Five once-powerful metro high school boys' hockey programs that have disbanded or merged with other schools because of declining numbers:
1. Richfield: The Spartans reached the old one-class tournament six times between 1962 and '91, reaching the title game in 1976. The program disbanded this season when only 10 players tried out.
Goalie Brad Shelstad at a celebration after Southwest won the 1970 state tournament.
2. Southwest and Roosevelt: The two Minneapolis City Conference schools combined for 23 one-class state tournament berths from 1951 to '80, and Southwest won the 1970 single-tournament title. Roosevelt produced three prominent NHL players before the program was disbanded in 1997: Reed Larson, Mike Ramsey and Russ Anderson. Minneapolis now has one combined high school program for its seven schools.
Paul Holmgren went from Harding High to a career in the NHL.
3. St. Paul Harding: The Knights made eight one-class state tournament appearances, second in the St. Paul City Conference to Johnson's 21 trips. Harding reached the 1958 title game, losing 1-0 to Roseau. Alums include NHL tough guy Paul Holmgren. The Knights have no players currently, so no co-op.
Columbia Heights goalie Reggie Miracle during his team's upset of Edina during the 1983 state tournament.
4. Columbia Heights: The Hylanders were a power in all sports in the 1970s and '80s, and made it to their only state hockey tournament in 1983 by beating Cloquet 5-4 in double overtime in the section final. The Hylanders ousted Edina in the opening round before losing in the semis. The school currently co-ops with Irondale, but Heights had only one player on the varsity team.
Cooper High School practices in 1981.
