From State to State

Big event weekend past was Jon's team competing in the State Bantam A hockey tourney. This year MN hockey split the youth levels like high school having a AA and A division. This allowed smaller schools like Detroit Lakes a better chance to get to state instead of having to go through larger AA associations like Brainerd and Moorhead. It also allowed more powerhouses in the cities like Edina to give more kids the chance to go to state that might be finished with hockey after Bantams. Lot of pre season discussion on the split but personally I feel it was a good deal even though not entirely in favor of having schools like Edina spread their dominance at all levels.

 Pep rally at the arena earlier in the week. Great to have all the local support. 



First game matched up vs East Grand Forks and took the win putting them in the semifinal vs Edina. Tough loss losing 0-1 on an evenly matched game and fantastic netminding by both sides. Third place game matched up vs Crow River. After a 4-1 early in the third period, four unanswered goals by CR giving them the third place crown. Overall a great season and solid placing at 4th place.

 Jake was up in Alaska for the week, racing in JR Nationals and fought through being sick the two weeks previous to make a good showing and racing his guts out, literally. Best day was the sprints ending up with a 20th place overall and best finish in three years of competing at Nationals. Nicely done Jake.

 Saturday morning had time to sneak over to the Graystone trails and participate in the "Whiteout" a 10km race remembering local rider and skier, Jim White who sadly committed suicide a year and a half ago. It was good to ski hard on a super fun course, connect with some good people and mix things up on the 30daysofskiing quest.

 There was a good turnout of spectators for the games and very nice for non team related folks to come and support. Couple games the cousins came to support even with busy hockey themselves including Reagan in Bantam B state and Garrett in the Youth Hockey Hub Squirtacular. After the third place game, a scout from the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL congratulated Jon as he had been listed with the club. Here is a link that explains what it means. Jon will try to attend their prospects camps the next six months but will be playing high school next season at Detroit Lakes to set things straight.


 

Sunday night got hit nicely by good ol fashioned blizzard. Total snowfall around 7" but an impressive wind shutting stuff down in eastern ND and western MN Monday. Kids had snow day so Jens and Jack helped packed for three hours helping knock out a lot of trail. Endless winter continues!!