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There was quid pro quo with a former Pens/PPE employee who was recently relieved of their duties. The list of cuts for a guaranteed spot for said exec's kids at Esmark.

"Real tryout?" That team was ranked 20th in the country at the end of the season and beat numerous top 10 teams along with beating PPE twice.

I think people are searching for better teams with kids that want to play. PAHL is filled with mixed talented teams and some better players land on those teams and never get a chance to play AA at PAHL. So in return you get bad AAA teams that should just be AA

I agree with that

I don’t think anyone suggested they should not be paid. The point was they shouldn’t be allowed to extort the players with paid private lessons in return for playing time.

Reading the last several replies here, some random thoughts: Paid coach, parent coach... if they're a good coach it's irrelevant if they're paid or parent. Hell, I know of paid coaches that never had hockey experience over playing in-line, and parent coaches who at one time played high level college or professional hockey. Do they know what they're doing, are they fair? That's the questions that are important. But telling your neighbors that your son's coach is the left wing's dad doesn't sound as cool as telling them how the coach is some part-time professional coach, right? Regarding Pens, as mentioned above, it's not just a hockey team it's a lifestyle. There's a lot of barriers there at older ages that make other options look better. So I'm sure tons of good players are off the table before getting on the table just on cost and commitment. On the subject of the AAA revolving door. Most parents (and some kids) think they're looking at a future of moving right to high level juniors, NCAA, and I'm certain some think they'll be in the NHL draft as soon as they turn 18. When they play at "x" organization and nothing really happens during the season aside from their team getting a number ranking on MHR, they aren't on the power play, or whatever grievance they have, they think it will be different on another team so they try to go there. With the number of "AAA" teams in the area, you can do this practically every year. And if you run out of teams, you can just start back where you started. This is all applicable of the revolving doors in AA and A also. Also, organizations at every level should put a ban on any coach coaching a team in the org, and offering skills lessons outside of team functions to any players they coach. Not saying they shouldn't be allowed to operate skills lessons, just not to players on their team. Under no circumstance is this a good scenario for anybody but the coach. It shouldn't need to be explained any further the ways in which this is a bad idea. There's plenty of skills coaches around that you shouldn't need to be going to your coach for it. Most importantly- it's a game, it should be fun time for your kid. With the pressures/stress of school, girlfriends/boyfriends, looking at colleges, making time for other hobbies & interests, and plain being a kid growing up in the times we have today... hockey should be a place where kids can forget all that stuff, have fun, and NOT be stressed out over it.

Yes. Unbelievable that there are players who think they'll find better coaching than Taibi. And also it's hard to believe that anyone would want to leave such a successful team. Someone above referred to the "grass is greener" phenomenon. I think that's the case. Hockey is somehow continuing to become more and more mercenary over the years.