High School Players/Teams Observations

[brookyone]

All of the states eight AA section brackets are up. Sorry thet're not in correct numerical sequence...

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=256

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=474

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=408

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=65

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=187

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=257

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=535

http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showbrackets.asp?tournid=407

Section 3AA is a tough bracket with four of the top eight ranked teams in AA. Ultimately three very good teams will be left out of the tournament. In section 7AA Cloquet/Esko/Carlton would be my pick to advance, but it will be no cakewalk. I'll try to add the other brackets (with edits to this post) as they become available.

[Hux]

I believe it's not only conceivable but in fact is occurring at this time in girls high school hockey. I watch a few local HS teams fairly regularly (the last two seasons) and in my opinion each of those teams has 7th, 8th & 9th graders that are clearly better players than many of their teams juniors & seniors...if that's what you're getting at. My suspicion is these are not isolated occurrences. As these players progress through their HS careers & more young girls take up the sport I think it's possible at some point there will be something of a plateau reached, save your occasional superstar(s). I think that'll be awhile though myself.

I should add that I here some talk within HS ranks that moving those 7th / 8th graders up to varsity isn't a very popular practice with some. I suppose youth coaches may object and maybe some parents of upperclassmen.

Here in the Bay State it is frowned upon by the high school athletics governing body (MIAA) though it is allowed when there aren't enough high school aged players available to fill the roster.

The high school team here in Burlington is looking at pulling up 7th and 8th graders for next year as there aren't enough new girls coming in to fill the graduating spots on a small roster team as it is. The HS Athletic Director finally gave the coach permission to "recruit" middle school players via a camp this summer, after four years of the coach trying to do just that to build interest in playing for the high school.

And unfortunately the better players in town are either going to private schools, or are only going to play for Chelmsford or Assabet, rather than the struggling HS team.

[brookyone]

Looks like the sportshuddle scoring stats have finally been corrected for a statewide scoring leader summary. Here it is:

http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/FanPages/Sports/IceHockey/Common/Leaders.asp?setTeamType=17&setAffiliate=MST&setSeason=%7B199A4812-91F8-48F2-8F49-D88B402D6B79%7D&selLeaderArea=All&selLeaderType=Scoring

************************************************** ******
One link with all metro scorers & team record info etc.:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/5215326.html

[goalcam]

Who were some good players in the Nobles vs Berkshire team? Was there a lot of potential out on the ice or was it a one girl recking crew?

I didn't go to the game. But, later talked to the officials that worked the game. They both felt it was the best they had ever worked. Which is quite a statement, as both have been d 1 college officials and coach public HS girls teams.

As Parsons is amoung the best 5 in the country, consider that it takes a lot of talent to have kept this game at 1-0 !!!

[hockeytalk]

I didn't go to the game. But, later talked to the officials that worked the game. They both felt it was the best they had ever worked. Which is quite a statement, as both have been d 1 college officials and coach public HS girls teams.

As Parsons is amoung the best 5 in the country, consider that it takes a lot of talent to have kept this game at 1-0 !!!


Goalcam.........Best 5 "what"? High school player, U22 player, National player? If Parsons is the best 5, surely Zavisa is up there somewhere too. I think Zavisa is a much stronger player all around, size, skating, speed, etc. I think Parsons is great, but I'm not sure what you mean by best 5.

[goalcam]

I believe it's not only conceivable but in fact is occurring at this time in girls high school hockey. I watch a few local HS teams fairly regularly (the last two seasons) and in my opinion each of those teams has 7th, 8th & 9th graders that are clearly better players than many of their teams juniors & seniors...if that's what you're getting at. My suspicion is these are not isolated occurrences. As these players progress through their HS careers & more young girls take up the sport I think it's possible at some point there will be something of a plateau reached, save your occasional superstar(s). I think that'll be awhile though myself.

I should add that I here some talk within HS ranks that moving those 7th / 8th graders up to varsity isn't a very popular practice with some. I suppose youth coaches may object and maybe some parents of upperclassmen.

Just to expand a little bit on what Hux said regarding Masssachusetts.

The skill level here is a on a steady rise. Each group better than the one before it. At some point, the sport will have captured all the premier athletes in a given birth year. But, I don't think we are there yet. As such, I would expect the rise to continue for awhile yet, leveling when the larger schools reach a player "depth" of 3-4 lines.

As you may be aware, there are different levels of play here. Private Prep's being at the top. MIAA Public/Catholic's at the next level.

The Prep's allow any school member to play. So, if the school offers grade levels below 9, those players can participate. One of the weaker teams in this group now skate a number of players from 7th and 8th grades - including both goalies. Parsons played at Nobles as an 8th grader.

MIAA schools have a rule reagrding common administration/building. If the HS and Middle School meet that criteria, players in lower grades are eligable. Boston Latin and Dedham are two top teams that have skated middle school players.

As to the "chemistry" issue, younger players coming in as top players is already part of the fabric here. Lyons at Canton High, and Pickett at Wilmington are Freshman that currently lead their teams in scoring. Freshman goalies, even on state championship teams, has happened as well.

However, the younger players finishing as Seniors on the MIAA teams is not certain. As many move on to the Prep's for academic &/or Athletic opportunities.

[brookyone]

Some brief previews of section play in 2A:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/5215346.html

[goalcam]

Goalcam.........Best 5 "what"? High school player, U22 player, National player? If Parsons is the best 5, surely Zavisa is up there somewhere too. I think Zavisa is a much stronger player all around, size, skating, speed, etc. I think Parsons is great, but I'm not sure what you mean by best 5.

I believe this string is about High School Players.

I usually think in terms of Top Recruits for College. Most colleges are happy to get a top 5 player. Actually very happy with getting one of the top 20 as well.

There are a lot of great players, that might not make some form of ranking,
that would also make a collge coach smile....

[arborman65]

I just have to say, for the Prep Schools in New England, there may not get the same press as the Minnesota High Schools, or even the non prep schools, but if you look at the top 8 teams in the D1 Preps on the NEGPA page, you will see they are all pretty close and the scores are all close. There are quite a few top senior players and goaltenders who will all be playing at a competative level next fall.
http://www.eteamz.com/NEPSACSports/

[brookyone]

In deference to all of gano's hard work, a shortened summary consisting of Minnesota girls high school players moving on to division I:

Minnesotans bound for Division I
February 3, 2005

GIRLS' HOCKEY (16)

Christy Carlson, Hutchinson North Dakota St.

Katherine Dineen, Visitation Princeton

Johanna Ellison, Cloquet Boston College

Maggie Fisher, South St. Paul MSU, Mankato

Kayla Hagen, Hibbing/Chisholm Wisconsin

Angie Keseley, St. Louis Park Wisconsin

Gisele Marvin, Warroad Minnesota

Tawni Mattila, Duluth Denfeld/Central Minn.-Duluth

Megan McCarthy, Eden Prairie St. Cloud State

Marley McMillan, St. Paul Academy Dartmouth

Felicia Nelson, South St. Paul MSU, Mankato

Sammy Nixon, Blaine St. Cloud State

Erin Olson, Elk River Minn.-Duluth

Brita Schroeder, Wright County St. Cloud State

Ashley Young, South St. Paul MSU, Mankato

Lindsay Block, Chaska Minnesota

[ARM]

Is the first one a typo, or have I missed out on NDSU going D-I?

[brookyone]

Pretty sure it's a typo. Up til know I've heard and read several times she'll be playing for the Fighting Sioux...not the...what are they...the Bison I think ?

[Hux]

Just to expand a little bit on what Hux said regarding Masssachusetts.

The skill level here is a on a steady rise. Each group better than the one before it. At some point, the sport will have captured all the premier athletes in a given birth year. But, I don't think we are there yet. As such, I would expect the rise to continue for awhile yet, leveling when the larger schools reach a player "depth" of 3-4 lines.

That it is, and with continued exposure via the Olympics and the adding of college teams, I am sure we will see the women's game experience another growth spurt in Massachusetts.

Lexington has a JV team, and Woburn has enough bodies to field one as well though the coach is against it. In some locales there is certainly a very high interest in participating in the sport, and hopefully that will spread.

Has anyone heard of any new HS teams being added for next year? Currently there are 52. With nearly 350 cities and towns, and untold numbers of parochial and vocational schools, I would think that we would be seeing at least a few new teams added each year.

[goalie8pucks]

That it is, and with continued exposure via the Olympics and the adding of college teams, I am sure we will see the women's game experience another growth spurt in Massachusetts.

Lexington has a JV team, and Woburn has enough bodies to field one as well though the coach is against it. In some locales there is certainly a very high interest in participating in the sport, and hopefully that will spread.

Has anyone heard of any new HS teams being added for next year? Currently there are 52. With nearly 350 cities and towns, and untold numbers of parochial and vocational schools, I would think that we would be seeing at least a few new teams added each year.

I read that Walpole is adding one as of next year.

[Travelingman]

Goalcam.........Best 5 "what"? High school player, U22 player, National player? If Parsons is the best 5, surely Zavisa is up there somewhere too. I think Zavisa is a much stronger player all around, size, skating, speed, etc. I think Parsons is great, but I'm not sure what you mean by best 5.


Parsons, Bellamy, Zavisa, Lawler, ?????????????? could put several names here including some juniors. These four quickly come to mind.

[hockeytalk]

Parsons, Bellamy, Zavisa, Lawler, ?????????????? could put several names here including some juniors. These four quickly come to mind.

Exactly my point and those are just a few of the Massachusetts student/athletes.

[goalcam]

I read that Walpole is adding one as of next year.

Walpole is playing a JV schedule this year.

Their league (Bay State) has a number of JV teams. Including Framingham, Needham, Wellesley, and Newton North. I believe the only league member not participating at any level is Weymouth.

[Travelingman]

Exactly my point and those are just a few of the Massachusetts student/athletes.


My point is that those four have separated themselves from the pack. There are several others you could put at 5 including some juniors.

[hockeytalk]

My point is that those four have separated themselves from the pack. There are several others you could put at 5 including some juniors.

I thoroughly agree. I was thinking those 4 kids were kids from Mass. who have separated themselves, not including kids from other states such a Minnesota.

[brookyone]

The most recently named Gopher recruit comes up big for her current team...

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/5224984.html

...and an update of scoring leaders which includes points accumulated in the ongoing section play as well as the regular season...

http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/FanPages/Sports/IceHockey/Common/Leaders.asp?setTeamType=17&setAffiliate=MST&setSeason=%7B199A4812-91F8-48F2-8F49-D88B402D6B79%7D&selLeaderArea=All&selLeaderType=Scoring