TheBigGuy

I know what you mean. But some people just like to bash the younger kids trying to play AAA at the lower ages. I feel AAA at squirt level is preparing them mentally for the work that’s is going to come when they hit the older age AAA. If they can’t mentally make it now, how will they ever make it then?

1. Where does your kid play? Pens or V? You can message me if you don’t want to publicly say since so many like to bash each other on here. 2. Don’t buy into the “AAA doesn’t start until they are older” crap. AAA is AAA, regardless of age. It is a higher level of play than AA. Some organizations might have a killer AA team that can compete with some AAA teams, but most don’t. We decided to go AAA with our son because his PAHL organization was stalemating him from growing into a better hockey player. With both AAA programs in PGH at the squirt level, you are getting better coaching and training than you will at most PAHL organizations. Sometimes you luck out in PAHL and get a good coach that either played before or is just a good athlete and knows how to teach the kids. I’ll be the first to admit my kid isn’t the best around. He has a lot of growing to do, but he’s only in his 3rd year playing and is playing AAA. So he is doing something right to get to that level. With that said, he busted his butt the last 2 seasons in PAHL with TK and a few NE D camps. This past spring, (Covid), he worked on his hands and shooting more. Now he is a little better as an over all D man. He can shoot a lot better than last year and he has better hands too. In practices and some times screwing around with his buddies, he will play wing so he can learn more than just D. He just loves D so much, that’s why he plays it. Always has since he started skating and watching the Pens on tv. My biggest advice, and I tell this to my kid every single day we drive to the rink. Listen to your coaches, go hard, but most importantly HAVE FUN. If it’s not fun then you shouldn’t be doing it. Hard work it at practice makes it easier to have fun playing the game. Never force your kid to go to camps and extra stuff either. Always give them the option. I present what camps are out there and what optional practices and training he can go to. I suggest taking days off. If he wants to go, he is going as long as he gives it is all and has fun. It’s all about fun. Even at the AAA level. It’s just harder.