Jack Handey

I have it on good faith that the ladies and gentlemen who run the tryouts are already dreading tryouts too. So at least you're in good company.

God bless and thank you for being there for the kids.

Where most local teams are just getting started, the Armstrong Arrows 16u squad has reported no less than 10 (ten) games before the end of the first week of September. At this rate, these kids are on pace to have 50 games in by Christmas and stand a real chance at hitting 80 by the end of the season, maybe 90 with a deep playoff run. They're true Grinders, I tell ya!

Wouldn't that be something if placement were left to public opinion.

Ad hominem attacks, while entertaining, don't add much to the debate. If you are a Pred '04 parent or Iceman '04 parent, maybe just tell us why the program is a good value to you. @jmmartinprov1 explained clearly to @whome87 that his goalie son will see high quality shots and many more shots on this team at this level. Makes perfect sense for his development.

last year, per myhockey, 04 preds went 1-2-1 vs 04 dawgs ... lost 0-3, won 5-4, lost 1-4, tied 1-1.

Hmm... you are not wrong here. The group had one AA season (5 wins) and played A major for years before that. So it's pretty astonishing how they are now AAA.

That's just our way of saying you're doing a good job.

I can see some reasons for the progressive increase. Ice time for 16u is usually 90-100 minutes vs 75-80 for a game slot. Refs cost more because you need guys who can actually keep up and control the game and sometimes you need 3 or 4 of them. EMT if required charges more since he's there longer. And of course there's the paid coach. You need someone skilled enough to train these kids and the pool of eligible candidates shrinks as the kids grow up. Now does that add up to $6k? Probably no.

Why waste time playing under different names? Seems silly to manipulate ratings for 10u.

Because, you know, there just aren't any teams of their ability in Pittsburgh.

@jmmartinprov1 Your son is very talented. And he will definitely see more shots this year. Good call on your part.

Well what happened to the Butler Valley birth year model? They had an 03 and 04 team so why not allow an 07 team?

but probably should, don't you think?

Well North Hills has been around a long time. Any Huskies parents on here - what's your story? Why not just play for Vipers?

That's a pretty competitive division you got going there. Oh, what Pittsburgh AA hockey could be!

How do two youth programs continue exist at the same rink? Do they cooperate? Or do they compete for the local kids? Why doesn't one just absorb the other?

That's funny! I'm guessing that when parents see that their long-time AA kids can compete and hang with former PPE Black players, it's easy to make the leap that your AA kids could just as well be AAA players.

So an unintended consequence is that this kind of move weakens local PAHL hockey. That's unfortunate, last year's '04 Preds steadily improved over the season and showed they belonged and could compete at AA.

I see some strong players on that roster. Good luck '04 Preds! https://www.pittsburghpredators.com/roster/show/4207935?subseason=516277

No Except for the occasional 8th grader who "forgets" he's not in a 14u bantam game. ?

Why do you need 19 kids on a team for a 3 game tournament?

I'm pretty sure Mid Am would take the team from Pittsburgh. Alabama being out of district and all. MHR is a pretty reliable resource for comparing teams. The only teams I know that hide games from MHR are the ones who have a chance to get to #1 in their class.

...and that's a very typical problem with spring and summer hockey at every rink, not just Printscape Arena. Island Sports Center is the only rink that gets enough of a critical mass of participants to divide players up by skill level. As they get older, at RMU they do full ice 3v3 - which is kind of a different game. Keep looking into other sports as an avenue for athlete development.

Yes, it sounds a bit much. I've seen kids come up like that, only to despise hockey by age 12-13. Be careful. Spring, summer and fall - his main activities should be outside. Focus on well rounded athletic development.