Interviews (FINAL)

Interview #1 Ryan O'shea

Question 1. What does the game of hockey mean to minnesotan's in your mind? In my mind, the game of hockey in Minnesota is like the game of football in Texas, but more important. Minnesota is the state of hockey.

Question 2. Explain why you think Hockey is so big in minnesota. I think hockey is big in Minnesota because of the long winter we have. In addition to that Minnesota has a reputation of having the most fierce competiton in all the nation since the roots of our state.

Question 3. Do you have hockey experience? Yes i do, i have played on the Eastview High School varsity team for four years now and i started playing the game when i was three.

Question 4. What is the one thing that comes to mind when the state hockey tournament rolls around? The hockey expo. That is the big fair type of convention in the River center where all the reps of big hockey competitors promote the new gear for the upcoming season.

Question 5. Will you be attending this years tournament? Like every year, yes i will. As much as i wish we were playing in it this year but i will be in the crowd watching the games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Interview #2 Ron Ritacco

Question 1. How many high school hockey tournaments have you attended? Over 20, when i was little my father used to get me out of school to go watch them. Now i have not had the opportunity to, i usually try to catch the games on TV after work.

Question 2. Why is the tournament the biggest state tournament in the state of minnesota? Its because our state is the state of hockey. There are so many young kids that are D-1 Bound and a handfull of those kids who will some day play in the NHL. Hockey is the sport to play in this state.

Question 3. Do you think that this attracts other viewers outside the state of minnesota? Aboslutley, not only people that want to watch good hockey, but so many out of state scouts are attracted to this tournament.

Question 4. Whats the biggest rivalry or game you have seen at the high school tournament? I would say the championship in 1989 between bloomington jefferson (my high school) vs. Rochester John marshall, they went into a over time period it was a fun game to watch.

Question 5. Do you think the state tournament will ever change from how it is now? I think it could because none of us can tell how the future will turn out. if they keep the game under control i think it will be okay but its hard to say

Interview #3 Jon Cobb

Question 1. Explain the atmosphere of the Boys State hockey tournament. Its unreal. Its crazy when the Northern teams come down and their whole town comes down to along with their school bands. Also the Edina girls, cause they are always there.

Question 2. What is one flaw in the Tournament? Some sections have some tough comptetition and others have to weak of competetion so the state tournament dont always have the top 8 teams in the state like it typically should have.

Question 3. Will you still watch the tournament as you age? Yes i sure hope so.

Question 4. What team in your mind is always there and that is always the team to beat? Edina Hornets in class 2A and St thomas in class 1A.

Question 5. How many years in your mind has the tournament been around? 70 years