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They need to give up and let these players try out elsewhere. They are going to hold on to them too long and it’s the kids that are going to get screwed over.

It's been talked about a lot this past year on this forum, but Esmark is continuing to fade. They are inexplicably losing out to SHAHA and Preds. That should never be the case. Black Bear can't be happy about this. This time next year we are going to see a new Tier 1 program in Pittsburgh owned and controlled by Black Bear. Just like all the other obvious moves by Black Bear that people on this forum have been predicting for the past year (that have all come true), Black Bear starting a Tier 1 program is just too obvious. They are leaving too much money on the table without it. The second sheet at Printscape is setting the stage for this. Good or bad, I don't know. But I don't see any way that this won't happen.

I know at times it seems like every player in the area wants to play AAA hockey. But you have about 6 programs attempting to field 09AAA teams around here so eventually you run out willing participants. (Kids, Suckers, parents with money etc) So what is esmark supposed to do? Just keep holding tryouts until they fill the team with whoever shows up? Then you end up with a team with 3 AAA players, 3 AA players, 5 A players, and 4 deck hockey kids that are just learning to skate. Scotty Bowman and Badger Bob couldn't "coach up" a team like that! From the talk on this board most 09s in the area ran back and forth to 2 or 3 different tryouts. They all had supplemental tryouts. If you didn't end up on a team by the time the carousel stopped then you probably shouldn't blame the organizations, seems more like a "you problem"

So esmark no longer plans to have an 09 team? That is awful for kids they offered positions to, who they promised a team to play on, who may be now scrambling to find a team. This is the crappy part of youth hockey that needs to be addressed. #MoneyGrabGoneWrong

I've seen a lot of talk about tryout/AA/AAA craziness in other posts, and I can attest that it's WAY worse than past years. Every year I help families track tryouts, and this year it's a mess. Like others have said, some programs are being left, others are being overwhelmed, AAA kids are going AA, etc. We've read enough about the AAA problems, but I have heard of (and witnessed) multiple AA tryouts with over forty skaters. And I have also witnessed regular A-level tryouts with less than ten. This is beyond sad, because it is the kids who suffer. I mean, where does the A Major Black kid go who knows -- and whose family knows -- he is A Major Black? This year? The tryout with four kids and a goalie. We know what's going to happen when all these AAA/AA tryouts end. It's already started -- SUPPLEMENTALS and tons of orphan players. I feel bad for the level-headed families who are ultimately left out in the dark, so I thought we could all come together on this site and post UNBIASED supplemental information and team overviews (this team needs forwards, this team needs two D and a goalie, etc.). Not to poke fun, not to say "serves them right," but for the kids who are in danger of losing one season of what we all know is a VERY short, VERY fast youth career. I personally don't like some programs, but I will still post what they offer if I find it. Again, it's for the kids. I am a North Hills guy, so I'm limited to mostly northern information, and I don't have info on all the northern programs. I've also been helping '07 to '09 kids this season, so I'm limited there. So please jump in if you have anything (especially in the south and other age groups). I think it would make more sense to have separate topics for different age groups (18U, etc.), too. Can we do this?

renegades top goalie went to Esmark team that folded-rumor is he goes back to renegades or badgers-if he doesn’t go back to renegades that team will be down a lot farther

they had a big turnout tonight and heard they are getting one of Esmark’s goalies from last year

I agree that it's important to have some information out there. Some people will walk into a situation expecting one thing and end up getting something completely different. Meanwhile the team they thought they were joining all scattered without them knowing. It happens all the time. I'm most familiar with the 2013s and 2009s so I'll stick to that. And in those years I'm most familiar with teams up and down 79 and even some in the south hills. 2009s have seen more movement than any season for any birth year that I can remember. It will be helpful for parents to understand what is going on. FOXES 09: I think their 2009 tryouts are over, but they are losing most of their top players to either North Pittsburgh or Rebellion. It's a big organization so I'm sure they filled out an 09 BY team but they will struggle. If someone is a good player that has never quite made a AA team, it may be worth inquiring with the Foxes but I would do it ASAP. This will be one of the easier 2009 AA teams to make. Don't think they've announced a supplemental but I would still inquire. NORTH PITT 09: 2009 tryouts starting this weekend. They are picking up a lot of the Foxes players and others. I think some AAA kids trying out there as well. If you are expecting to jump in and make that AA team because you've always been AA, you may want to start thinking about another option just in case. This will be a good team. LEBO 09: Lost 3-4 of their top players to AAA teams. This was an ok team that was top heavy before but not good depth. These losses will change the team. Like Foxes, this will be one of the easier 09 AA teams to make. They are going to have to give spots to kids who have previously never played higher than A Major. Could be a good option for someone who wants to break into a AA team but they won't be a strong team. The long time head coach is now an assistant coach. Not exactly sure of those circumstances. I'm guessing after losing a lot of their top players, they'll have more players explore other AA options this weekend. REBELLION 09: Solid AA team last year and I haven't heard of any of their top players leaving. I haven't heard of a single person on that team wanting to leave, and I am familiar with some of them. Their strength is their coaching (Shell, Tingle, etc.) and if coaching and structure is a priority, this is the place. Just like many of the Foxes 09 players are looking north to North Pitt, many of them are looking to move to Rebellion as well. AAA cuts from SHAHA and Preds are looking here as well. This team will get a lot better but may not be as hard to make as North Pitt. PREDS 09 AAA: Big tryout numbers with lots of Pens and Esmark kids. Longtime AAA kids didn't make the team. Most of those cuts being offered spots on their AA team, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest with some better teams with better coaching nearby. Kids are looking at lots of options like Rebellion and Lebo to a lesser extent. Kids that were cut from this AAA team will have a very good chance of making Rebellion or Lebo. I think both of those tryouts are this weekend. Not sure how the Preds AA will do. They were a last place team last year. Depends on if the AAA cuts stay or leave, and it seems like more are leaving. Preds 09 AAA may end up being the second best 09 Tier 1 team in the area. They should be close to Vengeance. SHAHA 09 AAA: This team made lots of changes and improved. They took some of the Lebo AA players which is nice to see they didn't just favor existing AAA kids because they had an extra letter. Also picked up some Vengeance kids. It will be an improved team. Their AAA cuts seem to be looking at Rebellion and not staying at SHAHA. Lots of movement already, but even more to come over the next few days and over the weekend. Parents should go into these situations aware of what is happening. But parents should also remember that one team getting weaker could mean an opportunity for their kid. I think parents should prioritize: 1. Coaching experience 2. Location to their home 3. After those two, consider competitiveness of the team Coaching is what keeps a team together, helps them improve, and can prevent drama (with parents and kids) even before it starts. Driving distance from your home will make a huge difference in how much your kid loves (or starts to hate) hockey. We'll see some 09 supplementals next week. Usually those are used for filling in mixed birth year teams, but some desperate AA teams could offer them as well.

Sadly there are PLENTY of players who will do it, though.

The Allegheny 16u team didn't play PAHL last year so I doubt those guys moving up to 18u will this year.

they folded a 2004 team years ago too apparently the coach of esmark already is planning to coach a team somewhere else

Too many tryouts at the same time, I lost track of who ended when.