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Mark today as a day in history where many PARENT'S DREAMS were crushed because their superstar 9-10 year old's team didn't get the ranking they deserved and are now texting the coaches with practice plans and suggestions on tournaments and teams to play in order to increase their ranking.

I agree, I am finding that what seems to be the first element for a kid to be happy on his/her team are whether or not all the kids get along, the second element seems to be the coach, and lastly winning/losing. But in my experience throughout the hockey journey, a few bad kids with major egos or bad attitudes, even if a team is winning, can make for a long miserable season for the other players.

I agree, this year I do not think neither the Vengeance or Icemen would be able to compete against the Esmark team. I was just addressing Big_Clapper21 in regards to his statement about local teams playing each other. It would be great to see those games happen but the way the ranking system is structured I am assuming Esmark would never play those teams because beating them would do nothing for their ranking. So I would assume Esmark would never take the chance to play those teams. Just like Pen Elite would never take the chance and play Esmark.; to much to lose and nothing to gain.

well first rankings are out... AND the preds are at the bottom in every ranking at u15-18( the only BY that rankings really mean anything

I am guessing the 11 Vengeance parents are not happy. As well as the 12 Foxes....yikes!

I've seen this rules flip-flop a couple times now..... There was just as much gnashing of teeth on both sides every time...... Yup coaches are free to to coach as they see fit. Remember that the rule change is not about making the elite players better, it's about trying to develop more of the younger\maybe marginal players to be better and maybe eventually have a couple more develop to higher\elite levels. The problem is that coaches are like many of the current crop of school teachers that teach to pass standardized tests..... The coaches want (need?) to WIN and will coach the simplest style that their entire team can grasp in order to WIN. You don't need delayed offside to play basic dump & chase\crash the net hockey and it's a lot easier for the less skilled players too. Players need skills to pass and regroup and you need to have coaches willing to teach the skills and situational awareness maybe at the cost of WINNING. Some coaches are teaching the skills no matter what the offsides rule is. And just how many parents will buy into paying a couple grand and driving all over hells' half acre and NOT WIN? As for Highschool hockey.... USAH doesn't give a flying flip about it other than it's hockey and they want control over it..... IIRC, the PIHL DID NOT have a seat at the table in Mid-Am for a long time. Anyone remember rumblings about HS switching to NFHS, AAU or PIAA? Me thinks a big part of the reason they are allowed to play to different rules are simply that they want to and would take their puck (and registration dollars) and go play somewhere else.