hockeyisgreat

Yes I do think I have seen that on here before. As usual the goal seems to be win at all costs. I don't pretend to understand all the financial and back history of it all. I just know that it's hard to believe that they pay their coaches six figure salaries. And if that is true no programs around here should be able to compete with them. I guess they really don't. Everyone else is playing for second! But maybe based on what you are saying second best is not so bad.

Don't they get the same amount of money in fees from whoever plays on the team? Seems to me that they want the best possible team. I don't think they would get away with paying kids to come play. So I would assume the revenue they get is the same irregardless of where the kids are from. Unless I'm missing something here!

Actually I have as many posts on here as you do. I look at all the posts and haven't seen where anyone believes that western Pa is a hockey hotbed. They do complain a lot about PPE and I can understand why. I also understand that PPE wants the best team they can field. If they are importing kids it must mean that they are doing something right or doing a good sales job to bring them in. If they are better than the local kids so be it. There are a lot of other programs that those local kids can go to. Maybe they will make them stronger to the point that they can compete with PPE. Whats wrong with that? The local AAA, AA teams should be stronger with the trickle down of PPE players. Whats wrong with that? Anyway who is getting rich from the so called money grabs?

How many would you be happy with? Who said Western PA is a hockey hotbed anyway? Is that the way it should be in your mind? If so that's great but I think any representation in the selected best 49 in the country from our little section of Western Pa is great! There are too many people on here who are salty for whatever reason about Western Pa Hockey! I don't understand!

Why can't you all just be happy that we have a successful Tier II girls program in the area. They seem to be competitive on the national level and there are still people willing to put them down. Just the same as you all calling any AAA programs outside of PPE a money grab and Faux. Also even bashing PPE for their model and not having strictly local talent. Sounds to me like there are a lot of butt hurt jealous people out there.

How do you know that going into tryouts? Very tough decisions to make when your kid really wants to play AAA. How do you know which team is a good investment. I guess maybe limit tryout to the top 3 and if you don't make it move on to a good AA team?

How is clear AAA talent measured? Would teams that are in the top half of AAA be considered legit? If that's the case then 9 of the 14 teams in AAA 14,15 and 16U are legit and only 5 are in the lower half of their tiers. There are over 100 teams in each level and to have 3 above half in each level, I consider pretty good. To make a long story short I think the talent in Western PA is on par with most other areas of the country except for maybe Minnesota, Michigan & New York. Just my opinion.

So what's your point? Did the player in question play for the Predators? You give me the impression that only PPE and maybe Esmark is worth playing! Maybe everyone else should just give up the sport! Why do you care if there are 6 or 2 AAA programs in Western Pa. People can spend their money any way they want.

Sounds like High School Hockey to me! Some school districts already try to do that all the way down to ADM. Don't most kids play close to their home in PAHL? I know there are some that for whatever reason are disgruntled with the closest organization and go down the road. A lot more flexible than having to move if you are unhappy with your school sports.

So how do the Pens grow the sport locally? Seems like they get bashed because they are the best and everyone else is a Faux AAA player. Not sure what Danner has against kids wanting to play AAA. He seems to be the authority on who is AAA and who isn't.

Thanks for the insight! It kind of goes against what all the folks on here would lead you to believe. The only true AAA are Pens Elite and maybe Esmark. All the rest are FAUX AAA! Glad to hear a little different story!

How did your Tournament go? Last year you guys had a spring summer 4 on 4 league. Are you going to do it again this year?

This question is for fafa fohi! What if your kid is the one who insists on trying out for AAA. Might be a borderline AAA but really wants to try with no encouragement from the parents. Do you let him tryout. Only for the Pens Elite or Vengenance or a lower AAA team like Preds? How do yo know if your kid is ready for AAA? If they are best on AA team? Just trying to figure some things out and it sounds like you have some experience with all this. All experienced opinions on the subject are welcome.

So how do we fix it? Better Coaches? Are you saying it is Western Pa totally? PPE kids included? Is the goal for AAA players strictly to get to the next level? Or to face the best competition?

Are the organizations or coaches getting rich over the extra A? It doesn't look like these teams are embarrassing themselves in AAA. I don't understand the complaining. Is it that this area would be stronger in AA if there was only one AAA team? Is it that we want to tell people how to spend their money? Everyone knows that it's a one in a million chance to get to the NHL. Besides who should decide if a kid is AAA? Is there some set qualification to play AAA?

I don't understand what you guys are talking about. 4 of the top 6 15U teams in Mid Am came from Western PA. 2 from Ohio. Puckcovid19 how does that make us the laughing stock of the country? Why do you guys care if these teams want to be AAA? Sounds like someone is bitter that their kid didn't make a team.

Gotcha, I haven't heard anything about an 05 team. When do they become eligible to play for the USPHL team?

Yes they have had an 06 AAA team for the last 2 years. Made it to MidAms beat SHAHA and lost to Pens Elite this year but once again the only team that matters is Pens Elite right. They are the only real AAA team! Why do they even have to qualify for Nationals?

They have tryouts for an 06 team so I'm guessing it will be a 15U Tournament bound team. I'm guessing SHAHA will be a 15U team also.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like you have a good game plan for the future. Is your oldest still playing? North Pittsburgh seems to have some very strong AA teams. Their 06 BY team is on top of the PAHL standings. Seems that 06BY is particularly strong in the PAHL this year with NP Allegheny and Renegades leading the pack.

I guess the question for you Forbin is if your son doesn't make Pens Elite would you let him tryout for some other AAA team? Seems that a lot of people here believe the only AAA team worth playing for is PPE? What's the difference in cost between AAA and AA anyway? Does anybody have a good estimate?

Thanks sometimes I'm not too smart. haha

OK so I looked at the brackets. The round robin games are done. When do they play the finals? Where are the game times? Mid Am site is awful!

Interesting take on the situation. Do you have an opinion as to the quality of 06 players in western pa. Seems from the results that the PPE team is ahead of the other local teams. The Vengeance team is only in it's 2nd year of AAA and seems to be gaining ground. The SHAHA team seems like a strong AAA team as well. It's all very interesting.

Jack Handy, thanks for the info. Some interesting games to watch. South Hills V Vengenace at 14U should be interesting right out of the gate.