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The new and improved (?) NDP tryouts
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:19 pm
by trilogy
The minnesotahockey website has nothing yet on the NDP tryouts, it says 'brochure coming soon.' But I have heard from our coach that it is being revised to mirror the boys program, so I read that brochure and now some information is starting to come out if you talk to your coach, because they are now nominating players.
Sounds like for the youngest group (those born in 1993) they will be nominated through their high school coaches or 14U coaches. Then they will go through a tryout to get them to a festival in April at Plymouth. And from there the nominations will be made to the national camp.
But for the next two age groups, 1991s and 1992s, the nominations come through the high school coach and they compete in 8 sections. 1A+1AA is a section, 2A+2AA is a section, and so on. They will start with over 300 girls per age group and then get cut down to a team of 20 in each section, which is 160 girls, then to a final 51, then selections to the national camp.
So as I see it they (1) added a phase, it's now 4 not 3, (2) made it more geographical based and (3) made it open to more girls in the first phase.
Anyone out there had boys go through this? How do you see it comparing to the old process?
If there are 300+ girls in each age group that's 900 girls participating in the first phase. Isn't that just about every girls hockey player in Minnesota? I don't know the numbers state-wide, but it seems like a lot.

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:40 pm
by xwildfan
ALso, I heard the HS coaches are running the program. Should result in some interesting picks. No system is perfect; but I think the old system has a lot fewer conflicts of interest.
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:11 pm
by twowayplay
Too bad for the 1990's they get jipped this year
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:53 am
by unbelievable
twowayplay wrote:Too bad for the 1990's they get jipped this year
The 1990's need to understand that there are other opportunities they can pursue regarding collegiate exposure.
The Pinnacle Girls Hockey Showcase (April 11-13) is one:
http://www.ushsho.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13986
http://www.s-sm.org/also/summer/hockey.asp (click on brochure link on right side)
Prospects Womens Toronto (April 17-20) is another:
http://www.prospectstourney.com/pwomen.php
There may be others as well, the girls just need to be proactive and research their options.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:07 am
by gopher25
It seems like they are attempting to change the system but having 300+ kids try out is crazy! I don't get it! I would say there are 35+ kids in the state at each age group that have a chance to play at the national development camps. I would say invite 100 kids and give them a chance. Yes, some kids may get overlooked for a "tryout" but i do not think the state coaches association/Minnesota hockey isn't goign to invite the best players to try out. At the end of the day the old system did what it should have done...and that is get the best players to Lake Placid/st. Cloud or whereever the national festivals are held.
can anyone confirm this rumor that i heard..I heard that they are going to mandate each kid in the 1993 age group go to the mankato camp before the final NDP team is picked for the last part of the tryout? If this is the case does anyone think it is kind of crazy for a 15 year old kid to go away to camp for a very stressful tryout? I could see this at 17 or even 16 ,but some kids still need their parents support. Seems to me Minnesota hockey is going to milk this one for all its worth and make some $$ on it. Does anyone care that these kids have summer sports, family vacations.
The new and improved (?) NDP tryouts
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:47 am
by hckyluvr
Does anyone know the dates for this year's tryouts? Easter falls on March 23rd, so I doubt it will be that weekend.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:08 pm
by joehockey
Here are the dates as I understand it from our HS Coach. I understand from Mankato that Mankato is not the site for the U15 this year but have not heard new site/location. To bad I thought Mankato did a terrific job and offered a great campus experience.
Dates For Minnesota Tryouts:
Phase I: Tryouts 3/24-3/31 by Sections
Phase II: Festival 4/11-4/13 Plymouth
Phase III: Final 54 4/18-4/20 Plymouth
National Camp Dates/Locations
Girls' Select 17 June 25-July 1 Olympic Training Center - Lake Placid, NY
Girls' Select 14 July 19-25 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Girls' Select 15 July 26-August 1 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Girls' Select 16 July 26-August 1 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:19 pm
by gopher25
I heard the mankato camp was great too. I just hope they keep the concept the same and use it for development not a tryout for the U15s to Rochester.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:30 pm
by twowayplay
I agree girls need to be VERY proactive. However, none of the above can beat the experience of NDP
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:45 pm
by unbelievable
twowayplay wrote:
I agree girls need to be VERY proactive. However, none of the above can beat the experience of NDP
Agreed about NDP - excellent opportunity. Unfortunately 1990's do not have that option this year. College coaches and scouts understand the changes and scout at other events to make sure they cover their bases.
The girls just need to be aware there are other opportunities, research them and pursue them if they feel it would be beneficial.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:24 pm
by trilogy
joehockey wrote:
Dates For Minnesota Tryouts:
Phase I: Tryouts 3/24-3/31 by Sections
Phase II: Festival 4/11-4/13 Plymouth
Phase III: Final 54 4/18-4/20 Plymouth
National Camp Dates/Locations
Girls' Select 17 June 25-July 1 Olympic Training Center - Lake Placid, NY
Girls' Select 14 July 19-25 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Girls' Select 15 July 26-August 1 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Girls' Select 16 July 26-August 1 ESL Sports Centre - Rochester, NY
Those are the dates for the girls born in 1991 and 1992, but the phase 1 and 2 are different dates for girls born in 1993. For 1993s the tryouts in our minnesota hockey district are the week before that and then they're having 3-4 practices over the next couple of weeks and then finally their phase 2 is Apr 4-6 at Plymouth.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:27 pm
by trilogy
gopher25 wrote:
can anyone confirm this rumor that i heard..I heard that they are going to mandate each kid in the 1993 age group go to the mankato camp before the final NDP team is picked for the last part of the tryout? If this is the case does anyone think it is kind of crazy for a 15 year old kid to go away to camp for a very stressful tryout? I could see this at 17 or even 16 ,but some kids still need their parents support. Seems to me Minnesota hockey is going to milk this one for all its worth and make some $$ on it. Does anyone care that these kids have summer sports, family vacations.
I have not heard this, but it makes sense from the point that the 1991s and 1992s get a Phase 1 tryout, a Phase 2 festival with 160 girls involved and then a cut to a Phase 3 with 51, while the 1993s are missing that last phase. Maybe they intend to use the Mankato camp to replace the Phase 3 they have developed for the older girls, thinking it gives them a whole week to see each player instead of just a few games over a weekend.
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:22 pm
by hockeyrube7
And with that keep MN-hockey involved to some degree?
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:07 pm
by Hux
The interesting question will be whether the numbers for the 15s and 16s stay the same, with separate divisions within the camp in Rochester? Or will they be together as they were prior to the 2007 camps?
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:50 am
by joehockey
trilogy wrote:gopher25 wrote:
can anyone confirm this rumor that i heard..I heard that they are going to mandate each kid in the 1993 age group go to the mankato camp before the final NDP team is picked for the last part of the tryout? If this is the case does anyone think it is kind of crazy for a 15 year old kid to go away to camp for a very stressful tryout? I could see this at 17 or even 16 ,but some kids still need their parents support. Seems to me Minnesota hockey is going to milk this one for all its worth and make some $$ on it. Does anyone care that these kids have summer sports, family vacations.
I have not heard this, but it makes sense from the point that the 1991s and 1992s get a Phase 1 tryout, a Phase 2 festival with 160 girls involved and then a cut to a Phase 3 with 51, while the 1993s are missing that last phase. Maybe they intend to use the Mankato camp to replace the Phase 3 they have developed for the older girls, thinking it gives them a whole week to see each player instead of just a few games over a weekend.
Does anyone know the dates of Phase I & II for the '93s?
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:28 pm
by SportsMa
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:33 pm
by joehockey
So it looks like $1000 plus airfare for a U15 and $315 plus airfare for U16 and U17.
I understand other states run similar programs requiring players to go to camps pre-NDP does anyone know the costs in other states?
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:12 pm
by elliott70
gopher25 wrote:I heard the mankato camp was great too. I just hope they keep the concept the same and use it for development not a tryout for the U15s to Rochester.
That is why it is mirroring the boys.
The boys St Cloud week is less try-out than education/exposure for them.
MN Hockey does not make money at this.
The fee charged covers most of the direct costs. Admin\overhead costs are not covered. Plus there are lots of volunteer hours tha go into this process.
Please email Kevin Dickie in Waseca if you have concerns.
Also, talk to participants from the boys side - you will find a very high percentage put a great value on the St Cloud week.
Not using Mankato is a loss, but I don't think they were able to make it work with both sides schedules.
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:55 pm
by joehockey
This brochure looks like a good step forward development wise for the U15's.
Last year half of the NDP '92s opted out of and didn't go to Mankato U15 camp. The new process will allow the best 20 to be developed for NDP and the best 102 players who make it go through great development at Mankato. If the format is similar to last year the coaching and development is far more extensive than at the National Camps which are evaluating leadership and interactions and holding educational seminars - also a lot more down time.
The girls who go through Mankato will be ready for NDP and also the experience of being in an evaluation process and living in a dorm with other players. Watching the Phase II tryouts and then the NDP many Minnesota girls would have impact at NDP maybe all 51....but only 20 can go so this is a good step for the U15 group overall.
Economics of this make summer hockey expensive - U15 $1000, CODP $850 or OS $650, HS STP Program $500, a AAA team $400 (or a $1000).....$1550 or $1750 plus travel......don't know if everyone does all of these but many will and some might do more with spring and fall activities.
16 & 17's
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:45 pm
by Purehockey
Does anybody have that exact dates for phase I. It sure would help the parents with spring break plans. All I've seen was mar 17- apr. 2
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:50 pm
by joehockey
You would probably have to contact the District/Section Reps listed to find out or maybe HS coaches have been given the dates and locations?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:15 am
by polars
I don't know any of the dates yet, but I did hear that our district will be run by a guy that throws water bottles on the ice in games that don't go his way. Is that not a role model or what? Who could imagine that a 14U coach would have the ability to make all the decisions for all the varsity 93 players? As Borat would say "What a Country!"
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:29 am
by Hux
twowayplay wrote:Too bad for the 1990's they get jipped this year
I was going through the paperwork I received at the Mass District meeting back in December and noticed a line that I didn't fully comprehend at the time, pretty much thinking it referred to the National Women's Festival.
Anyway, the line reads:
"There are no tryouts for ages 18-22; these players (34) will be invited from a list of known players to attend a camp in Lake Placid the same week as the 17's"
So it looks like there will be '90s and other older players attending the week of June 25-July 1 in Lake Placid after all.
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:12 am
by joehockey
Has anyone seen any mailings on Phase I yet? Last year mailings were out by about this time I thought?
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:30 pm
by OntheEdge
joehockey wrote:Has anyone seen any mailings on Phase I yet? Last year mailings were out by about this time I thought?
I know that some 93 girls got letters but I haven't heard of any 91s or 92s getting letters yet.