Yes, Minnesota has a wonderful youth hockey program.  I am wondering
how much ice time is being used in Maine?  All I know is that my
brother, who is now a senior at Mahtomedi High School (Mahtomedi
was 3rd place in the state tournament) spent many an early morning
during his youth hockey days being carted around the cities for
6am practices, and as he got older 11pm practices.  The high school
team has summer captain's practice at 10pm.  Mahtomedi, though an
excellent youth and high school hockey program, has no arena.  Home
games are played sometimes as far as 20 miles away.  The only
teams with the "popular 5-10pm ice times" are the mites and
squirts.  Mahtomedi always gets the second choice in ice time to
the surrounding school districts of North St. Paul, White Bear Lake,
and Stillwater.
 
I can't forsee kids being turned away from youth hockey.  There are
always outdoor rinks, and as long as school districts are co-operative
ice time shouldn't be denied.  In my personal opinion, Minnesota has
the best, and most successful youth and high school hockey programs
in the country.
 
Katie
Go Gophers!
 
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