They have been rivals for decades. Now there is talk on both sides of the border about bringing together the high school hockey programs at Fort Frances High School and Falls High School in International Falls.
A group behind the idea of a cooperative program includes coaches and alumni.
They presented their idea last week to the Independent School District 361 Board.
Marty Goulet of the Falls says declining talent pools for the Broncos and the lack of a competitive league for the Muskies make a cooperative program almost inevitable.
“Based on the numbers on our side and on (the Muskies) side, the competitive landscape and the declining numbers with the teams they play, this needs to happen one day,” says Goulet.
Goulet says it could also help prevent players from leaving the community to play elsewhere.
“Their side (Fort Frances), they’re losing 5 to 6 players a year going somewhere else. Kids are going to Thunder Bay. Kids are going to Kenora. They have kids that are looking at going down to Duluth Marshall. If we can give a better opportunity, we can keep kids in this community,” says Goulet.
The group intends to speak to Fort Frances High School officials about the idea as well.
The group has put no timetable as to when they would like to see a co-op program in place.
If it were to happen, the Muskies program would have to fold for high school players to play under Minnesota high school hockey regulations.
Canadian students playing for U.S. high school teams is not unusual.
Prior to the pandemic, some students at Rainy River High School crossed the border to Baudette to suit up for the Lake of the Woods Bears hockey and track and field teams.
