hockeyisgreat

The lack of information from the PIHL and PAHL is unbelievable. I should also add the same for probably 80 percent of the organizations in the PAHL. I don't understand why the PAHL hides all of the game info. They have the capability to give the kids recognition but choose to hide it all. At least the PIHL shows game stats and rosters.

So Bethel Park won the tournament. Any body care to comment on the games. Are BP & CM for real? Looked like CM played close games in almost every round. I was a bit surprised by Central Catholic. Thought they would do better. All in all it seemed like a pretty good group of teams.

I'm just curious to know if you stand by the statement above? Obviously they are not the worst team in AAA. Your exact words "every kid on the ice!" When they beat a team in the top 100 will you then apologize to these kids? Or will you justify your pathetic rant some other way? I have absolutely no ties to the Predators other than getting annoyed by you bashing them. Why are you so bitter toward them? Not that they care but what would they have to do to make you happy?

I think whome87 needs to come back here and apologize to the entire Preds U15 team. His OP was pretty scathing to say the least.

Don't you have to tryout to play Juniors in Canada? So how many actual AAA players are there in Pittsburgh? Who has the final word as to what makes a AAA Hockey player. I don't understand all of the animosity toward AAA in Pittsburgh.

Is this a fact or just your opinion?

No problems, I'm just a fan and like to look at results and tournaments to see how everyone is doing. I wonder if there will be any way to find the results for the tournament.

Where would I go to find information about the Franklin Regional JV/MS tournament? I checked a few sites and found nothing. Must be a pretty well kept secret! Also why is there a lack of any current news on the PIHL site. Last year they had some nice news articles. Seems that no one is doing any promotion of HS hockey except Hockey Digest and they don't even have an article about the St. Margarets Tournament.

Any idea as to when the schedules will be out? Last year they were out August 22nd. The St Margarets Tournament starts next week. Is Pine Richland the favorite to win it again? They should have a preseason tournament for Middle School. Nice way to get the season started.

I'm curious! Were is the game being played? I guess the question is how good are the Icemen?

How is the PIHL tied into MidAm? I searched Mid Am website to find a link and was unable. I'm just trying to understand how the 25% rule applys to the PIHL and Middle School Hockey. I guess the PIHL is also tied into USA Hockey somehow? I'm new to all this and just trying to understand it all.

How many more skaters do they need for a second team? It is my understanding that they can draw from pretty much anywhere for Middle School. Is that correct?

So do we know how many teams they are able to field this year? They offered tryouts from 10U to 18U. Do they have players for each team? Are the Altoona Trackers and Mid State competing for the same kids? How far away does the Mid State Mustangs draw?

So you think there is hope for Western Pa as the hockey talent pool becomes more seasoned? My sons played hockey back in the 90's both PAHL, PIHL and then College club Hockey. Now I am watching my grandkids play. I will tell you that the officials took much less grief from the stands back in the 90's. I saw more than 1 fan & parent get asked to leave a game and the refs wouldn't start the game again till they left. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing that happen again. I'm sure it does but it seems the refs take more now. I will tell you that I think the skill level of the players is vastly improved over the 90's. Anyway you seem to have a unique view of all this. How do you see yourself In this? As a fan of hockey? Concerned parent? Agent for change?

Just curious, are you from Western Pa? It sounds like you have been involved with youth hockey here for a long time. Do you think the parents here are that much worse than every where else? Finally any ideas on how to fix the problems. Or is it just a know it all culture in Western Pa. I have herd of some pretty tough behavior associated with Midget Football in Western Pa also. What do you think makes us this way? You seem to have very strong opinions so I'd be interested in your thoughts.

The Steel City Ice Renegades out of Alpha ice rink in Harmarville are also pretty close to North Pittsburgh for tryouts. They seem to have a good number of travel teams in squirt. Most importantly keep him on the ice as much as possible with clinics, 3 on 3 summer leagues etc. The more ice he gets as a squirt the more he will develop.

Officiating is difficult and thankless in all sports but you can't play without them. Can anyone post a link for how to go about becoming a Hockey Referee? Any idea how much they get paid per game in the PAHL? PIHL? College games? I see a lot of younger Officials. Any idea of the age limit to become an official? From what I have seen for the most part they are trying out there. That's good enough for me.