Having watched three U16 AAA girls' hockey tournaments over the summer, I have noticed a few variances in the games between the girls from Wisconsin and Minnesota. These come from the perspective of my multiple roles as parent and fan.

My Dad Played D1 Hockey

Minnesota players are in most cases second-generation or even third-generation players. Their fathers and grandfathers played in high school, college, or perhaps even in the NHL. These girls started playing hockey at a very young age and honed their skills on ponds and hockey rinks, working with their parents or grandparents. Many of them become very talented at a young age.

In Wisconsin, I would speculate that half of the girls players do not have parents or grandparents that played the game. They did not "wear skates in the womb," as their Minnesota counterparts seemingly did, and hockey was most likely not the first sport that the girls began playing. Many girls do not get on the ice until they are eight or ten years old, and at that age Minnesota players are already veterans of 3-5 seasons of play.

This gives the Minnesota girls a huge advantage in skills and is perhaps the main reason that Minnesota girls have an edge over their neighbors to the east.

Don't Give Me That Attitude

Ever notice that Minnesota players and their parents EXPECT to win every game and get upset when they don't? My daughter's U16 team played four games against an Easton-sponsored team this summer and our parents had run-ins with their parents every game.

In the first game, an Easton player took exception to an inadvertant high stick and ran another one of our players from 15 feet away, smashing our player into the boards. When the ref was given "the business" for only giving a two-minute checking penalty, the girl turned to the stands and used the "magic word" towards our parents. That earned her an early exit from the game.

In the second game, one of our top players was charging hard to cash in on a rebound, only to have the goalie cover it and earn a whistle. One classic hockey stop later, the ref came over to our bench and told us our player was being given an unsportsmanlike for making "too much snow." 

Yet, in the next game when our goalie (my daughter) covered the puck in the crease with traffic all around and was pile-driven by an Easton player, no penalty was called and the Easton parents were all yelling "good play."

Funny how snow in the goalie's face earns a penalty, while piling on the netminder results in a face-off in the d-zone. Go figure...

The players have attitudes that are mirrored by their parents in the stands. They are confident, which is fine, with a touch of cockiness thrown in. The part that is hard to swallow is the arrogance, both on and off the ice. We are the best, they think, and you will never fail to hear all about it, on the ice, in the stands, and even at the hotel.

That's Not My Style

The Minnesota players love to use their sticks, and not just for passing or shooting. Every time they are contested, most of the players are not bashful about introducing their Eastons to their opponent's shins, arms, or mid-sections. It's almost like they are angry that you dare to try to take the puck away or pester them. I realize the game has some stick-work, but apparently the Minnesotans never got the memo about USA Hockey's "New Standard of Play."

On the positive side, Minnesota players never stop skating. Whether they are on a rush, killing a penalty, or aggressively forechecking, they are always moving their feet and harassing the opponents or getting into the passing lanes. Some of the Wisconsin players don't seem to get that point yet.

Where Are We?

Minnesota hockey will always be just that much better than Wisconsin  hockey, because of the experience, the attitude, and the style of play. Our girls will catch up somewhat because at some point the Minnesota girls will plateau, allowing our kids to narrow the gap a bit.

Look at the numbers: there are more girls HS teams in Minnesota (123) than boys HS teams in Wisconsin (91).

Young girls in Minnesota want to become the next Natalie Darwitz or Jenny Potter, while girls in Wisconsin try to emulate Jennie Finch or Mia Hamm.

That and the other reasons mentioned are why Minnesota is the "State of Hockey" and Wisconsin is scrambling to catch up.