RMU Alum

An NHLer once told me - you have awesome games 1 out of 10, terrible games 1 out of 10 but you get judged on the other 8. I would love to see MHR throw out the top 10% of scores and the bottom 10% of scores and then you probably have a true ranking.

It's a lot of the SHAHA kids that didn't go back to AA.

The U11 Esmark Team shutout Pens Black 2-0 this past weekend on the way to a championship weekend and has beaten them 3 of 4 this year. Lets keep in mind that the majority of the Pens Black Team has had the "World Class" Development in Cranberry for 4 years (1 yr Little 66ers and 3 years Pens Black + most do Excel). The Esmark 2011s are a first year team that have multiple 2012s playing up, kids that hadn't played AAA before this season, and even a few kids that were cut from Pens Black along the way.  

Just an idea...but with Black Bear owning so many rinks in the area...Why not a hybrid location model like other cities like Detroit have worked out. Sure you have a "home rink" for games with all the branding but there is no reason a Black Bear AAA team couldn't set up practice ice slots at Southpoint/Delmont/PIA/Youngstown/Rostraver on a consistent basis and just play home games at one rink. 

36 minutes ago, RJUSHL said:

Looks like their rankings are essentially the same, but South Pgh obviously can't play the ranking game with their PAHL schedule. But looking at how the teams did in Detroit this past weekend, and some previous common games, the 2010 South Pittsburgh team is probably better than the Esmark 2010 team. It is kind of crazy that a PAHL team is better than an Esmark team for the same BY.

I thought this thread would reveal some other issue or bad strategy by Esmark, but so far no one has offered anything. Really seems to just be an issue of a terrible rink location for Esmark and all the Tier 1/AAA organizations are already in the north. The south has more/better hockey talent and no AAA only organizations, and so that seems to be why SHAHA, Preds, and even South PGH can build better teams than Esmark.

Seems like the Esmark name is fading. Are they going to adapt or is some other organization going to come in and fill the void?

To clear up this past weekend in Detroit the Esmark 2010s won the AAA (not to be confused with AAA Elite) division over the Ohio BlueJackets (division also had the Preds). SP and Aviators lost in the 3rd division - AA bracket. Vengenance went 2-3 in the AAA Elite division and also had an awesome upset win over the #2 ranked Little Caesars Team. They also had a kid dressed that didn't get a shift DURING PEEWEE. SouthPitt 2010s have 5 players that played AAA last year so should be a top AA team that can win some games against AAA for sure.

I can confirm that there were interested players that made the 2011 team and parents decided not to make the drive and went to Preds and Pens Black instead. Esmark is one of the only teams that allows 'playing up' at the younger ages if the kid is qualified - especially first year. The 2011s have multiple 2012s that will fall back next year. By second year there is only one 2011 Defenseman on the 2010 team.

For bad strategy that hurts them:

- To keep costs lower they ALWAYS carry a 15 skater + 2 goalie roster at a minimum (See Vengeance model above). Most PeeWee teams have lower skater numbers and try to add bodies when they get to checking. The bottom pairs and bottom lines can impact W/L

- Announcing coaches and tryout dates late - this was a big issue last year at the younger ages

- Very little to no Social Media

- Not advertising the differentiaters - Ice time, gym, video review, 3-day camp kickoff, cheap summer ice, organized scheduling, cost compared to other AAA orgs, Coaching staff through the organization with tons of experience (CJ, Sluggo, Yuri, Dave, Mish - with no dads - except Nate that came from Pens 2010s) 

- Location - I don't think people realize New Ken is only 15 from Alpha. 45 min from Cranberry

11 hours ago, Pucks11 said:

I would bet my own money that someone outside of the PPE/Flyers organizations (who pick the team) could build a better team each year than the one picked. 

Absolutely. The issue is that Brick is used as a recruiting tool by Pens to keep young kids away from Vengeance and they care so much about their brand that they absolutely refuse to acknowledge that other Pittsburgh players that CHOOSE not to play Pens at the young ages could possibly be good enough. Hands down the best 12’ plays at Vengeance. What about the Black team kids under the same roof that have had two years of that top notch on and off ice training? Imagine if an evaluator rated a Black team kid above a gold team kid and The Pens coaches didn’t get enact their class system. Anarchy!

13 minutes ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

 I thought the program was there to develop local players. 

Is this sarcasm?

1-9 in Edmonton between the two teams.
How long will Pens coaches hold the keys to Brick with these type of results and blatant disregard for talented players from Pittsburgh not playing at Pens.
 

2022 - 2011s 1-4, 2012s 0-5

2010s - Covid

2019 - 2009s - 2-3

2018 - 2008s - 0-6 

The 07 Shaha team beat 07 badgers last year and opted to move up. Allegheny needed that banner I guess.  It was absolutely known they would run away with the division this year. 

V partners with renegades in year 1 of squirts to provide the option to play in the Pahl aa squirt division. Basically, playing all second year aa squirts. Results vary year to year. I can remember the 08s sweeping the AA squirt division that included all the 07s. The 2010s had a rough year last year. The 2011s aren’t doing it.

Question for the more experienced parents of top level D men.  Were there any camps, experiences, or coaching that helped them “get it” and take it to the next level. What helps a top aaa dman in squirts  (I know, aaa isn’t real until they are older) become a stud at age 15-16?

2 hours ago, 66PensMom24 said:

I am very real and all of your comments further validate why we are so happy at PPE. You all are just jealous your little Johnny’s can make a real hockey team and are stuck playing PAHL. Or should I say, not playing. 

Can’t wait till your kid gets sent back to PAHL or high school when Pens ditch your kid in a couple of years for a player from another state or country. If you are an 08 parent...I guarantee they replace half that team due to the low rankings. At least the gold helmet at tryouts will help them make North Pittsburgh.

20 minutes ago, 66PensMom24 said:

We stopped by to see how they are running it. It is BS that our kids can’t play but they are packing them in there and playing. I’m so glad we are at Pens and we take pride in our organization and have class. 

Ha. Lol OK...That’s how you chose to spend a Sunday.

2011 Birth Year Tryout Dates and Times:
March 13 - 7:30 - 8:50 pm
March 14 - 1:30 - 3:20 pm
March 15th 4:00- 5:20 pm

My suggestion is to play full ice hockey as soon as possible. I'm a big fan of spring hockey. Lots of spring teams out there with qualified coaches for red level players and they are done by the beginning of June.  My personal opinion is to avoid summer except for a camp or two or a skating instructor.  Most travel teams have more practice ice time/intensity that kids are used to and the season lengthens by 2 months (most travel team start practice around August 10th).

 I made the mistake with my son of doing the RMU crazy summer full ice 3x3 league that had no offside or icing and the Cranberry 4x4 league and a week long camp. The playoffs for summer ended 10 days before the new season started and he never got a chance to miss hockey.  

53 minutes ago, sadday4hockey said:

What percentage of parents at PPE actually do believe that they are currently in some sort of minor league system that will lead them straight to the NHL Penguins. 

 

 

lol - its a feeder system!  PPE plays a sizzle video during their information meetings that splices in highlights of Pens cup wins with kids scoring goals.

2011 Parents,

 

Please see the exciting announcements below regarding the upcoming 2011 Pittsburgh Vengeance team:

 

COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT:

 

The Pittsburgh Vengeance is pleased to announce the 2011 AAA Pittsburgh Vengeance Coaching Staff:  Tyler Kennedy, John Zeiler, and JS Aubin.

Quote

 

 

Just got an email that TK, Jean Sebastian Aubin, and Zyler are coaching the 2011 Vengeance.  3 NHLers seems crazy for 9 year olds.

Foxes switched to a birth year model for top teams but i'd be surprised if any of their minor year birth year teams make AA. For example the 07 Birthyear Foxes got beat 8-0 in their placement game for PeeWee and got moved down to A Major Black.  Birth Year worked for the Renegades because they recruit from other programs to make the Vengeance teams.  A good portion of the 08 birthyear team that won AA Squirts in their minor year last year were former Aviators, RMU Mite travel kids, ect. that all came together...Foxes don't really recruit that way.