Happy Hockey Fan

Teams being advertised as AA has been going on forever even though PAHL doesn’t determine who is going to play AA until placements take place months after teams have been picked. It is a shame that it is even allowed. Of course you can always play an independent schedule and claim to be whatever you want. AAA, AA or maybe AAAAA.

I think a lot of it has to do with two things, genetics and the fact that they have their own refrigerated rink!

How about we give credit to the kid. I don’t think any coach or program deserves all the credit for any player advancing. Talent has to be there. Kid has to want it and work hard. Coaches can’t do anything about either of those criteria. Yes coaches can and do influence how players advance, but without talent and dedication to hard work, kids aren’t going anywhere.

To anybody that thinks a kid moving up from AA to AAA in the later stages of their youth careen can’t be as good as their little Johnny who has always played AAA, go pound salt. I know a kid who didn’t play AAA until U18. Was the best Dman on his AAA team. Went on to NAHL, and then Division 1. His teammates have not have the same success.

In high school the Board is usually the group that hires and sets salary. And I know of a varsity position or two that don’t pay anywhere near what has been stated here.

I was lead to believe that they had to go there. But I guess there are exceptions.

If they weren’t rules what were they? Just suggestions? Because not one kid that played U18 attended school elsewhere.

I have heard that the Pens are removing the rules that their kids have to attend North Catholic and Excel Academy. Anyone else?

Armstrong’s division is a hornets nest! All tied at 3 points. Only one goal differential beteen top team and the 2 and 3 teams. Only +2 goal difference with the 4 team. Good luck Armstrong!

I still don’t think they compete at AA. Vaccaro also played at Duquesne. So did Zielmanski who also played at Central. And Timmons and Fedor played at Canevin. Timmons at CMU and Fedor at Pitt. And Pawlus played at Canevin and YSU. All very good players. Timmons was outstanding. FYI. But I have no idea what that has to do with this discussion.

Now I get it, you are a player from Canevin. I assure you I played there. I can even tell you almost every coach they have had there since 1984. Know many of them personally. Oldaker, Koch, Timmons, Fedor, Zielmanski, Vacarro, Pawlus, just to name a few. Not allowed to post players names here. I guess I shouldn’t argue with you about how many AAA players are on Canevin’s team because you play for them. But kids that played amateur AA this year, but played amateur AAA previously no longer count as AAA players. They are classified as amateur AA players. So I am sure what ever total you claim it to be, it is a lot lower. 3 of your top 10 scorers played AAA this year. Lots of really good players on Canevin’s team. Just not as many as most teams that play PIHL AA. I wish you nothing but success going forward. Unfortunately we will never get to see you play those teams. Maybe ask your coach to play in the St. Margaret’s pre-season tournament. hopefully I will get to see you play next year. I saw you play this year. And you probably were pretty good.

When they start a ten player league let me know. And I still think your ten player team from Canevin is at the bottom of AA and would get scorched in AAA. AA and AAA teams draw from very large numbers of kids. AAA and most AA schools are from higher income areas that have more kids that play hockey than kids at lower income schools. They not only have more numbers, but they have more numbers of highly skilled players because of it. Canevin had one kid on a AAA roster this year. A bunch of quality AA players too. Look at the rosters of some of the rosters of some AA teams. Loaded with AAA and AA players.

You are obviously a Canevin parent. And I understand that you want the kids to get proper recognition. But Canevin would be at the bottom of AA. Yes Canevin has some players playin at higher levels, and I know how many. I have seen them play amateur games and not just Canevin games. And there are some very good players, very very good players. But most AA teams have many players playing at higher levels. Like 3 full lines of higher level players. And a fourth line that is good. Canevin barely plays two lines. And any 4th line players hardly ever see the ice at Canevin if they aren’t blowing someone out. Once again, I root for Canevin. I know a kid on the team now and have known kids on the team for several years. I am also a graduate of and former player at Canevin. Big fan of all Canevin Athletics. I am just not looking through your parent shaded glasses.

I didn’t look at this year’s coaches. I was going on last years. I can read quite well, have a college degree from a good university and a very high IQ. How about you? I am sure with the way you turn to insults you are no match for my intelligence.

Jake Coleman