PuckHead7

I would also like to see another analysis later in the season. One of the comments about stated that some teams have zero or only a win or two, how could they be placed correctly? I say, for every winner, there is a loser. Look at any divisions in any league. Top will have close to all wins and bottom close to all losses. Still think PAHL goes a fairly good job and agree that (sometimes) when it doesn’t, parents or coaches had influence.

I don’t thing that placements are that far off. Neither system is going to be perfect. Team players change from season to season. How could PAHL do a better job? They already squeeze tons of data and games into a short amount of time. As for myhockey, I believe that it does as best as it can with the games that are actually entered. How many games aren’t even entered for teams ranked 250 or more? Those teams don’t usually care where they are ranked. You’re splitting hairs! But, good thread and questions.

Fair enough! I expressed my opinion that I liked game A better. Yes, because of the hockey’s hockey play. (Again, just a normal game, nothing out of control no huge hits, etc. Hit only to separate player from puck.) However, I didn’t say that I wouldn’t go along with the New Rules way. I just want consistency, one way or the other. Also, as a person that volunteers a lot, I’d gladly volunteer for USA hockey to give input on rule changes.

My son played two midget games last weekend. Both games were a few hours apart, against the same team. The referees were different for each game. The call style from game to game was absurd. 180 degrees from each other. Game A was a normal hard hitting separate the guy from the puck hockey’s hockey game. Nothing outrageous, just a fun game to watch. Normal Hockey! Game B, played under the “new” rules. Penalty if you checked a player without touching the puck first. Parents yelling, coaches yelling, players yelling, the tension and frustration was out of control. In fact, the referees just about lost control of the game mainly because of their style of calling the game. What’s its going to be? I understand that the area and possibly the entire US is short on referees. But, something has got to give. The inconsistency from referee to referee and game to game is off the charts. Referee by the rules this game and then the sissy rules the next game. (Yes, my opinion) What are the players and coaches to do? Ask the referees how they’re going to call the game before it starts. Bottom line, the rules, system and training needs to be better. Referees need to be more CONSISTENT, while caring more about the game & the players and less about themselves and/or their egos. Question is, how can this happen? Not sure it can. Just have to deal with it. Players and coaches are held accountable for their actions. Penalties, game misconducts, suspensions, etc. What do bad referees get? Maybe there needs to be a national evaluation form for head coaches to fill out, if needed, on the referee. They make a good wage per game and nobody has a say about how they do their job. I believe head coaches should be able to do this. Again, some referees are great. Some (30%) truly care about what they are doing on the ice. I can personally name 15-20 in the Pittsburgh area. Others (70%), it’s just money to them!

☝️☝️☝️ That’s the exact attitude that you get from 80+% of the referees out there. Arrogant Asshats! That said, @Scooby Doo everyone has their own stories. All you can pray for is that the referees come out, do their job, follow the rules and call a fair game. Don’t hold your breath though! To the 20%, thank you for your time and efforts. Job well done! Funny thing, y’all think you’re in the 20%.

Agree, inconsistent at best. Some care, some don’t care. Missed calls, calls that should have been let go and calls that needed to be called but weren’t. Even with the official looking straight at the infraction. I will say though, from my experience up to now, Pittsburgh isn’t alone. Suspect refereeing all over the place. Detroit, Buffalo, DC, Cleveland, Philly, etc. (it’s everywhere) I’ll also add that it only makes things worse when the players, parents and/or coaches antagonize the officials. Just play the game and shut up. If that’s done, the game will be called pretty fair. As for the calls and no calls, head shots and hits from behind, hopefully they get it right by using the rules from the rulebook.

Agree! FPP, although good in theory, sucks. I’d start my complaining there, but it ain’t worth my time.

Just so everyone knows. The rule was there before this year. Not that I agree with it. I think that it should have stayed the same. Last year and prior years, play-up players could not be more than 40% of a roster. This year, 25%. The difference, 3 players on a 20 person roster. I can see it hurting a few programs, but not many. Again, I think that it should have stayed 40/60.

I’m betting that a lot of teams had games last weekend and most will play this weekend or next. Has anyone encountered any issues with the stick banging rule yet? My sons team played two. There was bunches of stick banging. No penalties, no warnings! None of the banging was in a derogatory manner. Although, there could have been some after a few big hits. Not sure! Either way, no issues so far with the new rule.

Pretty sure that both teams went. U18 and U16!

Set up the games! I’d come watch 18U AA Allegheny, Predators, and North Pittsburgh play North Allegheny, Pine Richland, Peters Twp and Bethel Park. Popcorn for all. You could make it into a fundraiser for Special Needs Hockey!!! IMO, 75-80% of the games would be won by the PAHL teams.

No affiliation! Question, is he worth it? Paying a non-parent that only makes his money from hockey, in my mind, would probably cost more than say, a non-parent that has a day job and coaches for fun. Loves it, good at it, but it’s extra money to him and his family. Is he worth it? Don’t know him or his coaching style!

Is anyone really up to the challenge? What does it mean to be in charge of a youth sports club? Do volunteers board members do all that they can, putting 100% into their job? Do parents of player do all that they can to support the club? Blaming Midam isn’t the answer! Yes, I disagree with the 25/75 (the rule should have stayed at 40%)..... but... Maybe there’s a need to work a bit harder with recruitment?? My son graduated from an organization that only fielded a half full JV team and a half full MS team a few short seasons ago. The current president and the board worked their asses off and now the organization has a fairly large Devo group, a Middle School team and a Varsity team. The district is small! There is no way they can field both a JV team and a Varsity team. Point is, they worked their asses off to get the club into this wonderful position. Growing the program from about 25 kids to about 45 now. Their Devo group is their FUTURE. Get them in now, keep them learning and happy and maybe they’ll play through 12th grade.

So let’s get this straight. Under the old rule 8 players could be on a roster of twenty that are playing up. (40/60 rule, 40% second year peewee and 60% bantams) Now the rule is only 5 are allowed to play up. (25/75 rule) I’m now sure how a total of three players is that detrimental to a single program/team. Trust me, I’m not saying that I agree with the rule change, but 3 total kids can’t hurt a program that badly.

8 goalies and 52ish skaters. Talent is Okay!

Midgets are recruited every season. By players, coaches, organizations, etc. Less of them and every club wants to have a good team.

I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure that is old information. Maybe only a proposal???

If that’s the case, I’d expect major pushback. The school across the street has been allowed to close the street for its lunch time student recess for over 50 years. Cars can not pass through Emerson Street between 11ish to 12:30pm Monday-Friday during the school year. Yes, that’s not a terribly busy time, but I’d certainly expect the residents and local businesses in the area to be up in arms. The parking in that vicinity is a complete nightmare as it is. Especially during the day and on weekends. There were many community meetings about these concerns. Once the locals find out the plan, shit’ll hit the fan. If the Penguins are involved, I’d suggest that they do it the right way or don’t do it at all. But hey, I’m a nobody. Don’t need to listen to me.

The original plan had a parking garage at ground level and a second floor built for the ice facilities, etc. I would assume that that would not change, as the Pens/owners would get major pushback from Shadyside residents and businesses.

Who does Burrell and Ringgold co-op with?

So what are you getting at? If, by definition, a tier 2 team can be more than one school, what is your issue? Yes, they have 4-5 (or more, not sure) AAA players on the team. From what schools and how many schools would be the question. One is also a legal transfer. Still don’t see an issue if all of the rules were followed.

Are all Tier II teams across the country combined/co-opp?

Not sure that is true. 2010 Vengeance team will probably play PAHL as first year squirts. Just as the 08 did two seasons ago and the 09 team did this year. 2011 can not play squirt in PAHL this season. Practice players, maybe???

Actually, the fees that he pays to his club includes all things related to the game of hockey. Coaching, EMT’s and Refs included. That fact, certainly entitles him to have and voice his opinions and concerns about referees. The fact is, there are good referees out there and bad ones out there. Unfortunately, everyone just has to go with the flow. In my opinion, if coaches, parents and players will just keep their mouths shut, the referees would do a better job. They would have more time to concentrate on the game while not having to worry about others yelling at them. Nowadays, teams even get homered at home because certain referees get to know crazy coaches and parents. They begin to dislike them and as soon as a particular coach/parent opens his/her mouth, the homering begins. Love/Hate is everyone’s experience with a referee.

For years and years, PAHL has included the number of penalty minutes per team ion their website. Why omit it this season? Those facts would definitely be interesting to see. Especially at the U16AA level. One of the team has 5 FPP out of 14 and another 6 of 14. I heard that one of the two teams can’t end a game with less than 30-40 PIM (if not more.)