Danner27

I really don’t feel like re typing things, go look back at some of my responses. The midget teams will still be at PPE. The prep team will be “new” and adds to many benefits for PPE to list here. I would be writing a book if I did.

USAHOCKEY classifies tier 2 as “house”. Not that I agree with it, it’s just the facts. it will be interesting to see how the landscape changes but I stand by my opinion (that was created with some friends I have in cranberry) PPE will have 100% market dominance and control. Nobody else will matter. PPE operates like the mob as it is. Everything from scare tactics to tax shelter / money laundering. it not a surprise the head man in charge was one of Bill Clinton’s Campaign managers, he was hired by the pro team to get a new building.

You need to get out of the Pittsburgh bubble or stop following one birth year. Not long ago the T1EHL was the best amateur league, then some teams defected and started the HPHL. Currently the HPHL is the best followed then by the T1EHL. After that you have the NAPHL and USPHL, both very similar but not nearly as good as the other two. Now, The corporate sponsored under armor league will be by far the best amateur league. This new league will be made up of the HPHL, the Michigan T1EHL teams, PPE & Buffalo JR sabers for its first season. It’s shaping up to start with 20 teams.

It went unnoticed last year when the phantoms(ushl) and Maryland BlackBears(nahl) both had upmc patches. Personally I thought there was a PPE tie in but if the nahl is now the feeder league for the ushl this makes sense. All this stuff (even pens prep) is in motion for years before us common folk hear about it. Everyone was scratching their head last year when the pens left the tier 1 elite league and joined up with some prep schools. A year later, it’s clear.

Esmark is not much different than “pens and friends”. BTW esmark’s 15’s stink. I’m telling you folks, this move put a nail in the esmark coffin. PPE managed to bring the two team model back that USA hockey is against after bantam.

Read what I wrote above, there is your answer. There are tons of high quality kids still around at 18u. Dreamers, who will want that post grad year to keep chasing the dream. plenty of good talent get’s drafted in the major junior league’s but don’t make the cut yet so they will go back for a post grad year. Look how many kids who graduate HS that haven’t aged out still go back to esmark for one more year. welcome to total market control. This move will eventually push esmark in line with all the other “faux” crap tier 1 programs such as the predators. It’s already 90% PPE or nothing. Now it will be 100%.

Wrong, they already have that prep team set. Have you folks not heard of the new “under armor tier 1 league” ? The hphl is going into it. its run out of Chicago by 200x85. 200x85 was once owned by the guy who ran the Chicago Mission program who is currently running PPE. Connect the dots, it’s not very difficult. The pens midget team’s will enter this league, the prep team will play in the newly created pack league, after all, four of the teams are prep schools to begin with. This new prep team will benefit PPE in a million ways. Keep kids away from esmark, generate more money, offer a post grad year to continue to play, the list goes on. Welcome to total market control and domination.

The only rink scouts are going to is upmc. It’s that simple. As good as esmark’s midget teams are, nobody is hanging out there to watch games. PPE 18U is ranked in the 60’s, that’s getting into the “faux” range. This season I caught the end of game that PPE 18U lost to the Columbus Jr Jackets. Both teams looked bad but with out even looking for them I counted 4 ushl scouts and 3 college scouts. they were easy to pick out, team jackets and clip boards. Nobody wants to hear it and it stinks to say it. PPE is the only place that your kid has a chance at any real advancement. They have a a strangle hold on the market because they have the most money along with a pro team logo.

Could not agree more. Money is better spent with a skating coach through out the summer. These camps don’t do much to help the players, it’s like spring teams the business has product not being used (ice) and need to unload it.

I replied in a different topic but the PPE prep is to keep kids that would end up at esmark for 16 & 18. It’s a way for them to bring the two team model back at the older ages. They will still have the normal PPE teams. I’m sure this prep thing somehow benefits a certain player at PPE. Everything they created and have done revolves around what’s best for him.

I agree with what you are saying but it’s the dumb parents paying to be on these “faux” teams. That will never change.

It’s comical y’all are slamming PPE for not having local kids, take a look at a esmark roster who you guys are praising at midget. Esmark has kids from Excel, out of state and Russia. PPE plays all their lines unlike esmark. Esmark is there to win more than they are trying to move kids on, it’s how you continue to make money. If true that PPE is starting a 18U prep team. You folks are looking at it wrong. Esmark will not get more kids. I believe PPE is doing this to stop the kids from going to esmark at 16 & 18. PPE 18s have not been ranked high enough to get the at large bid for nationals the last few years, so when esmark beats them at the district tournament, it’s egg on the face of PPE. Do you think the powers up in cranberry like seeing that ? This PREP stuff is a way for PPE to re invent the black teams at the older ages, unlike the younger black teams the kids still playing at 16 & 18 are talented enough to play for PPE there just isn’t room.