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I’m sure Black Bear would be very quick to buy the facility and keep it operational.

That's called equity. If one goes, they all should be invited so as not to make anyone feel inferior.

The desire to have better officiating in my belief is shared across many groups and that includes the Referees themselves and the scheduling partners. Despite what many believe, it's hard to imagine that anyone actually chooses to be screamed at by making bad calls intentionally. However, this latest discussion highlights where the real issue lies. Who can help when there is a legitimate problem with specific individuals. The answer should be simple right? The affiliate governing body, or in our case the MidAm District. Here is the website for the MidAm district which has no less than 46 current positions. That's right 46. And they include 9 separate DEI positions. 9 of them. https://www.midamhockey.com/page/show/5022993-board-contacts How many people are there to deal with any referee issues? One. That's right, one person for six states but yet some states need multiple DEI personnel? That's basically saying that on any given weekend there is a 9 times more likely chance that there will be a DEI issue as opposed to an officiating issue? Give us a break. You want better officiating? Look no further than this group and when the Annual District meeting happens this spring, tell your association President to speak up on matters such as these.

Girls hockey in Pittsburgh and the District is in a far worse place than boys if you can believe that. One of the issues is this, the PPE program with their magical powers are somehow able to field not just one, but two "Tier 1" teams at both 12U and 10U. Yet as the players get older, no one else in Western PA is allowed to field a Tier 1 Girls program by declaration of the MidAm district. So by logic, there aren't enough of these players being developed properly to continue at the Tier 1 level past 12U..................................................... ORRRRRRRRRR There are some 12U and 10U families that have been sold a large dose of Kool-aid for their 4 years in the program.

So if it is on campus, that would mean it is a different facility than the current complex, not an addition to it. Is my logic correct?

The statement in the Trib explicitly says the following, "The 100,000-square-foot development also would house enhanced training and locker room facilities, offices, plus regional amenities to meet the needs of youth and amateur hockey players." As soon as this building would open, I would think Black Bear would be waiting with their checkbook. If I remember correctly they had, at some point, made an offer or had reached out about the current rink during the controversy when the Men's and Women's teams were dissolved.

They just posted the schedule for MidAms Tiers 1 and 2. https://www.midamhockey.com/page/show/8308033-district-tournament https://www.midamhockey.com/page/show/8308036-state-tournaments

And while I am complaining about the MidAm why can't they post schedules for the District tournaments? Is it a secret? They do NOTHING to promote the sport. I know the schedules are out already! Just try to find them! At least PAHL has schedules up for playoffs!

Makes sense if you have the right evaluators with no ties to the MidAm. Bring them in from other Districts! Make the kids all wear black or white helmets with no stickers. There is a fair way to do it and it's not what is going on right now!

Yes, the MidAm site states explicitly that "higher ranked teams will receive more spots at evaluations", which makes sense. I believe the 09 group will be split up into 8 teams, which does seem like too many kids to evaluate in such a short period of time. You cannot chose who is attending based off of stats, because of the discrepancy in the level of play across teams. In theory, the harder the schedule the more difficult it will be to put up numbers and vice versa. The kids on a team that faces stiffer competition should not be penalized because of that just as a players on a team that plays a weaker schedule should not get a boost. Evaluators won't be able to see who the "right ones" are in that short of a time period. The evaluation is normally very, very game heavy, so they are looking for the kids that perform the best in game situations. I like this format because it eliminates the players that focus only on what they learn in skills clinics and are great at stick handling through cones, but don't know how to really play in a game situation. Nothing is going to be perfect, but at least this format makes sense.

You're right about coaches nominating their kids. That's a problem. I've seen some misses for sure, but overall MidAm tryouts have done a decent job identifying the right kids. We've all seen some yellow buckets not advancing and kids from lesser teams advancing. The system is not perfect, but it's certainly not a joke. And parents that convey that message and mindset to their kids have already set them up for failure.

The "BETTER" teams get more picks. Coaches pick the kids from their team. They take WAY to many kids off the bat between Western PA, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. On top of that EVERY Midam team gets at least 1 invite plus some school teams as long as they are registered with Midams. To answer your question NO, it absolutely should not go entirely on stats. It SHOULD go to kids that know how to play as a team and not the ones who's parents push them to put up 100 goals and 00 assists. Like Herb Brooks said "I'm not looking for the best players, Craig. I'm looking for the right ones." Unfortunately with Midams that isn't always true either when it comes to the 2nd round. 9 times out of 10 ALL the yellow helmets with get the call back, usually ALL the red helmets and then the coaches kids or kids who's parents know someone at USA hockey and then the best kids to fill the open spots.

HAHA, try to find some stats! Especially in the PAHL. Kids nominated by Coaches! Teams can make up whatever stats they want for independent team players! MidAm tryouts a total joke! Coaches kids nominated most often!