BACKCHECKING

(Hearsay) I have heard that they use a local AAU team to play in some AAU tournaments in MI. Why do they only play each other?

PPE is already making a killing off of AAA Mites.

Am I the Jacka$$ or are you for believing anything that PPE tells You? My guess is that you are angry that you couldn’t brag to your friends that your daughter played for PEE anymore and that’s why you felt the need to share her hockey resume with everyone on here. Bottom line is if your kid is good enough, they will make the team no matter what anyone else does. Stop making accuses for why they did not make it and teach them to work harder and come back and tryout again next year.

“They'll drop a local kid quicker than a snap to pick up someone better out of town.” The balls that PPE must have to take a kid that is more skilled even though they do not live as close to the rink as your less skilled player. They need to ask everyone who tryouts to provide how faraway they live from the rink. I hope that they at least gave your kid a participation award for trying out.

THIS IS GOING TO SOUND CRAZY!!!! How about everyone worry about their own kid!!!! Most of the parents who are raising issues about this are jealous and are the same types of parents that openly complain to their child about the coach or teammates. The supposed favorites are usually the kids that works harder than everyone else, loves the game, wants to be at the rink, and listens, which is the reason why their one of the better players on the team and getting more ice time. It’s not the coach’s fault, it’s the players, because I guarantee the player isn’t working hard, goofs around, doesn’t listen, isn’t skilled enough and causes the team problems. Rather than worry about what other kids and organizations (that your kid isn’t skilled enough to make) are doing you should worry about teaching your kid how to take responsibility for themselves and not shift blame.

I have recently read a couple of articles that I tend to agree with. Does the level of hockey really matter at the younger age groups and the difference between town league hockey and elite hockey? I am interested to hear some other people’s opinions. The Level of Hockey Doesn't Matter Did I just Read that Right? Here's a little snippet from an article titled the "Ultimate Hockey Parent Guide" that ran in the August 2018 issue of USA Hockey Magazine. It was written by Christie Casciano Burns, who often pens the Hockey Mom column in USA Hockey Magazine. DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ALPHABET SOUP For people outside of youth hockey, AAA is the number you call when your car breaks down. AA puts you on a 12-step program to sobriety. A is the grade you want on your child's report card. But those letters have a whole different meaning to hockey parents. The intensity of AAA hockey can build players and families, but it can also break them if they're not careful. That's why it's important to have realistic expectations when it comes to elite travel teams. Constantly chasing the opportunities by trying to "play up" at the highest level can sometimes hinder a player's development if he or she doesn't get enough ice time or opportunities. "Honestly, it doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets," says Alaska hockey mom Diane Firmani. "At younger levels, it's merely bragging rights for parents and instant martyrdom." As you might expect, this touches a nerve with me. I will openly admit that I almost always disagree with the stance she takes in her columns but on this small snippet, I agree, whole-heartedly...well, until the final quote is thrown in. The Alaska hockey mom's statement, "It doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets" is kind of ignorant, in my opinion. I mean, look, if your son or daughter is having a great time playing rec level hockey on the weekends, you're in the right place already. There is absolutely no need to look in to or consider AA or AAA hockey. Elite hockey probably isn't for you, anyway. And that's not a slight on your son or daughter's talent at all. I've found that most families in that setting, doing the weekends only from October to February thing, while still having the exact same unrealistic NHL dreams as *every* other hockey parent, elite or otherwise, are blind to the fact that Tier 1 teams even exist. They're the sorts that have the "they'll find you if you're good enough" myth engrained. But if your son or daughter really seems to love playing the game, regardless of their current talent level, then maybe, just maybe, you should spend some time deciphering the "Alphabet Soup" to supply them with more of what they love...but way, way, WAY before Midgets (age 15). The way Diane Firmani's quote is placed in article gives it context that may or may not have been her intention or what she was actually trying to say. I'm sure it's just a small piece of what she actually said in full and it probably is out of context, though who am I to say? "It doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets." I can't be totally certain what "it" is referring to here, but if it's the level of hockey (like the article implies), she's way off base. Stats do not matter until Midgets. But if you're not already in AAA program long before Midgets, you're not going to be properly prepared to play at a AAA level as a Midget. It's kind of like saying academic performance in school doesn't really matter until high school. Realistically, it doesn't. Universities don't care how great of a student you were in 5th grade just as elite Midget programs don't care how great you were as a Squirt. But can a poor student suddenly "turn it on" in high school? Pretty unlikely. I mean, I've never seen it happen. Ever. Hockey is the same -- good habits, gained early, stay with you all the way through the journey. You don't just wake up one morning as Wayne Gretzky or as Valedictorian. That kind of success, athletic or academic, takes years of work and dedication. "At younger levels, it's merely bragging rights for parents and instant martyrdom." Okay, yes, for some parents, this is true. There will always be parents that go out of their way to talk about how their son or daughter plays on some exclusive Tier 1 AAA Premier summer tournament Selects team. Normally, I'm not a fan of braggarts or really anyone who's super arrogant about their achievements. It's annoying, right? I mean, everyone has that one co-worker whose kids seemingly can do no wrong and are awesome at everything... I roll my eyes too. But at the same time, you almost have to smile that they're so darn proud of their kids. Do I think my sons, who play AAA hockey, are better hockey players than the kids that don't? Yes, yes I do. And here's why... My two oldest, (ages 7 and 9) just recently competed in a summer "rec" league with kids between the ages of 6 and 10. Over the 10 game season, in which my kids only played in 8 of the games, they combined for 73% of their team's offense. Two players scoring 73% of the points...while missing games. Further, their offensive output made up 31% of the scoring for the ENTIRE league. Not to brag or anything (ha-ha) but Duncan's league leading scoring total was three times that of the next closest player...and he played in two fewer games. So, yeah, I think my kids are better than the typical player at their age level and I attribute that entirely to playing AAA hockey cause they weren't always this good. Oh, and the kid that finished second behind him in scoring...also a AAA hockey player. Hardly a coincidence. Circling back around, the AAA players at the Mite and Squirt level will undoubtedly be prepared and ready to play at the AAA Midget level if they choose to. Do I consider myself a martyr for all of the time spent each week shuttling them all over the place? No way. Not for a second. People rib me all the time for "always" being at a rink somewhere here or there, hundreds of miles from home. It's like it's a joke or some sort of torture or something but you know what? I love it. Christine says that "AAA hockey can build players and families" and she's right. Time at the rink for practices, the idle time before or between games, and time spent in hotel lobbies is all time spent with my kids' friends whose parents are my friends too. I'm not a martyr. There's isn't an ounce of suffering. I enjoy arriving 90 minutes prior to every game. I'm filling my free time surrounded by a few dozen friends...and we all get to include our kids too. Heh, now that might be something to brag about! ;0) Oh, and while I said up top that I rarely agree with the stance Christie Casciano Burns takes in her monthly Hockey Mom columns, I must say that her "Puck Hog" book should be standard reading for every single mite and squirt hockey player - especially the stand out players that make it all not-so-fun for everyone else. I mean, on those, she nailed it. Not surprisingly, AAA programs coach the exact same thing she's subtly teaching kids in those books. http://www.rutschhockey.com/article_the-level-of-hockey-does-matter.php One Word Differentiates the varying Levels of Youth Hockey I can't tell you how many times I've been asked by other hockey parents why we chose to move our kids from a local town league hockey program over to an "Elite" program. Perhaps I can be classified as a youth hockey snob, you know, giving people the impression that I think my kid that plays for the Tier 1, AAA, Elite, Premier, Select, Platinum, Diamond (pick your own goofy egotistical adjective) program is better than your house league player. But that couldn't be further from the truth. My kids would not be the best player on the team in a house program even though they play on elite teams. Matter of fact, some of those house programs could probably even beat the teams that my kids are on if we ever had the opportunity to face one another. The difference between town league hockey and elite hockey can be summed up in one word. Floor. That's the difference. Every single Tier 3, town level, everyone-makes-the-team program out there has excellent players with amazing skill. No question. The ceiling is identical for all hockey programs. Top end talent exists at all levels and the sky truly is the limit. It's the floor that's different. VERY different. Talent aside, on the teams that my kids currently play for, there isn't a single kid on the roster that doesn't want to get better, isn't working on getter better, or that isn't getting better. I've found that isn't the case with town league travel teams. Yes, of course, there are kids working their tails off on those teams too...but there are also a handful of players that are, for lack of a better description, just showing up. It's like real life -- go to any workplace and you can quickly pinpoint those that are just collecting a paycheck. Elite hockey, in most cases, cuts that group out. They're not there. The floor is raised. That's the difference and it really comes down to just one more word -- commitment. Not talking about exorbitant time or financial commitments of "AAA" hockey -- it's the players. It's tough to find a kid on an elite team's roster that doesn't want to be there. Same, sadly, can't be said for the town leagues. It's the added commitment of the kids that raises the floor. And, while we're slipping into the depth of commitment debate, we're drifting dangerously close to the year round hockey argument... Ugh... youth hockey snobs. http://www.rutschhockey.com/article_is-elite-hockey-really-better.php

I have recently read a couple of articles that I tend to agree with. Does the level of hockey really matter at the younger age groups and the difference between town league hockey and elite hockey? I am interested to hear some other people’s opinions. The Level of Hockey Doesn't Matter Did I just Read that Right? Here's a little snippet from an article titled the "Ultimate Hockey Parent Guide" that ran in the August 2018 issue of USA Hockey Magazine. It was written by Christie Casciano Burns, who often pens the Hockey Mom column in USA Hockey Magazine. DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ALPHABET SOUP For people outside of youth hockey, AAA is the number you call when your car breaks down. AA puts you on a 12-step program to sobriety. A is the grade you want on your child's report card. But those letters have a whole different meaning to hockey parents. The intensity of AAA hockey can build players and families, but it can also break them if they're not careful. That's why it's important to have realistic expectations when it comes to elite travel teams. Constantly chasing the opportunities by trying to "play up" at the highest level can sometimes hinder a player's development if he or she doesn't get enough ice time or opportunities. "Honestly, it doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets," says Alaska hockey mom Diane Firmani. "At younger levels, it's merely bragging rights for parents and instant martyrdom." As you might expect, this touches a nerve with me. I will openly admit that I almost always disagree with the stance she takes in her columns but on this small snippet, I agree, whole-heartedly...well, until the final quote is thrown in. The Alaska hockey mom's statement, "It doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets" is kind of ignorant, in my opinion. I mean, look, if your son or daughter is having a great time playing rec level hockey on the weekends, you're in the right place already. There is absolutely no need to look in to or consider AA or AAA hockey. Elite hockey probably isn't for you, anyway. And that's not a slight on your son or daughter's talent at all. I've found that most families in that setting, doing the weekends only from October to February thing, while still having the exact same unrealistic NHL dreams as *every* other hockey parent, elite or otherwise, are blind to the fact that Tier 1 teams even exist. They're the sorts that have the "they'll find you if you're good enough" myth engrained. But if your son or daughter really seems to love playing the game, regardless of their current talent level, then maybe, just maybe, you should spend some time deciphering the "Alphabet Soup" to supply them with more of what they love...but way, way, WAY before Midgets (age 15). The way Diane Firmani's quote is placed in article gives it context that may or may not have been her intention or what she was actually trying to say. I'm sure it's just a small piece of what she actually said in full and it probably is out of context, though who am I to say? "It doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets." I can't be totally certain what "it" is referring to here, but if it's the level of hockey (like the article implies), she's way off base. Stats do not matter until Midgets. But if you're not already in AAA program long before Midgets, you're not going to be properly prepared to play at a AAA level as a Midget. It's kind of like saying academic performance in school doesn't really matter until high school. Realistically, it doesn't. Universities don't care how great of a student you were in 5th grade just as elite Midget programs don't care how great you were as a Squirt. But can a poor student suddenly "turn it on" in high school? Pretty unlikely. I mean, I've never seen it happen. Ever. Hockey is the same -- good habits, gained early, stay with you all the way through the journey. You don't just wake up one morning as Wayne Gretzky or as Valedictorian. That kind of success, athletic or academic, takes years of work and dedication. "At younger levels, it's merely bragging rights for parents and instant martyrdom." Okay, yes, for some parents, this is true. There will always be parents that go out of their way to talk about how their son or daughter plays on some exclusive Tier 1 AAA Premier summer tournament Selects team. Normally, I'm not a fan of braggarts or really anyone who's super arrogant about their achievements. It's annoying, right? I mean, everyone has that one co-worker whose kids seemingly can do no wrong and are awesome at everything... I roll my eyes too. But at the same time, you almost have to smile that they're so darn proud of their kids. Do I think my sons, who play AAA hockey, are better hockey players than the kids that don't? Yes, yes I do. And here's why... My two oldest, (ages 7 and 9) just recently competed in a summer "rec" league with kids between the ages of 6 and 10. Over the 10 game season, in which my kids only played in 8 of the games, they combined for 73% of their team's offense. Two players scoring 73% of the points...while missing games. Further, their offensive output made up 31% of the scoring for the ENTIRE league. Not to brag or anything (ha-ha) but Duncan's league leading scoring total was three times that of the next closest player...and he played in two fewer games. So, yeah, I think my kids are better than the typical player at their age level and I attribute that entirely to playing AAA hockey cause they weren't always this good. Oh, and the kid that finished second behind him in scoring...also a AAA hockey player. Hardly a coincidence. Circling back around, the AAA players at the Mite and Squirt level will undoubtedly be prepared and ready to play at the AAA Midget level if they choose to. Do I consider myself a martyr for all of the time spent each week shuttling them all over the place? No way. Not for a second. People rib me all the time for "always" being at a rink somewhere here or there, hundreds of miles from home. It's like it's a joke or some sort of torture or something but you know what? I love it. Christine says that "AAA hockey can build players and families" and she's right. Time at the rink for practices, the idle time before or between games, and time spent in hotel lobbies is all time spent with my kids' friends whose parents are my friends too. I'm not a martyr. There's isn't an ounce of suffering. I enjoy arriving 90 minutes prior to every game. I'm filling my free time surrounded by a few dozen friends...and we all get to include our kids too. Heh, now that might be something to brag about! ;0) Oh, and while I said up top that I rarely agree with the stance Christie Casciano Burns takes in her monthly Hockey Mom columns, I must say that her "Puck Hog" book should be standard reading for every single mite and squirt hockey player - especially the stand out players that make it all not-so-fun for everyone else. I mean, on those, she nailed it. Not surprisingly, AAA programs coach the exact same thing she's subtly teaching kids in those books. http://www.rutschhockey.com/article_the-level-of-hockey-does-matter.php One Word Differentiates the varying Levels of Youth Hockey I can't tell you how many times I've been asked by other hockey parents why we chose to move our kids from a local town league hockey program over to an "Elite" program. Perhaps I can be classified as a youth hockey snob, you know, giving people the impression that I think my kid that plays for the Tier 1, AAA, Elite, Premier, Select, Platinum, Diamond (pick your own goofy egotistical adjective) program is better than your house league player. But that couldn't be further from the truth. My kids would not be the best player on the team in a house program even though they play on elite teams. Matter of fact, some of those house programs could probably even beat the teams that my kids are on if we ever had the opportunity to face one another. The difference between town league hockey and elite hockey can be summed up in one word. Floor. That's the difference. Every single Tier 3, town level, everyone-makes-the-team program out there has excellent players with amazing skill. No question. The ceiling is identical for all hockey programs. Top end talent exists at all levels and the sky truly is the limit. It's the floor that's different. VERY different. Talent aside, on the teams that my kids currently play for, there isn't a single kid on the roster that doesn't want to get better, isn't working on getter better, or that isn't getting better. I've found that isn't the case with town league travel teams. Yes, of course, there are kids working their tails off on those teams too...but there are also a handful of players that are, for lack of a better description, just showing up. It's like real life -- go to any workplace and you can quickly pinpoint those that are just collecting a paycheck. Elite hockey, in most cases, cuts that group out. They're not there. The floor is raised. That's the difference and it really comes down to just one more word -- commitment. Not talking about exorbitant time or financial commitments of "AAA" hockey -- it's the players. It's tough to find a kid on an elite team's roster that doesn't want to be there. Same, sadly, can't be said for the town leagues. It's the added commitment of the kids that raises the floor. And, while we're slipping into the depth of commitment debate, we're drifting dangerously close to the year round hockey argument... Ugh... youth hockey snobs. http://www.rutschhockey.com/article_is-elite-hockey-really-better.php

I am curious to know the cost for tryouts and yearly fee difference between all the organization’s? Are they all about the same? ALLEGHENY BADGERS ALTOONA TRACKERS ARCTIC FOXES ARMSTRONG ARROWS BEAVER COUNTY BADGERS BUTLER VALLEY DAWGS CRAWFORD COUNTY FLAMES ERIE LIONS ESMARK STARS FAYETTE ICE MINERS INDIANA CHIEFS JOHNSTOWN JETS JOHNSTOWN WARRIORS (CAMBRIA) LAWRENCE COUNTY LIGHTING MON VALLEY THUNDER MORGANTOWN BLADES MT. LEBANON HORNETS NORTH PITTSBURGH WILDCATS PENS ELITE PITTSBURGH AVIATORS PITTSBURGH HUSKIES PITTSBURGH PREDATORS PITTSBURGH VENGEANCE PITTSBURGH VIPERS SOUTH HILLS PANTHERS SOUTHPOINTE RINK RATS STATE COLLEGE ICERS STEEL CITY ICE RENEGADES WESTMORELAND EAGLES WHEELING NAILERS YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMS

Interesting I wonder how many PPE 66ers will jump ship.

From what I understand. Gene Spadaro coaches the 2008 BY team. John Zeiler coaches the 2009 BY team. Colby Armstrong coaches the 2010 BY team. Rumor – TK will be coaching the 2011 BY team. Fees are around $2500 - $3000

IMO… Where your child shakes out all depends on the organization. If your child try’s out for a smaller organization, he could end up playing on an AA team or if you are looking at a larger organization, he could end up on an A minor team. 2 things to consider before you decided, who the coach will be and the parents. I believe the parents have just as much to do with development as the coaching staff. I know that most people on here have an issue with AAA birth year teams, but I would still consider letting your child tryout for one. Tryout fees for PPE and the Vengeance are around $150.00. but you will be able to see how your child compares to other kids the same age. I understand all the issues that people have with AAA teams and they are not all wrong. The cost is considerably more, PPE is around $4800, and the Vengeance is around $2600 plus the cost of travel. With that being said both organizations do not have parents as coaches, would you rather spend less and have a coach who has no idea what he is doing and favors his child and his child’s buddies ( THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH ALL PHAL ORGINIZATIONS SOME DO HAVE REALLY GOOD COACHES) or spend considerably more money and have professional coaches and a lot more ice time. This years PPE 2009 and 2010 BY teams are coached by Trever Edwards and the Vengeance 2009 BY team is coached by John Zeiler (Played for the LA Kings) the 2010 BY team is coached by Colby Armstrong. My point is to research every organization and pick the one that is best for your family and your child’s development. At the 10U age level winning and the number of A’s should not matter, what matters is your child having fun and developing.

Correct me if i am wrong, I was told the Renegades have a AA10s BY team playing a AA 09BY schedule?

In my opinion I would not waste the time and money on a camp or clinic. Most camps and clinics have a terrible coach to player ratio. Coaches do not have the time to correct the mistakes that the players are making. Your time and money would be better spent sending your son to work with a skating instructor 1 on 1 and take him to as many stick times as you can.