Saucey

The paid coaching attracted Pens Elite players back in some instances, at least those who made black. It may be that parents predominantly want development, and if an organization can deliver that, and the perception is paid coaching gives you that, this is what will attract talent. That may be a way for PAHL to retain the AA players who go play for Pens black.

https://thehockeythinktank.com/2019/03/26/the-cost-of-aaa-hockey/?fbclid=IwAR2Y7afd-STRAI38ff1O-Qjmxqsi7KR9ijXbJzJm9MJcgQNI0duo8b-D6Wo Interesting read. I actually think some of the criticisms regarding development can also be applied to some PAHL organizations. If the board is primarily made up of parents from one team, the top teams or one age group, then guess who gets the focus of that organization. Development should happen at all levels, and you need a real plan in place to do it. Coaching too. The AA teams or the independent teams in PAHL are the smallest numbers of most Pahl organizations, and they shouldn't be the only ones making decisions for all.

I didn't mean it as a criticism. Just stating some people go, for whatever reason. Keep asking if it is worth it to go, sounds like a lot of people think it is. Seems to fill up.

Who are you exposing your kid to during the camp?

You don't need to be so condescending. I am one of those people who don't know, and I'm interested. It sounds like there is a vetting process in place, whether people use it properly is another story. I do know some 04s who went that I don't think are high caliber players, but people go to AAA tryouts not expecting to make it, either. ?‍♂️ Did anyone else go who thought it worthwhile?

Sounds like a waste of time and expense to go unless your kid is playing AAA then.

Steel City and the Pens are not the only game in town capable of developing girls. A nice Facebook page that doesn't denigrate anyone's program is called Pittsburgh girls Youth Hockey. You ask to join. Run by a hockey mom of two girls looking only to collect info that she wished she had when looking for a place for her girls to play, she does a really nice job. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=841603716173422&ref=content_filter

Yes, that is what I was thinking of with the websites.

I may be wrong but the Pens offer a website service to any hockey organization that wants it. I bet that's all that is.

There is a link to register but zero information on tryouts. I heard the program had a lot of trouble last year scheduling games.

Aren't the 8u playing cross ice? That's not a huge amount of teams for cross ice. How many on a team? If the number on a team is low, also not a lot. Mt Lebo is a big program, that number sounds about right to me.

Why can't this Board just congratulate and move on? Someone always looking to deflate or a conspiracy or something. Or say nothing. ?

Rest Reflect Rewind article on 8 us and summer ice time link below. You can use Mr. Google and ice rink websites for their summer programs if you really need to add more. And....you as the parent are the gatekeeper. You don't let him eat candy all day long just because he wants to, so you can also tell him to take a break because it is good for him. https://www.admkids.com/news_article/show/1003880?fbclid=IwAR2aMl597dFwy1KopzNok5CksQhDsGslqM1qSmk32J5HherGbayKqFZ-2KM

Go to the pool. Play some kick ball. Eat some ice cream. Ball hockey in the driveway with buds. My boys play high level hockey in PAHL. You don't have to touch the ice at all over the summer at that age and he will still develop. I have one that does just that. The other has a weekly private and may or may not play in a three on three league. They both play lacrosse. Don't burn him out or injure him from overuse.

This area needs more ice!

Marianne Watkins at RMU is good at breaking things down. Cliff Loya at Bairel. Who do the south people use, lots of great players come out of there.

Just asking for a random recommend is not the best, imho. It depends on your kid, too. Some of these instructors can be really tough, and some kids respond well to that, some not so much. Some of it is finding a match between instructor style and your kid. Talk to people who get lessons, take a look at their kid...is their kid's personality similar to your kid? I am sure the instructors at most rinks are pretty good. Or it wouldn't benefit the rinks to have them. If your kid is not into it, I would do more of a clinic, camp or power skating class. Waste of money and everyone's time if the child won't work. Follow their lead. Pittsburgh really does seem to be blessed with a lot of good people. Good luck!

Now, now children. If the only thing you are going to do in a post is insult someone, how 'bout don't do it? These threads just devolve into adolescent stupidity. Don't rise to Wampa's bait and maybe he will move along to some other forum to spread around his vitriol disguised as manly wisdom.

Organizations still appreciate your time. Learn to play, learn to skate programs go on all year. When your child is done, you can volunteer for the Pens Hockey Sticks together programs. Your kid's program could continue to benefit from your experience. Help a new squirt team next season. Bring your midget with you. You don't have to volunteer so much time as when he was playing, but boy those new coaches would appreciate your knowledge and experience. And you don't have to quit what has been such a large part of your life.

Where is that?

Something that the article didn't mention.... don't some of these teams play 60 to 70 games in an effort to inflate their myhockeyranking?

Wait, where can I find that job? Sign me up!

Made up of two different sets of kids or the same set playing PAHL under the Renegades banner and 'AAA' tournaments under Vengeance?

AA hockey at AAA pricing was starting to make the black teams a hard sell I think. Do they tell the parents where the kid is starting? I think it is a better model, but if people are there to play elite....there is still two teams and a gamble. Interesting.

I am usually one to poke at people who seem to be over the top with their squirts, but I have to say, I thought this was a nice idea. The parent can see how the players at that level play before forking money over for a tryout fee. A little more of an informed decision.