hockey57410

2 hours ago, twoboys said:

agree.

I think that Pgh Hockey Digest website has ceased to work.  They haven't updated anything in ages.  Isn't it one guys blog site?  Probably hard to do without any paid talent.

23 hours ago, sadday4hockey said:

Look over here everyone, look what we're doing for diversity in hockey. Pay no mind to the 10 years and counting for those folks who were told the old Mellon Arena site would be redeveloped to help their community. You think they care about an ice rink that's 3 bus rides away? Me thinks they'd much rather have what they were promised.

Well said.  It is sad to realize that the core of those Cup teams will all be retired before the "redevelopment" is completed.

1 hour ago, RJUSHL said:

No one said it did mean anything. No problem if you're not interested in this discussion. Thanks for letting us all know.

Someone is prepping to brag about their kids squirt a minor team being ranked #1 preseason polls!

On 7/24/2021 at 12:47 PM, Wondering aloud said:

Thanks all, it's great to have a forum like this where parents can get the low down and get some honest feedback. These answers all were all pretty consistent and clear to us that this team is not for us. Cheers for taking the time!

Did you even try out to see if you would make a team? or have you already turned down your offer that was never made? I think it's funny to talk about a team you didn't even try out for assuming you would make it?

On 7/20/2021 at 10:04 PM, bzig12 said:

I know this is probably a long shot but we may be moving to the area and my 2006 would love to play on a A/AA team for the 2021 season.  If anyone has an opening, let me know.  Bzig12@yahoo.com

I bet the Icemen would be interested.

https://www.yetisicemen.com

8 hours ago, forbin said:

Which team specifically? 

From an organizational stand point they are the favoritism type. The kids that get the best looks and ice time are the ones who’s parents worship at the alter. They are known to play loose and fast with the rules, have parents manipulate game clocks, argue with refs, fight in the stands, and tout a higher level of play than what they can produce. My experience with them both have being involved at one point to playing against/coaching against them and being a visiting parent dates back to 2004 and ranges from mites to midgets. It’s seems like it’s the same stuff every year. 

Coaching wise they have some good coaches in their system, they also have some that don’t mind having their palms greased to give a kid some extra ice time. 

Lately my experience with their younger teams (mites and squirts) has been mostly positive, aside from the occasional too intense mite parents which you’ll find everywhere. 

You can add that description to any travel team in the area.  Most organizations give players in their system the tie breaker during tryouts.  That's nothing different.  My daughter has never played at the Preds so I don't know any specifics, but I know the Arctic Foxes always give kids, dad coaches, etc. special treatment.  I'm sure everyone would agree others due too. Lebo, Shaha, Renegades, Vipers, Dawgs, Armstrong, etc.  Heck, have you read the posts on PPE... Their always about parents, lessons, special treatment.

As for the play, I think it's more about specific players and/or coaches that cause issues.  

The Preds are serious about hockey though.  They don't push the same stuff about "let's all have fun" and that can rub parents the wrong way.  Once you get to U16, I think that is important.

The comment about Ralph, everyone knows it is his rink, his rules, and he does what he wants.  He doesn't deal with a lot of "board" politics like other places.  Unlike some organizations, you have parents on the board who come up with ridiculous options.  I can tell you that when my daughter played foxes they instituted some "skills" days where all the teams had to come at the same time and you had 5-6 teams on the ice running drills with dads like it was mites.  It was a mess.  Her team asked if they could have more team ice instead and the board said they felt this was better "for everyone" and refused.

Again, my daughter never played on any Preds teams, but I don't think they're much different from other organizations in the area.

On 7/2/2021 at 9:46 AM, 3 Boys said:

So true,  Icemen teams can't even beat high ranked AA teams so how can you call yourself AAA?

Why is everyone bashing Icemen?  They are what they are and anyone who plays for the organization obviously knows what they are getting themselves into.  Unless you live under a rock, you know the caliber of their teams and the ir track record.

On 7/5/2021 at 12:24 AM, Danner27 said:

Sounds about right. I was told many 2003’s declined the faux AAA team to play on the AA team. Many astatic 2004 parents! Hearing the 2004’s they put on the team wouldn’t make U18 AA, most of them played on the predators U16 AA team this past season that finished in the middle of the Pahl standings. It could be they just filed the team with those 04’s for the money and they won’t play much. 

who finishes dead last in the district - icemen or predators ? I’m told the icemen have a decent goalie, that might help flip them from dead last.

 

 https://myhockeyrankings.com/rank.php?d=MM&y=2020&v=118

both teams at the bottom. 9th & 10th. This upcoming season the vengeance and Mt Lebanon have U18 AAA, correct ? It’s a race to the bottom, all four teams more than likely will be out of the district tournament by October. What’s the point ? You play tier 1 to make the district tournament. 

 

Outside PPE U18 and Esmark U18, those other teams you mentioned are all in the same category.  I don't think there will be much separation.  Preds have had multiple U18AA teams for the last few seasons which isn't a surprise to anyone.  I think it is more that they want to play Varsity and not travel.  The Vengance U18AAA is full of 04s who were afraid they wouldn't make it on Preds U18AAA so the dad and friends jumped to start their own Vengance team.  Icemen always end up starting AAA then dropping to AA so I'm not really sure why people sign up for that.

1 hour ago, carroll81 said:

Unfortunately, the Fighting Planets didn't have much fight in them after the long bus ride to West Chester.  They went down to Allentown CC 14-5.  Congratulations to them for making their first state final.

For those who don't care and want to keep the tenor of the vocal hockey posters, obviously Allentown is sandbagging in the AA division and should be playing AAA since they can recruit.

Finally, there are probably more lacrosse guys from western PA playing NCAA lax than there are playing NCAA hockey.

Oh, and Pens Elite still sucks.

LMFAO

I guess someone is desperate to make lax relevant.

On 6/9/2021 at 6:31 PM, carroll81 said:

A little off topic, but Mars will be playing in the PIAA Lacrosse AA championship this weekend.  They will be playing against Allentown CC.  It is the first time a team from the west will be in a title game and it will be the first time there is a non-Philly champion.  Good Luck to the Fightin' Planets!

They play at 2:30 on Saturday, followed by the AAA final (Kennet vs. Radnor).  PCN will broadcast the games.

So what...

43 minutes ago, Saucey said:

It is repeated on this Board constantly how having 6 to 8 'AAA' teams is growing the game in Western Pa'. I challenge the long term sustainability of this notion. We have a long term problem around here with this trend.

The biggest fallacy with this is that PAHL programs in general are not using their resources in the minor levels. Few are doing anything but concentrating on their top teams. The AA and AAA get all the ice, etc. So when these programs need talent, they are not pulling from their own ranks. They are raiding the programs that do a good job developing their young, less experienced players, and there aren't that many of them. That means there are not enough players to go around. Consolidation happens into one or two super teams, they have no one to compete against, and have to travel to play. Increases the cost of hockey and does not grow the game. Increasing costs creates a barrier to entry. AA play should not require travel outside of PAHL. And that's what the low level teams are, AA.

This is driven by coaches and parents who are only interested in their own child. What do they care if the lower levels are developing? Their kid is taken care of.

I'm sorry, this is not growing the game. Parents of kids who are playing minor levels, you need to become active in your boards. All the eggs should not be placed in one or two baskets. Directors of hockey ops, other people are also paying for their kids to play. Their children also deserve to develop. And we know kids develop in different stages, so they should be given that opportunity.

 

 

 

Easier said than done.  Devil's advocate is the difference between the kids on "lower" teams who probably should be playing in a club league like RMU getting the same amount of ice time as players who wish to play at a higher level.  I'm not sure that your argument holds up.

On 5/18/2021 at 1:04 AM, Danner27 said:

Little young for the parents and players we still communicate with but I heard most of the 2004s left for the vengeance, maybe these younger kids are going there ?  I didn’t realize the vengeance had midget teams, They failed pretty bad a few years ago trying a U18 team - finished almost dead last in the rankings - embarrassment.  I figured the talk this year about midget vengeance teams was just talk but I’m sure some group of parents probably put it together. If you want to play for the predators just pay “that guy” for lessons, your kid will make it. The man was let go recently from the varsity job he had, he has to make that money up. What’s the early over / under the predators midget “AAA” teams are out of the district tournament by October ? 

I heard the 04s who left for vengeance was a dad coach and his group of kids friends.  The usual jersey collectors.  I'm not sure how legit it is to have dads coaching midget. at midgets, you kid already should be on a radar. crazy to pay that aaa fee at that point unless your at pens or esmark.  ill take the over under on any of the many u18aaa teams are out by October besides ppe and esmark

sounds like the same group of dads who want to start their own aaa team for their kids and his friends.  next thing you know you'll see a U17AAA team who plays an "independent" schedule  pop up next.  

1 hour ago, sutton said:

I would assume schools would report in general, teams like Peters are rumored to apparently be in quarantine now but you don't see that anywhere.  I don't know how the PIHL is going to make it work if teams have outbreaks and are shut down for 2 weeks.  I mean as it stands now, IF Peters is actually shut down, this will take them right up to the beginning of the season.

I heard rumors the following teams had cases and were shut down

-Peters Varsity

-QV Varsity

-Hempfield Varsity

-Mt. Lebo Varsity

-Montour Varsity

-Baldwin Varsity

-Mt. Lebo Travel (U16)