For over 30 years, Minnesota has made a tradition of providing its high school seniors with a yearly development program that gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities to coaches and scouts from junior, collegiate, and professional teams. This year the Ted Brill Great 8 will be held in South St. Paul, MN at Wakota Arena on March 22-24.

“I have [coached] the last three years in a row I think,” says Bruce Plante, Head Coach of Hermantown H.S. and one of the Section 5 A/AA coaches in the Ted Brill Great 8. “Even when I haven’t coached it, I have always come to it because I always have thought it was such a great event.”

The three day tournament has expanded from two region teams (outstate & metro) to eight teams that represent the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) eight sections. Seniors from A & AA teams in each section are selected by the coaches. Each coach has the ability to nominate players, and a vote is held to determine the 17 player roster (nine forwards, six defenseman, and two goalies).

“You know, it’s a compliment to them [to make the roster],” emphasizes Plante.  “I think they feel good about it. It helps them with their confidence. It gives them an extra opportunity to show what they’ve got and against better players.”

Organized by the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association and Minnesota Hockey, the Ted Brill Great 8 is designated as a national development program by USA Hockey. The tournament provides the players with the chance to play with and against the top high school players in Minnesota.  Players are evaluated by qualified personnel, and 20 players are selected to represent Minnesota in the Boy’s CCM National Invitational Tournament in Plymouth, MN.

 “Some of these kids, especially from some of the smaller programs, they never get to play against the best kids or the best players,” points out Plante. “They get a chance to play here against better players and prove that they are good players.”

To see if seniors from your local high school team or section will be participating in the Ted Brill Great 8, click on the link below to see the team rosters for all eight sections.