Section30 wrote:

Baudette has used the same Walleye logo since their inception in 1958, but its time has come to an end as they move on to a new look. The new logo is a B for Baudette, with the back of the logo forming a Walleye tail. (Bet you'll never guess what team influenced this look)

The Buffalo Braves?

In all seriousness, more amazing stuff in this batch. Especially loving Maplewood's new colors, the new New Ulm look, and the helmet innovation from Victoria. The only one that might be a downgrade is Northfield; the eyes in the new logo make it look a bit too cartoonish for me. Everything else, though, is great.

I love that Walleye logo!

Thank you to everyone on the feedback, glad the new looks seemed to be liked for the most part. As the first snow storm of the year hits Minnesota irl, let's get into the 1980/81 Season.

1980/81 Regular Season - North


The Jacks go back to back atop the Granite Hockey League, claiming their 18th GHL crown. Fergus Falls had a surprisingly good year, resembling their team from 75 who won the league. Brainerd was never really in danger of giving up their top spot in the league at any point this year, but the battle for second was tight between the three remaining playoff teams. The Cyclones took second in the end, followed by the Pilots and Bearcats. There was a little gap after the top four with Alec and Sauk Rapids both having issues in net, leading to inconsistency that ultimately did them in as they miss out on the playoffs. Mora and the St. Cloud Storm were both meh, winning a couple games they weren't supposed to but losing the majority of their games as they finish only ahead of the lowly Brickmakers from Princeton who finished with 2 wins and 1 tie on the year.


The past few seasons were rough for the Brookies who had high expectations but just failed to reach their potential. This year was different though as Coleraine worked like a well oiled machine, every player working together to make it work in one of the best leagues in the MAHL. They were followed by last years champs from Mountain Iron, and their biggest rivals from Grand Rapids. Moose-Trout games this year were brutal with full line brawls breaking out in 2 of their 3 meetings. Rounding out the playoff teams are Chisholm who stick in the 4 spot to extend their playoff streak to 5 years. Perhaps the biggest achievement though already happened as the Flames take home the Quad City Trophy for the first time in the trophies 22 year history. As always, there were some playoff caliber teams that missed the cut. This year Hibbing, Virginia, and Tower-Soudan all spent some time in the top 4 but were on the outside looking in at the end of the year. Eveleth wasn't bad, but they weren't good either. They had a losing record at the end of the year, but just barely. There wasn't really a punching bag this year in the IRHL, but there were a few teams that were easier to beat than others. Keewatin, Ely, and Hoyt Lakes round out the table and will have to put this season behind them and move on.


Thunder Bay had a chip on their shoulder this year trying to prove that last year was a fluke, and boy did they. Thunder Bay proved their point and then some as they reclaimed their spot atop the Lake Superior Hockey League. Superior was also on a redemption run as their younger group turned some heads by jumping up to second after missing the playoffs the last 4 years. The Beavers and Voyageurs came in third and fourth, sweeping their hardware and punching their tickets to the post season. Hermantown was right in on the hunt, but losing 4 of their last 5 was enough to allow Le Bleus to sneak past in the end. The rest of the league was actually pretty even for the most part with there never really being a guaranteed win against anyone.


Warroad remains one of the most dangerous teams in all of the MAHL, claiming their 3rd NLHL crown in the last 5 years. That is a really amazing feat, especially this year with the top 5 teams all finishing within 4 games of each other. Warroad used their team play and skill to take home the title. Fort Frances used their speed and grit to come second and take home the Can-Am Cup. Roseau leaned on their offense and were able to win back the Victory Bell after 5 years in Warroad. Winnipeg stayed true to their identity and used their size to out muscle their opponents, they also were able to keep the Maple Leaf Trophy for the 3rd straight year. And in perhaps the most unfortunate situation of any MAHL team this year is Bemidji who had a tremendous season and looked more than capable of returning to the Super Series, but they wont get that chance as they finish in fifth, missing the playoffs altogether despite having a team that definitely had what it takes. Despite not being in the playoff hunt, Baudette and Kenora had solid hockey teams and despite having losing records had seasons they can be proud of. The Muskrats took home the first Rusty Tackle Box and decided to add the year they won similar to the Victory Bell. Like many of the Northern Leagues there weren't really any bad teams, but coming in the bottom three slots were Blackduck, International Falls, and finally Steinbach.


Henry Mack and the Pointers remained the team to beat in the Red River, leading the whole MAHL in goals scored with 153 in 30 games. The Jets had a bounce back season after missing the playoffs last year, finishing in second and reclaiming the Nodak Cup. The Titans had another solid season, coming in third and having one of the better defenses in the league. Are Detroit Lakes good or not? It seems like even they don't know as at times they keep up with the Pointers and Jets, and then they go lose to Pelican Rapids at home. Despite the inconsistency, the Woodies manage to squeak into the four spot ahead of Thief River and Moorhead to make their third playoff appearance. Missing the playoffs are the aforementioned Railers and Huskies who were just barely outside, Crookston and West Fargo who were just meh, and finally Pelican Rapids and Dilworth who struggled for the most part.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

1980/81 Regular Season - Twin Cities


Roseville went back to back atop the EMHL, becoming the first team besides White Bear Lake to do so and cementing the Rockets as a legitimate contender for the foreseeable future. The revamped Goldies had a great season, jumping all the way up to second to get back into the post season. In third were their arch rivals the Braves, the two were so evenly matched this season that the race for second place, as well as the Barrel, were on the line in the final game of the year in Rivalry Week. Maplewood was able to get the victory to take second and the Barrel with White Bear coming third. Coming in the final playoff spot are last years Cinderella team from Mounds View. It was a close fight for the final playoff spot between them, Little Canada, and Stillwater but in the end Gunners had just enough to make it back to the playoffs. The rest of the pack all finished below .500 but there wasn't a ton separating them. 


Anoka continues their era of dominance in the North Metro, clinching their 3rd title in the last 4 years. The Panthers dropped down from first to second but had another solid season altogether, Plymouth and Coon Rapids round out the top four. Blaine came out of nowhere to contend for a playoff spot, just barely missing the cut in fifth after an 11th place finish just a season ago. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, things appear to be heading in the right direction for the Spartans. There was a hefty list of mediocre teams in the North Metro this year including Brooklyn Center, Wayzata, Elk River, and to some extend Osseo. I say to some extent because the Eagles began to really fall apart in the final month and a half or so of the season, falling all the way to 9 which is a new record for worst finish in team history. Golden Valley fell back to earth after a surprising playoff birth last year, and boy did they fall hard. The Chargers dropped to 10th and their window has slammed shut. Crystal and New Hope were near the bottom as usual with Maple Grove dropping to 13th in the sophomore season.


The Rivermen can safely say that they are the best team in the St. Croix Hockey League, winning their third straight title in as many years. Following Hastings were their arch rivals Cottage Grove who were led by strong goaltending to get them back into the playoffs. Eau Claire didn't have the year they had hoped, rather than contend for a title the Rubber Kings spent much of the year battling injuries and illness, putting out teams of 7 or 8 skaters at some points in the season. Despite the adversity Eau Claire was able to pull it together late in the year to finish third. Menomonie is the four seed but there isn't much to talk about, they are a mediocre hockey team but they get the benefit of being in a rather weak league this year. Lake Elmo and River Falls were in pretty much the same boat, just a little worse and missing the playoffs as a result. The Chippewa were just not good, there's not much else to say, winning a total of 3 games all year.


Is this the year that West St. Paul finally is able to bring home Senator Kellogg's Cup? Only time will tell, but if there was ever a group of Waves to do it it would be this one. WSP was just a force to be reckoned with as their experienced and talented group largely is in their prime and playing incredibly well together, as well as keeping the Wood Slab for the 6th straight season. The Vulcans stuck in second, keeping the Holy War Trophy and winning the inaugural City of Lakes Trophy. The story of the season in the TCHL was Falcon Heights. The Raptors really focused on the team aspect of the game knowing they don't have the skill of many of their competitors. The unique style of play was incredibly effective as it opened up huge gaps in the defense with the passing game. The Raptors had zero playoff appearances in their 18 year history, but a group including a number of players who watched the first Falcon Heights team play as children is now leading them to the playoffs for the first time ever. The Mighty Millers dropped three spots after winning the league last year, but they still managed to hang on and make the playoffs as the 4 seed. As usual there were a couple playoff level teams that finished outside the top four. Highland Park and St. Paul both had really good teams that could have been able to potentially make a run had they made it, unfortunately for the Aces and V's they wont get that chance this year. There were no bad teams in the TCHL this year, but the bottom four all had losing records none the less. The bottom of the table went Minneapolis, South St. Paul, Como, and finally the St. Paul Saints.


The defending champs went back to back atop the WMHL to the surprise of nobody. The Roosters never were really in doubt, losing only 3 games and tying 4 in their 30 games. There weren't any new faces in the top four this year with St. Louis Park, Bloomington West, and Edina joining Richfield in the playoffs. It was an unusually low finish for the Cake Eaters this year coming in fourth, but that was a mix of their age showing along with losing a key piece midway through the year. Three time Tschida Trophy winner and long time Captain of the Cake Eaters, Ben Hankinson, was involved in a car crash driving home after a game in December. There was a snow storm and the road conditions were poor, causing Hankinson's car to spin out into traffic where an oncoming car was unable to stop, t-boning Ben's car. He was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that he had a broken collar bone and would be out for the remainder of the season. Already nearing the end of his career he opted to hang up the skates after his injury, leaving a big hole in the Edina locker room. Hopkins had a nice year, finishing .500 and coming in fifth. Minnetonka, Mound, and Bloomington were next, all with losing records and seasons to forget. At the bottom of the table are the Eden Prairie Pumas for the 7th consecutive season.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

TourneyEarnie wrote:

The NMHL might need to split or something. The league is waaaay too big Wayzata could go to WMHL and Elk River could MAYBE go to the GHL. The entire NMHL needs a shake up imo.

There are rumors that there are a few cities in around the metro that have been showing interest in getting teams. There are also rumblings about drastic realignment and potentially new leagues to allow this. Like I said though these are just rumors I heard