nemesis8679

As the title says. Why? Not even just regular tryouts, but teams having supplementals at the same times as teams are still doing regular tryouts? As a parent, I would have no problem with my kid going to tryouts for 4-5 organizations. But it's really hard to do that when you're possibly going to miss at least a day at other places. So now you're sort of forced to put all your eggs in one or two baskets instead of going to several and missing a day or two of each. Now this has to be on purpose, because there's not a lot of hockey going on right now at the rinks but not only are dates the same, but times overlap. I get every org wants to get the commitments first before the others, but they're also missing out on kids that would otherwise perhaps at least get in the door of another org and consider playing there. It's just another hockey thing that seems to be made more complicated than it needs to be.

You're other post says the 16u is tonight?

I came across this.

Not even that so much about the parents seeing the dream isn't attainable. But where before the parents gotta get Little Johnny to the Vengeance tryouts because those kids are "better" and clearly Little Johnny is better... At 15, 16 years old Little Johnny is now Adolescent Johnny and he's saying, "I want to make extra money, I want to hang out with friends, I like hockey but it's not the only thing I'm interested in that I want to put all this time and effort into when I have a bunch of homework and a part time job and want some video game time, etc." And for the dreamers- I don't think most people realize what that dream really takes. Meaning the work, time, money, and commitment that is in your control nor the "have-it-or-you-don't" genetics and mind for the sport, and luck that is not even in your control.

Well if it's any justification, the owner/thief of the River Monsters is involved with a local youth organization.

But saying, "my kid is such a great hockey player, he's billeting in Ohio to play" sounds so much better at the water cooler.

The younger you start, the easier it is to get on teams. Once you're on the team, the easier it is to stay. At some point school hockey becomes important to kids. Say what you want, but playing for the school team is important for a lot of kids- it comes with a certain amount of popularity amongst their peers, hearing their name on the announcements, etc. Things that don't come with playing for a Vengeance, Esmark, or wherever. A lot of kids want to go to the movies with their friends or go hang out with their girlfriend or whatever on the weekend. Not say, "oh sorry, I can't go. I have to go to Philadelphia this weekend for hockey" and get left out. So with being on the school team and the commitment that goes with that (and the cost of playing for the school team added in), some kids are going to want to just play for school and a team that's a little bit more schedule-friendly. Believe it or not, some kids like to play hockey but also have other interests and things they like to do. So by this age they start realizing that. And at this age, the parental influence on what they want to do is becoming much less.

Paid for by your teammates' sponsorships they didn't get paid for.

Some places do the district play. I'm sure it has its own pros and cons but surely cuts down on lots of nonsense. Of course it's nice to have the opportunity to play with kids you don't play with at school otherwise wouldn't meet. But it would cut down on nonsense like letter shopping and people playing musical chairs every year.

Yesterday was the first night of 16u tier 2 tryouts at the new Vengeance. Anybody know what turnout was like? Compared to previous years? Was just curious. I was wondering if the new shine and the other organizations being shown the door would bring in a huge turnout or if it was basically the same with the same as usual. Of course I also thought Huskies would get a huge crowd last season with kind of starting new but it didn't seem to go that way. Also curious if they are absorbing the Vipers teams that played there, if those teams are planning to move somewhere else together and just use another org name or if those players are just scattering. It's a bit of a shame seeing one of the oldest orgs from around the area that so many played for over the years just... disappear.

And they should each take that con man to the magistrate.

There is some overlap with Vengeance 16u tryouts.

There is in fact some overlap with Vengeance 16u NB and Mixed Year skates/tryouts.

What did the owner do?

Would rather drive the hour for the Nailers (who have decent food/drink options)than to drive 5 minutes to watch men's league.

Nothing to do on a Saturday? You have Pitt, Robert Morris, and the Nailers playing on Saturdays.

For an extra "A"??? Worth every penny!!

Courts do nothing to white collar criminals. If this thief stole the same amount or less out of a bank, he'd be in jail.

Not totally shocked to hear that. The league is the entity that accepted someone like that as an owner. So that tells everyone something right away.

Seems like Shadyside Academy would be a much better choice for local kids that have parents that are willing/able to spend money for hockey plus school. I know for a fact that every kid gets an equal chance there at least.

Another problem is that unlike walking or running, a skating stride isn't natural to human anatomy. Like a pitcher throwing a ball overhand, as hard as they can, over and over. So to be doing that constantly and at that exertion isn't good. Especially when joints are still developing. And not to mention the mental part of time spent that could've been used for something else, and when all that time used for training suddenly goes away. There's very, very few NHL players or coaches that would tell you that that much time skating and training is good to do. But people will continue to not listen to doctors or professional athletes and continue to listen to amateur coaches.

That makes no sense.

Let me guess. At the players' expense?

What I would like to know is why is it so important to pay North Catholic? Whats in it for the Pens org to do that? Do they get a kickback? Also, I know theoretically why they want you to do excel, you get a lot of ice time and they get a lot of money. But does it ever dawn on any parents that even NHL'ERS aren't on the ice that much? That there's a point of diminishing returns when it comes to too much ice time/gym time? If everybody would use their heads and refuse to do this, then it wouldn't be a thing. But the allure of that gear bag and window sticker is enough to let it perpetuate, I guess.

Brutal. They're doing a real great job growing Pittsburgh hockey players out there in Cranberry. 🤷‍♂️