aaaahockey

Have to throw pens on the front. Pens Elite Learn to Skate. People would fall over themselves to sign up.

My quick takeaways without dissecting - there are kids who aren't on the list who should be (no idea why they may have declined or whatever) and there are kids who are on these lists who were literally cut from their teams which tells me they shouldn't be on the list.

I have a lot of thoughts but I'll keep them to myself 😀. Congrats and good luck.

The problem with cashing a commitment check is - what happens when you are the person who wants to play but the rest of the team leaves? Or it's advertised as AA and the kids who show up are A minor and your kid really is A major or AA? Lots of issues there. Raise tryout fees if you want to discourage non serious people.

Yes that's the reason. The top kids at the first year bantam can play against each other without the kids who have checked for a year. It's like a slow intro to checking with just other kids who haven't checked. Probably more dangerous just like waiting til puberty to introduce checking is.

On @Sauceypoint - don't want to quote because it is too long. Someone made a good point a couple weeks ago that rotating third liners isn't going to make or break any team (substitute d-pairing If you want or fourth line if you have a huge team). I really feel like that's where teams can build loyalty. Obviously you get a first line/pair stud you need to put him on the team and probably cut a third line/pair and you have a substantial upgrade. You don't need to replace a third liner who has been on your team for 2+ years for another third liner. Most likely won't do anything for you. Goalies I just feel bad for because they are going to be replaced when someone better or perceived to be better comes along no matter what. Going further, the lower the level of play, the lower the stakes should be. If my kid is playing lower a major or a minor hockey why not surround yourself with friends and have a good time. Forget replacing anyone.

Is it true that the 09 preds are going to be coached by an "experienced" dad (at least "co-coaching") instead of ty? If so are the players ok with that? I know the guy who is supposedly in charge and he's been banned from coaching anything he didn't run since like 2017. Wondering if that's true and, if so, who signed up for that???? 😭

AAA has definitely grown in the last 10 years. I don't think you would have had many PAHL organizations trying to field independent teams back then at younger levels (or even birthyear teams for that matter). Vengeance expanded their program to youth first with the 08s first year of squirt. Now you have SHAHA, Icemen, etc. AA not sure has changed as much but it has gotten watered down as kids go play AAA.

Rebellion got some cuts from SHAHA and Preds I believe.

Isn't icemen doing one independent AA team and one pahl AA team?

Not only are you correct but if the Preds, SHAHA, and Vengeance would play Tier 2 where they belong, and Icemen would play PAHL, this would be an epic conference.

So did anyone actually confirm this team folded or not?

I believe Arctic Foxes is trying to field both a NB team and a non-NB team. I also think SHAHA was trying for a U14 girls team but heard their girls program really got gutted this year at all levels so I'm not quite up to date on what came out of tryouts other than their u16 program folded. Their tryouts are complete. Morgantown was also trying to field a U14 team. Honestly with girls hockey I suggest reaching out to program coordinator at the organization to see what the current situation is. Many teams have capacity to add later depending on the size of the team they were able to field.

I can usually help with u16 now and girls most ages although I thought girls was insane this year at some levels.

The 08s had a huge tryout. Not sure how large the 09 one is. 08s just posted their roster numbers and cuts on the website. Wow. Also it is confusing but it says session instead of season.

SHAHA last night of tryouts tonight. No team picked. Preds was last night. Don't think they post them publicly.

Are they still going to have a way to cover this for things like box lax? I'm assuming not but thought it would be worth asking. Might be a market for another indoor non ice training facility in the area if not.

I second this. Beautiful area!

Looked like a big hole last time I was there ?

I'm the #1 advocate for Tier 2. I also cannot argue that SHAHA 09 might be 100. That being said with a relative on the team they are looking to be a bit better with some pretty good pickups from vengeance and they are the only 09 team that I expect to not have turnover because they are actually happy with each other (parents, kids, coaches). The Preds sound like an absolute mess in many ways, as they always do. All that being said I told my relative they should go tier 2 and could win. I actually think the icemen could win a national championship this year but have also heard they joined the black bear league?

This is a big point. If you don't live in Bethel/Peters/USC it's a pain in the rear.

This right here is why the whole thing blows my mind.

The team scattered. I heard some trying out at Preds, SHAHA, and Pens. Also not sure if the coach is a done deal or not? Might depend on tryout turnout and quality. Could end up like the SHAHA 06s. Not sure where everyone is going at that age level though because, as mentioned above, Esmark didn't have enough to field a team yet. I wish some were going back to play AA and make stronger competition but highly doubt it.

I think not going to Pens largely has to do with people not wanting to sell their entire souls to do Excel and/or North Catholic. Pens isn't a team anymore it's a lifestyle.

Was a little shocked to be honest.