sarampage

Thanks for the link.  I had read about this earlier, but the only information given in the article was that he had fallen onto the ice and another player collided with him inadvertently.  No other details were given.  Terrible...

My opinion on neck guards has been back and forth over the years.  Most do not really provide much coverage, but I guess some protection might be better than nothing under certain circumstances.

With that said, my son wears cut resistant materials from the neck down in all vulnerable areas.

45 minutes ago, Jack Handey said:

1A 2A 3A is determined by geography and hockey-engagement within geography, and isn't indicative of the quality of a team.  Example: last year 16u Tier II Ashburn Xtreme.  MHR RANK: #1.   Yes that says #1.  At the top of Tier II.  USA Hockey placed them in tier 2A for nationals.  Obviously they could have hung with any of the 3A crowd.

I was told that the divisions are based on membership size of the district with 3A being for teams out of the largest districts, which might explain why traditionally strong teams such as the Atlanta Fire and Ashburn Xtreme are put in 1A/2A. With that said, outside of a few teams in 1A, and 2A, 3A is definitely the strongest division overall.

1 hour ago, Saucey said:

To me it's not that, but when was the last time that one of the Western Pa teams that went up to Nationals do well? Seems, with the exception of the girls, western Pa teams get their butts handed to them. Our market still doesn't compare on that level of competition. We are getting better. 

Our teams don't have comparable hockey IQ and our passing game looks nothing like the teams at that top level. 

Definitely true for the most part.  Lots of disappointment for teams who expected to do better.  South Hills obviously did well with their 2003 team in 2018.  Last season, North Pitt's 16U team team went 2-1 at Nationals which isn't bad.  They didn't advance to the quarter finals due to tiebreaker rules.  I could be wrong, but I think most teams that have gone recently haven't won more than one game...

7 hours ago, Danner27 said:

can anyone share how NA is running their hockey program these days ? It’s my understanding they are the only school in western pa that runs the hockey team. It took some sort of incident for them to take it over a few years back. 

As with other schools, it's treated like a Varsity sport.  I'm not exactly sure how much money the school gives, but I've heard it's a fairly large amount when compared to other schools.   Players register in the same portal that is used for all school teams and eligibility requirements are no different.  The  Varsity head coach is pretty much the CEO of the entire program, but the AD has the final say.

As others have said, I can't understand how this was allowed to continue...it is the lowest of the low.  Disgusting.  If the student section at my son's high school game was acting like this, I guarantee his head coach would personally stop the game and not let it continue until it was taken care of...

2 hours ago, sadday4hockey said:

They've been competitive once. With the 02 team through 16U. Since then, I think it's safe to say that the most important thing on their list is filling rosters and in turn keeping the lights on and coffers full.

Yep...and that team was brought over by the new rink owners/coaches from NP the season after they were ranked #1 in MyHockey Rankings for Tier 2.

3 minutes ago, Saucey said:

I've observed the exact opposite. Many kids I know who play up develop more in PAHL. A top AA player can and does do well up. An entire rising BY playing AA frequently struggles and I think is better as an A Major team if you are going to do it.. But the next year, they tend to be a dominant team at AA.

I agree...every situation is different, but it's  contrary to what I've seen as well.  My son played PAHL AA as a minor BY and it was it was huge for his development.  I've also seen the same for others who were put in the same situation.  I think, overall, if the player and team are properly placed, and the player can keep up with the older kids, it can only benefit.  The speed might be a shock at the beginning, but the game will eventually slow down.

1 hour ago, powderfinger said:

Many of the 06's from last years 14U AA team made the top team at NP - the others were on the 06BY team along with other 06's that probably played major black last year (or lower). A bunch of those went to Icemen...look at their roster, lots of players never played AA before.

I should have specified 14UAA  players that went to the Icemen...true about the 16UAA team - I think it consists of about 7-8 06s.

2 hours ago, powderfinger said:

Icemen happened....at 16u, NP created a 06 BY team out of tryouts...but most of those kids left to chase the extra "A".  So NP had to rearrange all the teams, after they'd already been announced. Lots of other kids declined at that point. Total CF.

If there's one thing I've learned over many years about PAHL, BY teams are a bad idea.  More trouble than they're worth.  With regards to the Icemen, I think only two 06 players are from NP's 14U team.  Not sure where the others went.  NP also had their 16U tryouts in late May which I think was too late.

3 minutes ago, Danner27 said:

Yikes! That’s lining up with what I heard about 3-4 AA teams.

Don't know much about the others organizations.  Hopefully, there's more than 4 AA teams.  My son played 16UAA over the last two seasons and wanted to play 18UAA this upcoming season but bagged it after it was obvious the team he was trying out for was not going to be AA. At that point it was too late to try out anywhere else, so he'll only be playing PIHL.

10 hours ago, Danner27 said:

What does the 18’s look like ? (I’m far out of the loop these days). I was told the rats have no U18 team and armstrong didn’t have enough kids at tryouts. 

NP has one 18U Team.  It will not be AA.   Four  players from their last season's 16UAA team went to the Foxes, who should have a very solid team since most of the players from last year's 16UAA team came back.   The Foxes had around 65 kids at tryouts so they may have 2-3 18U teams...don't know what they ended up with.  The Preds have two 18UAA teams and I'm told SCIR also has a 18UAA team.  That's all I've heard so far...

10 hours ago, sadday4hockey said:

16U AA this year is a race for second place. The SCIR 05 team won PAHL last season and they return the entire team.

Absolutely...they were a very strong team last season in 16UAA.  I don't see anyone else being close.  They were PAHL playoff champions and it was a tossup for everything thing else between them, Foxes (who won the PAHL reg season),  and NP (who won Mid Ams).  The 06 that left was definitely one of the better players on the ice each game...good for him in moving up to AAA.

13 hours ago, Theroadtobeerleague said:

Looks like across the board, both boys and girls and Tier 1 and Tier 2, Pittsburgh teams arent exactly having great results at Nationals. Exceptions being PPE U16 and U18 boys

16U NP went 2-1...not too bad.  Only two win team not moving on.  Had one horrible period in their first game (5GA) which came back to haunt them.

1 hour ago, Wes said:

The best skating coach our daughter ever had was when she played with the PPE around 2015.  This guy (who was a blond haired younger russian guy) was tremendous and took the girls through all sorts of skating - and balance recovery techniques.  Easily the best training she's ever had but I can't recall his name. The drills he did were fantastic and I've never seen another coach teach those sort of techniques.  He must have taught the girls techniques used in russia.

It was probably Max Ivanov.  He was the Pens skating coach around that time...

Yep..RMU hasn't budged.  Baierl is still strict with PIHL games as well.  They only allow 3 (pre-registered) guests per rostered player.

2 hours ago, HSFBLJ said:

These players are responsible for their actions.  Parents fighting c'mon man build back better!  MIDAM needs to change the format of the tournament.  Once your eliminated no more games...  Nothing to play for, nothing to lose!

Unfortunately, Mid Am did change the format after one team dropped out.  Teams were originally supposed to have pool play and then get seeded for single elimination games. 

I think the Arrows may have still had a chance to advance based on the result of another game going on at the same time.

15 minutes ago, dropthepuck said:

It happened on USA rink around 11;30am. Renegades vs Montgomery. Not sure of age. maybe 14's. You can check it out on live barn. Refs were separating players and behind the group you can see player fall down. Someone claimed he was assaulted and called the police.

Thanks - that was the16U A Final between the Renegades 16U and Montgomery 15U teams.  Looked at it on LB...can't really tell exactly what happens due to players in the way.  Looks like the ref was pushing, pulling players out of the scrum to separate them and someone fell.

1 hour ago, dropthepuck said:

Yesterday at Alpha Ice after a 16U AA game a couple of players started mixing it up. One of the refs skated in to separate the two and one player fell over. Parent called the police. 

The police came to the rink and after the first period of the next game they opened up the doors behind the goal and had a lengthy discussion with the ref. This is what the world of youth hockey is today. They ref was clearly shaken after this. It took him a few minutes to get back up to speed.  Total bullshit. No win situations anymore for refs.

Are you sure it was 16U AA?  There were only three games yesterday and I was physically at the end of two.  I also watched the other on LB and didn't notice anything.  Regardless, I guess the main point is that parents are driving refs out of the games.  I know teens who have trained as referees, have done games for younger kids and now refuse to continue because of parents.

My son's team calendar was just updated - MidAms are now scheduled for April 16.

1 hour ago, PUCKCOVID19 said:

Well I guess the shutdown doesn't apply to a local organization. it is confirmed that the Esmark teams are all traveling to Dallas Texas this weekend to continue to play. HOW are they even able to pull this off since EVERY team seems to be on a pause BUT them?  Wonder if mid am knows about this?

 

The Governor's order, from my understanding, only requires that youth sports organizations cease from operation in the state of PA.  It doesn't prevent them from going to a state where hockey is allowed. NY teams did this at the beginning of the season until tighter restrictions were mandated. 

I guess in this case, Esmark players and coaches will be asked to quarantine for 10 days when they return, have a negative covid test within 72 hours or after 5 days of quarantining.

13 minutes ago, hockeyparent101 said:

Hey, you guys are lucky.  Try living next door in NY with King Andy.  We haven't been allowed to play games or scrimmages in NYS all season, and most organization and/or counties are now prohibiting travel outside of the state to play hockey (not that much is open right now anyway!).  You guys in PA have it way better than most states and all I read is everyone bitching about how bad you have it.

Be grateful for what you have.  My bender has only played FOUR games this entire season - and they were all in NJ (5 1/2 hr. ride) where parents were not allowed in the rink.

I'd take what you have in PA in a minute.

We've been somewhat fortunate so far.  My son's team played a few games against a NY team early in the season, but had four games against two other NY teams subsequently canceled due to changes in NY's restrictions.  That said, he's only played 8 games for his amateur team this season due to postponements and cancellations.  They haven't played a game in 4 weeks.   At least he's getting on the ice several times a week...but games are needed for development.  

8 minutes ago, Wes said:

 I would like to see the State of PA and/or the PAHL show me a study where 1 single player has caught COVID while playing on the ice in a 38 degree building.

They can't...my son plays in PIHL and PAHL, and no player has caught covid from being at the rink.  In fact, not one player has tested positive on either team to this point.  The only disruption has been forced quarantining by the school district.

...and this is from his teams being at the rink 5-7 days/week.

3 minutes ago, PUCKCOVID19 said:

I hope your kidding?!? IF NOT thats a darn shame!!!! PA is turning in to the new Michigan 

Wish I was.  Their initial interpretation of the new mandate is that everyone in the building must wear a mask on and off the ice regardless of their activity..  Will be interesting to see what other rinks do and what PIHL/PAHL have to say.

2 hours ago, Quinlan2020a said:

I didn't hear anything that would affect the games are played within the state. I did hear it implied that the mask mandate would be strengthened. She mentioned gyms. Does that mean that masks must be worn while engaged in physical exercise? Would that then extend to players on the ice?

Because of the strengthened mandate, Baierl now requires players to wear a face covering while on the ice.

Not sure about moving forward, but there were a few NY teams playing in Pittsburgh this past weekend.  Also, as of right now,  my son's team is scheduled to play in OH next weekend...