hockeyisgreat

Don't all organizations have BY13 teams also? Out of the gate fast and hard with AAA, AA teams! It's all crazy!

This is interesting! NP has a great program already! Why the need for Professional coaches? Are they thinking of joining the ranks of AAA Independent?

Interesting, Where was an Esmark Open Skate advertised? It would seem to me that these unadvertised open skates are Tryouts by invite! I wonder how USA Hockey feels about them? What age group was the one last night? At least the Badgers are being upfront! Bottom line is there is no way this area can field all these AAA teams and be competitive. Esmark is really scrambling because they didn't field an 06 team last year. Yuri is recruiting big time. I bet half his team won't even be at tryouts.

It is sad that the 08 Vengeance and the 08 PPE did not play each other. I guess we will get a better look at it next year. I would assume a big difference in cost to play.

So why doesn't the ICSHL D-2 champ play the PIHL D-2 champ? Call it what ever you want it might be an interesting game for the kids whose schools can't field a team on their own. It's not the players fault where they live, so why make them feel like second class citizens?

Wow, how good is this West Chester East team? Could they beat Peters Twp? Why are they playing A?

HOPEFULLY, Boards like this and smart parents who have been through it will educate those new parents but it is worse than ever with all the programs doing AAA!

So I guess we should all just quit having our kids play hockey in South Western Pa!

Yeah I went to a few of those NCAA games. But I couldn't get a ticket for the finals to take my grandson! So fill up one side of the bowl! I still think it would be a great atmosphere for the kids! I f you don't try it will never happen!

I'm sure it was great but the game was sold out well in advance! How do we grow the sport if we can't get more spectators?

With some of the PIHL championship games a sellout isn't it time to consider moving them to PPG. Maybe sellout the lower bowl. Would be a great environment for those kids that worked so hard all season.

For sure! Started out slow but improved all season and ran the table at the end Won 13 in a row. Started the season 2-6. Awesome coaching job to keep the team together and win back to back championships.

I'm pretty sure there are quite a few players on the North Catholic team that have never tried out for PPE and are not a part of Excel.

Not to mention NP which has one of the strongest 06 teams!

Black bear started the THF Tier 1 for next year with the Esmark Stars in it. https://centericearena.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f069c7f3272fea1aaeae9722&id=e2288ab4b1&e=73dcc33db0 Only a matter of time till they start on Tier 2.

Do you know what age groups and where I might find some info on all this.

Sorry Paul I may have made the situation worse. They are obviously both interested in whats best for Western Pa Hockey with vastly different opinions!

Good call I was wondering the same thing! Their AA 06 team is very good. Maybe it will be a AAA Independent team next year!

Wow, I obviously have not been around long enough! This is my first venture into a great game! Like all other sports there are always politics and parents who will try almost anything to get their kid an advantage. I'm just all for anyone who promotes the sport even if it is to help sell books that are a benefit to the sport and at least 350 people have found interesting enough to buy.

Thanks

Thanks, doing some Yuri mini clinics. Who is Cliff? Not sure if Yuri is doing spring teams! I'm going to check that out.

So what do you do if your kid wants to play spring hockey?

Agree 100%. I would sure like my kid to play on your team. I would try to do whatever it takes as long as it's the kids dream and not mine. First hint of negativity toward practice changes the whole dynamic. I hate to see kids who are there cause their parents want them there.

So because they are PPE and they control MidAm that makes it OK? And to say a "skate" is not a tryout is as delusional as they are. And once again I ask what your problem is with PA Hockey? He does more to promote Western Pa and PIHL hockey on here than any of the rest of us. There must be something personal that goes way back. Time for you to bury the hatchet!

Wow! Interesting what you guys are tossing back and forth. I thought it was illegal to tryout or get an offer until 48 hours after the Nationals or something like that. I thought I read where there could be significant penalties for programs not following the rules.