Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

Ted Brill likes to think of himself as a player advocate, creating opportunities for every hockey player to experience a rewarding, challenging, and exciting experience in hockey based on each player's individual level of interest, skill and aspirations.  Ted was a strong proponent of kids having fun playing hockey while developing their individual fundamental skills. 

A native of St. Paul, Ted was a hockey coach - his first love - for 40+ years serving at a variety of levels in St. Paul, Moorhead and Grand Rapids.  Ted served as assistant coach at Moorhead high school from 1962-1966, and at Grand Rapids high school in 1980-1981.  He has coached Minnesota Hockey youth championship teams at the Pee Wee and Bantam levels and had teams in the State Tournament on a regular basis.  In addition Ted has served as head coach, along with his long-time coaching associate Dave Hendrickson, of the Minnesota team, participating (in the Chicago Showcase Tournament) in which Minnesota won three consecutive Championships in the Chicago from 1998-2000.  Ted also worked with the Select 15 Minnkota team and was one of the coaches of the Select 17 team in 2000.

In addition Ted has been an active hockey administrator on both the state and national level since 1973.  He served as liason between Minnesota hockey and the Minnesota High School Coaches Association starting in 1978.  Ted additionally served as Chairman of Minnesota Hockey's Player/Coach Development programs for many years, creating a variety of programs and opportunities for the Minnesota player.  Ted also was the first USA Hockey coaching program Director in Minnesota serving in that position from 1974-1982.  Ted served on the Board of Directors of Minnesota hockey for 25+ years and USA hockey for 25+ years and was a National High School Director for USA.  Ted also served as Executive Director of the US Hockey Hall of Fame from 1993-1998.

In 1999, Ted was honored in Naples Florida, by the American Hockey Coaches Association with the James Fullerton Award for his contributions to amateur hockey.  Additionally, in 1999 Ted received the Walter Yasiuk Award from USA Hockey for his contributions to coaching. Ted was inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

Following the Minnesota State Boys High School Hockey Tournament, un-committed collegiate players are invited to particiapte in the Ted Brill Great 8 Tournament each year at Wakota Arena in South St. Paul that draws countless collegiate and NHL scouts to evaluate the top-tier Minnesota talent following the State Tourney.  Following retirement from the "real world" occupations, Ted spent a great deal of time focusing on creating opportunites for Minnesota hockey players and coaches.

Minnesota Hockey, established the Ted Brill "Think out of the box" Award in 2006 with great respect and fond memories of one of their most influential leaders.  The Brill Award is presented annually to an individual who has at least 10 years of service to any of the various player development programs (such as STP, HEP, Advanced/Selects, HS All Star Series).  The Vice President of Hockey Operations presents the award at the Minnesota Hockey Annual Meeting in the spring.