forbin

I've suggested this a couple of times here and while I think it would logistically make sense and also provide a lot of room for WPA bragging rights on who the best AAA team is, a lot of players and parents that are involved LOVE the travel and exposure part of playing AAA. Going to MI, MA, NY, MN and Canada and playing other AAA organizations is a big draw for these teams. That being said I think a local AAA league would work to make the scheduling of the non tournament games much easier. Hell, 99% of the "AAA" teams in the area are faux AAA teams and play independent AA/AAA schedules anyway. If the PAHL created a AAA division it might water down the AA and A divisions even more than they already are.

48 minutes ago, Eddie Shore said:

Ran across this.  Interesting.  A lot of common themes with regards to the organizations mission statements.  The first link is the Top 20 AAA programs in the US, the 2nd link is the Top 20 AA Programs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVVVfl9_sAU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf9GS_fmMG0

 

Take those "rankings" with a grain of salt. That guy makes those videos to boost his kids ego. They lived in MN, his kid played for Gentry Academy. Now they live in IL and I'm just going to assume his kid plays for one of the "top" 5 teams on that list. Notice how he mentions that the Chicago area is the best in the country for AA numerous times? Not saying he's wrong, just saying its a pretty biased list in my opinion. 

On 7/16/2020 at 1:07 PM, BACKCHECKING said:

Vengeance have BY teams - 2011 to 2006

First year squirt players also play a PAHL AA schedule under the Renegades.

 

So do these teams fall under the "faux AAA" category?

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.

50 minutes ago, BACKCHECKING said:

(Hearsay)

 I have heard that they use a local AAU team to play in some AAU tournaments in MI.

Why do they only play each other?

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.

13 minutes ago, BACKCHECKING said:

PPE is already making a killing off of AAA Mites.

 

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. 

4 minutes ago, aaaahockey said:

I think this will get revised for the size of building at some point. Obviously we never know. More curiously if this did happen, if you picked 18 kids for a team, how do you pick which 10 stay on that team?  Another tryout?

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. 

1 minute ago, 1&done said:

I told you illiterate derelicts multiple times I'm not involved with any amateur organizations. If I were though, I don't think it'd be the one to avoid.

Then why are you here? Seriously, why is someone who is not involved with youth hockey in the WPA area on this message board?

1 minute ago, 1&done said:

That's the thing about real hockey guys. They don't need to go around bragging about who they know or where they played. 

Says the guy who just bragged about playing in the jungle, which started this whole debacle. 

Just now, 1&done said:

Ah, gotcha. I read on here a guy saying phrases like the one you used should be red flags for BS anyway. And you all seem to respect what he says.

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)

1 minute ago, 1&done said:

Why would you have to grease anyone's palms, can't you just call all your buddies?

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

1 minute ago, 1&done said:

Probably should've used those lifelines as your kid(s) aged out of midgets.

With those connections I'm surprised he didn't an NCAA offer right out of PPE. But I guess you're so well off he didn't have to go to college.

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.

On 7/7/2020 at 12:12 PM, 1&done said:

Hey I made it further than your kid(s) and my parents never paid for an extra A

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

On 7/7/2020 at 11:57 AM, The King said:

Please tell me this kid is bragging about playing in one of the junior B leagues in Ontario. These leagues have become notorious for sucking the last rung of American Tier 3 junior players dry in order to fund the development of their bottom level players before they go off to Canadian universities. If they’re lucky, the Americans have some cool pics to send back home to their high school friends that have no idea what a money pit they’ve gotten their parents in

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.

22 minutes ago, 1&done said:

And if you must know I completed my 1st season in the jungle before I turned 18

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.

22 minutes ago, aaaahockey said:

Love that idea go ahead and start it haha

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

31 minutes ago, ctil20 said:

Again, if I had to pick one rink, and one demographic of parents (south hills; area not program) that was going to draw everyone’s COVID attention to youth hockey...  I would have been right. 
 

 

I'd be interested in seeing this boards rankings of local rinks and/or programs. Can we start that thread?

Because i think it would be difficult to justify putting IC or the Preds anywhere close to even the middle of that list in my opinion. I live in the south hills and totally agree with your statement.

8 minutes ago, ctil20 said:

So you don’t have any kids, but you’ve managed to find your way to a hockey message board dedicated to youth hockey. Which, primarily is used by fathers of kids who have played or are playing. 

What’s your resume? What’s your purpose here? Are you qualified to speak on any of these matters? 

Maybe he's one of Posey's cronies.

On 7/7/2020 at 9:14 AM, 1&done said:

This is all I've ever wanted you to admit. Peace out

You don't even possess the basic reading comprehension skills to fully understand an eight sentence paragraph. The failed player/dad The King was referring to is yourself

3 minutes ago, Spear and Magic Helmet said:

I got emails from the Ice Castle and Baierl to remind me to wear a mask. I have not been in either rink lately, but have been in rinks in the early part of June and not seen a whole lot of adherence to the signs posted about mask wearing and whatnot. It is possible those rules are being enforced a bit more now.

I have been at RMU, Bariel, Frozen Pond, Alpha and Printscape. Only RMU and Printscape were following the guidelines of mask wearing and social distancing. Printscape has someone at the desk taking temperatures as well. RMU is the only rink I have gotten a notice about the new 25 person mandate as well. 

1 hour ago, 1&done said:

I asked the old timers. I figured you'd at least make another alt account. Seriously many do you post from? I'd guess danner27, the king, and citl20.

My point all along is that your son was granted more opportunities than most guys I know, yet when he got to the base of the mountain, saw what it would take to make it, he knew when it was time to quit. If he got draft as a PPE player everything things makes even more sense.

As a hockey guy, you and all your alts sound like divas to me. At least your son knew when it was time to quit. Take a hint.

Danner and the King, while having similar posting styles, are not the same person, or even related. Danner is local and his kid played for a few local organizations. The King is not local and has never been. He was most likely a lawyer for USA Hockey or MidAm at some point. He posts on many other hockey forums. I am going to assume you grew up playing single A PAHL, maybe some high school hockey, and are now most likely a college aged assistant coach with some local organization...the prestigious Icemen maybe? What part of the mountain did you make it to? And before you assume I'm just another one of their alt accounts, please check my post history. You will see that the King and I have had words recently. 

Can we get back to talking about hockey? Any rinks released a memo about the new 25 person gathering limit? I know of one rink has said that 25 on the ice and 25 off the ice (in the stands) is okay per the regulations.

2 minutes ago, aaaahockey said:

How do they enforce that?

Spies in the stands at the jamborees. 

15 hours ago, ctil20 said:

The best part of these videos, which are clearly an attempt at “exposure” by the parents, is that they rarely show game footage. Just JR skating and dangling around some cones, and going “top shelf!”

Not to pick on the kid in question either, because I'm sure hes a great kid, but you cant find one single game play clip of him making a good pass or a smart defensive play. He will score 8 goals a game though. Maybe PPE would be a good fit for him? They seem to promote selfish play.