2012-13
10 TOP
By Aaron Paitich 06 MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // OCTOBER.2012 10.
THINGS TO WATCH
Lock up the boats and stow away the sunscreen. Put the tarp over Target Field. Move over, beach dwellers and picnic lovers. Hockey season is back.
A/AA: THE NEW FORMAT MINNESOTA HOCKEY'S new 2012-2013
playoff classifications for the Peewee A and Bantam A levels will provide new players, teams and associations the chance to shine under the regional and state tournament spotlights. With larger associations competing against each other in the "AA" playoffs, who will step up in the "A" tournaments? Read more about it in this issue's Open Ice on Page 22.
WCHA: LAST HURRAH No, the WCHA is certainly not disappearing
after this season, but it will look a lot different. So it's time to get your final cheers in before Minnesota and Wisconsin head to the new Big Ten Hockey Conference, while Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, Nebraska-Omaha, Denver, North Dakota and Colorado College will start the new National College Hockey Conference. Minnesota State, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and Alaska Anchorage will continue to call the WCHA home. Two must-sees: The Gophers host Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 22–23. Minnesota State heads to St. Cloud State Oct. 26–27.
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PEEWEE POINTS Skilled play was on full display with the removal of full body checking at the
Peewee level last season. To emphasize skill development while creating a safe hockey environment, USA Hockey's new rule was well received across the State of Hockey. Will the offensive outbreaks continue?
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