Should Jamestown be accepted into the NSIC?

[SW_Mustang]

Hermantown has pulled from the whole Iron Range in the past, not just the Duluth area, East Grand Forks pulls in kids from Grand Forks all the time. Warroad has also found ways to get kids across the border.

Moorhead, although they are AA, has their Fargo, West Fargo and Sioux Falls pipelines along with a spattering of West Central Minnesota kids. Gotta keep up with the programs in the Cities.

The frustrating thing is that Sioux Falls has started to drain SWMN of talent. Easton Johnson and Hobie Hedquist come to mind. Carsen Musser and Nolan Schaefer both skated a season for their high schools but then the former joined the USA ranks and the latter went to Illinois for AAA. Mike Koster left for Chaska...

Problem is, I also can't blame them because there's a severe lack of funding. During the Nelson/Smedsrud/Sengvonxay reign at Luverne and coming off the heels of Marshall's first (and only) state appearance - I was convinced that hockey in SWMN was going to get better. But it's only gotten worse.

South Dakota has the same problem - Knutson, Duehr, Zueger, Fandel and Sanderson all left to play AAA - pretty much had too. The interesting thing is that there's a lot of money being pumped into SoDak varsity hockey right now though, so I'll be curious to see what this looks like in 10 years.

[Purple Mav Man]

The frustrating thing is that Sioux Falls has started to drain SWMN of talent. Easton Johnson and Hobie Hedquist come to mind. Carsen Musser and Nolan Schaefer both skated a season for their high schools but then the former joined the USA ranks and the latter went to Illinois for AAA. Mike Koster left for Chaska...

Problem is, I also can't blame them because there's a severe lack of funding. During the Nelson/Smedsrud/Sengvonxay reign at Luverne and coming off the heels of Marshall's first (and only) state appearance - I was convinced that hockey in SWMN was going to get better. But it's only gotten worse.

South Dakota has the same problem - Knutson, Duehr, Zueger, Fandel and Sanderson all left to play AAA - pretty much had too. The interesting thing is that there's a lot of money being pumped into SoDak varsity hockey right now though, so I'll be curious to see what this looks like in 10 years.

Sometimes, seldomly, but sometimes it’s not about the money. Kids go to other/bigger schools not necessarily because funding is better (although it typically is) but the competition is greater. You don’t get as many eyeballs on you playing in areas with weak teams. But you get a lot of attention playing with, and against, the big boys.
And you get parents willing to go where ever or send their kid where ever as well.

[WSUWarriorFan]

This year, the local section had 8 teams but only the top six made the playoffs. #7 Nicollet hosted #8 BLHS in a "friendship" game which ended 14-8 for Nicollet. A much better ending for both teams. Evidently it is up to each section. BLHS didn't win a game all year, good thing that they didn't play #1 like in past years.

That's how it should be. Make the section tournament 4 games and let the teams that don't make it schedule an additional game if they want to. Would eliminate all the first round blowouts and would give the playoff teams a break. If a team makes the second round they would have played 3 games in 11 days.

[SW_Mustang]

Sometimes, seldomly, but sometimes it’s not about the money. Kids go to other/bigger schools not necessarily because funding is better (although it typically is) but the competition is greater. You don’t get as many eyeballs on you playing in areas with weak teams. But you get a lot of attention playing with, and against, the big boys.
And you get parents willing to go where ever or send their kid where ever as well.

I agree - there's a strong correlation between the two in hockey as it's an expensive sport, but like you said - it's not always the case.

I'm not so much bothered that these guys are leaving - rather SWMN has finally started to put out major college prospects in the last several years but we don't have the infrastructure to develop them locally. I certainly don't blame a guy like Hedquist for chosing the Power of playing for Worthington - but it would have been cool if they had the resources to keep and develop him. If that makes sense.

Marshall is an interesting case because they built a new arena, but still haven't gained much traction. So there's definitely more too it than just money.

[Millsy]

The other issue with the MSHSL is that they limit hockey to 25 (?) games, where AAA teams get around 60-80 games. I know the MSHSL now allows kids to do the "before and after" with Junior teams, so that adds on another 20 games, on average. Still, kids want to play games.

The other kicker in all of this is the changes to NCAA Hockey. With Canadian Major Juniors now an option and you can retain your NCAA eligibility, you are starting to see kids bolt for that league, or AAA to lead up to it. Off of my son's 14U National Championship team last year, 12 of the 18 skaters were selected in the WHL's 2010 Prospects Draft. Four of those kids decided to go play AAA rather than for their high schools, so they could get used to "the grind". I truly feel that now the WHL is a viable option for kids that want to go to college, Minnesota hockey is going to start to decline.

[WSUWarriorFan]

great post

Hockey season starts soon. Gotta get warmed up to troll on Twitter.

[SW_Mustang]

Hockey season starts soon. Gotta get warmed up to troll on Twitter.

Come join us on the Gopher feed - it's low hanging fruit, but we're having a good time.

[CollegeFBGuy]

The other issue with the MSHSL is that they limit hockey to 25 (?) games, where AAA teams get around 60-80 games. I know the MSHSL now allows kids to do the "before and after" with Junior teams, so that adds on another 20 games, on average. Still, kids want to play games.

The other kicker in all of this is the changes to NCAA Hockey. With Canadian Major Juniors now an option and you can retain your NCAA eligibility, you are starting to see kids bolt for that league, or AAA to lead up to it. Off of my son's 14U National Championship team last year, 12 of the 18 skaters were selected in the WHL's 2010 Prospects Draft. Four of those kids decided to go play AAA rather than for their high schools, so they could get used to "the grind". I truly feel that now the WHL is a viable option for kids that want to go to college, Minnesota hockey is going to start to decline.

I understand why it happens, but going for the grind at 14, 15, 16 etc…is crazy.! As a family first guy, I am thankful we don’t have a kid that would potentially leave home at such a young age to chase that. I can’t imagine dropping my middle or high school kid off at some billet family, and having those important years somewhere else. After graduation, juniors or college makes sense, but for many, that might be too late.

Even in D1 football, where they push the early graduation, start in January, spring ball and summer classes would be tough, but nothing like these young ones heading out.

[SW_Mustang]

I understand why it happens, but going for the grind at 14, 15, 16 etc…is crazy.! As a family first guy, I am thankful we don’t have a kid that would potentially leave home at such a young age to chase that. I can’t imagine dropping my middle or high school kid off at some billet family, and having those important years somewhere else. After graduation, juniors or college makes sense, but for many, that might be too late.

Even in D1 football, where they push the early graduation, start in January, spring ball and summer classes would be tough, but nothing like these young ones heading out.

There's a local guy - Easton Zueger, who left Sioux Falls at 15 to play 16u in Arizona and 18u in Maine. It was a very tough decision for his parents to make. Fortunately, he was able to split his time in the USHL with the Herd and Muskies before moving on to New York, but yeah - that's a hard one to decide on.

Not quite the same vein but one of my favorite baseball players actually dropped out of high school at 16, got his GED, and enrolled in a local JUCO so he could be eligible for the draft as early as possible, and his older brother did transfer in to watch him. He was only a year or so older than me - kinda wish I could have convinced my parents to do the same thing academically but that would have gone over like a lead balloon lol.

It's why MN is so fortunate with their built in development path in hockey. Can get big time looks and eat dinner with the family.

[Millsy]

I understand why it happens, but going for the grind at 14, 15, 16 etc…is crazy.! As a family first guy, I am thankful we don’t have a kid that would potentially leave home at such a young age to chase that. I can’t imagine dropping my middle or high school kid off at some billet family, and having those important years somewhere else. After graduation, juniors or college makes sense, but for many, that might be too late.

Even in D1 football, where they push the early graduation, start in January, spring ball and summer classes would be tough, but nothing like these young ones heading out.

It is crazy to think about and it was something we had to think about this past summer with our son as he had some contact with some AAA teams out east. But, a few things came to the forefront:

1. Cost. One of the teams offered a "discount", but it was still five to six times more than we would pay here. And that didn't cover billet fees or air travel that may be needed.

2. Competition Level. Even though these teams were "AAA", looking at historical rankings, being mid to lower in the standings, would development really progress? We luck out here, we have a really good goalie program and my son is the only goalie on his Bantam team, he is going to get experience and training we trust. Playing goalie is a marathon and not a sprint like it is for a skater

3. Like you said, sending your kid to billet at 14 is crazy, and our son just wasn't ready for that, he is still a "home body". Some kids are ready though. Of the four that went to Michigan this year, three are playing together and living with the same billet, and the other one knew his game probably wouldn't grow like he wanted to in his local HS program.

Talking with parents from other teams, it was astonishing what they pay to play. $25,000 for the year is on the low end for a top 10-20 team, and that usually does not cover billet fees and air travel. In Minnesota, NorthStar Christian in $40,000+, and Shattuck in $70,000+, but at least they offer schooling with their programs. But if these teams want you bad enough, there are ways to reduce those fees. One of the parents from California figured he was all in for around $60,000 with fees and travel (his kid was able to live at home).

[Dan Brookens]

As Van Morrison once sang, Into The Mystic:

https://bscmystics.com/news/2025/11/...l-program.aspx

[34blast]

My son let me know Bismark State is transitioning to a 4 year school. They are starting back up football in the Frontier conference in 2027. They are the 3rd largest enrollment in ND I think. I bet it will increase. Bismark is not an awful town. Maybe we should have waited a few years for them instead of Jamestown LOL. I think Mary plays in the stadium that is on their campus?

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/11/05/bi...0-year-hiatus/

[laker]

My son let me know Bismark State is transitioning to a 4 year school. They are starting back up football in the Frontier conference in 2027. They are the 3rd largest enrollment in ND I think. I bet it will increase. Bismark is not an awful town. Maybe we should have waited a few years for them instead of Jamestown LOL. I think Mary plays in the stadium that is on their campus?

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/11/05/bi...0-year-hiatus/

Yes, Mary currently plays in the stadium that is right by BSC. They were talking about building their own on campus stadium that is what, about five miles south of town.
BSC plans on starting up football in 2027 so they have a ways to go. I don't think that the NSIC wanted to wait that long.
BSC is the first polytechnic school in North Dakota. They should have enough name recognition through being in the state capital but they could do a Utah Tech and change their name to North Dakota Tech if they so desired.

On a side note, Dakota State would love to get into the NSIC.

[WSUWarriorFan]

Yes, Mary currently plays in the stadium that is right by BSC. They were talking about building their own on campus stadium that is what, about five miles south of town.
BSC plans on starting up football in 2027 so they have a ways to go. I don't think that the NSIC wanted to wait that long.
BSC is the first polytechnic school in North Dakota. They should have enough name recognition through being in the state capital but they could do a Utah Tech and change their name to North Dakota Tech if they so desired.

On a side note, Dakota State would love to get into the NSIC.

I need more sleep because I read "Dakota State" as "North Dakota State."

[laker]

I need more sleep because I read "Dakota State" as "North Dakota State."

And that is the Northern Sun shining in the background.