HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

With 8AA down to Elk River and Buffalo, is this the year we finally (and imo, unfortunately) get 8 metro teams in the AA tournament? Would need either Century/JM to beat Lakeville South (unlikely) or Grand Rapids to beat Andover (possible) to prevent it from happening. Unless, of course, someone wants to claim that Elk and/or Buffalo aren't Metro, which some people I know seem to think.

I grew up in ER, and I work in Buffalo. Both are absolutely Metro.

If it does happen it will be the 1st time in 80 years. I don’t think I’d make any significant changes unless it becomes a long term trend.

It was talked about a lot starting in the early 80’s. It never really turned into the northern demise people thought (or hoped) would happen.

The fact that it hasn’t happened even once yet is pretty telling.

grindiangrad-80 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:44 am If it does happen it will be the 1st time in 80 years. I don’t think I’d make any significant changes unless it becomes a long term trend.

It was talked about a lot starting in the early 80’s. It never really turned into the northern demise people thought (or hoped) would happen.

The fact that it hasn’t happened even once yet is pretty telling.

I'd have to better understand some of the northern youth numbers, etc. before any handwringing. I like having the Moorheads, Roseaus, Grand Rapids in the tourney - and it would be a shame if the state tournament becomes more metro-centric than it already is.

I don't follow things closely enough, but I would be surprised to hear of any real concern with a northern demise. Haven't the last 4 Mr. Hockey winners come from the north? And like half of the recent Brimsek award winners? Hermantown could have won a couple of AA titles lately, or at least been in serious contention. Hard to compete with the depth of some high-end metro schools and privates.

Agree blueline. I’m good with 2 northern sections and 6 from the southern part of the state. The majority of the population is closer to the metro and should be represented that way. I’m also good with the Elk Rivers and Andovers playing in 7 and 8. They make those sections better.

The strongest programs will still stand the test of time. As much as hockey has grown it’s still going to be the same 15 or 20 teams in and out of the tournament the majority of the years.

I’m a northern guy but the 2 best games I’ve watched this year were Edina/ Wayzata last week and Edina/BSM yesterday.

Can’t wait to see what this week brings.

From the start in 1947 to 1969 the state championship belonged to a northern team other than 3 times when it was St Paul Johnson.
Then Edina can along.
Most of us (northerners) knew it was going to happen but understood it was a good thing for high school hockey.
We hated Edina but they had some good teams.
Now its west metro area that is strong. I would think that in time that strength will move in a different direction.
But as long as the MSHSL does not mess with the product we will have the best thing going.

Go Hornets.
But cheering for the Thunder-Hawks.

And Class A.

For sure Elliott. The world is a much smaller place than it seemed back then. I used to think of Edina as the bad cities guys who wanted to ruin my March.

Now I like watching them play. I really like the way they play the game and it really hasn’t changed much over the years. They are either going to kill you or it will be a wild one.

elliott70 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:32 am From the start in 1947 to 1969 the state championship belonged to a northern team other than 3 times when it was St Paul Johnson.
Then Edina can along.
Most of us (northerners) knew it was going to happen but understood it was a good thing for high school hockey.
We hated Edina but they had some good teams.
Now its west metro area that is strong. I would think that in time that strength will move in a different direction.
But as long as the MSHSL does not mess with the product we will have the best thing going.

Go Hornets.
But cheering for the Thunder-Hawks.

And Class A.

Minor corrections.

- The MN HS state tournament started in 1945.
- St. Paul Johnson won the tournament 4 times between the start and 1969, winning in '47, '53, '55, '63.

I was JHS class of 1978

Nice catch

My memory is good but not perfect.

No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I haven’t seen any northerners complaining.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:31 pm No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:11 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:31 pm No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

Yup

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:11 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:31 pm No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:50 pm

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:11 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:31 pm No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

Well, being that I’m from EGF, they are not for me. Go Green Wave.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:50 pm

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:11 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:31 pm No one who is a supporter of two class hockey should complain about a metro AA bracket. When we had one class, we had 2 1/2 northern sections. This year Warroad and Hermantown would likely win their sections.

We can have two consistently strong northern sections or two classes. The choice was made decades ago, mive on.

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

So are HM, CDH, BSM, STA, etc...

CitiesSpudsGuy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:42 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:50 pm

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:11 pm

I beg to differ:

EGF and Hermantown.

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

So are HM, CDH, BSM, STA, etc...

As FDR said when he addressed a group of wealthy industrialists, "I welcome your hate." It makes the wins so much sweeter.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:47 pm

CitiesSpudsGuy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:42 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:50 pm

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

So are HM, CDH, BSM, STA, etc...

As FDR said when he addressed a group of wealthy industrialists, "I welcome your hate." It makes the wins so much sweeter.

No hatred on this end. You saw the laughing emojis, right? Hate is such a strong word. I prefer "dislike".

Go Grand Rapids. Team brings down pretty much the whole town. I care about Andover as I do about Hill Murray.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:47 pm

CitiesSpudsGuy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:42 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:50 pm

Warroad, EGF, they're interchangeable to me.

So are HM, CDH, BSM, STA, etc...

As FDR said when he addressed a group of wealthy industrialists, "I welcome your hate." It makes the wins so much sweeter.

FDR was a communist.

And his wife was a …..

All is right with the world, Scotty and I are on opposite sides again.

SEC Scotty wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:09 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:47 pm

CitiesSpudsGuy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:42 pm
So are HM, CDH, BSM, STA, etc...

As FDR said when he addressed a group of wealthy industrialists, "I welcome your hate." It makes the wins so much sweeter.

FDR was a communist.

He also said The only thing we have to fear is the fear of an All-Metro State Tourney.

WarmUpTheBus wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:18 pm

SEC Scotty wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:09 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:47 pm

As FDR said when he addressed a group of wealthy industrialists, "I welcome your hate." It makes the wins so much sweeter.

FDR was a communist.

He also said The only thing we have to fear is the fear of an All-Metro State Tourney.

Maybe Metro State High School League is a better name than Minnetonka State High School League for the MSHSL.