First Time Caller

Thank you for sharing the truth. This situation has been so misconstrued and rumor-laden by so many "spectators," I'm glad you were willing to reiterate the truth of what has taken place, and sign your name to it!

I offer no opinion on the quality of play at AAA Tier I 16U, or how WPA hockey and USA Hockey are a joke to those of you posting on this forum, just someone (not a player, parent, coach, or rival) presenting the facts on the Predators 2019-2020 16U team... The AA Tier I 14U SHAHA 2017-2018 National Champion team members were recruited to play AAA Tier I 15U for the Predators in 2018-2019 because SHAHA had no respectable ice time to offer at the 15U level that year. At least 8 players made the move that year along with four or five players from the 2017-2018 14U AA Pens Elite Black, and some former Predators players. The coach that year was also recruited out of retirement (the formerly mentioned SHAHA team coach). The players had high hopes, but quickly found that the team had some internal player issues which they tried to resolve with management multiple times to no avail. Their season ended with them ranked 44 of 113, not bad cosidering the Predators 15U team the previous year ranked 91 of 148. Players were then "romanced" and promised a "better situation" if they would return for 2019-2020 tryouts....a new coach, new players, better conditioning, more consistent management. They lost at least 3 good players to other teams after tryouts, but picked up a few good recruits as well. However, practices are fewer and shorter than "promised" with no contact drills at all. Conditioning sessions are self-conducted at the player's discretion in the Ice Castle Gym (for which they had to have a paid membership). The same internal player issues exist, which have been discussed with management, again with no resolution. Two defensive players injured/ill early in the season and the resignation of another defensive player from the team because of the internal issues brought about "pulling up" two defensemen. More issues developed when at least two players were suspended for fighting and dangerous play in games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. These internal player issues have been allowed to go unchecked despite multiple player and parent discussions with management, and yet another player resigned as a result. Recently, proof of illicit drug offenses by two players conducted while at a tournament in Toronto was brought to the attenion of and tolerated by management, which was the absolute breaking point for some. Winning, or at least their delusion of grandeur, is decidedly more important than integrity and morality to management. The team captain promptly resigned before the semi-final game of that tournament when one of the offenders was reinstated by management to play in that game. After a short-lived absence from the team following their return from Toronto and a team vote to keep him off the team, that same offender was reinstated on the team by management, which prompted the goalie's resignation shortly thereafter. Now, perhaps, the speculation of what is going on with the 16U team will finally end!