Opinion: Time to eliminate set sectionals for WIAA hockey playoffs

Monday on WausauAreaSports.com I wrote a pair of stories on the WIAA posting sectional assignments for the 2026-27 season of boys' and girls' hockey in Wisconsin. The 27 girls' hockey programs, 32 Division 2 boys' teams and the 53 assigned to Division 1 now know who they will have to get through in order to make the 2027 state hockey tournament at Bob Suter's Legacy20 Arena in Middleton. I noted that in the girls' bracket assignments that the teams that have won the last 5 state championships, the Bay Area Ice Bears and Central Wisconsin Storm, have been put into the same sectional bracket for the coming season. They played in the state final in both 2024 and 2025 but there will be no chance of that happening in 2027. Nothing I say here will change the process in getting the 12 teams that will hit the ice in early March of next year but I do think a discussion needs to be had on how to make the state tournament a true showcase for the best hockey in the state of Wisconsin. There are a number of different facets of doing that but, today, I will focus exclusively on the sectional brackets and what I would change.

Let me start by putting my idea straight out there: I would eliminate sectional assignments. I want to see the best teams compete at the state tournament. Whether the girls, Division 2 boys or Division 1 boys. Under the current system that is not happening. I am loathe to use "state rankings" as part of my argument because many people that know me have heard the phrase "for entertainment purposes only." State rankings are that. Over the years I have been approached about being part of a media poll for football and basketball and have always declined because, while I have good knowledge of the teams that I cover and are in my part of the state, I don't have the knowledge of other areas that would allow me to judge fairly those teams. Obviously others don't have the same concerns I do because you see various media polls voted on, in my opinion, by people who really don't have the breadth to accurately rank teams. After that long-winded preamble, please note that I may use some of those "state rankings" in my arguments.

In recent seasons, both in boys and girls hockey, I have covered sectionals that have featured, arguably, 3 of the top 5 teams in the state. Even 3 of the top 4 teams, again arguably, in the state. Last February it was the top three teams in the final Wisconsin Prep Hockey rankings that were in the same boys' hockey sectional. From the very start everyone knew that, at most, only one of those teams would make the state tournament. In fact, it was possible none of them would. Yes, I know the argument that it doesn't matter when you play another good team that you eventually would have to beat them and anyone else to win a state championship. I believe that is flawed as if you have to beat the #1 team in the sectional semifinal and the #2 team in the sectional final before even getting to state that is a disadvantage versus a team you'll meet in Madison that may have not had to play a top ten team to get that far.

However, frankly, competitive advantage or disadvantage isn't why I would like to see change. I, like many other people who want to see the Wisconsin state tournament grow and reach more fans who may fall in love with the sport, want to make the state tournament the showcase it can be. As I said at the top of this piece, there are a number of things that should be done (in my opinion obviously). I want to see the elimination of assigned sectional brackets because I want to see the possibility of the best 4 girls teams, the best 4 D-2 teams and the best 4 D-1 teams hit the ice at the state tournament. Please note I said "possibility". Those teams still need to work through their bracket to make it there.

Each March millions of college basketball fans tune into CBS to watch the "Selection Sunday" show. One of the first things those fans see is the announcement of the 4 number 1 seeds in the tournament. Those four top seeds are not based on geography. They are based on who, in the tournament committee's opinion, are the 4 best teams and most likely to make the Final Four. I would like to see the WIAA change their hockey sectional brackets to start right there. The 4 top teams, through whatever formula they decide to use, are put in separate brackets and wouldn't have the possibility of meeting before the state tournament. I would use the same idea for the 2 seeds right down to the final seeds. That might be a difficult task right now with hockey, unlike basketball and football, still using coach's votes to determine seeding. I like that hockey has stayed with that but would give that up to the computers to see the possibility of the best teams making the state tournament.

Another potential complaint of my idea would be travel during the early rounds of the tournament. Back when there were 8 sectionals that maybe a valid complaint. Sectional 1 in Division 1 is now almost half the state. The Merrill co-op traveled to Superior for their regional semifinal game. Even with 4 sectionals assigned by region of the state there will be some long road trips. Also, I have yet to meet a coach that wasn't willing to travel for a more fair playoff match up. The coaches, players, parents, administrators and everyone else involved put so much effort into their sport and want a fair crack at success in the playoffs. The one caveat I will put in would be to have a bit of flexibility with sectional assignments in the case of looking at, for example, the number 5 seeds or whatever, and slotting a team into a sectional that would be more advantageous geographically.

Speaking of geography, I am a believer in trying to have as many different areas of the state represented. That was something that was common to see, naturally, at the state tournament when there were 8 sections. With only four sections it is impossible to make sure that the northern, central, western, southeastern, southcentral, and southwestern are all there. Under my proposal we still would have seen teams from different parts of the state make it to Madison in most years. Though sometimes multiple teams from the same conference would be among the 4 best teams. I believe putting the best product in front of the people is worth it.

Also, with only 27 girls teams and 32 D-2 boys teams total in the bracket and having girls' brackets with only six teams in some, having multiple top teams in the same bracket should be avoided if possible. Putting together one 27 or 32 team bracket isn't an impossible task. 53 is a bit more difficult but very doable as well. Change, as we have seen over and over again, takes time but I think is worth it. I am old enough to remember in the 1980's when the WIAA didn't just assign basketball teams to a sectional, they actually filled in the bracket before one game was played! The top teams in a regional or sectional actually played each other in the first round of the playoffs. That was wrong and it was changed for the better. That's the goal, to make the tournament series better.

All of the details is to lead to one goal: a great state tournament. Too often in the recent past, especially in the girls' tournament, has led to one bracket being considered well below the others in terms of top quality teams. Thus, the potential of a blow out game is increased. Please don't mistake this as saying some teams haven't "deserved" to be there. Every team that has made the state tournament from the very start has deserved to be there. However, with only 3 games in each division, having the possibility of a less competitive game to start the state tournament should be avoided if possible.

I know that my goals for a state playoffs and tournament are not the same as others. Others don't think it's as important to have the best teams there as it is to spread the experience around. To have more schools and teams have the chance to play at state. To have those opportunities help grow the game in that way. If kids believe they have a better chance to make it to state that they would be more likely to join the team and program. I think having the highest quality competition will help grow the sport and the tournament in Wisconsin. It's a discussion worth having.