Jr. Gold Players

[BlaineHockey21]

I am a coach in the junior gold age level. I am positive it is just not my kids it is this whole level of hockey. Why do the kids just not care about winning anymore, not necesarily winning, but playing well? Their attitude is not the same as mine was when I played at their level 5 years earlier.<br>Whats the reason for this? <p></p><i></i>

[hockey0711]

i dont think its all Jr. Gold Players that dont wanna win. I know im a Jr. Gold Player now and yes there probably are tons more fights now then before, but i know i want to win the games that i play in. <p></p><i></i>

[wblhockey07]

i agree with hockey0711 its not all players i mean my whole team got pissed of when we loset 5 games. so its not all kids <p></p><i></i>

[MNDylanFan]

I think the two of you don't understand what he means, (I am not trying to put you down by that). I think I do understand what he is saying, its the learning and extra attentitiveness to improving, doing what is asked, because whether you like it or not it may help the teams to victory. I personally know this idea is a sweeping generalization, so with that I also want to say YES there are still some competitors out there, the guy you can just tell to go out there and win this game for us. But those #'s have deffinatley dwindled. I think its a product of the times myself. <p><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>I'm sick of Love but I'm in the thick of it</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></p><i></i>

[gferhock1]

I agree with dylan, the times are changing and its anyones guess why. Problably every reason you come up with is right. To respond about the "tons more fights than before" not true, the league is cleaned up and the fighting is almost non existant. In fact I think the games are called a little too tight and cause problems the other way. ? if players had more to work for then maybe they would put more effort into their team. Not saying there isnt kids who dont try hard enough, you can see them on the ice when they're playing, but the others on the team that seldom show for practice....... <p></p><i></i>

[hockey0711]

based on my team, only about half of the kids showed up for practice this year, yes it was pretty pathetic, its kinda sad how one half of the team shows up to every practice while the other half come when they want. About the fights, i dont think fighting is almost non existant, look at South St. Paul for example they had kids kicked out in everyone of their games, and the teams they play will fight back, such as some of the not very smart players on my team <p></p><i></i>

[EPFan]

Hey Dylan Fan,<br><br>(In Bobby Dylans Voice) The Times They Are A CHANGIN'<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[BlaineHockey21]

Yes, I agree with most of this, but.....this level has improved over the last 5-7 years dramatically. My senior year was 2002. I played in 00, 01, and 02. In 98 and 99 the league was terrible, talent wise. There were a lot more goons. It was "midget Hockey". In talent level this level has come a long way, in "heart" and "loving the game" it has dwindled. More emphasis on drugs/partying then on hockey. Kids are more worried about fitting in with their peers then becoming a great hockey player. Coaches need to expose their players more. If you have a great player, get scouts to watch him and let the other kids know a scout is coming to watch him. I played at the Jr Gold Level for 3 years never making the high school team. (tried out every year). I got an offer to play overseas right out of high school and just this past year have been offered to play in the ECHL. There are chances out their for these kids. I told my 3 best players I can get scouts down here to watch them if they show me they want to move on and put the effort in..... they havent shown me any effort. There goes their chance!!! ...sorry so long<br><br>-Jake- <p></p><i></i>

[CoachGuy]

There are plenty of thing wrong with this league, but fighting has dropped on the list quite a bit. Blaine hockey is right. In the late 90's (birth of the thug era) it seemed like that was the only reason to join the league. To fight legally, or 5 minutes of consequence.<br><br>The Metro league board has done a lot over the years to curb this, with coaches meetings and such. I am a firm believer that when your players see you before the game chummin it up with the other teams coach, and showing some sportsmanship the game is played better/cleaner. Another huge difference is the number of coaches that are returning to stay in the league. Kids start to know what the rules are and what to expect from a coach. A large turnover every year will bring in some undesirables to run these teams and those teams take a downhill turn. See Forest Lake JGB last year.<br><br>I am a huge fan of this league and am proud to see where it has come from talent wise. <p></p><i></i>

[Coach77]

I see that Jr Gold hockey has gotten better because of a few things. Metro has done a good job about rules for league and <br>coaches staying with this level has help alot, but not shaking hands after the game is lame!! I think that hurts kids learning to be good sports!!!(sportsmanship) I like the fighting rule and the three penalty rule. But some refs like to DQ players to quick?? Jr Gold Hockey is a good time for Kids!!! <p></p><i></i>

[BlaineHockey21]

I agree. Get rid of the shaking hands before the game. The kids are going to fight if they want to fight either way, at the end of the game or whatever and it gets more violent at the end of the game. Not saying fighting is right, but shake hands after the game ......either that or dont shake hands at all. I coach the U16 Blaine team and we are going to state this weekend and quite frankily we dont deserve to be there. Talent level....yes - we would be unbeatable in this league if we had a work ethic. It's especially hard for me to coach this age because of me being only 21. It's not that I dont know the game or expect respect, but they wont give respect to any of our coaching staff. I have an assistant who played junior hockey and was a pretty good defenseman, they wont listen to him either. My brother played JR Gold A and his attitude is also terrible. <br><br>-Jake- <p></p><i></i>

[troll21]

Blainehockey coach<br><br>You are picking the wrong time of year to say something negative about your team. You want the respect, you earn it! Don't come on this board and talk about your team and say they should not be in the state tournament. Players look to the leader of the team and if the coach doesn't believe, why should the kids?<br><br>Unfortunately times have changed from you and I played the game. Young coaches today think that kids will have the same passion as they did but society has changed. Granted there are still a lot of kids out there that have the passion and drive to excel in JG but it drops off fast. Coaches can not instill this emotion or trait into kids. I could write for pages on what could be done or help but I (we) would be here all day.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[swtdady]

Troll you point out some good points, I think what is also happening here is you have young coaches that <br>have not experienced some of the difficulties that <br>come with coaching kids, and I emphasize kids. <br>In this age group most boys think they <br>know everything and whats best for them and everyone around them in which makes it difficult to maintain <br>focus and attention, coaches are teachers of a <br>sport no different from a typical school teacher <br>they must maintain focus and attention with there <br>students, in order to do so there must be accountabilty<br>for their actions positve or negetive by holding them accountable they will show respect as long as the coach is consistant and does not back down or let things go unnoticed <br>(stick to there guns ) I think that the blaine coach here is seeking information to improve as a coach, is not true <br>that if you need help don't be affraid to ask?<br>obviously there is a wealth of experience in this <br>forum and correct me if I am wrong, but to gain certain experience as a coach is sharing information and conversing with others. Blaine coach I am willing to make suggestions<br>you can email me or start a new thead, hopefully others will step up and make this into a positive this only will make this league that much better. <br><br><br><br> <br> <br><br> <br><br> <br> <p></p><i></i>

[MNDylanFan]

Blaine fella<br><br>first and formost don't give up because of this year, the kids are never why I consider quitting its the refs. The kids are kids, if you want to see them act different I prefer mind games and making them think for them selves <p><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>I'm sick of Love but I'm in the thick of it</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></p><i></i>