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Absolutely not. That's what the faux AAA leagues are there for.

I wouldn’t call myself wise, more like experienced. I made my share of dumb decisions for my boys too! honestly, it depresses me a little hanging around here. It Makes me realize how much I enjoyed (now miss) watching my boys play the game, excel at a much higher level than I ever could. It really makes me realize they are grown up. Until you get to this point in life, it’s hard to put into words. There are a lot of younger parents finding this place, being a new or younger hockey parent is like being a teenager again - they don’t listen & won’t listen - they know it all. They have to learn it on their own. I was this way myself with my first son coming up. the best advice I can give everyone here - it goes by so fast! Just try to enjoy the the time with your kids. Don’t worry about what team your kid made, just make sure they are having fun and enjoying playing the game. Your kids more than likely, regardless how good they are will never have a chance to be a ncaa d1 player let alone a pro - regardless of how skilled they are. I once had a pro scout tell my 75% of the kids playing in the OHL have the talent to become pro hockey players at some level but they never will. Why ? I ask. Money & connections. Unless your kid is the next top 3 pick in nhl, a generational talent - it won’t happen. If this is your kid, he’s out of western pa by 14. Just look at how many ex pro kids are drafted or playing in the nhl now. Look right here in our backyard - that certain PPE kid who belongs on a Pahl AA team - but his dad was a politician along with being Bill Clinton’s campaign manager (now you can connect the dots why burkle brought him in to the pro org) and runs the pro team. The resources put behind that kid, working out with Crosby for years. All the special treatment, pushed through all the district camps, drafted by all the major Junior leagues, ncaa d1 commit (ivy league schools do not give our athletic scholarship). I’ve seen Pahl AA and HS players that skate better, have a much higher hockey iq and are generally just more talented. This is one of the reasons why everyone should be pulling for ty voit! As I talked about somewhere, his father went against the system! ugh now I’m going to start to get into the politics. The Inner workings of the system. Sounding jaded, Disgruntled because one of my talented kids didn’t make it. That’s far from the truth, but I’m sure it comes off that way. Peace out ✌️

Look at the rosters of some of the Ohio usphl teams - full of Ohio HS hockey players, kids that probably wouldn’t make a Pahl AA team in western pa. They will pretty much take anyone. There is a local 2005 playing (more than likely sitting in the stands) for one of the Ohio usphl teams. This kid couldn’t make any of the faux aaa 16u teams - but now he’s playing “junior hockey” ( edit - talked to a buddy in Michigan tonight, Wooster only had 14 skaters at tryouts - everyone made the team so he will play. Two years ago they couldn’t field a team, last year they almost folded it. They lost their opener tonight 12–1. Looking at the roster half the team would have never made Pahl AA. Sorry for the assumption the kid would sit in the stands, that’s normally the case for under 18’s these teams normally carry up to 30 paying customers) They carry up to 30 kids on those teams because it’s “Junior hockey” The mid west usphl teams are much cheaper than the north east. Last I can recall the vengeance were around 10k a season. The east and north east teams run around 15-20k a season. They dangle the ncdc carrot at the parents & players (not really tier 2 juniors more like tier 2.5). The na3 also does the same trick with the nahl. go play acha if you are going to continue your education. It’s much cheaper, it’s where 99% of the kids ultimately end up in the end if they continue playing. chances are if it’s a good acha d1 program your kid will be playing with good players & against good players. There are a lot of NAHL & NCDC kids in the acha. I know the kid being talked about that’s playing in the usphl (elite not premier) - dad knows he’s not going anywhere. I forget what his dads screen name was here but he use to post a lot. He’s an 02, he played with my youngest one season. He’s a very bright kid, graduated HS early. there’s a decent amount of 2002-03 from western pa in the usphl right now. Like I said, it’s the new extra A for twice the price! I decided to take a look at the local acha teams from the bigger schools around western pa. Here is a great example. 21 year old freshman, probably wasted 40k playing in the usphl. Most kids would be in their Junior if not senior year of college at this point. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/471676/cam-grant

The bottom line is to remember that even a Garnett Hathaway or a Martin Jones. They're bottom-of-the-barrel NHLers, yet were so beyond their peers that they made it. And hockey, unlike football or basketball or baseball, you're literally up against the best players throughout the rest of the world for a spot. It's probably safe to say that your kid isn't making it.

I thinks you hit it on the head 100 percent!!! Thanks for the input.

Right on the money with tier 3 Junior hockey. It’s the new extra A. It’s like scam artists got together and said how do we keep making money off these people now that their kids are done with youth hockey ? The usphl is a joke.

Finally worked a bunch of games this weekend. Worked every age group, mostly T1. Surprising results: 1. The icing rule has not stopped anyone from simply icing the puck on the power play. 2. The offside rule is not that big a deal. The good teams are regrouping back through their D. Once in a while there is a whistle off a bad bounce, etc. 3. The competitive contact rule has led to more contact off the puck. Many of the T1 teams were using a lot of man-to-man D, with position battles everywhere. Was not expecting this at all. Interested to see how this goes over the next few weeks. Don't think it's time to reject the changes just yet. Need another 4-6 weeks to see what happens. Same reaction occurred when the Standard of Play was first introduced and all the obstruction penalties were added.

More continuous play actually. You really think dumping and chasing is skilled hockey with fluid play? That’s the easiest play for the unskilled and robotic player. Look at all those players making it to the next level because they can shove the puck up the boards constantly and dump and chase! So much skill!

It's great to have your wisdom and opinions here! You are helping a lot of people here from your experience. We may not always agree but what you have to say is always worth reading. Thanks and I hope you keep adding from your experiences.

If you are asking why Danner would leave, I second that. I appreciate your posts Danner.