High School Players/Teams Observations

[Hux]

The real issue has been the committed seniors- if you look at Minnesota's team, as brookyone said, 8 future WCHA players (I think), not second tier for sure, but why would you burn recruiting budget for that? I know girls that have got to play in college because of this event, but it certainly has some downfalls.

Yeah, that pretty much kills the appeal. And when you think of it, why risk injury in a game that has no benefit to you.

I was thinking that it was second level in the sense that the elite players were taken/commited and that the bulk of those playing in the showcase had been passed over. Of course there are always the odd gems that go unnoticed, but at this late date most open roster spots have been filled, not to mention most college aps have been returned.

Has the trend been for those that are uncommited to be "sold" a particular program in the hopes that they will walk on. Or is there prep recruiting going on as well?

[brookyone]

When they are underclasssmen, then is it second level? Maybe....which should be the time for the D3s to swoop in, I would think.....Or maybe they're not, just younger.
You could, rather easily I think, build a Team Minnesota using strictly juniors & sophs that would give the posted Minnesota roster all it could handle...and more. Players yet to play their senior or even junior seasons that would most definitely be worth a look by college programs of any NCAA division.

[Hux]

You could, rather easily I think, build a Team Minnesota using strictly juniors & sophs that would give the posted Minnesota roster all it could handle...and more. Players yet to play their senior or even junior seasons that would most definitely be worth a look by college programs of any NCAA division.

I haven't been to the various HNIB events in recent years, but if I recall, most of the showcase events held in August featured seniors to be and underclassmen.
I agree, this certainly is a much better way to showcase potential recruits than to have an event with soon to graduate seniors filling the rosters.

[OhiohockeyDad]

Has the trend been for those that are uncommited to be "sold" a particular program in the hopes that they will walk on. Or is there prep recruiting going on as well?

I don't really know the specifics on the girls' 'deals' that they got, I would assume that you are right. There is a few prep schools there, but not as many as you would think.

[kustomice]

As far as the college coaches go- it's fine as long as they stay within the rules.....

These rules being what?

[Coach32]

In the last three years this showcase has been more of a grudge match between Wisconsin and Minnesota. There is a lot of pride at stake here, and the powers that be do not want to give up bragging rights. Two years ago MN. brought Macy and the D1 recruits,and beat Wisconsin in the finals. Last year MN. brought more D3 and un-commited players, and I believe they lost to Wisconsin, in the finals. With the team MN. has assembled this year, it should not be a contest. Each year the amount of coaches shrinks, with the AHCA meetings starting in Flordia on Sat, Sun. the finals will be almost all D3 coaches, if any decide to show.

[brookyone]

With the team MN. has assembled this year, it should not be a contest.
I can't tell which way you're calling it. I don't know how big a grudge Minnesota is carrying, they could put together a much, much stronger team. No knock on the current roster, the players I'm familiar with are very good players & a few on the current roster would likely also be on the "best" team possible if that was the objective. I've heard several top players have declined to play...for the right reasons. To allow others the chance to have their day.

[OhiohockeyDad]

I can't tell which way you're calling it. I don't know how big a grudge Minnesota is carrying, they could put together a much, much stronger team. No knock on the current roster, the players I'm familiar with are very good players & a few on the current roster would likely also be on the "best" team possible if that was the objective. I've heard several top players have declined to play...for the right reasons. To allow others the chance to have their day.
Thats funny- I think it was pretty obvious which way he was calling it :D
Look at the rosters- the only roster with more than 7 seniors is Minnesota (all seniors)- most rosters have 2-5 seniors- there is no doubt that Minnesota could send a stronger team, but it's strong enough!!
A parent told me last year (from the Minnesota team), that the reason they participate is to show the state's HS supremecy :eek:
OK....the rest of us get it !! You have more HS players than us :p

Anyway- the interesting thing is that it has reverted to kind of an IIHF kind of format (an A/B/C division- although they don't call them that), and you play yourself up or down over the years, it's a good idea, should eliminate the 16-0 games in the round robin. Playoffs are all of 'A'- top 3 of 'B' and top 1 of 'C'.

[OhiohockeyDad]

These rules being what?


Can't talk about your own school/program, how the player compares, scholarships etc..etc...etc.... Believe me, the last place you would try to bend the rules would be somewhere with other coaches there- they would bury you :D

[hockeyyfan]

I don't know how big a grudge Minnesota is carrying, they could put together a much, much stronger team. I've heard several top players have declined to play...for the right reasons. To allow others the chance to have their day.

The original concept was visibility for the kids who don't get recruited as a matter of course. So they excluded prep school kids (firsthand knowledge). So while teams go to win it should be about putting the best 'unsigned' players on the teams as opposed to one state trying to dominate. There are a lot of solid players all over that don't get recognition because they live in Alabama, or a team in MN where they aren't surrounded by much else talent and are buried. You'd wish they would focus on unsigned seniors and juniors for the rosters as opposed to kids already signed. The ones who are declining because they already have their tickets punched are showing a lot of class and 'get it'

[Dader]

Not on topic ... "sorry" ... but, OhiohockeyDad, you mentioned quite awhile-ago in one of your 'posts' that Bowdoin is your favorite NESCAC?/college?/ D3? team (I don't remember the exact quote ...) ... I'll admit that it's my favorite too (as I have a "vested interest" skating-there ...) ... just curious as to the "reason" for your Bow support (not that you need a reason or need to justify it or anything like-that!?!?) ... are you an 'alum'?, simply a fan ( or, in my case, a 'simple' fan)?, the 'OhiohockeyDad' of a past?/current?/future? Bow-skater?!?! ... once again, just-curious ...
"Thanks ..."

[coolsports]

The original concept was visibility for the kids who don't get recruited as a matter of course. So they excluded prep school kids (firsthand knowledge). So while teams go to win it should be about putting the best 'unsigned' players on the teams as opposed to one state trying to dominate. There are a lot of solid players all over that don't get recognition because they live in Alabama, or a team in MN where they aren't surrounded by much else talent and are buried. You'd wish they would focus on unsigned seniors and juniors for the rosters as opposed to kids already signed. The ones who are declining because they already have their tickets punched are showing a lot of class and 'get it'

I agree. Just like the senior who already has her ticket but still goes to the festival tryouts. Really is lack of class. Is this happening on a large scale?

[ARM]

Just like the senior who already has her ticket but still goes to the festival tryouts. Really is lack of class.Don't blame the player. I doubt that they know the format and purpose of every all-star event to which they are invited. They probably just think it is an honor to be asked to participate and represent their area. If they truly don't belong at the event, the fault lies with the group that made the invitation/selection.

[kustomice]

Can't talk about your own school/program, how the player compares, scholarships etc..etc...etc....

I think that would be pretty tough to do as any coaching decision (lines, dbl shifts, starters, etc.) could be seen as a statement of how a player fits in with the college coach and that program.

If the teams were all unsigned seniors and juniors I would think it would be less of a concern, but there are quite a few freshman and sophmores involved - which to my understanding are off limits to NCAA coaches.

As far as the coaches monitoring their own conduct ...... I would hate to risk a players college career on it.

[coolsports]

Don't blame the player. I doubt that they know the format and purpose of every all-star event to which they are invited. They probably just think it is an honor to be asked to participate and represent their area. If they truly don't belong at the event, the fault lies with the group that made the invitation/selection.

I will agree with you ARM but what about the festival teams. Should a senior go and tryout when she already has a D1 spot? Would this not be fair to the junior's? Just a thought.

[ARM]

coolsports, I don't know who should/should-not be at a given event. It would be good if the organizers make it very clearly who the participants should be. I'd just prefer that you give a player the benefit of the doubt if they wind up at a tournament, camp, festival, etc. that is a poor fit, and not attribute it to the person lacking class.

[Hux]

Don't blame the player. I doubt that they know the format and purpose of every all-star event to which they are invited. They probably just think it is an honor to be asked to participate and represent their area. If they truly don't belong at the event, the fault lies with the group that made the invitation/selection.

Good point. And who could blame a stand out for taking pride in their efforts and accomplishments?

The problem lies with the promoters, who like to have name players turn up so they can then use that as protional material for inviting the next batch of players. Though if they restricted it to underclassmen and non-commited seniors, they would still have plenty of "name" players to hype, just not for that particular tourney at that time.

[brookyone]

Team Minnesota over Team Rocky Mountain in the showase today by a score of 9-0. Savat played in goal for Minnesota. I believe Minnesota plays Illinois tomorrow.

[Hckysk8tr8]

Team New England over Team South Dakota 11-0. Team Southeast over Team North Dakota 6-0.

[brookyone]

More results from 4/13:

Team Wisconsin 5-3 over Team Illinois

Team Michigan 5-3 over Team Atlantic

Team Mid America 5-4 over Team Central