Hermantown Has Earned Its Place Beyond the Class A Debate, the Hawks Have Built Something Worth Respecting

In Minnesota high school hockey, few program names generate as much debate as Hermantown. Mention the Hawks in almost any hockey conversation around the state and someone will bring up the Class A discussion, the Section 7A competition, or the program's long run of success.

I've heard the arguments for years. I understand why some people believe Hermantown should move to Class AA. But contrary to popular opinion, I have a different take. I respect Hermantown, and I think there is considerably more to appreciate about this program than many people are willing to acknowledge.

Look beyond the classification debate and you'll find a hockey community that has built its identity around the game, developed generations of players, and established a coaching culture that deserves recognition.

Hermantown's hockey identity wasn't created in a training facility or manufactured through an expensive development program. It grew out of the same northern Minnesota hockey culture that has produced generations of talented players.

Think about how these kids grow up. Outdoor rinks, freezing temperatures, neighborhood pickup games, and countless hours spent on the ice. Kids learn to skate, compete, improvise, and figure things out for themselves.

There is something about that environment that can't be replicated by simply putting players through another organized practice.

Outdoor hockey teaches creativity. It teaches players to compete without someone constantly directing every move. More importantly, it creates friendships and connections that carry into the high school years.

In Hermantown, hockey is woven into the community. That foundation matters, and it is one of the reasons the program has been able to maintain such a strong identity.

The coaching history is another reason Hermantown deserves respect.

Under longtime head coach Bruce Plante, the Hawks developed a reputation that extended beyond winning games. Plante helped establish a culture centered on developing players and preparing young men for opportunities beyond high school.

Pat Andrews has continued that tradition, maintaining the program's emphasis on development and advancement.

There are plenty of coaches who enjoy building impressive records and collecting championship banners. There is nothing wrong with winning, but the real measure of a high school program should include what happens to its players after their final game.

Hermantown has consistently worked to help players find opportunities at the next level. Whether that means the USHL, NAHL, NCAA Division I, or eventually professional hockey, giving players a chance to pursue those opportunities should be a priority for every high school coach.

A good coach wants to win. A great coach also understands that the players sitting in front of him have futures that extend well beyond the high school season.

That is a distinction worth recognizing.

Of course, the conversation eventually comes back to classification.

The argument that Hermantown belongs in Class AA isn't going away. Given the program's history and success, it is understandable why people continue to raise the question.

But the discussion often overlooks what Hermantown does outside its section schedule.

Section 7A has developed into a highly competitive environment. The rivalries are intense, the programs are proud, and getting through the section tournament is never guaranteed. Hermantown has experienced that reality itself, including recent seasons without a trip to the state tournament.

Winning a section is never automatic, regardless of reputation.

There is also the matter of the Hawks' nonconference schedule. Hermantown has regularly tested itself against established Class AA programs, giving its players opportunities to compete against different styles, greater size, and the kind of speed they will encounter at higher levels.

That matters far more to player development than simply looking at the class designation printed beside a team's name.

If the objective is to prepare players for junior and college hockey, meaningful competition should be the priority. Hermantown has made that part of its approach.

Another argument that deserves some attention is exposure.

There is a perception that playing in Class A somehow puts players at a disadvantage when it comes to being seen by college recruiters, junior scouts, and NHL personnel.

That simply doesn't reflect how player evaluation works.

Scouts follow players, not just classifications. They watch prospects throughout the season, evaluate their competition, and look at how they perform against different levels of opposition.

The Class A State Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center may not have the same crowds or television attention as the Class AA tournament, but that doesn't mean the players on the ice are invisible.

Recruiters and scouts know where to find talent. They aren't going to ignore a player because his team competes in Class A.

And once the tournament reaches its later rounds, the level of competition can be every bit as demanding as what fans see in Class AA.

The opportunity is there. Players still have to take advantage of it.

It is easy to criticize a program that wins consistently. Success attracts attention, and eventually that attention brings resentment. Hermantown has certainly experienced its share of both.

But take away the arguments about classification for a moment and consider what the Hawks have accomplished.

They have built a recognizable hockey culture, developed talented players, maintained a competitive program, and established a coaching tradition that has helped young athletes pursue opportunities beyond high school.

That deserves recognition.

People don't have to agree with Hermantown's classification to appreciate its hockey program. Those are two separate conversations, and too often they get lumped together.

I respect what Hermantown has built. I respect the commitment to developing players, the connection to the community, and the willingness to test itself against some of the best programs in Minnesota.

Love the Hawks or dislike them. Argue about Class A or make the case for Class AA.

But don't overlook what has made Hermantown successful.

The Hawks have built a program that northern Minnesota can be proud of. And whether everyone agrees with where they belong in the classification system or not, they've earned their place in Minnesota high school hockey history.