HereWithPopcorn

1 minute ago, Danner27 said:

Posted above - 4 on 4 nine skaters no contact or no hockey. What will the financial ramifications be towards small clubs ? They can’t cut players, budgets are set. 

This is 100% incorrect.  It is 9+1 for players, 5 v 5 and checking allowed.  The goal is to maintain as much "true" hockey as possible while fitting within the state guideline of 25.

13 hours ago, aaaahockey said:

https://tribhssn.triblive.com/allegheny-county-health-department-offers-to-assist-wpial-regarding-50-person-limit/

 

Also good news - the county willing to have reasonable conversations it seems. 

Per hockey still this has no bearing because it is the state with the 25 person indoor limit.  So nothing changes unless the PIAA decision applies pressure to up the limit to 50 statewide indoors.  This article only helps remove the county imposed additional mandates with the state still being at 250 there.

9 hours ago, Danner27 said:

Pittsburgh City Schools just canceled sports until Jan 1st, 2022. This doesn’t surprise me though, The Pittsburgh Public School system is HUGE when it comes to party politics. 

is carrick part of Pittsburgh City schools ? They have a co op hockey team with a few suburban schools, how does this effect the suburban schools that are still going ahead with sports ? (If they are) They play under the carrick banner hanging at ice castle. 

Carrick is part of the City League for regular PIAA sports, but have always been independent from it because of their co-op status for hockey since they started in the mid-90's.  Currently they are made up of Carrick, Brashear and Allderdice from the city and then Steel Valley, West Mifflin, Carlynton and Brentwood for their co-op districts.

13 hours ago, aaaahockey said:

Well tell that to all the baseball and lacrosse tournaments going on every weekend. Plus all the summer hockey leagues that have been going on for months. 

Sports will happen. What form they take may differ. 

The key with these examples is that summer hockey like Quest has reduced rosters, and referees to fit under the 25 indoor limit.  That doesn't work for regular season hockey, basketball, etc.  And as for baseball and lacrosse, the state mandate now is 250 for outside gatherings so they can be pulled off at this point.

I would add Rink Ownership to the list as well.  There is a huge difference sometimes between community rinks like Beaver, Crawford, and the YMCA in Bethel or Ralph's empire.

It is watered down across the board and therefore garbage hockey all around.

With the AAA expansion, those kids get plucked from the would be AA and A+, and then because of parent egos and needing the extra A, they backfill AA with A players that shouldn't be there all the way down to B.

To top it off, you get the sandbagging banner hunters from smaller organizations (looking at Wheeling and others) that play lower with a few higher ranked kids and wipe the floor with these diluted larger organizations.

7 hours ago, Danner27 said:

I would agree that pihl teams don’t seem to always play their best players for whatever reason (first you have to get them to join the team). Tier 1 kids get frustrated watching a dman think he’s Paul Coffey leading the rush just to turn the puck over at the opponents blue line or line mates playIng 3 on 3 Superman hockey, but I suppose both of these should be put on coaching. Regardless of skill level and skating ability, kids should be taught to move the puck, use your line mates. The best thing I’ve ever heard a coach yell during a game “you can’t skate the fn thing faster than you can pass it”. 

6 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

 Definitely a coaching problem. If they want to play like that, then you're minutes get cut. That kind of play doesn't win you games. That might work when you're 10 years old, but not long after. I've seen countless high-skilled players get stopped by average players (and below-average) with good coaching. And it makes those less skilled players better by way of boosting their confidence and seeing that they can be impactful in a game. That's why I constantly reinforce to kids that to me or anybody who is knowledgeable about the sport, that a well-timed block or winning a puck battle is just as important as scoring a goal. And so is a nice pass to the player with the best chance to score, regardless of where that other kid falls on the depth chart. Sooner or later, most of them get it that yeah, it's easy to notice a goal being scored, but that's just one part of the overall game. And unless you're Sidney Crosby, the average high- skilled player is not consistently going to be able to deke and stick handle around 4 opposing players to score on a no-risk-to-the-goalie shot while their team mates are tapping their sticks the whole play. 

While I agree that it is a coaching problem, more importantly most times it is a Board problem.  In our district, as with most others I suppose, the Board members have the less skilled children playing, and because of that Varsity turns into the "next group up" because it is their turn and not entirely because it is deserved.  A few younger skilled players make the cut, but there is definitely a less talented group that gets put into the mix when there are absolutely better options.

The result is that the team does not perform to its potential, and it also puts a sour taste in the other talented players that get bumped and stay JV until the "my turn" kids graduate out.  Unfortunately, the cycle continues and the program turns into more developmental than it should need to be at high school.

Not to be outdone, the 14U Preds just took it on the chin 12-0 thanks to Pens Elite as well.

57 minutes ago, dazedandconfused said:

12-0 PPE over Preds at 16U. Dear God Ralph, throw in the towel. And then laugh all the way to the bank.

Don’t worry, they’ll rebound next year at U18 with Gary in charge, lol

5 minutes ago, dazedandconfused said:

Is there a website to locate all of the scores? Or is that too much to ask of the technologically challenged folks at MidAm?

https://www.midamhockey.com/page/show/5022908-district-playoffs

Click on the appropriate level and then the age for each group

6 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

No. I'm saying that even with great coaching, player devolopment, success, etc. - I would find that stuff somewhere else. Hard to take seriously a team that spells the nickname as "DAWGS". You know, the age-old question in literature: What's in a name? That spelling was cute back in 1997 or so, to use it now (and let's be honest- even back then) conjures visions of white trash and crazy parents. I could be wrong, and location plays a big part in deciding where to play. But I would assume that the Butler Valley organization attracts people of the "DAWG" mentality more than say, the Wildcats, Renegades, or Vipers do. It's just how branding works. 

The logo itself, of the spiked-collar, fighting dog comes from the same mentality. On it's own, maybe coupled with a nickname like Bulldogs, instead of the DAWGS, wouldn't be as bad. More traditional, if not necessarily creative, if you will. But the two together make me think of something more suited to a New Jersey travel ball hockey team than an ice hockey organization that wants to be taken seriously. 

Also heard from a few different people that they are pretty unorganized as well. So there's that, too. 

This type of name and logo seems to be working fine for Hatfield on the other side of the state.

1 hour ago, twoboys said:

Makes no sense.  Why wouldn't they just try out for the Preds?  I bet Esmark will have an U15 team.  At midgets is when Esmark really starts to form teams.  They had an exception, the 03 group, who left the Renegades while they were Bantams, right?  Esmark tried with the 05 or 06 a couple of years ago and it didn't work.

The interesting thing with 05 will be what will the Icemen do?  Become a Yeti, play Tier 2 Independent  or become AAA.  Same goes for the 05 Viper Stars.  Will they stay Tier 2 Independent or will they become the Esmark Stars U15 team.

Because a lot of said players are all too familiar with the coaching style and player utilization of the 05 coach at the Preds.  Don't want to walk back into that situation after some have already been burned before.

16 hours ago, Theroadtobeerleague said:

Add to the mix the “SHAHA invite-only 2005 AAA Pens Elite Black need somewhere to get that extra A” forming for 15U. 

so at the 2005 BY, a region that has:

the lowest-ranked Pen Elite Gold team of any team in the organization. They were 1-15-3 vs USA teams ranked in the top 15   

lowest ranked Pens Elite Black team of any Black team in the organization. Played only 17 games vs teams ranked ahead of them and went 6-9-2   Played 1 game vs teams in top 35.   Loaded schedule with 8 games vs AA teams (2-2-4) and AAA teams ranked in very bottom  

no AA team ranked higher than 23 (whatever PA team makes it to Nationals will NOT advance out of pool play, but will get a lovely weekend in scenic Kalamazoo!)

AAA Preds team that should have always stayed AA and would have had a chance to win Nationals 

two Independent teams (Icemen and Vipers) that should be playing PAHL 

...is now going to try to have 4, 5, and maybe even 6 2005 AAA teams!  
 

if there was just Pens Elite U15 and no other AAA options, western PA (PAHL) would have a competitive, no-need-to-travel all over the country, AA U15 Division that would be a great fit for around 100 hockey players.  This is probably true of other BYs as well. 

Remember, the Tier 1 designation means something only at the end of the season and it’s for the Mid Am playdowns, where 1 team will advance to Nationals, unless there is a at-large (which will never happen from Mid Am)

 No, and I mean absolutely no, scouts are going to watch any games between “AAA” teams ranked outside of the top 20.  They don’t even attend the games or events where those teams play. 
 

That extra A is literally for the purpose of the parent being able to say to their friends, co-workers, and other hockey parents at local rinks: “my kid plays triple A hockey”, or years later, “my kid PLAYED triple A hockey”.  Think of that in the grand scheme of life.  

In your comments here, you pointed out the exact reason why it will exist.  PAHL is somewhat to blame for this since they created the faux AA Major and AA Minor divisions at 14U.  All it did was allow for these birth year teams to form for what was a very short window until Midgets.  Now that they are done with Bantam, they aren't good enough to be 16U AA and don't want to be in a mixed 16A division, so this is their alternative.

Yes USA Hockey does not recognize 15U as a separate level outside of Tier 1, but creating the road to nowhere in PAHL helped to raise this issue as the first birth year going through this process reaches Midget level.

28 minutes ago, dazedandconfused said:

Cue the lack of credibility alarm on this guy.

PPE Gold and Black plus Preds playing at the Tier 1 level

The TOP 7 - that's 7!!!!! Not 6 or 4 or 2, But 7.

Top 7 teams in the state are from Pittsburgh area.

The problem isn't the players, there's a ton of depth. The problem is the 3 parent coaches that won't let go and the two organizations that take the teams/players just for the $$$.

05 might just be the deepest in a long time but we'll never know how many actual Tier 1 teams could have been competitive.

Both the PPE Black and Preds teams take players along for the ride just for the money.  Watch any of their games and at a minimum 25% of the kids don't belong at that level.  So while they may be Tier 1, it furthers the point of it being a stretch when they compete with AA teams and don't blow them out of the water.

And the 05 birth year is the weakest as a whole when in comparison to those years around them.  Note sure where this "ton of depth" comment can be backed up.

49 minutes ago, The King said:

In a way, yes. Although there are loosely defined and agreed to parameters. Games played against similar opponents, roster requirements, affiliations, etc.  Allegedly, MidAm is notorious for allowing certain teams, players, officials to work outside the spirit of the rules based on interpretation. While others are held to oppressive standards. Money and relationships matter. 

The actual answer is simply that there is a declaration form each year sent to every organization to announce their Tier1 and Tier 2 national bound teams.  As long as you fill out the paperwork in a timely manner and fit the small guidelines as mentioned, you are on the list.

Straight from the MidAm Website:

11 minutes ago, aaaahockey said:

We did start to go way off topic and when I read my first post, I don't want it interpreted that I don't care about girls hockey. Actually I think it's awesome they are growing the game and I think the black teams were and are a joke too begin with so good riddance. I do hope the girls teams don't detract from growing the game within PAHL but its kind of silly we are comparing older girls to boys in the level of PAHL they play. 

Basically all this change is doing is two things.  

1. It is shifting the Black team joke from boys to girls.  (we said all along that the Black team kids should be in PAHL AA, well how far down should these girls be in PAHL that make the female black team?

2. It is absolutely taking Girls out of PAHL which will hurt the growth PAHL has been trying to accomplish in Girls divisions.  At 10U and 12U, girls could previously play on the Pens Elite, and then also dual roster for a PAHL Girls and co-ed team.  Now that the Pens are making it full time, these girls will have to decide which way to go from a girls team perspective.

9 hours ago, miked said:

i don't understand this, are you saying that there must certainly be some type of political unfairness because a child that at one point played low level PAHL could never progress enough to deserve a spot on a high level team? 

Believe me, it isn't just political influence but paying the bills.

Both Pens Elite Girls and the Selects have had a history of rostering girls at 10U and 12U that played A- or B level in PAHL.  Must really mess with a kid's head when they are elite in one realm and bottom of the barrel on their other team.

https://www.pittsburghpenguinselite.com/news_article/show/1087589

Posting of offered teams and coaches

The best part of the release was "the PHA Icemen, competing as high performance independent travel teams"

Let's look at My Hockey:

U18 (Tier 2) - Record of 17-16-3 and ranked 21st (slightly ahead of Preds)

U16 (Tier 1) - Record 11-21-2 and ranked 121 of 146

U15 (Tier 1) - Record of 5-30-4 and ranked 111 of 120

U14 (Tier 2) - Record of 23-22-3 and ranked 38th (Behind Renegades and Viper Stars in the area)

So it basically should read that the Yetis will compete as high performance PAHL teams and not participate in Tier 1 AAA hockey

I second that notion to just go through the tryout process in a PAHL organization and let it play out.

This was a while back, but our Mite Red team had kids that landed on PPE, PAHL AA and A+.  In our personal experience, it was nice to have my son be on a team as the minor birth year with a team of mostly major birth years.  It took the pressure off and he just had fun.  Plus, the coach was key because they put him in situations to succeed early and then gave him and the other graduating Mites on the team more responsibility as the year went on to watch them grow.

12 hours ago, PeterThePuck said:

Pitt will be Division 1 one day and the Pete was build to flip to ice.

ACC will have a D 1 Hockey Conference to go with their TV Network like the Big 10.

WVU the same.

RMU is raising money to build a rink next to the new Basketball Arena when’s  that happens don’t know.

The Pete was in no way built to be able to flip to ice.  It was opened in 2002 for basketball and graduation, and the basketball floor remains in tact and covered for concerts and other events.  It isn't a mobile floor like you have when Duquesne plays at PPG, etc.

9 hours ago, Stillers1979 said:

Predators 16 probably the best predators tier 1 team they’ve had I don’t understand why you folks are complaining about one of the people involved with the team it looks like He has brought better Players in this year if you want to complain do it about the 15 & 18 they are both very bad

The key issue I believe is the fact that the 16U team is now weakening other teams and making them worse than they already are.  The reason for the 15's and 18's being that bad easily starts with the bench and the common theme between both teams.  Then Daddy Warbucks comes along and has influence to get them to pull kids from 15UAAA and 16UAA as mentioned to strengthen their team.  I can't confirm for sure, but I am mostly certain that these kids that moved weren't unhappy in their current spot and were asking for the change.

Absolute truth.  16U (the only decent AAA team they have) took the best defenseman from 15U and also were platooning in a few other kids as well I believe.  And yes, they also held 'tryouts' to backfill the lost defenseman and only got one sucker to fall for it.  Kid was playing A+ in PAHL.