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Actually just found out about this forum today, this is Mitch from Pittsburgh Hockey Digest. Just wanted to thank you guys for the kind words... it’s rough hours some days but it’s great know there are people who appreciate it!

Preparing for PeeWee tryouts next year? Yea, I would focus on Baseball, Lacrosse or possibly Soccer. I'm not kidding. If a child is less than 14 years old, they need to play more than 1 sport. Do not keep them on the ice year round, they will not develop all their muscle groups (no matter how much you work out). They need multiple sports for muscle and coordination.

It depends on how much he is currently skating and what else he has going on. I like to do weekly privates after the season ends before tryouts and throughout the summer. If the child will put in the extra work, then they can benefit from an extra skate a week. But be careful, who is driving the cart, you or the child? At that age, to prevent overuse injuries and to prevent burnout, it isn't necessary to do more. There is nothing wrong with playing a lower level of ice hockey. Better to be an average player who develops a true lifelong love for the game than burn them out trying to reach for something the kid doesn't want, imho. You don't have to be the best to do something. Just enjoy it.

If your going to invest in anything it needs to be skating. I agree with twoboys, 1 or 2 lessons isnt going to mean much. It has to be on a regular basis to really get anything out of them, and your kid has to have a good relationship with the instructor. My sons coach is tough on him but also picks him up when he struggles. He's been going to her for over 2 years. His decision, not mine. Thats a lot of golf and Stella if it was my decision. If you go to any AA or AAA tryout, skating and understanding the game is key. Also make sure you get a skating coach with hockey experience, whether it be from playing or working with hockey players, there are some sketchy ones out there so be careful. But the key is understanding the skating coaches want a relationship, they dont want the kid that is going to only come 1 or 2 times a month for 6 months and then nothing for the next 6 months. Sure they will take your money but your child will gain very little. Just make sure they want to do it.

I think what you are talking about is player development. It really depends on the player. If they love it and want to skate more go for it. Just don't burn them out. There are some nice clinics over the Christmas break that keeps the kids skating and hopefully teaches them something. Preparing for next years tryouts should not be the goal. Getting better while enjoying hockey should be the goal.

https://www.competitivedge.com/when-should-my-child-specialize-just-one-sport https://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-should-play-more-than-one-sport https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19538336/kids-focus-on-one-sport/

There are as many opportunities to prepare as your time and wallet allow.

For young kids (8-10), and if they are committed to playing goalie, weekly goalie lessons are a great idea. Our son did this when he started 10 years ago and it has made a lot of difference in his ability in his older years... but your player has to be committed and willing to learn and sweat. We spent a lot of time driving to Harmarville in his early years but it was worth it for him. He still does lessons to fine tune his skills (now in Midgets).

I think that a lot of kids that are Squirts and Peewees still do a lot of clinics and lessons during the season. Seems like as kids get older they stop doing them for whatever reason. I agree that skating is important but I also feel that skating can be worked on with pucks. A good skill instructor can work on both stick handling and skating in one lesson.

It's generally best to invest in skating, all other things being equal. That's my view, anyway. Unless he has major deficiencies elsewhere, everyone can always profit from skating work.

Up to you and your kid. I think kids get better by taking lessons and clinics. But some kids don't want to be on the ice that much. The other things is a couple of lessons don't really matter. You really need to make a commitment. Probably need to do something almost weekly.

Mitch, You guys do a great job of covering the local Hockey scene. I just came across you guys last year. The PIHL & PAHL should give you guys a banner on their websites to promote Western Pa Hockey. Under the PIHL site for headlines it should direct to you instead of the nothing it leads to now. Anyway keep up the good work.

In regard to SafeSport, sexual misconduct and child abuse are the most serious. Other violations, such as emotional misconduct, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, have to show a PATTERN. A single incident will likely not result in a suspension. In regard to parents, banning from a rink or release from an organization is much more likely than a SafeSport investigation. In my opinion, the MIDAM background screening requirement gives parents a false sense of security. Child related offenses are the focus, as they should be. However, a coach or volunteer can have other offenses ranging from minor (DUI) to severe (felonies for theft, threats, drugs, etc) and still pass the screening. I’ve watched many parents look the other way when issues arise with a coach. This isn’t just a case of hoping the coach will help them get into a junior program or on a college team. It can be as simple as their kid making a mid-level team with their friends. They don’t want to risk their kid’s happiness by saying something. It’s sad, but a reality. For parents to press an issue to the degree described in these posts tells me it’s not just retaliation for lack of playing time.

Too many parents and coaches do not understand safe sport. A lot of coaches take the class and seem to forget what they learned. Safe sport is there to protect everyone even the parents. the West Allegheny coach got suspended for a year! During my time watching my kids play over the years I’ve seen coaches do some pretty stupid stuff and only get a week or two suspension. This guy had to do something egregious. PS @Entitled yesterday you wrote a 5 paragraph reply and quickly deleted it. I’m guessing you deleted it because the post made it very obvious you are the former coach at WA. Remember this is the internet nothing gets deleted for good.