Squirtacular
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
Squirtacular
Who attended the squirtacular at BIG over the weekend?
I haven't reffed squirts very much in the last few years but there was some good talent at the A level. There was a squirt A team from Chicagoland participating in the B tournament that looked like a marginal B team. I think they finished 4th or 6th.
I haven't reffed squirts very much in the last few years but there was some good talent at the A level. There was a squirt A team from Chicagoland participating in the B tournament that looked like a marginal B team. I think they finished 4th or 6th.
-
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:05 am
- Location: Centerville
-
- Posts: 3696
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 pm
-
- Posts: 3696
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 pm
Yes. Why ? Our assc. pays for 4 tournys per team. then the teams can add if they want through team funds.
Last edited by old goalie85 on Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:26 pm
-
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:20 am
-
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:15 am
Well, the world needs ditch diggers too!iseepalms wrote:Does anyone really care it is just a big money tournament that most associations won't participate in due to the cost. You can almost go to two tournaments for the price of this one. It is all about Youth Hockey Hub and teams from District 3 & 6 teams.
-
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:15 am
What is this world coming too? Someone looks at the cost/benefit analysis and makes a decision????? This is Madness I tell ya, Madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!iseepalms wrote:Does anyone really care it is just a big money tournament that most associations won't participate in due to the cost. You can almost go to two tournaments for the price of this one. It is all about Youth Hockey Hub and teams from District 3 & 6 teams.
-
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:45 pm
Here is my take on this tournament. (Disclosure: my son played on a team that participated and we are not a D3 or D6 family. My opinions are on the A Tournament as I didn't get to see any B or C games). From a player standpoint, it was a blast playing for my son. He got to play against teams he doesn't see on a regular basis and got to play against players he played with last summer. It was fun for him to go against some different clubs. He got to trade pins and see kids he considers friends from summer. All a plus. From a parent standpoint, it was fun to see parents you know from summer hockey (from last year and our new team this coming summer) but don't get to see regularly. Would he have had as much fun playing somewhere like the Chisago Lakes tournament? Maybe, but likely not. It would have been a drive in for game, drive out experience. This tournament had a "feel" and excitement to it that others simply don't have.iseepalms wrote:Does anyone really care it is just a big money tournament that most associations won't participate in due to the cost. You can almost go to two tournaments for the price of this one. It is all about Youth Hockey Hub and teams from District 3 & 6 teams.
From a team standpoint, was it expensive? Yes, but the consensus among our families was that the chance to play against the best teams in the state and against the best players in the state was a great experience for our kids. Our (I can speak for some but not all parents on our team) thought was that it was well worth it. We had played against a couple of clubs in the event from D8, but knew we would not be playing against them so it was a chance to take on some new blood. Nothing bad about that at all. The end result for us was our kids played pretty well, made it to the playoff round and went home feeling pretty good about how they played. The kids know who the top teams are and came away feeling like they can play with most any team in the state.
My takeaway is that it is an extremely well run tournament, it has probably the best level of play of any tournament out there and it has a more big time feel than other tournaments. I would recommend the tournament to any team that is looking for a high level of play and a well managed tournament. Is it for everyone, probably not, but I don't think that is what the organizers are going for. If you are a good team that wants to test yourself, this is as good as it gets. Only thing I would like to see them add is a skills competition for the players. Also, they get big bonus points for webcasting, it allowed my parents to enjoy a game from the comfort of their living room in Phoenix.
Last edited by Vinko Bogataj on Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:45 pm
Here you go, links to the right side with scores, stats, etc...observer wrote:Sounds like an awesome experience for the kids. Thanks for the summary.
How come no scores posted? Any link to results?
http://www.youthhockeyhub.com/squirtaculartournament
-
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:05 am
- Location: Centerville
I know and I'm not a big fan of that. Actually, I think they split responsibilities. And profit?
But, at one point I was directed to the Bloomington Association site. It shows it can be done and sets the bar. It's all easier than it used to be with most associations on the NGIN platform which can handle it. Another responsibility for the ol' tournament committee.
http://www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/s ... rt-a-2014-
But, at one point I was directed to the Bloomington Association site. It shows it can be done and sets the bar. It's all easier than it used to be with most associations on the NGIN platform which can handle it. Another responsibility for the ol' tournament committee.
http://www.bloomingtonhockey.com/page/s ... rt-a-2014-
Vinko Bogataj wrote:glad to hear you guys had fun.iseepalms wrote: Here is my take on this tournament. (Disclosure: my son played on a team that participated and we are not a D3 or D6 family. My opinions are on the A Tournament as I didn't get to see any B or C games). From a player standpoint, it was a blast playing for my son. He got to play against teams he doesn't see on a regular basis and got to play against players he played with last summer. It was fun for him to go against some different clubs. He got to trade pins and see kids he considers friends from summer. All a plus. From a parent standpoint, it was fun to see parents you know from summer hockey (from last year and our new team this coming summer) but don't get to see regularly. Would he have had as much fun playing somewhere like the Chisago Lakes tournament? Maybe, but likely not. It would have been a drive in for game, drive out experience. This tournament had a "feel" and excitement to it that others simply don't have.
From a team standpoint, was it expensive? Yes, but the consensus among our families was that the chance to play against the best teams in the state and against the best players in the state was a great experience for our kids. Our (I can speak for some but not all parents on our team) thought was that it was well worth it. We had played against a couple of clubs in the event from D8, but knew we would not be playing against them so it was a chance to take on some new blood. Nothing bad about that at all. The end result for us was our kids played pretty well, made it to the playoff round and went home feeling pretty good about how they played. The kids know who the top teams are and came away feeling like they can play with most any team in the state.
My takeaway is that it is an extremely well run tournament, it has probably the best level of play of any tournament out there and it has a more big time feel than other tournaments. I would recommend the tournament to any team that is looking for a high level of play and a well managed tournament. Is it for everyone, probably not, but I don't think that is what the organizers are going for. If you are a good team that wants to test yourself, this is as good as it gets. Only thing I would like to see them add is a skills competition for the players. Also, they get big bonus points for webcasting, it allowed my parents to enjoy a game from the comfort of their living room in Phoenix.
Skills competition would have to be Tuesday night before the opening games Wednesday.
Not a big fan of shootouts at the squirt level, though I understand why they have them. I've seen far too many squirt A and lower level peewee shootouts that have gone 10+ rounds due to lack of skill or creativity I guess. Shootouts are boring at that age unless it's your kid shooting haha. Could easily play 10 minute overtime in that time or more.
-
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:26 pm
I don't think anyone compared it to Fargo, did they? There were a large # of the top 10 Squirt A teams in the Squirtacular (9 out of 10 by some estimates). Rankings are always arguable, but it's safe to say there were a number of high quality teams in the Squirtacular.jpiehl wrote:Anyone saying that this has the best competition and a big time feel unlike any other tournament has clearly never been to Fargo. I was not at the Squirtacular, but have been to Fargo. So feel free to correct me if it was better.
-
- Posts: 4090
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:32 pm
Not all of the Minnesota districts are able to go to Fargo.jpiehl wrote:Anyone saying that this has the best competition and a big time feel unlike any other tournament has clearly never been to Fargo. I was not at the Squirtacular, but have been to Fargo. So feel free to correct me if it was better.
-
- Posts: 3696
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 pm
-
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:11 pm
-
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:11 pm
Fargo is a much better event as a big part of the whole experience is the times at the hotel trading pins, playing kids from other towns in floor hockey, swimming, potlucks, going to restaurants with the team etc.I played in that tournament awhile back. YHH did a very good job of the actual presentation and running of the tournament at BIG.jpiehl wrote:Anyone saying that this has the best competition and a big time feel unlike any other tournament has clearly never been to Fargo. I was not at the Squirtacular, but have been to Fargo. So feel free to correct me if it was better.