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I haven't had kids at local tryouts for a number of years. But, I remember all to well and wish I knew then what I know now. My two sense....I'll never forget the year my kid played AAA - then at the end of the year a ton of kids crossed over from another competitive AAA organization to try out because this one was first. Two teams were being put together ~ the Gold (national) and Black team. After a week of tryouts, my son's current coach pulled him aside and told him he was going to suggest a difficult decision for him. He was going to put him on the black team. He felt the black team would give him more ice time and special teams time. He said - if I put you on the first team - you aren't going to get the experience that will benefit you in the long run. All my sons teammates were going to be on the Gold team. My son had a tough pill to swallow. If memory serves me right it was only him and one or two that were put on the black team. At the time it was painful. The coach on the black team was new to me and the organization. Turns out it was the best coach he has had up to this point. The black team actually beat the Gold team in districts at the end of the year ~ which was amazing. He continued onto his hockey journey and currently plays in the NAHL. Do I think parents should get to watch - nope!! Save yourself the aggravation. We don't always know what is best. We get too emotional. Let the kids tryout without looking over their shoulders at mom or dad or pap watching every move. Stop thinking being on the top is always the best. Of all the kids that played on that top team that year - I believe 2 are still playing hockey today. Life's lessons are learned through the tryout process. Drive, desire and determination are learned. What you view as failure may be exactly what your kid needs. P.S. Just for clarity - those black teams you all act like are nothing but a rejection, a waste and useless helped build my son. He is still playing hockey today in juniors. (and one of his teammates on his NAHL team tried out for both top AAA teams in western Pa and was cut. Made his way to another league and found his way - but that is another story for another day.) Find an organization that you can get behind and trust the process. Let your kids learn about life and be their biggest cheerleader.

100 percent agree with everything here. the 5 kids i know (1 esmark and 4 PPE) stayed back even though could have been on the rosters of ushl or nahl teams - they were not going to play much so stayed at 18 for another year. the kid at mt. st. C is a different story in that he’s an nhl prospect but the theory is the same - stay at a top notch 18 team and then do better the next year at a quality junior team. a good 18 program definitely better than any pay to play tier III junior team and agree - in this area - Pens, Esmark in that order and no other 18 team matters. period.

6 teams at U18 AAA now ? Did I hear this correctly ? folks PPE & ESMARK are the only AAA that matters in western pa, in that order. end of story. The proof is out there.

At the rec mite level? That's the craziest thing I have ever read.

PPE has far and away the best skating/stick handling/ puck skills of anyone out there. Get your kid in a high level program if they are so inclined and keep them there. There is a difference between hockey players and kids that like to play hockey. Determining which kid you have is half the battle.

Really can’t say anything bad about Jim Black, Cody Black, and Bugsy Malone at Baierl when it comes to young hockey player development. All very accomplished in their own right and seem to genuinely love working with the kids on the ice.