HockeyFan6687

So when all these AAA kids move in and displace good players who are loyal to their organization, is it really the right thing to do and load up with all these outsiders when the odds favor the one and done scenario where next year’s AAA opportunity will be their next destination?? In the process you’ve lost a nucleus of your team but you potentially have lost the talent LOYAL to your organization. Thus losing the ability to field a given birth year. is blowing your load to be all in on the obsession of going to nationals worth it for your organization if it means losing the long term viability to ice a competitive team of LOYAL players that can have a shot year in and year out? I think some organizations are potentially playing with fire.

Anyone know how the Huskies tryouts have gone this far? Seems like a risky business decision to do this.

Just out of curiosity… has there been any discussion with PAHL about BB and the possibility of organizations being “owned” by the rink/BB as a for-profit entity? I would think that would have been mentioned before tryouts and maybe it has for all I know. The fact that youth sports has pretty much become a business is creating a potential negative direction and pricing some families right out of the game. It’s sad.

How do you obtain all of this information? That’s more coverage than NHL preseason!

Don’t forget the work he did with W Graeme Roustan trying to run a network of ice rinks including one in Johnstown, then the two of them who tried to take over all Cambria County Ice Rinks and the Johnstown ECHL team. Their rinks all closed and the team was run into the ground.

So based on these players intentions, they’ve already made the Badgers or whatever other team they are going to? Kind of defeats the purpose of trying out don’t ya say? Or do these teams get picked ahead of time. it’s always amazed me how much information some individuals have about the “free agent” player movement of these kids and the whole low down on what each team is with their rosters and who the favorites are for at this time next year. I could have thought I was reading about the NHL but then I realized we are talking about 13-14 year olds. I think it takes a lot of free time obsessing over trivial matters such as this. It’s a kids game. Better to sit back and enjoy watching the games.

If the AHF is run anything like it’s clone the EJEPL, you are in for what makes a schedule with little or no time off all season. It would be preferable to stay with PAHL and tournament play. Read the AHF Facebook page. It’s full of endless complaints. Appears to be very poorly run. when you are the monopoly and the money is flowing, why care? Bottom line, youth sports is a business these days.

What is the intended goal of this when there will be mid to low level A players on it with little experience? It’s really a shame these days that these “experts” are taking advantage of families that really have no clue what they are really getting into and for the ridiculous expense. The hockey system is broken. Integrity is sacrificed for $$$$.

There are kids there that should not be AAA. It ruins the credibility of their program.

I’m not sure there was bashing going on but there was some constructive discussion about the direction of the program. How come the constant bashing of the pens elite is allowed but come close to bashing the mustangs and it’s shut off?

Knowing what I do I highly doubt that Dave Weaver would bend the rules. Sam probably got his games in very early and met the requirements before heading to where he was going for the season. During those years I’m told there was much attention to compliance. If it’s not the Pittsburgh team winning they get their panties in a wad. There is more to Western PA than just Pittsburgh. The mustangs were successful in very different times than we have now. There’s more AAA, AA and Junior opportunities out there than before. A program is doomed if its philosophy is “this is how we have always done it”. The key to longevity is being able to self evaluate yearly and adapt to the market. What can you do differently that makes your program more attractive? The program has a great history and I’m sure nobody wants it to fade so perhaps a good hard look at tearing it apart and assessing top to bottom to see where things can change and improve.

Albeit this has been done before I think tournament teams are slowly fading. The AA level PAHL teams are already playing an extended schedule starting with summer practice and games and tournaments running into August and running through til March. I think kids on A teams that don’t go as full tilt are where most of the interest will come from. Is the concept still helpful to player development when you may get to play and practice with AA kids on AA teams for a brief period with the rest wrapped around A teams with A players and potentially lesser coaching. I think if you really elevate your game then development at the higher level should be 100% of the time. More can be accomplished with one team one roster one coach plus the chemistry and brotherhood that comes with staying together. what are the differences between this and the state college version of this running under the name Keystone Wild? Perhaps two programs 40 miles apart in an area that’s not rich in numbers is a bit much?

So here’s a good question… if USA Hockey forbids member organizations to run full ice mite and basically not follow the ADM which doing so can result in sanctions to your program the how is this not what they are doing? BB is taking over USA Hockey member programs in its rinks and also pushing these full ice AAA programs despite calling it another name and registering under AAU….is this not a major issue having all of this intermixed? also what happens in a few years when either A) BB starts shutting under performing rinks or B) they’ve stretched beyond their means and ends up belly up with a lot of rinks out of business? is the monopoly really a good idea?

They got the Mite AAA market exploding in East!

If PAHL doesn’t keep running the same old school crap it’s going to be in a very bad spot with all the competition for leagues and independent teams. “This is how we’ve always done it” is a kiss of death.

This is what they want on the road to total non-check hockey.

Mid-Am is nothing more than a good ole boys club of politicians that will never change. Know the right person or kiss the right ass and you may get an opportunity. They all love their titles that make them feel and look important. Not to mention the fancy sport coats they wear with the USAH logo emblazoned on them. It’s really a shame these tournaments have no promotion, a trash website and no real atmosphere that you are at something big. It’s a big deal for these kids so why not put a little extra effort in and give these kids something special.

Especially in the days of Dave Weaver. He booked the refs!

Organizations don’t have control as before and pretty much every rink has “homer” refs. Just ask any visiting parent. I think it’s very unfair to place the kids in the middle of your slanderous comments.

I think you make a lot of great points. While I have my suspicions of BB sports monopolizing the market, it could do some good. I do believe there are some other rinks throughout the PAHL footprint that could use a very thorough house cleaning. I think the corporate non-parent sector joined with the “right” parents and volunteers could make a viable team. There’s always been politics in youth sports and no place is immune to politicians being in the mix but it’s out of hand. This could be a solution. Maybe not a cure but a step in the right direction. I think BB needs to address with its customer base is simple…. 1. How to avoid pricing families that are on the borderline out of access to the game. 2. plans on keeping travel reasonable for all levels and limited for those playing on the lower level teams. The A minor and B teams don’t need to go to incredible distances for play. 3. how converting to for profit status effects playing in PAHL, how that effects one’s ability to fundraise etc. I think some town hall type meetings in each respective rink allowing for parent Q&A. the coming weeks and months are going to be very interesting and I think all of us paying parents deserve as much information as possible before decisions are made.

Boy you’re a tough guy.

I don’t know why you quoted me but please leave me out of your argument. My son was playing there last night and the monitor caught my eye on the way in. Couple that with the rumor mentioned and it peaks curiosity? Honestly it’s a very old rink in WPA and perhaps the oldest. It’s seen it’s better days for sure but if they can contribute to keeping kids on the ice and the game strong and growing I’m all for it. Nobody should ever want to see rinks or programs go away. I certainly hope the Vipers can resolve their dilemma. It’s really sad that kids are stuck in the middle of it

What’s the “Major Announcement” that the rink is advertising on the way into the rink then?

How does anyone expect everyone with the vipers just pick up and stay with the Huskies after how that was done? They could be shooting themselves in the foot. I would be cautious of certain leadership in that new venture as not all of his prior ventures were great experiences. How does a for profit playin PAHL? Id also exercise caution with a member of the black Bear team who has experience in the divide and conquer team with another group elsewhere in the area in years past only to run the company and the rink deep into the ground resulting in foreclosure and sheriff sale of the building. Buyer beware.

I would hope this coach would be subject to disciplinary action from the organization but I won’t hold my breath. In his position, he needs to be held to a higher standard. I would hope there is no retaliation to this ref in the form of not scheduling him for games etc.