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Unfortunately, your comment about human nature is true. I just don’t like it! Haha.

If a team has four decent lines it can be advantage, however most teams at the A level don’t have 4 decent lines, and having three at that level is rare. At the AA level, there are more teams with 4 decent lines, and their third is usually pretty good. At the AAA level more teams have 4 capable lines.

There seems to be a whole lot of jealousy out there when it comes to Esmark and particularly Yuri. But then again it seems that most people who come here have an ax to grind with someone. All organizations get bashed at some point! But then again that's human nature.

From what I have seen teams “pacing” all four lines rarely ever beat one team heavily leaning on the top two lines in PIHL. Varsity hockey coaches are doing that for a reason as it gives them the best chance to win, whether you agree with it or not. Hockey at the varsity level is not developmental hockey like JV or MS where it is all about equal playing time.

1-3 goalies at multiple levels. We need a goalie for our B-level team. The other two teams have one goalie so we could take another... the other two teams play at A Major Black and A Minor.

Yeah, that’s it. I’m his grandpa. Why would that be even remotely funny? I don’t know Yuri. Never met him. Only have seen him from across the ice from the stands. I just state facts. Never praised him personally. Did I hurt your feelings or something?

I wouldn't call playing 2 lines 85% of the time "good coaching". I would say the team that is not necessarily rolling lines but pacing all 4 and beats the team playing 2 lines is the team with the good coach.

I think I figured out who you are. Yuri's grandpap. Right?

One goalie for three teams or three goalies?

South Pittsburgh Rebellion is still looking for a 14u goalie for our 3 mixed year teams. Can set up supplemental tryout by appointment. Send all inquiries to orginfo@southpittsburghhockey.org or PM me., More Info at: www.southpittsburghhockey.org.

Disagree. While I am sure talented imports help, just like talented imports help the Pens teams, there have been plenty of local kids from their teams advance to higher levels. And there have a number of local kids lead their teams in scoring.

Why the league bashing? The league as a whole and Esmark have produced D1 players. Maybe not a ton but they do get there. Not every league can be the top one.

But what about the NHL drafted but never signed goalie that is featured on their website? He played there one year and has spent the last 5 on the front page of their website. The Hurricanes jersey looks more impressive than his actual ECHL jersey. The other guy is more of an esmark success story, be nice if they could spell his name correctly tho As for the actual topic of this thread, LOL. No USHL players are being developed during a 1 week camp. Maybe just Maybe you get put on some scout's radar, but those scouts already have 100s of players on their radar and they watch those kids many many times live and on film before they render an opinion on them.

Nope. But nice try to jump to that common response. So elementary. Would never drive out to that rink, nor would my kid have wanted to play there. But it certainly happened to a lot of his friends due to their delusional parents.

They only compete when they have enough talented imports.

Is the old Empire West League still around? What is the current Best Tier 1 League? I don't care about what's old and what WAS better competition! I just think it is good that there is an option after Pens Elite in Pittsburgh that can compete and sometimes beat the Pens Elite. There is only one Shattuck St Marys who can claim to be the best!

Big Boy Hockey?? They play in the NAPHL and the THF. Those are both Elementary "Tier 1 Leagues" The old Empire West League was better competition and the furthest travel was syracuse.

Did you have that experience with Yuri? Did your kid not make the team or get cut after the teams were set? 16U &18U are big boy hockey. Esmark is in it to win it. Want the 18 best players they can find!

Bishop Canevin was terrible new coached turned them around and did the same thing at Mars and other schools and amateur teams he coached Lors of good coaches out there people have no idea how much time a good coach puts in that's what makes the difference

Can you re-write this in so people can understand what you mean?

Bishop Canevin coach they were terrible did the same thing at Mars turned them into a great team and other teams he coached Their are some great coaches out there until boards and crazy parents chase them away

Agree. Pretty much goes to the entire USA hockey email data base. It's a revenue stream. But if ya wanna spend the money for the camp and travel, nothing is a bad experience (except for paying for Yuri lessons in promises of making a team and being cut 🤣)

Money grab. If a USHL team is interested in a player, you would know before getting an email invite. But, if a player wants to go for the experience or the training and you have the money, there's no harm in it. Personally, I would use the money for local private/small group coaching.

I have watched a lot of PIHL games and I have seen coaches get "out coached" quite often, and IMO it is because of the disparity between skill levels. There is a significant drop off from a PIHL teams #1 and #2 lines compared to lines #3 and #4. I have seen coaches roll four lines while others play their top 2 lines 85% of the game with the 4th line not sniffing the ice which creates a lot of mismatches. And I have seen those that were "out coached" and rolling four lines not adjust to what the other team is doing during any point of the game. In higher level club hockey such as AAA and AA, the disparity of talent is significantly less.