So then something like this comes across my screen and it reminded me of this thread. Kid plays two years of Juniors, played in both the playoffs and 'Top Prospects Tournament,' did some time in the NAHL, 64 points in 34 games (really?) and he ends-up at D-III St. Mary's University -

St. Mary's University of Minnesota is a private institution that was founded in 1912. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,503, its setting is city, and the campus size is 350 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. St. Mary's University of Minnesota's ranking in the 2019 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, 50. Its tuition and fees are $35,110 (2018-19).

The 50th ranked regional university in the Midwest for $35K a year.


Story below



Chill forward Lindauer makes NCAA commitment
OCTOBER 8, 2018

The Coulee Region Chill of the NA3HL are pleased to announce that veteran forward Brady Lindauer has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at Saint Mary’s University in the MIAC.

Lindauer, 19, is in his second season playing junior hockey, which has been primarily spent in the NA3HL, also with some time in the NAHL. The 5’10/180 lbs. native of Cary, Illinois, is off to a good start this season with the Chill, having recorded six points in the first three games of the season.

During the 2017-18 season Lindauer split time with the Chill in the NAHL and the La Crosse Freeze in the NA3HL. In seven NAHL games, Lindauer had one point. He then thrived in the NA3HL for the Freeze, recording 64 points (16 goals, 48 assists) in just 34 regular season games, which ranked 2nd in team scoring.

Lindauer also had four points in eight playoff games. He was also selected to and played in the 2018 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for the Blue (Central/Coastal Division) team.

So what you're saying is maybe this kid should have just played club hockey at some O.K. university?

Correct. The problems lies in there being too many 'junior' leagues feeding this stupidity, too many delusional parents and there is no maximum age for college hockey players. All this needs to be fixed but the money is too good.

80% of D-3 is just glorified club. The students on campus don't even realize its there and the hockey is all the last guys who still care.

There is nothing wrong with getting a good education from St. Mary's in Minnesota (or another school like that). It's one of the Minnesota private schools that plays in the MIAC. Winona, MN is a nice town nestled along the Wisconsin border, a fun college town with Winona State University (NCAA D2, NSIC) located there too. A degree from that school and being a varsity hockey player there will open up doors for this kid in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area once he graduates. That network of Minnesota private school alums stick together.

It would not shock me one bit if his financial package included a sizeable amount of grant money. While these schools don't give out athletic scholarships they are often well endowed and the financial packages they can put together make them as/or more affordable than a state school, sometimes even tuition free. Keep in mind, out-of-state tuition at a Big Ten school runs about $35-$40k per year while in-state will still run you about $20k.

The amazing part to me is that this kid put up some points in the NAHL and still got shuffled down to the NA3 and is now going to play NCAA D3 hockey. It just shows you how hard it is and how tough the competition is once you get up to those levels of play.

I realize this is an east coast board so you might not understand how things work in the Midwest. This kid will be just fine and will do well for himself in life if he stays on the right path and works hard.

And no, I am not the kid's mom or dad, just someone who can offer some perspective.

12:02 (and others) try to make the point that 2 years of Juniors and even high-level Juniors experience isn't a guaranteed pathway to good college hockey and a coveted degree. I get it.

But don't manipulate the facts in this story.

Yes the kid had 60+ points in 34 NA3HL games - but the NAHL numbers tell more of the story - "....In seven NAHL games, Lindauer had one point."

It's very likely that the soon-to-be over-ager was not getting any legitimate looks from NAHL teams for 2018-19 and he made the decision that playing college hockey was important to him.....hence the move to St. Mary's.

There are going to be hundreds of kids who do the same. Maybe they get a taste of minimal or quasi-academics during their time in Juniors, and realize that going to a challenging/top school is not for them. Nor is going to a huge state university and fighting to make the club team.

To each their own.

But let's not confuse his situation with other NAHL kids who are well below 19 and producing .5+ PPG.

Let's see, two years of juniors, D-3 at a little no name school or good known school at 18 and club hockey. As a parent it's a no brainer.

I don't disagree. I only hope that if and when my kid is faced with that decision, I have the balls to let him make it on his own.