Wes

Not arguing - Cal doesn't have the coaching smarts to outcoach anyone. I can assure you they have no clue there how to manage a tight game. Just roll out the preferred players with no regards to matchups etc. Which is why they can't beat SVC. SVC can actually coach and send out the correct players for a given situation. CalU will continue to go down burning out their top line and the 2nd line and zero strategy. They had enough talent in 23 to overcome the dunce level coaching. Not so much anymore. Last season SVC was rolling all 4 lines. CalU burned out their top 2 lines and barely played anyone else. Thus the dunce level coaching and zero strategy. Strategy would involve sending out players to counter the other teams good player(s). Cal throws out the next line (well, lines 1 or 2).

Doesn't surprise me one bit. Likely one of a few things. The D1 Players flunked out of D1, they aren't getting enough scholarship money or NIL, or they are getting rewarded. My guess is more #1 or #2. Cal does not have a hockey alumni base to fund that sort of thing.

How long ago was that?

This is 100% no different than we experienced with CalU hockey. Nepotism 100%. There is very little about that program that rewards players who work hard vs. players who goof off. 99% of ice time goes to coach's favorites. They're happy with mediocrity, the coaching is atrocious, and once the College & Minor league players (players that played minor league hockey then went to college...) that went there aged out, the team can't win anything. The current coach couldn't win a PAHL A Major Black title. He's awful. So glad my kids have aged out of that fiasco. Their lives are so much better without all that BS.

I have a large box of practice jerseys, socks and other gear that is clean, but we want to donate it. Anyone in the PGH area in need of this or anyone know a local org who would like this? Thanks!

Mid-Ams at least used to be a sham... the coaches know pretty much who will be picked even before that weekend starts. Our son participated in this 10 years ago and it was clear a decent number of players were there horsing around and the rest were battling it out. It was nice to be recognized and chosen, but it was just a money-making sham that most of the players had no chance no matter how well they did.

as a long time team manager, I would stand outside the locker room all the way through 18u to make sure everyone got out and there were no shenanigans. Never had a single issue with AA and AAA levels.

Why don't you ask the staff or ask for the manager's phone number and straight out ask them?

We funded all of our son the goalie training. He turned out to be a really good amateur goalie. (he's done with hockey post college now) not once in all his years did anyone evaluate his play in person. and it is vert true if the goalie is solid the coaches mostly ignore them... on the other hand there's not much your average coach can do with goalies anyway. .

Here in 2024, now that my kids have graduated college, in hindsight I'd say both in person reviews and analysis of play along with video review of the same would be very beneficial to a goalie who is really interested in learning the position. However, in my son's entire goalie career, and that was mostly at AA/AAA levels, not once did a goalie coach ever do an in-game review of his play. There is so many more nuances to the position than just the drills you do with a goalie coach. Don't get me wrong, those drills help by getting the technique down, but I'd think first hand analysis would be the best thing. The ability to discuss specific scenarios with a goalie based on their real in game performance in my mind would really help goalies who are aspiring to be the best.

So let me open Pandora's box and ask why? My son went to him from around age 11-15/16 and I thought he did an OK job, but that ended around 2016. What went downhill?

Agreed on the regions. It's usually so stacked in the Philly area that it's unfair. My son's team was one of the last from Western PA to win the 18 age group. He always had fun playing in the Keystone games with a bunch of his hockey friends. But one big issue is that Allegheny and Westmoreland counties (and Butler for that matter) are in different regions. My son had friends that lived in both counties and thus both regions and they all wanted to play together but couldn't due to the dumb way the regions are setup.

Top of the line neck protector. https://skate-armor.com/ Bought for my adult son, he doesn't want it, hasn't worn it, brand new. Paid $40. Will sell for $30. PM if interested. If this post is up, its still available. Can meet on the east side of Allegheny county.

Makes sense, but there is literally nowhere around there to park multiple busses, except maybe the Walmart parking lot like a mile away on the next hill over.

Not that I'm going, but where does BB expect people to park for the Nationals @ Center Ice? Heck, for just some regular busy weekends people park all the way down the drive in the front. I'm trying to figure out where 12+ teams worth of parents cars are going to park. (??)