Minnesota's Tier1/AA Model

[MrBoDangles]

We're about to enter a time of mass exodus.

People can keep saying that the A teams will be able to play some games with the 20-25 AA teams, but in reality, the contests will be few and far between.
Think of all the elite players in mid-sized A associations that will now be asked to play at a level lower than their Summer teammates.... Currently they're able to play at the same level in the Winter and have been satisfied with that even if they're on a weaker team. Now, with a new elite level of play, the parents and players won't be so likely to stay put. What parent that pays for AAA/Elite Summer training will allow their kid to play this new B Minnesota level in the Winter?

Minnesota Hockey is trying to form their own version of Tier1 to combat the threat of Tier1. What their unable to see- is that there will be many left behind.
Watch for the mass exodus from these types of programs to be huge and the effects on their High School program and High School Hockey in general, to be even worse.
Roseville
Hopkins
Mounds View
Champlin Park
Forest Lake
Rosemount
etc.
etc.
These types of programs will be so disabled that there will be no hope for a Roseville to be expected to compete against a White Bear in High School. The folks at Minnesota Hockey are the ones driving the stakes into the hearts of association Hockey.

[O-townClown]

"Mass exodus" to where?

[goaliewithfoggedglasses]

"Mass exodus" to where?

Team Walser.

[YouthHockeyHub]

Before we shut the arena doors, let's wait and see how they structure the deal.

There are a couple of different ways this thing gets unfolded this weekend. And trust me not even the presenters know which way it's going to go.

I have talked to several people (DD, MN Hockey Officials, District Presidents, etc - 11 total people)...all see it ending up in different formats.

We will break the story as soon as it's final.

TS

[MrBoDangles]

"Mass exodus" to where?

The move in/ School transfers would quadruple in Edina/Eden Prairie type associations from these new lower level A associations.

Are you on Florida Hockey board?

Yes, even your Edina has 2-4 move-ins a year that crack the A teams.

[old goalie85]

Bo-from what we have heard[very little] FL will be AA based on highschool enrollment. Do you have other info ?? Thanks.

[MrBoDangles]

Bo-from what we have heard[very little] FL will be AA based on highschool enrollment. Do you have other info ?? Thanks.

Could go by either enrollment or recent success from what I've been told. Hard to pick which one could jack an average program worse.

[old goalie85]

I agree, A the top kids go to WBL/Still, AA we struggle.

[BadgerBob82]

BoDangles: "What parent that pays for AAA/Elite Summer training will allow their kid to play this new B Minnesota level in the Winter?"

I'm not sure how you are connecting the dots here?

YouthHockeyHub has failed reporting as to any of the details of the proposal that will be voted on this weekend. The details are what would be the basis for a yes or no vote? None of the proposal has been made public.

You are speculating on what associations would be AA or A.

But is your point that AAA summer players will waive out of their association? I don't get that line of thinking.

[MrBoDangles]

BoDangles: "What parent that pays for AAA/Elite Summer training will allow their kid to play this new B Minnesota level in the Winter?"

I'm not sure how you are connecting the dots here?

YouthHockeyHub has failed reporting as to any of the details of the proposal that will be voted on this weekend. The details are what would be the basis for a yes or no vote? None of the proposal has been made public.

You are speculating on what associations would be AA or A.

But is your point that AAA summer players will waive out of their association? I don't get that line of thinking.

Would an elite player(parents) want to play AA Summer Hockey when they can play AAA a couple miles away?

The exact same is true with Winter Hockey.

The number of talented players switching to mega associations is already a big problem. The problem will only compound with this much smaller number of top tier teams.

[O-townClown]

Bo, I'm not sure how much more this would happen. After all, moving is a very large decision. Families interested in moving for hockey from a smaller town don't need an A vs. AA divide, they've been doing it for years.

Interesting to ponder, but I see it having a lot less impact (none) than you do.

[MrBoDangles]

Bo, I'm not sure how much more this would happen. After all, moving is a very large decision. Families interested in moving for hockey from a smaller town don't need an A vs. AA divide, they've been doing it for years.

Interesting to ponder, but I see it having a lot less impact (none) than you do.

You don't need to move. You can be at another school districts bus stop before the first song in the car is over in most areas of the metro.

The talk at the rink says otherwise.

[O-townClown]

You don't need to move. You can be at another school districts bus stop before the first song in the car is over in most areas of the metro.

The talk at the rink says otherwise.

I have been away for 19 years. Minnesota has been at the forefront of progressive education reform throughout that time. I confess, I'm not fluent in what is and what isn't permissable.

Don't districts have to accept you under open enrollment guidelines? It isn't as easy as, "I want my kid to go to school in Edina," is it?

I guess communities will become known for their policy regarding inflow. My son plays in a very small association here, so I can certainly relate to the hockey side of it. There is always a gravitational pull from the larger and stronger programs, so I see your point about rink discussion amongst parents.

[the_juiceman]

We're about to enter a time of mass exodus.

People can keep saying that the A teams will be able to play some games with the 20-25 AA teams, but in reality, the contests will be few and far between.
Think of all the elite players in mid-sized A associations that will now be asked to play at a level lower than their Summer teammates.... Currently they're able to play at the same level in the Winter and have been satisfied with that even if they're on a weaker team. Now, with a new elite level of play, the parents and players won't be so likely to stay put. What parent that pays for AAA/Elite Summer training will allow their kid to play this new B Minnesota level in the Winter?

Minnesota Hockey is trying to form their own version of Tier1 to combat the threat of Tier1. What their unable to see- is that there will be many left behind.
Watch for the mass exodus from these types of programs to be huge and the effects on their High School program and High School Hockey in general, to be even worse.
Roseville
Hopkins
Mounds View
Champlin Park
Forest Lake
Rosemount
etc.
etc.
These types of programs will be so disabled that there will be no hope for a Roseville to be expected to compete against a White Bear in High School. The folks at Minnesota Hockey are the ones driving the stakes into the hearts of association Hockey.

more over reaction by a paranoid guy. The glass is always half empty

[MrBoDangles]

We're about to enter a time of mass exodus.

People can keep saying that the A teams will be able to play some games with the 20-25 AA teams, but in reality, the contests will be few and far between.
Think of all the elite players in mid-sized A associations that will now be asked to play at a level lower than their Summer teammates.... Currently they're able to play at the same level in the Winter and have been satisfied with that even if they're on a weaker team. Now, with a new elite level of play, the parents and players won't be so likely to stay put. What parent that pays for AAA/Elite Summer training will allow their kid to play this new B Minnesota level in the Winter?

Minnesota Hockey is trying to form their own version of Tier1 to combat the threat of Tier1. What their unable to see- is that there will be many left behind.
Watch for the mass exodus from these types of programs to be huge and the effects on their High School program and High School Hockey in general, to be even worse.
Roseville
Hopkins
Mounds View
Champlin Park
Forest Lake
Rosemount
etc.
etc.
These types of programs will be so disabled that there will be no hope for a Roseville to be expected to compete against a White Bear in High School. The folks at Minnesota Hockey are the ones driving the stakes into the hearts of association Hockey.

more over reaction by a paranoid guy. The glass is always half empty

"Half empty" Like the upper ranks of your program?

Will things get better for your association with the change?

[57special]

A boy is a good B player in Edina. In a smaller association he might latch on to an A team ,which would allow him to compete against better competition and improve his game, rather than be faced with a logjam of talent above him. The new system allows him to compete against top talent from smaller associations, which will challenge him more than the old system where there was only a few teams that you had to worry about. The smaller associations finally have a chance to compete on a somewhat level playing field, and actually have a hope of winning state. Sounds like a win/win to me.

I played under this system many years ago in Canada. You played everybody during the regular season, but were designated AA, A, or B for the major tournaments. Worked great. The only wrinkle they had was that there was a Grand Championship game where the winner of the A level could play the AA winner. Perhaps a twist like that (and it's promise of winning "the big one") would keep the top talent level from transferring to a mega association- which is basically an imperfect form of Tier One hockey.

[BadgerBob82]

Bo: I'm sure you're pressing your nose up to the glass with a like minded group of guys that think AA-A "winter hockey" is bad. But your view of the hockey world has been clouded by spending so much time at the rink. Get some fresh air. Go watch your kid play baseball, soccer or lacrosse. Get out of the rink for a while. The sky is not falling!

[MrBoDangles]

Bo: I'm sure you're pressing your nose up to the glass with a like minded group of guys that think AA-A "winter hockey" is bad. But your view of the hockey world has been clouded by spending so much time at the rink. Get some fresh air. Go watch your kid play baseball, soccer or lacrosse. Get out of the rink for a while. The sky is not falling!

Shows how little you know. You, and other like minded guys like you, would have a five tier system in High School so that everyone would get a trophy.

I would probably be selfish and be all for a more elite schedule if we resided in the confines of a mega association.

Why should any talented kid stand for a less competitive schedule?

[O-townClown]

Why should any talented kid stand for a less competitive schedule?

Because they're a kid and just want to play. And really don't know any better unless their parents get in their ear.

[old goalie85]

When do they vote ?? Sat.?

[MrBoDangles]

Why should any talented kid stand for a less competitive schedule?

Because they're a kid and just want to play. And really don't know any better unless their parents get in their ear.

Don't know any better? You don't think kids are competitive?

Do these kids you're talking about still believe in the Easter Bunny?

Show me a thirteen year old that doesn't want to play at the highest level possible.

-

[old goalie85]

Bo lets co-op NB & FL. We should be able to play w/anyone at all levels.

[BadgerBob82]

Bo: I do not promote the endless AAA, AA, A designations. Unlike you, I like the current trend to tack "Elite" or "Super-Duper" in front of AAA to give the impression of importance.

My point has been that too many associations are hung up on the A designation, therefore, field A teams when the ability level is actually B1.

You sound like "one of those" type of parents?

[O-townClown]

Show me a thirteen year old that doesn't want to play at the highest level possible.-

I can't show you one, I can show you lots of them. The typical discussion is that after years of car rides to practices 2-4 hours from home on weekends, they just don't want to play any more.

Next time you are down I can introduce you.

Then what happens next is that they change their mind between tryouts in the Spring and games in September. They usually play, but they don't change their mind about "the highest level" possible and become AA rather than AAA players.

[MnMade-4-Life]

Bo lets co-op NB & FL. We should be able to play w/anyone at all levels.

Bromance ... ain't it cute.