Murray Chadwick

2 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

I'm going to take a guess that at the upper ages, especially 18u, that kids are deciding to play for school only. And why not? 

I think it's hard for a lot of kids to do both, or have little enough interest in anything else to have the time to do both. Now if these club teams just played PAHL and a few tournaments, that's one thing. You can do 20 games, maybe 4 tournament weekends, 20 school games, and the practices to go with it if you wanted to. But add another 35-45 independent games to that, and now you're playing more than an NHL'er. And going to school, and trying to have a life in there on top of it. Makes it not very easy. 

They come to the realization that chasing PAHL/Independant isn't worth what they might have to give up. Hockey is supposed to be a fun thing, maybe there are other things they enjoy, too. Whether it's spending time with friends, a part time job, spending a lot of time looking at colleges, wanting a few nights to play video games, or whatever else they could be doing instead of being at the rink 6 nights a week. Friends going out to the movies this weekend? Girlfriend wants to go to the school dance? Too bad, you have to drive to Philadelphia or Columbus to play a handful of games to count towards your My Hockey Rankings. 

It's stressful, it consumes a big chunk of free time, you might get split up from your friends you like playing with, higher costs, etc. And it becomes increasingly apparent for just about everybody that there is no scholarship to Notre Dame or getting drafted to the OHL coming any time soon. 

Or alternatively, you can play for school. Still be part of a team, still play good hockey, and actually get a crowd engaged in the game, other than half a dozen dads yelling over the glass at you. And unlike the independant teams, you're actually playing for something. You're at school half of your day, 5 days a week with your peers. It's more likely some of those kids you go to school with care more about talking about and cheering for their school team than the Pittsburgh Icemen, or the Allegheny Badgers did over the weekend. 

I don't know if I'm right, but my guess is that is contributing to where these players have gone. 

Exactly. 

5 minutes ago, hockeyisgreat said:

So where did they move on to? Did they go somewhere as a group? I would think that the core group of that team would have stayed intact!  Did the kids who declined first accept? Something there sounds fishy to me!

Some went to Preds, some to Hornets.  Several still looking. 

SP hasn't had 18u teams the past two season, it should have been clear that the advertised 18u AA team for next season created for the sole purpose of keeping the core of last year's 16uAA team together (approximately 8, or more, of whom had played together for at least 2-3 years).    Presumably, that core was selected.   Sounds like some of the new faces that showed up (e.g., former "AAA" players from 2006 BY that didn't make an 18uAAA team and/or a few 05 and 06 who played on other teams last year) got picked, and realized that it was basically reboot of the 16u AA team with a couple additions - not including all of their friends that they came from other organizations - and decided to find "greener" pastures.  Not sure when the former core players from the 16u AA team jumped ship. 

25 minutes ago, Icebucket said:

I was told they had around 50 kids at tryouts. Did they not field a single team, or did they just fold the second one due to declines?

As I understand, declines, defections left them in need of a handful of players. Poor, or no, attendance at supplemental tryout yesterday. 

On 4/30/2023 at 9:35 AM, bb2j3z said:

Thanks!  At South Pittsburgh Rebellion, we currently have the following needs in order of priority.

18U 2005/2006 AA Thomas - we are looking for some more skaters to fill out our team.   We have a supplemental tryout today on Sunday, 30th at 2:15pm - 3:50pm.   Email VPCoaching@southpittsburghhockey.org to be considered and more information.

16U Daddea - we are looking for another goalie, we have one.   This team will play A Major.

10U Squirts - 1 or 2 skaters at every level below BY to fill out teams.

Heard South Pittsburgh 18u folded. 

Parking at Delmont shouldn’t be a problem. Lol. 

3 hours ago, hockeyisgreat said:

Hopefully!  As long as Armstrong doesn't goon it up!  I'm guessing the guy with 34 penalty minutes for Armstrong will not play the Semis.  Looked like his minutes came from his mouth!

First 2 minutes for roughing, the rest for his mouth.  He's the captain.  Game suspension for the Game Misconduct, another game for 4 penalties in a game. Coach gets a game too (12 or more penalties in a game).  Great start, boys. Stay hot.  

On 8/25/2022 at 11:28 PM, Happy Hockey Fan said:

I don’t know. 

Phil Shaffalo played at ND. Not Pete. 

22 hours ago, PUCKCOVID19 said:

surprised ppe hasn't grabbed this kid yet.  he is really good. why stay with that subpar shaha team. kid could go anywhere and be an impact player 

 

His dad’s company sponsors the SHAHA team. 

11 hours ago, Carl Racki said:

What a joke!  I guess extra A's for everyone next year!!!!!

So, 2007 AAA next season:

PPE, Esmark, Vengeance, SHAHA, and Predators 

??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️

21 minutes ago, RegDunlop7 said:

So does Allegheny think its 16U AA PAHL, '06 Independent, and '07 Independent teams will all qualify for 16U Tier II States next year? That seems unrealistic. Why not have one or two solid 16U AA team(s), play the 20-game PAHL schedule, and add 20-30 more games through tournaments? I can't imagine they have enough players to field three quality 16U AA teams, but I could be wrong.

Agree on all points. My guess is that the organization will only let the 2 “national bound” teams declare for Mid Ams. Unlikely that Mid Am will take 3 from one organization even if all 3 declared. I could be wrong too. 

1 hour ago, Jack Handey said:

Hmmm.  I remember last year when the 07s entered 14u tier II Mid-Am and they did well.  But what's up with the national bound label?  There is no 15u tournament at Tier II.  Do they really think they can win 16u Tier II next year with Renegades, NP, and Allegheny 06 in the way?

They likely believe that their My Hockey Ranking will place them in the top 8 PA teams and qualify for State/mid Am. Tournament. 2006 Renegades did it this year. 

JCU beats Pitt 3-1