Carl Racki

Not a fan of the new USA Hockey tier one league. I believe it will end up a monopoly of tier one in a similar way Black bear tries to monopolize things. Black bear has definitely caused prices to increase in our area significantly. USA hockey tier one league will make playing high level hockey even more expensive than it already is as there will be less legitimate options. It is a shame that teams will not let their players play highschool. If they are a legitimate top 20 AAA team I understand kids playing on those teams are trying to move on to the next level. Some will some won't. The landscape to do that now is much harder than ever. Pens has moved a lot of players recently to legitimate tier one and tier two junior programs. Hard to argue they have not. If it is a goal of a player they need to play there or somewhere that will give them that competition and exposure. The odds of that happening playing just PIHL is slim to none. Just not the same depth even on PIHL AAA teams as a top 20 16uAAA or 18U. AAA It is also a shame that kids have to decide when to leave home to play on legitimate tier one or tier two junior teams. Some as early as age 15 or 16. Lots leave to go play on garbage AAA teams or garbage tier 3 junior teams. It is unfortunate that these coaches and teams take advantage of uneducated people. USA hockey doing their new super league seems like another Black Bear money grab, will take away other competitive less expensive options, and make playing the sport at a high level more expensive than it already is. If USA Hockey would do it so it was inexpensive for players than I would be impressed and all for it. Pretty sure it will go the money grab route and select programs. This will allow those programs to charge even more as it will be a monopoly and the only option to play in a high level league.

Yes, that is how it is supposed to be. I have no idea if that was the case though. If so they earned it. I have seen officials give match penalties where players did not use any magic words Or meet the other criteria. I have no idea what was said hear. Just seems like a lot for one game lol

My point is match penalties shouldn't be handed out like candy. You are correct, if the player swore at the ref there can be repercussions. Usually that would be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, 10 minute misconduct or a game misconduct. Just like in school there should be a punishment but shouldn't go directly to being expelled. That to would be ridiculous. Yes the match penalties for removing the helmet is fine as it is a rule. I just get concerned when I see so many match penalties in one game. Now if they used hateful or discriminatory language that too would require a match. A match is not something taken lightly. It shouldn't be used as a weapon. I don't know the circumstances in this game but seems like a lot of match penalties and should probably be looked into.

It's not, that just seems like a record for number of match penalties and it should be looked into to be sure everything is legitimate.

That's a lot of match penalties. Handing them out like candy at Halloween. Hopefully they were all truly deserved. Just seems like a like especially for abuse of official. I would be curious to know. If they touched,.spit,.. good call but if just arguing that seems to be a bit much in my opinion

I do believe the 16u Preds let their players play when there is not a conflict which is better the some other organizations.

Playing Highschool hockey is usually one of the best experiences players have in there careers . AAA and AA highschool is pretty competitive and I have seen players come back from playing in the NAHL and other high levels and be good but not dominant. Single "A" and lower highschool hockey is pretty bad. Just not enough player depth. AAA travel teams should allow their players to play highschool. AAA travel teams in the top 20 are pretty deep and legitimate. Players on these teams at the Midget(16,18u) have a legitimate shot moving on to play a higher level. Most NAHL and USHL players are ages 18-20. It can be a very long and crazy process. What is the end game? To play D1? D3 can not even give athletic scholarships. Only a few D1 hockey players will get a full ride. If it is the kids dream to play D1and that is what they want to do that is great. You just have to ask what is the end game and how old do you want to be when finishing college. College at the D1 level is even a bigger grind and very competitive. It is a very large time commitment. Typically 20hrs a week plus travel,.... Then always fighting for spots except for your top few. If that is the dream and they really want to achieve it let them go for it. It is just typically a lot of time and money to get there even when you have the talent. You also have to be able to handle all the ups and downs mentally. Wanna be AAA travel teams that are not in the top 30 should definitely let their players play highschool. It is ridiculous the BS that they pitch kids and tell them so they won't play highschool with their buddies. Kids are in a tight spot. Most would love to play highschool but teams like Pens Elite won't let them even though they let many player play a few years ago. Now, some other travel organizations also try to keep players from playing highschool. It is a shame for most players not to have the opportunity to play highschool in my opinion. At the end of the day for the vast majority it will be about memories and fun.

The funny thing about your statement and the COVID affect is that the US went back to playing/practicing long before Canada(including the top major leagues like the OHL) and Europe. Our boys should actually have an advantage because of COVID as they gotg back to hockey much sooner than Canada and Europe lol

The previous team got smoked by an A/B level men's league team last year I believe in a pre season scrimmage. A lot of people still went and really enjoyed the games from what I heard. Definitely no type of stepping stone lol. Just fun/entertaining hockey to watch on a budget. If players and people enjoy it I think it is great. If they market it well and make it entertaining I think it will do ok. Definitely not a profit machine or stepping stone to anywhere though.

North Pitt has taken equipment/hockey stuff in the past

I hope you are misinformed and no one ever payed $20,000 or more to play Icemen even all in lol

I like how midget 15u-18u just says "contact for pricing" lol. Must be reasonable!

I truly hope no one is stupid enough to pay $60-70k to play hockey anywhere lol. By the time you are done you could have paid for college a few times especially after they pay their advisor lol

Pens Elite has a great program. My only complaint is the expense of the program. Hockey is in a sad state where a lot of people way over pay chasing a dream. It sometimes ruins families lives while people are making profits off of them and their child chasing a dream. It is nice when there are other options but those do tend to be limited and not consistent. Kudos to teams that make them available from time to time

I thought they came from there to play here?? Lol