hockeyisgreat

Wow, did you look at the information? It's all over the place and very hard to read. They have last years tryout info still in the page so you really have to look through it all to figure it out. It does say they are having tryouts at Printscape but it sure doesn't mention them being there for 23-24. If you look close they are only having 1 tryout date at Printscape to 2 or 3 at PIA. Does it mean that all the kids will have to tryout at both places? As for the Viper Stars info it's all from last year. You would think they would have taken out all that info before posting.

Playing for fun is the only reason to play. I've seen a whole lot of kids quit a whole lot of different sports when it's no longer fun! Burnout occurs in all sports and all walks of life for that matter! The kids in the upper levels aren't always the most talented!

Wow, next will be the grandkids! Do you think your boys would encourage them to play?

Couldn't agree with you more! Danner is always such a downer! Starting to think that is just his personality. I think he means well but just always comes off so negative!

The Huskies have a 15U team in PAHL 16UAA this year so I assume they have a PAHL Charter and BB will be able to use it. This year I believe that was the only team the Huskies had. Haven't seen any new info about the Huskies yet. Their website needs a whole lot of work!

I would take the Coaching at Esmark over the PPE any day and take the 16uAAA SHAHA Coach over all of them!

You do know that Southpointe never had a second sheet of Ice? It was always a multisurface. It never had icemaking potential. Was built in the late 90's as a Practice facility for the Pens. Thats why it would take a lot to put in that second sheet. It does seem like the multiuse rink is always in use when I have been there.

I am really interested to see what will happen this year with the Huskies and Mon Valley Thunder. I hope BB makes them a force in Western Pa and creates more opportunity for kids to play. PAHL or not will be interesting. The next few years will be a big adjustment for WPA hockey. We can embrace it or complain about. Only time will tell!

Good Point! The next 5 to 10 years will be interesting in SWPA Hockey circles!

But will Black Bear be able to put together a coaching staff and practice model better than Esmark? Obvious right now that kids are willing to travel to that awful place for good coaching! If they ever get 28 fixed it's not a bad drive from the South Hills! Maybe if Black Bear can get Taibi from SHAHA to start a program at Southpointe it would be worth looking at.

Good to hear! Hopefully more people will see this and realize there are options for top quality hockey in Western PA!

You are right! Sorry should have clarified my post better as I was talking about current PAHL standings.

Yes really! You cherry picked some rankings from MHYR! What about how they are ranked in the PAHL? Further I think that ranking in PeeWee 12th out of 153 is very good! They are not trying to be a Faux AAA organization like Preds! They are a nice solid group now.

Use to be that way! Take a look at some of their teams and you will see that they are doing something right! 10UAA 3rd, 12UAA 1st & 6th, 14U AMajor Black 3rd. Smart people will look to alternate programs with good coaches!

You are right on there! I've heard the same thing about lack of practice ice through all the AAA and AA teams. They can't deliver what they are selling.

So no answers in WPA? We just continue to complain with no solution in sight! Please explain how Alpha has been a "wild lawless chaotic mess." I'm not sure I understand!

How many teams have locked up playoff spots at this point? When do playoffs start for PIHL? Looks like D-2 Gold top four are locked. Burrell can still catch Neshannock but it would be tough. D-2 Blue 1st is locked up with Ringgold. Connellsville seems to have 2nd under control. The other 2 spots have 3 serious contenders. Which team will be left out? EF, Carrick or Morgantown. Should be an interesting final month.

ChiefKeef do you have any ideas as to how to create a competitor to the Pens Elite! You have all valid points for sure. Do you think Black Bear can create a better option? The second and third best options as far as a total program are Esmark and Vengenance right now. Can those programs get stronger to compete with PE or do we need another option? You seem to have very strong opinions and have done some research on the subject. Just curious for mites and squirts coming up.

How would that work for Shattuck and BK?

Yep they need to advertise it better! But it will come to PPE soon. Like someone said, where would you rather have your mite play? Lemieux or PIA? No Brainer! or no braines!

Not sure why you think it will all blow up? They will just go out and recruit more out of town kids to play under the Pens logo. I bet there is an endless supply and they will always remain competitive. The Lil 66ers up through Bantam will continue to pay for it all. The prestige of saying my kid plays for PPE is just too enticing. There will always be enough families willing to fund the program. Just the way it is no matter how much you try to educate us. But you did a great job of spelling it out for those who want to listen.

Who ever decided to set the league play like that must have been on some good stuff!!! HAHA

Yes and quite a few of those players have been with him since 10U. Shows a great deal of loyalty both ways unlike the Pens & Esmark. Will be interesting to see what he does when those kids age out!

Just looked at it again. Looks like Neshannock is making another late season run. Will be interesting to see how they do with Deer Lakes 2 games and Burrell 1 in their final 5 games. Haven't lost in 2023!

Isn't that what happens anyway at most organizations now? Isn't that how most people get involved with organizations anyway? PIA just put out their summer programming with no mention of NHAHA. Do you guys have any plans anywhere else?