and a great player legendary.

[Imported from MN]

I don't think that reasonable people would argue that to become a good, great, or legendary player you need an inherent skill set(s). But I do think that there is something to be said about being around kids who quite possibly have the drive to better themselves at a young age like that at MM. It is contagious and benefits kids to be around that. I am not saying you can't get that at the local level but I would tend to think the percentage of that type of player is higher at a place like MM. Or at least an environment to aid it.

[green4]

I don't think that reasonable people would argue that to become a good, great, or legendary player you need an inherent skill set(s). But I do think that there is something to be said about being around kids who quite possibly have the drive to better themselves at a young age like that at MM. It is contagious and benefits kids to be around that. I am not saying you can't get that at the local level but I would tend to think the percentage of that type of player is higher at a place like MM. Or at least an environment to aid it.

I would guess 95% of these kids are forced into Minnesota Made by there parents. I doubt many decided to go there themselves for the reason to be by kids who work hard.
Also, I would argue Minnesota Made's "environment to aid" kid's work ethic is no better, if not worse than most youth association rinks.
IMO worst "environment" in the southwest metro.

[Air Force 1]

Where we agree is that Minnesota Made doesn't help creating passion. If anything, it destroys it.

Not enjoying the kool aid?

[Imported from MN]

I don't think that reasonable people would argue that to become a good, great, or legendary player you need an inherent skill set(s). But I do think that there is something to be said about being around kids who quite possibly have the drive to better themselves at a young age like that at MM. It is contagious and benefits kids to be around that. I am not saying you can't get that at the local level but I would tend to think the percentage of that type of player is higher at a place like MM. Or at least an environment to aid it.

I would guess 95% of these kids are forced into Minnesota Made by there parents. I doubt many decided to go there themselves for the reason to be by kids who work hard.
Also, I would argue Minnesota Made's "environment to aid" kid's work ethic is no better, if not worse than most youth association rinks.
IMO worst "environment" in the southwest metro.

At the youngest ages I would say yes, parents of a 9-10 year old would be making the decision. But when you get into the older years their are plenty of transplants and it is as everyone likes to point a a very rigorous schedule. You have to have somewhat of a fire (pun intended) to compete. As to the work ethic point I don't want to get into a caste related battle as I can only assume that was what the "southwest" jab was for but I implore you to take a look at previous machine teams records. Against highly touted peers they have competed and in some birth years dominated. So the environment can't be all that horrible.

[hammer99]

As one of the guys who grew up and played alongside the first generation of modern 'MN Maders', I witnessed first hand what can oftentimes happen to kids that are pushed past the point of hockey being fun.

Been out of the game for several years now, but so are a lot of these kids I'm referring too. MANY had the talent to take hockey much further than high school, but were simply too burned out to make the necessary sacrifices, which in most cases, would have been multiple years of junior hockey.

Not at all suggesting that signing your kid up for boat loads of training and Summer programs such as MN Made will lead to them hating hockey. Just be weary of the toll forced practices that cut into potentially valuable childhood memories may take on your Son or Daughter's love of the game.