forbin

So all of these ridiculous scenarios happen here in WPA, yet certain "royal" people on this forum have a hard time believing a true story of a dad in MN moving his family an hour and a half away to play for a better organization? Lets not even mention the 9 year old kid all over the internet who's dad moved him from Alaska to Toronto to play in a more competitive environment. That's just absurd, and sounds like the plot of a movie right?

30 minutes ago, The King said:

sarcasm and self deprecating humor is a fantastic defense mechanism. I love being right all the time. It’s too easy

Or maybe you can just yell at me for being a fraud? You obviously have a complex about being right about everything. Seems like a miserable existence if you ask me. I'm gonna go ahead and get @Paul Baxter in here now so he can remove this post, as I realize its inappropriate for this setting, however its pretty apparent that you have nothing at all to do with youth hockey in Western PA, yet for some reason you're still here to prove everyone wrong. 

3 minutes ago, The King said:

An example of Insecurities would be the need to interject a very broad based tale that sounds eerily like the backdrop of the Mighty Ducks movies in order to interject yourself into a conversation you’re otherwise not a part of. And sweetheart, you don’t know the first thing about my background but please keep thinking you do. And as I’ve said so many times, I derive hours of entertainment exposing frauds like you. You clearly don’t have any friend in Minnesota. That’s another one of these stories that gets told against and again in lobbies by hockey dads trying to seem relevant. Dads like you stand in a crowd of 4-5 in the corner away from everyone and watch the drills. You count your kids reps and wait for him to do better than the other kids. When he does you high jack the coffee conversation by saying the coach is an idiot and you could do better. The coach knows nothing and the team would be doing better if you were calling the shots because your “friend” in MN sent you some drills and forechecker that you’ve been talking to your son about and watching video of. All the while you’re re-mortgaging your home and drawing on your 401K because if you don’t keep paying what the organizations tell you to pay, you aren’t allowed in the rink. So either you bend over and take it like a good boy or you man up and speak up about the fact that the sport CAN be played in this country for less than it currently costs. And you you don’t even have to worry about your kid being molested by business partners of the people you’re paying money to. Or whatever. I’m just miserable is guess.

Well if you want the truth I grew up playing in Minnesota. Would have went pro if I wasn't for a cheap shot to my knee. Now I'm an alcoholic lawyer who coaches peewee. 

I also don't stand in the corner. I like to be right by the bench so I can berate my kid for going offside.

49 minutes ago, The King said:

So the purpose of you posting this and taking up all this space in this thread is to inform everyone you have stupid friends? Not that I’m surprised. Just seems like a waste of time. I mean, you couldn’t possibly have been comparing WPA to MN. That would be the height of ignorance and lunacy. Anyway thanks for letting us know you keep your own kind close to you. 

No, the purpose was to share a story that people in general will do stupid/stressful things for their kids to be given the best chance at success (or for other selfish reasons). Another point to this post was to simply share a story that some may have found assuming in a thread where other posters were talking about the stress of different associations, and one poster mentioned the old ways of dividing players up by geographical regions. I also in no way compared WPA to MN. If you're just out to bash every post I make now that I brought to light your insecurities about your prior employer then have fun buddy, I'm not going anywhere as i actually live in WPA, unlike yourself. You're just mad I didn't reference USA hockey in my post. Sorry, I will remember to do so next time, you miserable piece of shit.

16 hours ago, Scooby Doo said:

 I sometimes believe the old days rules where you were geographically tied to teams was probably far less stressful on us the parents.

While I tend to agree with that statement I will mention this little story you may find interesting/assuming. My lifelong friend lives in Minnesota with his wife and 3 boys (13,10, 8). As I am sure you are aware, MN divides their associations into districts based on where you live and your kids can ONLY play for those teams within your district. The high school teams use the local associations as feeder leagues for their JV and Varsity teams. My friends 13 year old was approached by the head coach of a high school with a VERY good hockey program in the Minneapolis area. Only problem was that they lived about an hour and half away in a completely different part of the state. After several talks with the coaches and some handshake deals, he decided to move into an area completely out of his budget and go from a 4 bedroom home to a 2 bedroom apartment, and commute to work the almost two hours each way so his kid could play for this schools varsity team. Stupid? Kind of. Stressful? Hell yes. Worth it? I guess time will tell.

I hope I don't derail this thread too much, but I always get a kick out of things like this. 

14 minutes ago, The King said:

Nah I’ll keep positing here and everywhere. In case you missed it, there is now an investigation into sexual abuse in the sled hockey program and the offenders are still involved. So this isn’t a “few bad apples”. It’s a full tree of bad apples that few low intelligence, complicit sycophants like you keep fertilizing. I don’t blame you because they’ve become experts in manipulating small brains and forcing them to choose ethics or parenting. Just promise to come here and tell your story when it happens to your kids team. 
 

At any rate, try to look past your obsession with me and your defending pedophiles and actually read what my post is about. Censoring. The fact that this board’s moderators suggest censoring when they post their political beliefs on a regular basis is comical. Try fighting for something instead of falling for everything. 

I'm not going to argue with you about this as I am just small brained, complicit sycophant of low intelligence. I'll just force my kid to play soccer or football where nothing bad ever happens at all in those governing organizations. I guess I should change my username to The Jester as I am but a clown.

20 minutes ago, The King said:

I’m not exactly sure how this is going too far when political arguments have been encouraged on this board for some time. @ctil20 is 150% correct about the cultural reasons that this continues to be a problem. And @Danner27 is just reiterating what a few of us have been saying for a while. This will all get shut down and there’s no amount of logic or “factual information” that will change that. What I don’t understand (and never get an answer to) is why a population that willingly and blindly supports organizations that harbor pedophiles and feeds your kids to them all for business interests then feels they have the grounds to argue that a government tells them what to do. Everyone will be expected to comply with state a federal mandates. Wear a mask. If you really feel it’s unconstitutional for a business to make you wear a mask in their establishment, be brave and walk in with no clothes on. Actually send a message. You don’t impress anyone by acting like a petulant child. You look like a lazy, self absorbed fool. 
 

Regardless, still not sure how a message board that historically promotes political agendas and defamatory statements for years now feels it should censor political stances. But what do I know? 

Serious question for you King: Can you make ONE single post without either subtly or overtly referencing USA Hockey?

You were obviously involved with them at some point, probably on a large scale and they have done you wrong. I get it. Everyone gets it. Drop it. Our kids play hockey in the united states and USA hockey runs the show. Every organization has bad apples from churches to schools to businesses to non profits. It's all a shit show. Start a thread about USA Hockey if you want to talk about it. It's not needed in EVERY SINGLE thread on this (and other) hockey forums.

None of these rules make any sense. 

How many Michigan players and parents will make the choice go play in Chicago this season because of these stupid regulations? I'd be willing to be A LOT of U14-U18 AAA kids and parents are willing to make the drive. Especially if they are on the west side of the state. 

Interested in watching this. When do you expect it to be finished?

I grew up playing when checking was introduced at the peewee level. Being a little guy (until I shot up at 15) I "got my bell rang" way too many times to count. However, I think the advancements in gear and the emphasis on teaching these kids how to do it properly has made a difference. You're never going to be able to get over the gap of kids being different sizes unless its segregated based on height and weight which is completely absurd. 

I had the opportunity to watch a 10U game in MN this past season. It was part of the Minnesota Made Choice Hockey Super Checking league where they teach checking at the squirt level. I'll be honest....it worked. Now, obviously my observation on this was only based on a single 45 minute game, but the kids seemed better prepared to take the hit and there wasn't any instance of a kid charging or violently checking. It was more reserved. Maybe teaching it at younger age resonates with them better than it does with a pre-teen with hormones flowing through them.

I am 100% against pushing back the checking age to 16U or 18U. I think that would be the most damaging thing this sport could do.

I don't care if my kid has to be a home dresser, I have to wear a mask, social distance from the other parents, and leave the rink immediately after for the rest of season, we will do whatever we have to so he can play. I am positive I am not the only parent that feels this way as well. However,I don't see these restrictions lasting very long and I sure as hell don't see this train slowing down or stopping now. Speaking on a youth sports level as well as a country as a whole. 

1 hour ago, Eddie Shore said:

YES! Quote of the year right there everyone.  I have not spent much time in the area, but the little bit of time I was there, I could not believe how many people thought that Pittsburgh was a "hockey town".  What a joke. 

Most people there don't know the difference between a blue line and a clothes line.

In terms of NHL fan base sense you are correct. Pittsburgh is a fair weather fan town. No question about it. I would estimate 70% of the Pens fan base today is made up of unintelligent homers who latched on when Crosby brought the cup to town. But can you blame them for that?

In terms of youth hockey, the Pittsburgh area has come a long way in popularity from when I played as a kid in the 90's. Hell, I was part of a high schools' inaugural season and it took A LOT of convincing to the school board to allow the sport be even be added as a club at the time. As a kid when I told people I played hockey they didn't even realize my suburb had an ice rink. The only place to get equipment was Play it Again and Perani's.

Much different scene today.

A "hockey town" like cities in MN, MI, or MA? No, not even close.

1 hour ago, aaaahockey said:

PAHL could just create a "AAA" Division and we could call Pens Elite AAAA and we can all be happy!  Or we could create AAA Major and AAA Minor divisions.  There are lots of solutions but all this just points to the fact that parents are ridiculous about the A's.

Playing devils advocate here, and hoping for some interesting comments...

Why not make a Western PA AAA hockey league?

6-8 organizations with only one team for each birth year 12U to 18U. They all play each other 2-4 times a season plus their normal travel and tournament schedule. Essentially a glorified "PAHL AAA"

Maybe then PAHL will have less teams at each age group, making those teams more competitive, also opening up some ice slots.

I will say that you are completely right about it being the parents that care about the extra A. I've even seen it so far at the mite level which is absurd! Although I will also say that if the 10U AA teams practiced more nights a week than the B teams did, I would prefer my son have a good try out and make the AA team as there's nothing else he'd rather do than be on the ice. Obviously as he gets older that may change, but I can totally see the parental influence in forcing the AAA issue.

I always chuckle when I see little Johnny carry his AAA team bag into the rink followed by John Sr. and Karen fully decked out in their AAA team garb with their chests puffed out and nose in the air. Obviously this is a generalization and I am only stating it to ruffle some feathers. I have had many conversations with AAA parents who are great people and realize the BS that comes with the territory.

I am all for more avenues for players to play the game, but it has without a doubt watered down the talent pool at the local level. Maybe there needs to be more focus on skill development at younger ages?

5 hours ago, dazedandconfused said:

WTF is 14U Prep?

Prepping them for Prep school! Makes about as much sense as PPE's new *not associated with any school* Prep team.

Haven't you heard about the new Pittsburgh Super Selects High Performance Elite Prospect Prep 6U Mite team?

2 hours ago, sadday4hockey said:

Maybe Southpointe will float a 2nd sheet. Otherwise, there is going to be an even bigger shortage in that area come 21-22 and beyond.

I don't see that happening, considering their slogan is "We are more than just ice!". 

Someone needs to buy that land next to Top Golf in Bridgeville right off 79 and put a 2-3 sheet arena there. 

In theory couldn't most organizations hold tryouts even as late as June/July and still keep there normally scheduled August practice start times? Yes, this wouldn't be ideal, and I know there are teams that practice and/or play in tournaments over the summer but at least it wouldn't derail next season completely. I am still optimistic that the real big threat and impact of this will be a thing of the past come May or so.

I am hopeful that they resume the regular season the first week of April and playoffs starting in early May. Maybe this will give the Pens time to get their shit together and get Guentzel back. A blessing in disguise? 

This information can be found on the associations websites. The PAHL website lists them all as links, so you can easily navigate to each one.

Most PAHL teams are roughly the same amount per season +/- a couple hundred dollars. It also depends on the age and level of play. 

2 minutes ago, Hockey22 said:

U16 only - that is one team.  Again, your previous post...not factual... "all season long" "all ages".  that is from June 10th.....

That was not MY post, i just chimed in and was simply commenting on the fact that in this very thread about the Iceman U16 team looking for players, there was an argument about them looking for players..... Basic reading comprehension really seems to be lacking on this board.

2 minutes ago, Hockey22 said:

Fact?  please share the factual information you have? Which of their teams were looking for players all year?  

6 minutes ago, Hockey1 said:

Then we are definitely talking about two different kids!  The one I am referencing played at PPE I believe....  Didn't realize they had more than one problem child on that team!

You would have realized that if you had actually read through this thread before commenting. 

8 minutes ago, dazedandconfused said:

Then why the f&#@ is it called a Prep team. If it's not affiliated 100% with a school (hence the word Prep) then it's just a 18U team.

Yes, this makes ZERO sense whatsoever. If it's not affiliated with a school, then what exactly is the difference between the new "Prep" team and the current 18U team? 

27 minutes ago, Hockey1 said:

12:00 practices would be tough, your right.  The schedule is practice at 1:50 to 2:50, workout to 3:50 and the kids are done for the day.  The kids would have to get to the rink by 1:15/1:30 at the latest.

Funny how their practice times will line up perfectly with the Excel program....hmmm... what a  crazy coincidence huh?!

Furthermore - Do people REALLY think that the team will consist of kids who don't attend the NC/Excel program? Not happening. Mueller and the powers that be will handpick their favorite Excel kids to fill the roster. Maybe one or two slip in on the 4th line to save face but that's it. 

10 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

Yes, judging by their tuition, Shadyside Academy is very doable for most families:

$9,250-13,500 Pre-K $16,250 K $18,975 1st $20,250 2nd-5th $25,100 6th-8th $29,675 9th-12th $13,000 five-day boarding fee $16,500 seven-day boarding fee $2,000 international boarding fee

?

Without derailing this thread even more lets just use this as an example:

A 17yr old kid living within commuting distance to Shadyside, no need for the boarding option. Tuition cost would be around $30k. (Probably closer to $23k with financial aid, maybe even less but lets not factor that in at all). 6 practices a week and school provided transportation to away games.

Take that same kid and do the PPE/NC/Excel model. $17k for North Catholic and Excel Program plus an additional roughly $7k for PPE 18U and the cost of travel. I'd estimate that comes out to approximately $28 -30k total.

Now back to shit talking Mt. Lebo...

2 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

And how many really good, skilled kids get overlooked because they don't want to go/can't afford to go to one of those schools? Is committing to something like that really worth the 1/10 of 1% chance you'll ever play even one game on the 4th line in the NHL? 

I can't knock people who choose the prep school route because honestly if I had the means and my son had the desire and talent to go I would do it in a heartbeat. I've never looked at the numbers, but I'd have to assume its roughly the same cost wise as playing for PPE and doing the NC/Excel program. And doesn't Shadyside practice everyday and have a team bus for away games? Sounds okay to me.