1983/84 Regular Season - North


Make that two in a row for the Grand Rapids Moose who are taking home their 9th Iron Range Hockey League title in team history. The Moose held onto the axe as well. Virginia was the only other "elite" team from the IRHL this year, with the majority of the league playing competitively, but not really doing anything to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. The Miners continue to ascend the table slowly but surely, getting their highest finish since 1948, coming in third. Hibbing clinched the final playoff spot just ahead of a number of teams who were in contention. Ely was the first team out coming in fifth, their best finish in a decade. Babbitt made some big steps forward as a team this year, playing a consistent game and finishing in 6th. Chisholm, Coleraine, and Mountain Iron were all good team who struggled with consistency, looking like world beaters one night to peewees the next. Eveleth had a rough year, but they still managed to come ahead of Keewatin and Hoyt Lakes who finished in 11th and 12th.


The defending champs picked up right where they left off, sticking in the top 3 spots for the entire season before finishing at the top to take home their 18th LSHL crown. The Lakers had another great year and will be looking to avenge their playoff struggles over the past two seasons to get back to the Super Series. Two Harbors has been slowly improving over the past couple seasons, and this year it just clicked. The Wolfpack don't have any necessary "stars" but they work great as a unit and it carried them to their first playoff appearance in 13 years as well as claiming the Agate for the first time. Le Bleus are back in the post season, sliding past Cloquet in the final game of the season to end the Broncos playoff streak at 2 years, and their drought of 2 years. Hermantown had a solid team, and on some nights looked great. But for long stretches of the season, the Husky offense went dormant and it ended up costing them as they drop out of the playoffs in 6th. It was another frustrating season for the Hornets who just cant seem to get their issues at goaltender sorted. Their team is actually pretty good, but a sub par netminder has Duluth finishing in 7th, well out of the playoff hunt. There really wasn't a bad team in the Lake Superior Hockey League this year, Proctor had noticably improved compared to past years, finishing ahead of both Silver Bay and Grand Marais who round out the league.


Hockeytown USA reclaims the Northland Hockey League for the 4th time in the past 8 years, putting together a solid all around team that should be a serious contender for the Kellogg Cup. As always, the Northland was a battle and the teams that did make the playoffs have earned their place. Bemidji, Roseau, and Fort Frances go 2, 3, 4 to take those playoff spots and keep their seasons (and Cup hopes) alive. Blackduck made some waves this year, having their highest finish to date in fifth and seriously pushing for a playoff spot. Steinbach and International Falls were next, both having solid seasons, just not enough to reach the post season. The Winnipeg squads came in 8th and 9th, definitely not the season either team had imagined when the season began. The Stags were able to finish ahead of the Monarchs in the final standings, but the Bruisers won the season series between the two, there is definitely an intense rivalry forming between the two teams. The bottom three were Kenora, Baudette, and Red Lake, all playing decent, but not up to the standard of the rest of the league.


From worst to first, West Fargo has done something historic. The West Fargo Wasps have become the first team in the history of the MAHL to finish in last place in their league one season then come out and win it the next. Behind the Wasps were East Grand Forks and Grand Forks, EGF taking home the Giant Fork and the Jets the Nodak Cup. Fargo dropped to fourth, but still have a good hockey team who now is experienced in the post season, so a deep run is definitely possible. Moorhead is left on the outside looking in despite having a good season. Dilworth was next, followed by Detroit Lakes and Crookston. It was a year to forget for Thief River Falls, but they did still finish ahead of the Pelican Rapids Petes.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Thief River, all I’ve got for that season is...

OOF!!

1983/84 Regular Season - Twin Cities South


The Marauders have gone back to back as Hennepin Hockey League Champions, coming just ahead of Shakopee and Minnetonka who both were in the hunt for most of the season. Eden Prairie is making their first playoff appearance in their 13 year history, finishing fourth. Wayzata had a good start to the season, but things seemed to just fall apart on them as they dropped out of the post season in fifth. Chanhassen, Chaska, and Orono would round up the league, none being particularly horrible, just lesser than their opponents.


Eagan got over the hump this year to claim their first ever SMHL crown after back to back second place finishes and a run to the Super Series a year ago. It was the usual top dogs in second and third with Apple Valley and Burnsville both having solid hockey teams. There was a bit of a fight for the final playoff spot, but in the end the Lions were able to hold on and extend their playoff streak to 6 years. Rosemount was first out for the second year in a row, giving Inver Grove a run for the four spot, but coming just short to keep the Wolfhounds without a playoff appearance. Mendota and Lakeville were next, nothing too much to say about either team. Prior Lake got the wooden spoon for the South Metro this year and will try to forget about this season as they go forward.


Make that 14 Twin Cities Hockey League titles for the Mighty Millers of Minneapolis. It was a good year for a few other Original Ten teams as well, with the V's and Mavs coming second and third to secure the top three slots for the classic clubs. In a bit of a surprise, the final playoff spot went to the St. Anthony Trojans in their very first season. Many expected the purple and gold to be competitive, but not as successful as they proved to be, finishing four spots ahead of the towns traditional team, the Vulcans. It was another year of good but not good enough for Highland Park who finishes in fifth for the fifth consecutive season after winning the league in 1979. West St. Paul and Como were next, both finishing right around .500 for the year. The aforementioned Vulcans are next in 8th, suffering a bit after losing some key players to the Trojans, but still putting together a respectable season. The bottom four were all within a few games of each other, really showing how even the parity is in the TCHL. It goes Minneapolis Bakers, Phalen, Falcon Heights, and finally the St. Paul Saints.


St. Louis Park has always been a bit of a middle of the pack, in and out of the playoffs, kind of team. But something clicked this year for the Louies and they were able to clinch their first League Championship in team history, as well as taking home the Gold Bowl in a season sweep over Golden Valley. Edina was next, looking just as dangerous as ever, led by veteran Cole Nanne. Richfield and Bloomington West also punched their tickets to the playoffs, both putting together solid seasons and looking capable of a possible run. Coming in fifth is Hopkins, the Tigers showed signs of improvement this year but inconsistency became an issue for them. New Hope made some big strides in terms of progress this year, getting their highest finish in team history in 6th. It was a tough year for the Bloomington Bears who got hit with the injury bug, causing the team to play with shortened benches and without some key players. Golden Valley dropped back to earth after a surprising 5th place finish a year ago, really beginning to show their age. Crystal dropped to last, there really weren't a whole lot of bright spots this year for the Colts.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Way to go, Oaks!

1983/84 League Power Rankings