going to state!
Saint Paul Tommies Hockey Club
2024 Minnesota Hockey State Tournament
The Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold A and Junior Gold 16 teams will play in the MAHA State Hockey Tournament March 15, 16, and 17.
All games will be played at Doug Woog Arena,141 6th St S, South St. Paul, MN 55075.
The JGA team opens on Friday March 15 at 2:00 PM on Rink 1.
The JG16 team begins play Friday March 15 at 2:30PM on Rink 2.
Tournament informations is available at:
https://www.minnesotahockey.org/statetournaments
Hope to see you at the tournament.
#greatest hockey days of our lives.
Name Change - Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold Hockey Club (SPTHC)
“Most players growing up in Minnesota dream of playing for their high school hockey team. Unfortunately, those rosters are limited to 20 players. In some communities, there can be as many as a hundred or more players competing for these coveted spots. Simple math says there will be kids left out who need a place to play.
Junior Gold hockey provides another opportunity for high school age players to continue playing while developing their skills. Junior Gold has grown in a fantastic level of hockey with considerable skill and opportunities for player development. Many players made their high school team after playing a season or two of Junior Gold, and some Junior Gold players have gone onto play after high school in junior leagues such as the NAHL.”
(from minnesotahockey,org)
The West Saint Paul Warriors Hockey Association is the host association for the Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold Hockey Club.
Formerly known as Saint Thomas Academy Junior Gold hockey, the program encourages interested student athletes to continue having fun playing hockey and compete at an advanced level. Besides moving along to high school teams, many Junior Gold athletes continue playing hockey after high school with their college club teams or other competitive adult leagues.
Junior Gold questions may be directed to Bill McCarthy, Health and Physical Education Department Chair, Coach.
bmccarthy@cadets.com
651-454-4570 ext 1324
Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold Hockey Club (SPTHC)
The STA Junior Gold Hockey has promoted character development while playing hockey and will continue to do so as the Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold Hockey Club. The name change has been a result of a MSHSL directive aligning teams outside of the High School league (particularly in name), with their host youth hockey associations. Established in 2023 is the newly named Saint Paul Tommies Junior Gold Hockey Club.
In conjunction with 2 top-quality high school level hockey programs, the SPTHC provides an excellent hockey experience for Saint Thomas Academy and Two Rivers student athletes who want to continue playing competitive hockey. USA Hockey certified coaches and staff contribute to the positive development of the program, hosted by the West St. Paul Warriors Hockey Association.
Junior Gold High School League
SPTHC Junior Gold teams compete in the Junior Gold High School League (JGHSL.org), a league with more than 50 teams at 3 different levels. Currently there are three SPTHC teams: Junior Gold A, Junior Gold B and Junior Gold 16 involving more than 50 players each year.
The overall program has achieved modest team success, including Junior Gold B State Championships in 2016 and 2018, a JGB State Consolation Championship in 2017, and State Runner-up at the JGB level in 2014 and the JG16 level in 2019. The 2019-2020 JGA team qualified for the State Tournament but was unable to compete because of COVID-19. Since 2020, all three teams have appeared in their relative Minnesota Hockey State Tournaments at different times.
By developing young men of high character, with strong work ethic and commitment, the Saint Thomas Academy Junior Gold Hockey program will support the rules, policies and regulations of STA and TR, USA Hockey and the Minnesota State Hockey League as they pertain to attendance, academics and substance use. Disciplinary consequences involving these regulations will be applied.
Junior Gold Hockey History
Junior Gold hockey in its current form, dates back to 2005 in Minnesota. Junior Gold A, B and 16 levels were formalized replacing Midget and Juvenile programs. There have been State Champions declared at the JGA level dating back to 1956.
Mike Dougherty ’78 and Bill Hickey ’74 started the Junior Gold program at Saint Thomas Academy in 2007, with one Junior Gold B team. Originally hosted by the Sibley Hockey Association, the team finished 5th in their division. The program was expanded to 2 teams in 2012, when an Under16 (now known as JG16) team was added. A third team was then added, a JGA team for the 2018-2019 season, a state tournament participant in its first year.
Player Expectations and Requirements
Player Expectations
By developing people of high character, with strong work ethic and commitment, the SPTHC will support the rules, policies, and regulations of the High Schools involved, USA Hockey and the Minnesota State High School League as they pertain to attendance, academics and substance use. Please note: Players who are late to school, not in class, or tardy to class during the school day will not be permitted to participate in that day’s practice or game.
Player Requirements
- Register with USA Hockey for the 2023-2024 season. USA Hockey Registration
- Complete baseline ImPACT concussion testing. ImPACT Baseline Concussion Training (scroll down to the heading: Concussion Testing, follow the instructions)
- Complete SafeSport Training (birthdates 2006 or earlier) SafeSport Training
- Complete a one-time Minnesota Hockey Waiver if needing to be released from your home association. (Not necessary for players living in the Saint Paul Warriors home district.)
- Full fee payment.
Preseason and Team Tryouts
In an effort to prepare for the upcoming season, preseason clinics are being offered. These sessions will replace JG preseason skates and will include all eligible High School players. Sessions will be staffed and directed at establishing a good balance between fundamental refreshers and some scrimmaging. Some sessions will be supervised by Foley and Nagel. The cost for participation in the preseason clinics is $89, or $50 for 5 or less sessions. There are 2 ways to register. There are a total of 10 instructed/development hours included in the clinic, and full participation is encouraged. Players with financial concerns should talk with a team official.
Registration and payments to ‘SPT JG Hockey’. Please give your payments to Mr. McCarthy.
Preseason Schedule:
| Date | Location | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday October 9th | Saint Thomas Ice Arena | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Junior Gold Open Skate |
| Thursday October 12th | Saint Thomas Ice Arena | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Junior Gold Open Skate |
| Wednesday October 18th | Saint Thomas Ice Arena | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Junior Gold Open Skate |
| Monday October 23rd | West Saint Paul Ice Arena | 4:40 PM - 5:40 PM | Foley/Nagel Clinic |
| Friday October 27th | West Saint Paul Ice Arena | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Foley/Nagel Clinic |
| Monday October 30th | Richfield Ice Arena | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Foley/Nagel Clinic |
| Sunday November 5th | Saint Thomas Ice Arena | 2:10 PM - 4:10 PM | 4 - Team Scrimmages |
| Wednesday November 8th | SPA Drake Ice Arena | 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM | Foley/Nagel Clinic |
| Friday November 10th | Saint Thomas Ice Arena | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | 4 - Team Scrimmages |
High School hockey Tryouts will begin Monday, November 13. Junior Gold Hockey Tryouts will follow - date and times to follow, and can be related to player availability following fall sport participation There is no cost to participate in Junior Gold Tryouts.
JGHSL Regular Season, Playoffs, State Tournament
All three levels SPT teams participate in the Junior Gold High School League.
League play begins Monday December 4, 2023, and ends Friday February 24, 2023.
League playoffs begin Monday February 27, 2024 and end Sunday March 3, 2024.
The MN Hockey State Tournament takes place March 8-9-10.
SPT Tournament Commitments
Junior Gold A , B and 16 - Herb Brooks Holiday Classic - Blaine Super Rink December 26-27-28, 2023
Junior Gold A and 16 - Edina Reimann Tournament - Braemar Arena January 11-12-13-14, 2024 (No SPT games scheduled for January 11)
Junior Gold A - Wayzata High School Invitational Tournament (pending as of 9/20/2023) -Plymouth Ice Center January 12-13-14, 2024
Junior Gold A - National Tournament Qualification - February 26-27 Brooklyn Park Arena
Welcome to a new era in Junior Gold Hockey!
The Saint Paul Tommies are the newest Junior Gold Hockey Club to participate in the Junior Gold High School Hockey League. Rebranding the Saint Thomas Academy Cadets as the Tommies is another positive step that continues the strong hockey tradition and opportunity which began in 2007 with Junior Gold hockey at Saint Thomas Academy. With the support of both community high schools, Saint Thomas Academy, and Two Rivers along with the West St. Paul Hockey Association, the Saint Paul Tommies will begin play in the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
Junior Gold questions may be directed to Bill McCarthy, Health and Physical Education Department Chair, Coach.
bmccarthy@cadets.com
651-454-4570 ext 1324