Minnesotans in the NAHL Draft

[nickel slots]

Looks like 30 kids in all....

Alaska
Matt Hemingway G Alexandria
Ryan Kesti F Red Wing
Joe Schmitz D Centennial
Berkley Scott F Anoka

Albert Lea
Isaac Berglund D Little Falls
Isaac Kohls F Hill Murray
Bryan Mitchell D Red Wing

Alexandria
Joey Benik F St. Francis
Ian Cochran D Moorhead
Chris Franks D Burnsville
Cole Gunner F Richfield
Gus Miller D St. Cloud Tech
Tyler Resch F Alexandria

Alpena
N/A

Bismarck
N/A

Fairbanks
Tyler Bruggeman G Mankato West

Janesville
N/A

Kenai River
N/A

Marquette
N/A

Motor City
N/A

North Iowa
Jake Elms F Mounds View
Mickey Knox F Warroad
Ben Lynch F Blaine
Joe Rehkamp F Breck
Kevin Touhy D Shattuck
Ryan Weston D Roseau
Taylor Wolfe F Eden Prairie

Owatonna
Bo Dolan D Hill Murray
John Haeg F Holy Angels
Blake Matejcek F Shattuck
Ben Montgomery D Shattuck
Andrew O’Leary F Shattuck
Jake Yuoso F International Falls

Springfield
Kyle Forte D Shattuck

St. Louis
N/A

Texas
N/A

Topeka
Darren Lapic F New Prague
Casey O’Connor G Bloomington Jefferson

Traverse City
N/A

Wenatchee
N/A

Wichita Falls
N/A

[nickel slots]

Otherwise known as "Junior D" hockey according to SCC2009.

Apparently, SCC2009 thinks that the USHL is the only Junior league in existence?

[Saywhat?03]

Anyone noticing a growing trend of MN kids not being drafted in the USHL draft???

[Poolside]

Anyone noticing a growing trend of MN kids not being drafted in the USHL draft???

I noticed that too. Almost seems like a deliberate attempt to undermine the current MN high school system in favor of the AAA system. AAA money feeds the hockey machine. MN high school doesn't provide any money.

It has become more and more clear that it's a system set up to reward those who pay in to it. I don't see an end in sight. So your choice as a Minnesota hockey parent is to convince your son that high school hockey is the highest level they'll (most likely) play or pay $10-$20,000 a year and send them away at 15 to a AAA team.

[Papa Bergundy]

Maybe it's time to expand your horizons if that's how you feel. Believe it or not but MN is not the only place in America people play hockey. Great hockey players can grow up from anywhere-- even Indiana the state of basketball! (case in point John Michael Liles). I'm winging this one so no numbers but I would wager 10 or 15+ players from MN got drafted in the USHL. That's a lot in retrospect to all the hockey players drafted from other states.

Also take a look at the Ann Arbor team. Last year only one player (Justin Faulk) went there from MN, this year I believe the number is three (Boyd, Van Voorhis and McNeely). Point is its a very diverse team in terms of players from different regions.

Some of us Minnesotans just have trouble grasping the fact that other states produce quality hockey players as well. Don't take it as a deliberate shot at the MSHSL system, but more that hockey in America is growing, which we should actually be excited about.

[juniorhockey]

If I have ever been certain of one thing it is this... USHL teams are not intentionally bypassing on Minnesota HS players because they are trying to force the state into Midget AAA hockey.

Every Junior team wants the best players. They go where those players are and are willing to come and play for them. This was a down year in Minnesota. It is not a `growing trend` of players not being selected from here. I would love to see your numbers to back that up. It will get better again.

[Poolside]

Maybe it's time to expand your horizons if that's how you feel. Believe it or not but MN is not the only place in America people play hockey. Great hockey players can grow up from anywhere-- even Indiana the state of basketball! (case in point John Michael Liles). I'm winging this one so no numbers but I would wager 10 or 15+ players from MN got drafted in the USHL. That's a lot in retrospect to all the hockey players drafted from other states.

Also take a look at the Ann Arbor team. Last year only one player (Justin Faulk) went there from MN, this year I believe the number is three (Boyd, Van Voorhis and McNeely). Point is its a very diverse team in terms of players from different regions.

Some of us Minnesotans just have trouble grasping the fact that other states produce quality hockey players as well. Don't take it as a deliberate shot at the MSHSL system, but more that hockey in America is growing, which we should actually be excited about.

What would be interesting to know is how many non-Minnesota kids make it to the USHL from high school hockey - not AAA hockey--. That would take some research to find out. I can't believe its many. My guess would be less than 5, but I'd like to be proven wrong. I have no problem admitting that other states produce hockey players just as good as Minnesota kids, they just don't do it within the high school system. Their parents are forking out tens of thousands to accomplish what we do through high school sports. Only their cash is feeding the system, hence they get drafted/tendered.

This isn't an original thought. It was actually politely suggested to me by a USHL scout several years ago when I was sitting near him at a game.

[goldy313]

If you have less Minnesota kids leaving high school for the USHL you'll have less kids drafted, why draft a kid that you don't know that will play for you? I think we're seeing a combination of the Elite League being a viable option to junior hockey for upcoming seniors, a rise in other areas in terms of hockey, and a generally weak couple of classes.

There are also kids who don't need the USHL to play college hockey, the Zach Budish, Aaron Ness, Nick Leddy, Patrick White types. Kids who stayed in high school instead of playing in the USHL before heading into college. I might be wrong but this seems to be a reversal of the trend from a few years ago.

[RushnCircles]

Goldy, elaborate on your phrase "a generally weak couple of classes."

also, I would disagree with your assessment regarding Ness & White. In hindsight, the USHL probably should have been part of their development prior to D 1.

[breakout]

If I have ever been certain of one thing it is this... USHL teams are not intentionally bypassing on Minnesota HS players because they are trying to force the state into Midget AAA hockey.

Every Junior team wants the best players. They go where those players are and are willing to come and play for them. This was a down year in Minnesota. It is not a `growing trend` of players not being selected from here. I would love to see your numbers to back that up. It will get better again.

The coaches are paid to win hockey games. They will seek the best players.

Surprised to see Dolan's name on the list. Did Tri-City let him go?

[Poolside]

If you have less Minnesota kids leaving high school for the USHL you'll have less kids drafted, why draft a kid that you don't know that will play for you? I think we're seeing a combination of the Elite League being a viable option to junior hockey for upcoming seniors, a rise in other areas in terms of hockey, and a generally weak couple of classes.

There are also kids who don't need the USHL to play college hockey, the Zach Budish, Aaron Ness, Nick Leddy, Patrick White types. Kids who stayed in high school instead of playing in the USHL before heading into college. I might be wrong but this seems to be a reversal of the trend from a few years ago.

It looks like it would be a good research project for a college sports management major. "The Health of Minnesota Hockey" comparing the number of D1 Minnesota players now vs. 10 years ago, the number of players in the USHL now vs 10 years ago (all based on % of players in each respective league), the number of players leaving straight from Minnesota high school to D1 now vs. then, the number of players leaving high school to play in the USHL now vs. then....

It actually sound like more of a graduate thesis in the makings and a relatively easy one at that. We can discuss numbers all day, but until we have actual figures all we can do is guess and have opinions. Minnesota Hockey spends a lot of money on this "elite" league. I'd like to see some hard figures. Without hard figures, it looks like the % of graduating AAA players drafted/tendered is much higher than those who stay in the high school system based on the number of kids in each system. But, I have no facts to back it up nor the time/desire to figure out which kids are graduating and which are still in high school. And if it does turn out that AAA hockey is sending more kids, I don't begrudge the USHL system. Money makes the world go 'round and collectively we Minnesotans aren't paying nearly the amount of money into the system that the AAA folks are. If the AAA system fails, high end non-Minnesota hockey fails and that wouldn't be good for the sport.

We also have to remember that making the draft doesn't mean making the team, so ultimately, a September and February re-check of team rosters would need to be added to see who stayed in the USHL and moved on to D1 hockey after completing at least one season.

For a hockey enthusiast searding for a good thesis, it would be a great project and would be a good "health check" for the rest of us on how we're doing in creating good hockey players and supporting the sport at the college level.

[The Exiled One]

Anyone noticing a growing trend of MN kids not being drafted in the USHL draft???

USHL and NAHL programs draft their players based on two criteria: Can they help my team? -and- Will they play for my team?

The USHL focuses a bit more on the "high-end" hockey players who HAVEN'T graduated high school, as they have a bit more leverage in getting those players to abandon their high school, prep school, or AAA programs. College committed players are highly sought after, as that can contribute even more leverage.

The NAHL focuses a bit more on players without college commitments that have graduated high school, as they are a lot more likely to sign up. They will also take college committed kids who they think might not make it into the USHL on their first attempt (Berglund, Benik, etc).

These are just generalities. Exceptions are easy to find.

[JSR]

If you have less Minnesota kids leaving high school for the USHL you'll have less kids drafted, why draft a kid that you don't know that will play for you? I think we're seeing a combination of the Elite League being a viable option to junior hockey for upcoming seniors, a rise in other areas in terms of hockey, and a generally weak couple of classes.

There are also kids who don't need the USHL to play college hockey, the Zach Budish, Aaron Ness, Nick Leddy, Patrick White types. Kids who stayed in high school instead of playing in the USHL before heading into college. I might be wrong but this seems to be a reversal of the trend from a few years ago.

It looks like it would be a good research project for a college sports management major. "The Health of Minnesota Hockey" comparing the number of D1 Minnesota players now vs. 10 years ago, the number of players in the USHL now vs 10 years ago (all based on % of players in each respective league), the number of players leaving straight from Minnesota high school to D1 now vs. then, the number of players leaving high school to play in the USHL now vs. then....

It actually sound like more of a graduate thesis in the makings and a relatively easy one at that. We can discuss numbers all day, but until we have actual figures all we can do is guess and have opinions. Minnesota Hockey spends a lot of money on this "elite" league. I'd like to see some hard figures. Without hard figures, it looks like the % of graduating AAA players drafted/tendered is much higher than those who stay in the high school system based on the number of kids in each system. But, I have no facts to back it up nor the time/desire to figure out which kids are graduating and which are still in high school. And if it does turn out that AAA hockey is sending more kids, I don't begrudge the USHL system. Money makes the world go 'round and collectively we Minnesotans aren't paying nearly the amount of money into the system that the AAA folks are. If the AAA system fails, high end non-Minnesota hockey fails and that wouldn't be good for the sport.

We also have to remember that making the draft doesn't mean making the team, so ultimately, a September and February re-check of team rosters would need to be added to see who stayed in the USHL and moved on to D1 hockey after completing at least one season.

For a hockey enthusiast searding for a good thesis, it would be a great project and would be a good "health check" for the rest of us on how we're doing in creating good hockey players and supporting the sport at the college level.

As an outsider looking in I have a few comments on the subject. Number one other states are STRIVING to be more like Minnesota. What I mean by that is that other states want their high school hockey to be good enough and competitive enough that their kids can play high school hockey and still have a good chance at making the juniors and/or division 1 college. The overwhelming majority of states do not have the numbers to support competitive highschool hockey and that is why Tier 1 AAA exists. Yes a large number of USHL and even NAHL draftees come from Tier 1 AAA but remember these teams are made up of kids from all over the country, they are not teams of home grown kids.

I do not have the numbers but I suspect that on the one hand there are probably fewer Minnesota kids being taken in these drafts than say ten years ago, on the other hand it isn't because Minnesota hockey is falling behind but as another poster said because the rest of the nation as a COLLECTIVE is catching up. Minnesota still reigns supreme but you are going to have to get used to the fact that more and more American hockey talent is going to come from other places.

Wisconsin for instance is FINALLY starting to become competitive enough at the high school level that our high school age kids are finally starting to choose to play high school hockey in state rather than play AAA midget. The state has been slowly working toward this for long before I can remember and only very recently has it finally come to fruition. Cody Strang, this years Mr. Hockey in Wisconsin and a University of Wisconsin recruit chose high school hockey over Tier 1 AAA MM hockey. Nate Condon a 2008 grad, a Wisconsin kid and Univeristy of Minnesota recruit (2009-2010 season I believe, played USHL this year) chose his Wausau high school team over AAA MM hockey (we have countless more examples of this as well). Ted Behrend a true freshman on Colorado College (he actually played this year) chose Wisconsin high school hockey over Tier AAA MM hockey and went right from high school straight to CC with no junior hockey. You have no idea what a huge step this is for Wisconsin hockey and how long and hard we've strived for this and frankly it's based on the Minnesota model, this would have never happened 10 years ago in Wisconsin, not a chance. The year round Tier 1 AAA MM and mm teams in Wisconsin are starting to struggle to keep the best in state players becaue those players are choosing high school hockey in state, again 10/20 years ago the JR. Gamblers, the Capitols, the Jr. Admirals were where really good in state kids would go to play, they would not even have considered playing for their high schools. That is not to say these still aren't viable programs, they are, it's just their make up is less and less in state kids and more and more out of state kids from places like Idaho, South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois etc.. etc...

Minnesota is not doing anything wrong, quite the opposite, they are the model for the rest of us. But you need to remember when others embrace your model and work hard to make it happen, it's only a matter of time before they make some headway and when that happens it is going to mean a few less Minnesota kids are going to get the opportunities than what they had 10, 20, 30 years ago. I hope that makes sense.

[hockeyboys]

I wouldn't worry too much about USHL or NAHL drafts. There are lots of MN players in both of these leagues. Getting drafted has very little meaning. Players can get invited to their tryouts, or go to open tryouts, and have just as much chance to make these teams as drafted players. For the most part, these teams don't waste draft picks on MN kids because they know they are not likely to leave their High School to go live with another family away from home. If they want these kids after they graduate, they scout them during the HS season and offer Tenders to them - no need to draft.

[CenterIce]

I've had junior coaches tell me that they take AAA MM kids over MN H.S. kids because it is just a lot easier to recruit from AAA. Many of the AAA MM kids are already living and/or playing away from home, and they don't care where they have to go to play juniors. When you ask them to move to Nebraska, or Michigan or Alaska, they just say O.K. Minnesota kids, on the other hand, tend to hold out for what they perceive to be the best locations to play and are not so quick to say yes to other offers.

[Lakeviewing]

I've had junior coaches tell me that they take AAA MM kids over MN H.S. kids because it is just a lot easier to recruit from AAA. Many of the AAA MM kids are already living and/or playing away from home, and they don't care where they have to go to play juniors. When you ask them to move to Nebraska, or Michigan or Alaska, they just say O.K. Minnesota kids, on the other hand, tend to hold out for what they perceive to be the best locations to play and are not so quick to say yes to other offers.

NAHL sells hope- please go to college and be a member of society. Playing USHL is the only hope to play D1 hockey.

[Lakeviewing]

Anyone noticing a growing trend of MN kids not being drafted in the USHL draft???

USHL and NAHL programs draft their players based on two criteria: Can they help my team? -and- Will they play for my team?

The USHL focuses a bit more on the "high-end" hockey players who HAVEN'T graduated high school, as they have a bit more leverage in getting those players to abandon their high school, prep school, or AAA programs. College committed players are highly sought after, as that can contribute even more leverage.

The NAHL focuses a bit more on players without college commitments that have graduated high school, as they are a lot more likely to sign up. They will also take college committed kids who they think might not make it into the USHL on their first attempt (Berglund, Benik, etc).

These are just generalities. Exceptions are easy to find.

First of all the USHAL teams are heavy into recruiting at all high school levels. If your not approached during the high school season, you have no chance at the USHAL level. Their main team is already set, except for maybe one or two skaters. The NAHL teams get the seconds and sell hope. They hold open tryouts to get maybe 2-3 skaters and suck a lot of want of bees in thinking their kid has a chance. Bottom line it fits into a tryout fee of $250.00. The NAHL level and Junior B levels are good for D3 levels of play. Sorry, but this is what I see.

[jigs78]

first off.. its USHL. not ushal.

2nd.. you say the only hope of D1 hockey is playing in the USHL. I could not disagree with you more. Take Brandon Brodhag for example. Committed to D1 Merrimack. Guess where he played for 2 seasons? NAHL. USHL and NAHL are proving grounds that you can play at a higher level. NAHL is still extremely good hockey and is very competitive. Don't make a stupid generalization there sir.

[Zamman]

My $.02 is this. The goal of every player is to continue playing. Yes most will say to play in the NHL, but most people will realize that is a long shot. To continue playing the the real goal ad the NAHL, USHL, D1, D3 and all the other leagues after high school are there. I give my congratulations to anyone who can continue to play. I see lots of people still playing, well into their 60's at the rink and that is what the real goal is.

[bigbopper]

Any word on Tenders? (NAHL)
I've heard a lot of names from the Great 8 tourney been offered, but haven't seen who's excepted.
Any info out there?

[cooper26]

Admittedly, I don't know much about this stuff. I would point out though, that the USHL and its scouting system are businesses in their own right. They don't exist just to identify the best players for advancement. For their own purposes and survival, it only makes sense to place their resources where they will average the best returns. Will most of their scouts be in attendance at a Kennedy vs. Chaska game where they might see 2 D1 prospects? Or, at a AAAmidget game where they might see 12?

I would think this will continue to be the trend. Some kids will be missed. The days of: "If you're good enough, they will find you." are over.

[justwatchin]

As a parent... my son turned down a tender, actually 2 tenders and one with an Canada team. It is not an easy process first of all, it's not about where...You can't compare playing in NE, OH vs. Alaska...it is not the same. Alaska has good programs! Don't get me wrong...but if my son can play closer to home in NE or OH, KS etc...it would be worth the chance.

The USHL DOES look at those they did not get drafted...and they check out the ones coming to their "invite" tryout camps...trust me there are some hockey players that did not get a tender in the NAHL, or make the draft in the NAHL or USHL OR get their D1t...BUT I don't doubt for one minute many will in the next year! MN has some outstanding players and some of the best coaching one could ever wish for...and some are dimonds in the rough and once they get the coaching and develop, I think you WILL see more MN kids making the cut.

My son was blessed to play in the Chicago Showcase... our boys were told from other players on other teams how good they were...some teams had practiced for a year together and our MN kids...2 practices and one scrimmage. MN USA hockey and ELITES....are doing a great job. AND it does not matter how big or small of school you come from, if it is meant to be...it will happen. Trust me!

[justwatchin]

ZAMMAN...I have to add to your little bleep about playing in your older years...my son played with a group of D1's, Jr.A's, a pro and they had one older guy as my son would say 50's...maybe late 40's ... a goalie...he gave the boys a run for their money...left them thinking I can tell you that, the older guy out did the youth. And these boys are good...I guess no matter how good you are...you have not learned everything and can always learn...especailly from your elders.

Please Keep Teaching to those of you that love the sport...no matter how old you are...YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You make and leave an impression ...my son is a man of few words, and for him to be impressed...it takes someone that shines in thier own talent and skill ..thank you for showing my son you are as good as you want to be not matter what! And showing him he needs to bring it up a notch...LOL

[Blue&Gold]

Someone made a generalization about USHL and NAHL kids playing D1. Take a look at these sites and notice that there are a number of NAHL kids committing to D1 schools. Now, are they getting the 75% and full-rides? Maybe not, and then again maybe.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... CpqCpRsjRw

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... XIJG47g-ug

[chuckhockey35]

Another reason that USHL and NAHL maybe going after midget AAA is the number of games played in comparison to minnesota high school hockey. Minnesota H.S. only plays 25-31 games top, where as midget AAA will play 50-60 games. This would give a junior scout a better perspective on a players ability over a longer season, a season similar in length to a junior hockey season.