Chase Wichelman

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:20 am

I see Chase Wichelman is on the roster for the Minnesota Wildcats of the Minnesota Jr. Hockey League - Jr. A Tier III
Is Mr. Wichelman going back to Minnehaha Academy? Or is he playing the season for the Wildcats?

mch · Post by **mch** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:22 pm

hockeyboys wrote:I see Chase Wichelman is on the roster for the Minnesota Wildcats of the Minnesota Jr. Hockey League - Jr. A Tier III
Is Mr. Wichelman going back to Minnehaha Academy? Or is he playing the season for the Wildcats?

split season he'll play for MA in winter

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:25 pm

Does he have anyone to play with at MA? Who is the new coach?

Elvis · Post by **Elvis** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:44 pm

I think the bigger question is why a high school kid would do a split season with a low-level Jr. team instead of playing with kids his own age in Elite or Elite II? Any other kids playing split season for Tier 3 Junior teams instead of Elite or Elite II? USHL or NAHL I could see, but not Tier 3.

Can't Never Tried · Post by **Can't Never Tried** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:59 pm

Elvis wrote:I think the bigger question is why a high school kid would do a split season with a low-level Jr. team instead of playing with kids his own age in Elite or Elite II? Any other kids playing split season for Tier 3 Junior teams instead of Elite or Elite II? USHL or NAHL I could see, but not Tier 3.

The same occurred to me !

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:06 pm

I can't speak for Mr. Wickelman - but the play at the Tier III level is a whole lot better than at the Elite II league - absolutely no comparison with the skill, speed of the game - and the maturity of the players.
I think you havea valid question - Chase is only 16 - so a bit young for NAHL or USHL - and who has ever seen him play at MA to get recruited for the Elite league???
Why is Elite II not a valid option for the kids just under the Elite radar? I look at the Edina players, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, the list goes on and on - their players are not in Elite II - and they are far better than the list of JV and last years bantam players in the league.
So where is a kid like Chase to play and develop and get challenged. Seems like Tier III isn't a bad option if you don't make the Elite league - nowhere else really to go.

Elvis · Post by **Elvis** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:21 am

hockeyboys wrote:I can't speak for Mr. Wickelman - but the play at the Tier III level is a whole lot better than at the Elite II league - absolutely no comparison with the skill, speed of the game - and the maturity of the players.
I think you havea valid question - Chase is only 16 - so a bit young for NAHL or USHL - and who has ever seen him play at MA to get recruited for the Elite league???
Why is Elite II not a valid option for the kids just under the Elite radar? I look at the Edina players, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, the list goes on and on - their players are not in Elite II - and they are far better than the list of JV and last years bantam players in the league.
So where is a kid like Chase to play and develop and get challenged. Seems like Tier III isn't a bad option if you don't make the Elite league - nowhere else really to go.

I see what you're saying... I guess I think of Tier 3 as more of a place for your HS grads who were 3rd or 4th liners to develop so they can hopefully play some DIII hockey somewhere, not for a HS Junior to get ready for the season. That being said, it can't hurt the kid, unless he gets hurt. Plus he's obviously dedicated to his HS team, which is most important. Too bad the other kid from Minnehaha doesn't have the same dedication and is off playing AAA instead of sticking with his school. What is the outlook for this team? I know they lost a lot of points and their goalies.

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:09 pm

MA also lost their coach. I would suspect they will be somewhere at the level of SPA. Seems like these teams are in the same boat year after year. I looked through the rosters of the MN jr hockey league. I also see James Trevathan - and he has been All Conference Honorable mention in the Tri Metro for the past 2 years. He is also a jr. Looking at birthdates there are a few others as well. Is he coming back to SPA? I also understand that these players want to be challenged to get better - and at their schools they probably don't get a lot of that.

I would really like to know why Elite II doesn't get the players just under the Elite league level. I have gone to some games - and it is good hockey. It just is Bantam and JV players who are working hard to play varsity. If the Elite league gets the best players - maybe 1 or 2 per team - where is player 3 and 4 going from those teams? They are not in Elite II (yes - I know - there are some and I am generalizing). I know some are playing other sports. But where is Tyson Fulton from Breck going, Max Everson - and the rest of the Edina players - how about the Eden Prairie, Lakeville - and Jefferson players? I don't think it is the fault of of the folks running the Elite II league - or is it?

Elvis · Post by **Elvis** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:51 pm

No affiliation between Elite I and II, but maybe they would want to consider it in the future, especially if they could consolidate their scouting departments. There's also a limit on how many seniors can play in Elite II, so it seems that it's geared towards the younger Varsity, JV, and upcoming Bantam players in the first place. Different target audience than Elite I, but I'd think that the Juniors and below who didn't make Elite I would logically get a tryout in Elite II.

Interesting to find out how many high school players are on a Tier 3 team, and who is coming back for the high school season. I would think most would do the split season, but logic escapes some kids who think they will get a scholorship at the U right out of the MJHL.

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:04 pm

I like the idea of Elite league expanding - having 2 levels - including seniors. Maybe that would keep more of the top line - player 2 and 3 developing.

Again - I want to state that Elite II is a good league - lots of close games, and the players really develop - but it is not capturing that next group of players just under the Elite league guys.

Not sure that these HS players in Tier III think they can get scholorships out of that league - they are just trying to find a place that will challenge them to get better and develop. As I stated - if they are just under the Elite League level-or at a school where they won't get seen, then this might be a good option to have fun and get better.

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:10 pm

hockeyboys wrote: I look at the Edina players, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, the list goes on and on - their players are not in Elite II - and they are far better than the list of JV and last years bantam players in the league.

Elite II Rosters

Jr. Chase Nystedt - Breck
Jr. Mitch Rogge - Eden Prairie
So. Andrew Ford - Eden Prairie
Jr. Chris Palm - Edina
Jr. Jake Heck - Edina
Jr. Tom Holtzman - Edina
Sr. Brendan Rauch - Edina
Jr. Bret Stopelstad - Edina
Jr. Blake Chapman - Edina

Just an FYI

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:06 pm

GR - then you see my point. These are not the top line guys on those teams. They are JV players looking to move to varsity or 3rd -4th line guys.
As I said - I think this is an excellent league - why are the first line players that didn't get asked to play in the Elite League tryining out for Elite II?

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:49 am

hockeyboys wrote:GR - then you see my point. These are not the top line guys on those teams. They are JV players looking to move to varsity or 3rd -4th line guys.
As I said - I think this is an excellent league - why are the first line players that didn't get asked to play in the Elite League tryining out for Elite II?

Pride?

Elvis · Post by **Elvis** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:50 am

Chases new coach from TwinCities.com:

The new boys hockey coach at Minnehaha Academy will be former Blaine High and Bethel College assistant Darin Thompson.

I see your point hb, but I think there are plenty of players in Elite2 who would also make an MJHL roster, and hold their own just fine. Are any of these high school Juniors lighting it up in the MJHL, thus proving that they are "above" elite 2? I'm guessing that these high schoolers playing split seasons would have played elite or elite 2 if given the opportunity, rather than playing in the MJHL. I obviously have no idea as to whether or not Winckhelman or the other guys you mentioned got to try out.

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:12 am

GR - good thought - i think you may be on to something.

Elvis - You are correct that there are a handful of players in Elite II that would do just fine in the MNJHL - but for the most part they would be outmatched physically - the guys in that league are just bigger and older. Skill - yea - there are a number that would do well.

Wichelman is bigger - he was good in the league. Another player I saw a couple of weeks ago was Joey Beneck from St. Francis. He did o.k. as well - and he is one of the leading scorers in the metro area. I have no idea if these players got Elite tryouts - anyone can try out for Elite II.

Maybe GR has a point - they didn't tryout for something that has open tryouts because of Pride???

All I know is that Elite II is not getting the top line guys that didn't get asked to play in the Elite league. I don't really know why. I would sure like to understand the dynamics better. These are really good players - mostly juniors who I'm surprised are not in the Elite II league.

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:39 pm

hockeyboys wrote: All I know is that Elite II is not getting the top line guys that didn't get asked to play in the Elite league. I don't really know why. I would sure like to understand the dynamics better. These are really good players - mostly juniors who I'm surprised are not in the Elite II league.

IMO, the Elite league didn't get the top line guys for their league either. I don't know if they didn't get asked to try out, or their coach didn't promote them. I'm not sure how that process works! But, I'm sure pride wouldn't let them try out for Elite II when the option for Elite I wasn't available.

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:13 pm

I also think a part of the problem is the stigma of Elite II. The name suggests second best which isn't the case. These so called top flight players are led to believe they're better than what the league has to offer due to the negative comments continuously made about the league. I heard of a case in GR last year(whether it was true or not is anyone's guess) that several prominent GR players declined to tryout for Elite II thinking the two leagues were affiliated after none of them received a tryout with Upper Midwest. Some players simply don't want to or think they don't need to skate in a competitive fall league which is fine too. Both leagues have loosely provided what they claim to offer. Personally, I would like to see the leagues go back to where they originated. The Upper Midwest should be predominately rostered with Elite seniors and the occasional superstar junior. Elite II should be loaded with Elite juniors and the occasional superstar soph. There should be no free passes into either league based on previous performance or teams made. The players should have to make the teams based on how they perform in a tryout situation.

The way things are going now, it seems as if Minnesota is once again losing players to the junior ranks at a higher & higher rate and the Upper Midwest league is becoming younger and younger each year as is Elite II.

The stated goal was to give the Elite seniors a highly competitve atmosphere to replace what they may be missing out on with a Junior A team. What they appear to have now is the same thing, only with a lot more Elite juniors which in turn is creating a situation where more seniors are leaving high school again.

It wasn't broke before, why did they have to fix it?

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:20 pm

GR - couldn't agree with you more (which of course is making for a very boring discussion on the bored). I think many are leaving - and now we are hearing about kids leavaing to play AAA Midget hockey, Tier III jr is an option - mostly becuase it is local and the kids don't have to live with another family, have the blades always run a fall midget program? Looks like they have a very good list of players.

Part of this also stems from the MSHSL rule of players not being allowed to move to other schools...

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:50 pm

hockeyboys wrote:GR - couldn't agree with you more (which of course is making for a very boring discussion on the bored). I think many are leaving - and now we are hearing about kids leavaing to play AAA Midget hockey, Tier III jr is an option - mostly becuase it is local and the kids don't have to live with another family, have the blades always run a fall midget program? Looks like they have a very good list of players.

Part of this also stems from the MSHSL rule of players not being allowed to move to other schools...

LeBlanc in Hermantown is also running a AAA program. Several from around the area including GR, Duluth Marshall, Virginia, and Hermantown opted to go that route instead of Elite II. Some whisperings were it was higher quality hockey than Elite II. I haven't seen them play so I couldn't agree or dispute that comment. AAA Midget programs are starting to tap into the Minnesota high school systems. Some at the behest of top Junior A programs that don't have room to accomodate the younger players, but would like them to compete at a higher level before bringing them into their programs.

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:30 pm

I had not heard about the Hermantown AAA program. But now I am starting to get my question answered - which really was - why is Elite II not getting many of these players and where are they playing.
I would like to see the Hermantown AAA team - do you have any information on when, where they are playing? Tournaments? Are they competitive with the blades?

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:31 pm

hockeyboys wrote:I had not heard about the Hermantown AAA program. But now I am starting to get my question answered - which really was - why is Elite II not getting many of these players and where are they playing.
I would like to see the Hermantown AAA team - do you have any information on when, where they are playing? Tournaments? Are they competitive with the blades?

The only news I heard about them is that they played against the Wisconsin Elite I team and had it handed to them. They were scheduled for 4 tournaments including one in Iowa (Buc Bowl maybe?) that they apparently won last year. I heard of a few players on their roster - Krause - Hermantown
Skrbec - GR
Pallki - GR
Dick - GR
I think Hanegmon from Hibbing also.
Not sure if Underwood from GR is on this team, and don't know the names of the players from Duluth or Virginia. Definitely some talent there from players that would have added to the strength of 7A/AA Elite II.

Pucknutz69 · Post by **Pucknutz69** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:32 am

These so called top flight players are led to believe they're better than what the league has to offer due to the negative comments continuously made about the league.

Great comment GR.

hockeyboys · Post by **hockeyboys** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:29 am

Pucknutz - i agree with you too. It's too bad - this is a well run league with a sound premise. They just haven't captured those so called top flight players - who are apparently out looking for something different since they aren't good enough for the Elite league, and think they are better than elite II.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:43 am

hockeyboys wrote:...those so called top flight players - who are apparently out looking for something different since they aren't good enough for the Elite league, and think they are better than elite II.

Not exactly the kind of attitude that the college coaches are looking for!

hockeyhockeyhey · Post by **hockeyhockeyhey** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:25 am

having tried out and making the team easily for a MJHL but deciding to play elite II's as a senior i can tell you it was the right choice. The MJHL is good, in ways, but the skill in elite II is far better, no comparison. the size no, the speed, maybe about even, the intensity, the MJ's got it beat. James Therevan from SPA is not a top player by any means, i imagine he would have played in the MJHL even after graduation.
Kids go play juniors because they beleive it looks better to a college coach rather than elite II's, which may be true to some, but not for all. Its an ego thing.

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