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I think the following could be included in the rink category: -Ice quality -Ice availability (only 1 sheet, multiple sheets) -facility specific training options i.e. power skating, skills sessions, summer camps etc.. (not ran by organizations) For organizations I would suggest things like: -quality of coaching -quality of practices/training -off ice training provided? -amount of practice times and ice availability (1 practice a week, multiple, etc) -responsiveness to inquiries - reputation I think this idea would be fantastic for newer parents, new people to the area or even people considering a change in organizations. Looking forward to other poster's input. I'm sure it will create a lot of discussion points! I'd be happy to help get this off the ground any way I can. Thanks Paul!

I'm not completely against the full ice mites because I have seen kids get bored with not playing "real" hockey. I honestly didn't even know the Pittsburgh area offered it. I do think the ADM model with cross ice and half ice helps them develop. Id rather see a bunch of small area puck battles and lots of scoring chances rather than a ton of half ice stretch passes and wide open ice. There are certainly the group of skilled 7 and 8 year olds who can handle it though.

They do 2 practices per week and then scrimmages against each other (there are only two teams) on weekends. When my son played we went to 3 jamboree tournaments and all three were played as red level half ice just like all the other PAHL programs do. This was two seasons ago so maybe things haven't changed? I wouldn't be surprised if the parents were petitioning for more travel tournaments. To each their own I guess, it just wasn't our scene.

The ironic thing about this is that the level of play, the training and instruction they receive, and the fact that they only play each other (besides a couple of jamborees) is essentially the exact same thing that the RMU mite in house program is doing. And RMU does it A LOT better in my opinion. I know this personally, my kid did both.

Oh man can you imagine the backlash over that!? Maybe a rotating schedule and a reduced fee (that's a joke obviously)

I am wondering how it will work if the max of 25 people restriction is still in place come time for the season to start? -1 ref ,1 coach per team,10 skaters and 1 goalie per team. I guess it would be doable, but certainly not ideal. Edit: Would they have to count the time clock operator and EMT as "on ice" people? If that's the case than it would be 9 skaters per team which is rough.

An interesting and well written article. I've never understood the whole squirt and peewee AAA thing. Seems like a total parental bragging situation. Those parents are generally the ones who spend $3k at the team store decking themselves out in the team garb. Honestly, if it weren't for the ADM rules, I could see AAA mite teams being a thing. I think the organizations would make an absolute killing off of that. To comment on the money side of this - my coworker took his family of four to Disney for a week last year and spent over $14,000. It's your money, spend it how you want.

Then why are you here? Seriously, why is someone who is not involved with youth hockey in the WPA area on this message board? Says the guy who just bragged about playing in the jungle, which started this whole debacle.

The King and I disagree on some things. He doesn't believe my completely true story about my real friend in MN, which is fine. I can easily verify it if he'd like, It's not a point to argue though. It is what it is. I don't agree with his style of demeaning fellow board members and parents about the choices we make for our kids. But he has knowledge of situations that we don't. He also makes a lot of valid points (though most of them are extremely narcissistic). What I am assuming that we can both agree on is that you are chump. Would it be possible to let me know which local organization you are involved in so I can make sure I stay far far away? Hell, can you even just narrow it down to the general area relative to Pittsburgh? (North, south, east, west)

Oh my kid is absolute hot garbage. He's gonna need all the help he can get to make it past the jungle.

My kid is still young, so I have plenty of time to grease the palms of coaches until hes a NHL player. Thank you for the advice.

No, they just paid for a billet family and a ton of coconuts for you to live your dream in the jungle.

HAHAHA you're probably right! I was assuming he was referring to the ECHL as I have heard players refer to it as the jungle. But a pay to play junior B league sounds way more likely for this kid.

I'd be willing to bet actual real money that you did not in any way shape or forum compete in the ECHL. And unlike you, I actually have three separate former business associates/acquaintances that work in team management offices in the ECHL as well as the AHL. A quick phone call or two would straighten this out.

I think the only fair way to do it is rank the facilities themselves. Obviously there will be some MAJOR bias about the associations and most people on here probably don't have enough experience with multiple associations to comment on them. Although...that would lead to some great arguments.... @Paul Baxter what say you? Maybe I'll make a poll ranking the (12-15) local rinks to start