HockeyHockey

Most don't mean to start a thing but some chose to do so, unfortunately. if the kid is happy, that's the most important. You can hopefully tune out the other BS! There are lots of decent programs in Pittsburgh so it's really about finding the right fit for your kid. Good luck to you!!

I struggle with this because I think everyone's experience is their own story. What I will say about mine is, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and if you're willing to invest in private lessons with their coaching staff, your player will get more ice time. Not because it's earned, because you are padding their pockets. They will tell you what they think you want to hear and will sell the same story to others on the team. Folks will argue the same about other organizations, but I can't speak to that so my comments are specific to this coach and org. Good luck with your decision- I know it's tough!

Oh boy. Now I understand what was being conveyed was not intended as non-existent, but inconsistent. Thanks for clarifying and I would agree. The same standard should apply.

Makes sense. Player development is key at every level. I think I was being too literal about development, like new to the sport players.

I believe the MS & Varsity coaching staff made the decision they felt appropriate for his action. I don't believe the AD was involved and I don't believe he needed to be. It was news to me that Varsity players were going undisciplined as I would have expected there to be consistency; but if it is true, it's sends mixed messaging for sure.

I'm sorry - it doesn't appear I articulated that well. My comment was not actually regarding this specific incident, but was in response to the prior comment about players not being disciplined being nothing new at Shaler, as that hasn't been our experience. I agree there are likely plenty of great kids on that team, including this player; sports are intense and kids get passionate and sometimes they act on it in ways that we would not expect. It doesn't make them "bad" but I do believe they need to be held accountable and if they aren't as was stated in a prior comment, it doesn't set the right example for those coming up through the program. I believe the MS and Varsity coach made the decision on the extra suspension for my son and I support it. He needs to be accountable for his decisions on and off the ice. I would hope that if my player reaches Varsity level that he isn't off the hook from a disciplinary perspective, as he would be the role model setting the example for the younger kids in the program.

What does that mean? Meaning more than the coaches and board members know what?

This is interesting to me since my MS player was serving an extra suspension for telling a ref to "end the damn game" after a terribly ref'd game: note one suspension was from the league and other from Shaler to make clear the disrespect will not be tolerated. The additional game suspension is given due to the disrespect towards the referees which lead to the game suspension that they gave to XXXX. We want to make it clear that this behavior is unacceptable especially towards referees. If you have any questions or anything please let me know. Seems like they aren't afraid to discipline when warranted at the MS level so why would Varsity be any different? The MS kids are looking up to the Varsity kids as role models so that seems comical their conduct would go undisciplined.

I agree ice time is earned with effort. Even at lower levels though, I have seen ice time not be equal for kids working just as hard or perhaps even harder, as the kids with "more" skill and not just in certain situations. Interested in your view on this and if it differs for travel teams vs school teams?