Last Updated on Thursday, 05 February 2015 10:08
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Recent decree from above: “... Tier 1 hockey in Minnesota will be administered by Minnesota Hockey, and teams will be organized and run by Minnesota Hockey as an extension of the Minnesota Hockey High Performance programs.”
Beware when Minnesota Hockey or USA Hockey – or for that matter the Minnesota State High School League – announce that they intend to add (or subtract) new programs. If statewide control is not the immediate intent, it will be about control eventually.
Some folks in charge of quasi-governmental bodies feel the need for their own advice to become the universal code of conduct. They want everyone else to coach like them, so they fight the expansion of AAA and other development programs run by individual entrepreneurs. Please note that I am not advocating one way or the other regarding these programs, but …
My question is: Do these programs have the right to exist? And, just as importantly: Is the sum of all potential input to the development of youth talent better than one self-appointed “official” program?
Control, taken from the locals has always been an attempt to stifle the creative minds of the masses. But all great human achievements in history have arisen out of the populace, not the self-anointed elite. In this case, we’ve been told that this body of unelected experts is taking over the development of the state’s top players, because … well, because they can.
How do they control, even when they claim this is not their purpose? The first answer is through MONOPOLY. I drove down to Dallas several times to see why hundreds of parents wanted to know why a program their children had grown to love, featuring great coaching on-ice and off, was being legislated out of business. Simply stated, the program was too successful, attested by national championships and observation of their training and competition. It was as good as anything I’ve seen anywhere in the world.
So the programs that were less successful wrested control of the Texas Amateur Hockey Association and stripped the Dallas group of their right to exist under USA Hockey’s monopoly. After court battles, the private enterprise coaches could no longer afford to fight back, so their program is now out of business. USA Hockey money is basically endless when it comes to quashing any voice of dissent from its constituency.
The second vehicle of (implicit) control is the “High Performance Program.” This is the tryout process – an excellent one at that – for the chance to make it to USA Hockey’s National Camp, and maybe even the National (age-level) Team. Few in their right mind would pass up this chance because of the exposure to college and professional scouts. Furthermore, the competition at every tryout level is an eye-opening experience. It’s a semi-open tryout process with an irresistible carrot at the end.
So, enrollment in a “maverick” program is risky, once it is known that the Tier 1 program is run by those who select the participants in the High Performance Program.
Consider the fall Elite Leagues (boys and girls). This is an extremely successful supplement to the high school hockey experience. The boys’ league has been administered by John Russo from the outset, and supported in part with his own money. Some might suggest slight tweaks, but the overall success is not questioned; nor is its critical relationship to the high school tradition in Minnesota. NHL and college scouts never miss a game, so this ensures that the top players participate; and therefore, it is the highest level of competition of the year.
One alumnus of the Elite League is Grant Opperman, who is now a sophomore forward at Dartmouth College. When told that the Elite League might change leadership and perhaps its underlying character, he sent the message below. Other Elite League alumni are welcome to submit comments to editor@letsplayhockey.com.
Opperman: “I know the Elite League was extremely important, not only in my development as a player, but in the recruiting process as well. For example, I had 60 points my junior year in high school and talked to only one Division I coach, who I approached first. After my first weekend in the Elite League, I talked to four schools I wanted to go to. After my second weekend, I committed.
“The hockey in the Elite League is incredible. It’s an all-around better version of the high school game.Better defensemen, better forwards and better goalies. I mean, it’s hands down why some players should stay in Minnesota high school hockey.”
