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I would say that there usually a big difference in talent between top and bottom lines in Open and A. Gap closes in AA, and probably closes a little more in AAA. and most coaches that win do run their top guys a lot more than the rest of the players on the lower lines. And that goes a long way back. I know a couple of Canevin’s state championships were won on the talents of a few really good players. (Not earlier 80’s teams, they were stacked with three good lines for a few years) And there are definitely other teams that have achieved lots of wins the same way. That is the nature of winning. But at the same time, a really good coach will make those kids that don’t get much playing time better players. Which is what I personally think makes great coaches, and not just good coaches.

If a coach is serious about winning he isn't rolling 4 lines. At the very least he is making sure to have his preferred lines go up against the other teams top line. Most to the time there is a huge difference between the first line and fourth line.

Maybe someone should go knock on some doors at their fancy new building in Sewickley and see what's going on in there. Perhaps it's just a big Ponzi scheme that you finally cracked. Or maybe they just need a new social media, website, linkedIn, coordinator.

I'm more intrigued by the company. The website is pretty basic and underwhelming, but they claim to be some giant conglomerate. I've never heard of Esmark steel, aviation or anything else other than the hockey club, and I have worked in the steel industry. They are "formerly" traded on Nasdaq, that checks out because they aren't listed on there. They have 1 picture of a semi-truck from different angles with an Esmark tarp on it on their steel business site... I've never seen an Esmark truck on the roads. The aviation site is even worse with 2 pictures, one of a plane on the runway and another of a plane's cockpit. Their owner claimed they had enough money in the bank to buy US steel with cash a few months ago (7.8 B). I've looked on LinkedIn, Indeed and a few other job sites, and the best I can come up with is they have or have had at MOST 20 employees across their businesses and no job openings posted publicly. The manufacturing and fabrication site looks the most legit, but even it has text over pictures that make it difficult to read and again, no job postings or anyone on job sites that claim they work there. Are they just investors that invest in all these different industries and slap their name on them? Even if they are, the businesses they are claiming to invest in don't really seem to exist or be successful. I'm genuinely confused...can anyone help me out on this?

At this point in your little skaters career, there is nothing more important than having FUN. Make sure you are looking for a program that gives you quality ice time with coaches that foster development through having fun. The more fun they are having, the more they will WANT to get on the ice to work hard. That will also lead them to want to go to more public skates/stick times on their own time to keep practicing! Let me know if you have questions about anything! We are here to help. Good luck!

In terms of transition from mites to squirts, North Pittsburgh is a large organization, so they often field multiple teams at each level. I've found that you're more likely to find a fit for your child's development level when there's multiple teams like that. North Pittsburgh consistently fields a AA team for squirts because of that as well, but coming in as the younger birth year you will likely be on Team 2 or below. The AA team isn't a birth year team for squirts, but it is de facto since older kids usually fill out the roster. Other organizations that are smaller may or may not have a AA team as their top team, but it all depends on the players that try out for the program and how they place. I don't want to say one is better than the other for development, because I'm sure it is hit or miss with who is coaching, but North Pittsburgh is simply a bigger organization and can field more teams at different skill levels.

We live in north Pittsburgh and my son will be entering his last year of mites. We are trying to decide between north pittsburgh wildcats or yetis? Any advice on which is better experience or better for development? Thanks.

https://esmark.com/esmark-inc-founder-james-p-bouchard-announces-retirement-after-40-years-in-the-steel-industry/

The North Hills Vipers were a pretty successful organization until the late 80s if I remember right, I had friends that played for them. I think they had money problems or leadership problems and declined, maybe tried moving rinks. They ultimately merged with Steel City Stars and played a few years as the Viper Stars. As far as Esmark money, I'm sure they were still getting sponsor money from them. But the Esmark owner/CEO jut retired and sold the Tomahawks and is probably just winding down his hockey philanthropy.

Was there some reason they went from Pittsburgh Stars to Steel City Stars back in the 90s?? What other names have they had? I think they were the Viper Stars for a while too.

Effective 5/16/24, free email accounts from a few well known free email providers will no longer be permitted to register on the board. This is to crack down on spammers. If you are a legit user, please register using a regular email account from your ISP (or wherever). The email address you use to register here is not available to anyone other than me, so you are safe identity wise. Thanks, PB

Thank you all to those of you who messaged me about the 2 spammers we had on the board overnight. I have banned them and removed all their posts. Nothing was hacked; they just registered and posted spam. Thanks again, PB

Wonder why they lost it?

I’m sure the parents will be thrilled when they get billed for the money they lost from the Esmark Sponsorship halfway through the season.

Actually, never mind. It doesn't matter. No use bickering about PIHL hockey, really.

What division is that "winningest coach" in? Probably the one with the biggest disparity in program size.

I thought they stopped providing sponsorship before now, but they just kept using the name regardless.

Looks to me like Esmark dumped them! They must not be getting any money from Esmark!

I'm about 90% sure overqualified is the BC coach, so I can only assume that was a brag about himself beating up on the open division

lol Lazy is not the same as winning now is it? Or maybe you haven't been watching any PIHL playoff games of late? Or do you see Varsity hockey as developmental? If you do just say it. And if anyone can just roll two lines as you say, how many state titles or Pens Cups have you won as head coach? My guess is anyone doing as such has a secure spot at that school as a HC.

Interesting, does anyone know what that sponsorship agreement looked like over the years? How much annual revenue came from it for the stars?

https://www.esmarkstars.com/news

Wow, I guess we should all just get out of Hockey! Try to talk our kids into a different sport and just shut it down in South Western Pa.

So who is this Coach we speak about? You can just tell us the school! I would think more than one shorten their bench as needed!

Hahaha. I have seen the Beaver Badgers and Arctic Foxes getting a TON of respect on here.