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hockeyguy99
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 9:54 pm
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playmaker92
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:17 pm
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
Here's what I gather is going on with this. Please correct me where I am wrong.
Minnesota Hockey does not participate in the USA Hockey Select camp for the age 14 group. That was already held 2 weeks ago.
Bernie McBain is running this with the idea that he would start a "select" camp. He is pretty well connected with coaches and players through his Minnesota Pride teams and invited about 60 players to particiapte in his "select" camp.
I heard that he would cut this down to a couple teams that would travel to Michigan to play some games against quality teams (who knows who they would be) and arrange scouts to be there to showcase some MN talent. Now I understand that there are no other teams to play against and these kids will be travelling to Michigan to play against each other in front of "scouts" and evaluators.
The list of kids participating is a pretty good selection of talent from the metro area. It is far from a complete list of the best players. The outstate kids are under represented which is understandable since not too many were contacted or interested in participating. Also consider that the parents pick up the tab for all expenses, unlike the older age groups where a good portion of the expenses for the final selections are covered by the participants not making the final cuts.
Minnesota Hockey does not participate in the USA Hockey Select camp for the age 14 group. That was already held 2 weeks ago.
Bernie McBain is running this with the idea that he would start a "select" camp. He is pretty well connected with coaches and players through his Minnesota Pride teams and invited about 60 players to particiapte in his "select" camp.
I heard that he would cut this down to a couple teams that would travel to Michigan to play some games against quality teams (who knows who they would be) and arrange scouts to be there to showcase some MN talent. Now I understand that there are no other teams to play against and these kids will be travelling to Michigan to play against each other in front of "scouts" and evaluators.
The list of kids participating is a pretty good selection of talent from the metro area. It is far from a complete list of the best players. The outstate kids are under represented which is understandable since not too many were contacted or interested in participating. Also consider that the parents pick up the tab for all expenses, unlike the older age groups where a good portion of the expenses for the final selections are covered by the participants not making the final cuts.
Close ... it was 80 kids and they cut it down to 40 to go to Ann Arbor. With this there were some interesting kids that didn't make it.
Couple of things. Admittedly checkbook hockey, but Bernie did a great job getting most of the best 14 year olds in town. The Blades, Icemen, Chiefs, Fire, etc were very well represented. In terms of out-state, also quite true, but there were some. Lutzka from Duluth for example looked great.
As far as MN kids going to MI to play each other, I think it's just a higher end MN Pride trip only instead of going to Lake Placid, you're going to the National Development Center. The other huge difference is by the time you distilled the 80 to 40, you've got some damn good hockey players (unlike those that often go to Lake Placid).
Will this be important exposure for the kids in terms of scouting? Hell no! Anyone that knows anything knows at 14 years of age, these kids are going to change far too much for anyone to get too worked up. Now the other side of that is, considering the kids that are going, you may have 2-3 that may have an oportunity to play some college hockey somewhere some day.
What to hell, it's one more father and son bonding trip before school starts. It's only money.
Couple of things. Admittedly checkbook hockey, but Bernie did a great job getting most of the best 14 year olds in town. The Blades, Icemen, Chiefs, Fire, etc were very well represented. In terms of out-state, also quite true, but there were some. Lutzka from Duluth for example looked great.
As far as MN kids going to MI to play each other, I think it's just a higher end MN Pride trip only instead of going to Lake Placid, you're going to the National Development Center. The other huge difference is by the time you distilled the 80 to 40, you've got some damn good hockey players (unlike those that often go to Lake Placid).
Will this be important exposure for the kids in terms of scouting? Hell no! Anyone that knows anything knows at 14 years of age, these kids are going to change far too much for anyone to get too worked up. Now the other side of that is, considering the kids that are going, you may have 2-3 that may have an oportunity to play some college hockey somewhere some day.
What to hell, it's one more father and son bonding trip before school starts. It's only money.
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
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DumpandChase1
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:37 pm
Money maker
Does the $285 just cover the ice time, or does it cover all the costs?
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
Hockey training is his business. Bernie is a businessman that has helped numerous kids develop into pretty decent hockey players. Would I recommend a 14 year old go to Michigan for a couple of games - absolutely not. Was it a good time for the kids - probably. A kid meeting new friends, playing hockey and hanging out at a hotel for a few days - not bad.mnhockey36299 wrote:Not much of a money maker, the trip is only $285 for about 9 hours of ice time, so about $30/hr, not sure Bernie is making much of this at all.
The scouts in attendance may take notice but they realize that these kids are pretty young. Some will continue to be on their radar, others will emerge as they grow and, unfortunately, some will drop off the map.
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Pucknutz69
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 4:09 pm
Shut Up already.
Your opinions are all pretty shallow. This guy is and has developed more kids then all of you put together. I think what he is trying to do is great for the kids that attended the tryouts and the ones who made it. Is it any surprise that the best draft class that the state has ever had was in part to what he did with a group of kids? I think you will see, in the future, a steady stream of players from the Minnesota Made Hockey Development program go on to be very successful. If the parents of these 92 age players want to pay to go to Michigan and play, let them from what I saw the level of competion was far better than any Showcase or AAA crap around here this time of year. Yes they are young but they are entering the age group where people start to look and record what players are on the horizon.
You miss one huge thought behind Bernie the Hockey Businessman, he loves the game and loves working with the kids he trains. My boys enjoyed this past summer skating for him.
You miss one huge thought behind Bernie the Hockey Businessman, he loves the game and loves working with the kids he trains. My boys enjoyed this past summer skating for him.
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DumpandChase1
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:37 pm
Pucknutz69 ?
Bottom line, Bernie runs a business and a very good one. How many players has he had in his clinics, my guess - 1000's. How many has he develped that make it to the big dance? Time will tell but he does help kids develop that want to work hard and reap the benefits, possibly an opportunity to play D1 Hockey.
In my opinion this is great and he should be commended for his effort. I repeat, Bernie is very good with hockey clinics and developing a % of the attendees but he is a better businessman.
Bottom line, Bernie runs a business and a very good one. How many players has he had in his clinics, my guess - 1000's. How many has he develped that make it to the big dance? Time will tell but he does help kids develop that want to work hard and reap the benefits, possibly an opportunity to play D1 Hockey.
In my opinion this is great and he should be commended for his effort. I repeat, Bernie is very good with hockey clinics and developing a % of the attendees but he is a better businessman.
Hey Dump,
There isn't just ice that needs to be payed for, which by the way does cost more in Michigan than here. There is insurance, e.m.t.s, jerseys, and oh yeah maybe some compensation for the large number of hours it takes to organize.
If you don't think it's fair, then you should do it for nothing being as you are so concerned about others.
Or how about this...you tell us what you do so we can complain about what we think we know about what you do.
There isn't just ice that needs to be payed for, which by the way does cost more in Michigan than here. There is insurance, e.m.t.s, jerseys, and oh yeah maybe some compensation for the large number of hours it takes to organize.
If you don't think it's fair, then you should do it for nothing being as you are so concerned about others.
Or how about this...you tell us what you do so we can complain about what we think we know about what you do.
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
I am new to MN hockey, and I don't understand why people have such an issue with Bernie. What about the guy that owns the Rockets, has an open tryout with 50 kids, charging $50 and then keeps the same team as last year, I don't see anyone complaining about that.
So some parents want to take a trip to Ann Arbor, with there kids to play a few games and practice. I know of a lot of teams that went to Canada, Boston, Chicago, etc this summer, and the cost was a lot more. This to me, just seems like a different trip, nothing else. Yes, there are some kids missing from the list, but there will always be, no matter how hard you try. I know there was kids left off the select 15 and 16, so it will never be perfect. Why can't people just let Bernie run his business, my guess, is they didn't make the Pride team, or this team.
So some parents want to take a trip to Ann Arbor, with there kids to play a few games and practice. I know of a lot of teams that went to Canada, Boston, Chicago, etc this summer, and the cost was a lot more. This to me, just seems like a different trip, nothing else. Yes, there are some kids missing from the list, but there will always be, no matter how hard you try. I know there was kids left off the select 15 and 16, so it will never be perfect. Why can't people just let Bernie run his business, my guess, is they didn't make the Pride team, or this team.
I don't believe anyone that knows Bernie doesn't see his passion for the game and helping kids improve. With his kid playing in Ann Arbor with NTDP he was very familiar with the people in Michigan and felt it would be a good venue to showcase some good 92's. MN does not sanction a 14 Select Program like other parts of the country and Bernie wanted to give these kids that wanted it, and would pay for it, a chance to compete with and against some quality players with some scouts in attendance.
I would compare Bernie's MN Made Hockey for the kids to a program run by a personal trainer in California for the Professional Athlete that wants and needs to stay in top condition for the NHL. This is a very select program that is probably pretty expensive but well worth it for the likes of Chelios, Blake and others that need to be at their best to keep playing in the NHL in their late 30's and early 40's.
If Bernie can instill a positive work ethic for these kids that will stay with them as they grow and develop then the money spent now will pay off for these kids in the future. I believe Eric Johnson, the #1 pick this year in the NHL, worked with Bernie when he was younger. It paid off for Eric with the Gophers and eventually with the St. Louis Blues.
Give Bernie credit where credit is due. But also give him the benefit that he had the vision to develop a solid hockey program and a very profitable business venture.
I would compare Bernie's MN Made Hockey for the kids to a program run by a personal trainer in California for the Professional Athlete that wants and needs to stay in top condition for the NHL. This is a very select program that is probably pretty expensive but well worth it for the likes of Chelios, Blake and others that need to be at their best to keep playing in the NHL in their late 30's and early 40's.
If Bernie can instill a positive work ethic for these kids that will stay with them as they grow and develop then the money spent now will pay off for these kids in the future. I believe Eric Johnson, the #1 pick this year in the NHL, worked with Bernie when he was younger. It paid off for Eric with the Gophers and eventually with the St. Louis Blues.
Give Bernie credit where credit is due. But also give him the benefit that he had the vision to develop a solid hockey program and a very profitable business venture.
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DumpandChase1
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:37 pm
money maker
Hey Slappy,
If you read the prior posts, you would see that I was asking a question about what these people get for their $285. Mnhockey36299 wrote that it was not much of a money maker for him, that the $285 just covered the ice.
Personally, I could care less what you people want to spend you money on. If you think Bernie can lead you kids to the promise land, than spend away. I think the guy is a genius, he has people thinking that their kids will all be D1 and NHLers someday.
I don't fault him for making money on this, just don't act like he is not. I wish I had the time, so I could do what he does.
By the way, insurance, emt's and jerseys are not that expensive. I know from experience.
If you read the prior posts, you would see that I was asking a question about what these people get for their $285. Mnhockey36299 wrote that it was not much of a money maker for him, that the $285 just covered the ice.
Personally, I could care less what you people want to spend you money on. If you think Bernie can lead you kids to the promise land, than spend away. I think the guy is a genius, he has people thinking that their kids will all be D1 and NHLers someday.
I don't fault him for making money on this, just don't act like he is not. I wish I had the time, so I could do what he does.
By the way, insurance, emt's and jerseys are not that expensive. I know from experience.
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justanobserver
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 2:23 pm
92s to MI
Congrats to the boys who tried out and made the teams. From what I see they are solid players. Looking forward to hearing if this was really money well spent to play another MN team in MI or if this was just another expensive MN Pride/Force event.
I'll be honest here for all to read, including Bernie, if he visits these sites. I like Bernie and his development programs but families with 92' players asked me if, in my opinion, this opportunity would be good exposure for their kids as well as a good hockey experience. Money and costs aside I wouldn't send "my" kid at age 13-14 to Michigan to play other kids from MN. [FYI - my son is not a '92 and was not eleigible to participate.]
First, at this age, the player's have not developed physically yet and in the next two years you will see dramatic changes with certain players that develop late and leap frog ahead of the "elite" players in their age group.
Second, why spend the extra money to travel to Michigan when it could have been easily hosted here in MN, our "State of Hockey".
Third, this will not position their kid for an opportunity to particiapte in the Select 15/Advanced 15 training camp in St. Cloud next summer. It's not how you perform today but how you perform in tryouts. Watching the tryouts last year for the 15's I heard all the hoopla about this player or that player and I had to wonder who they used for PR because the product was not what it had been portrayed to be.
This is my last response. My opinion, Bernie is an excellent hockey teacher and we should have more like him with his passion for the game and ability to teach and motivate kids to improve and have fun playing a fabulous game. Bottom line, a parent needs to do what is best for thier children. If the kid definitely wants to do it all and he is sincere then give them the support.
Please, do not push or force your child to play. If he/she doesn't want to play there is really nothing you, as a parent, can do about it. They need to want to play and have fun when they're playing. If you are relating to your child through their experiences in hockey please see a therapist, you need help.
First, at this age, the player's have not developed physically yet and in the next two years you will see dramatic changes with certain players that develop late and leap frog ahead of the "elite" players in their age group.
Second, why spend the extra money to travel to Michigan when it could have been easily hosted here in MN, our "State of Hockey".
Third, this will not position their kid for an opportunity to particiapte in the Select 15/Advanced 15 training camp in St. Cloud next summer. It's not how you perform today but how you perform in tryouts. Watching the tryouts last year for the 15's I heard all the hoopla about this player or that player and I had to wonder who they used for PR because the product was not what it had been portrayed to be.
This is my last response. My opinion, Bernie is an excellent hockey teacher and we should have more like him with his passion for the game and ability to teach and motivate kids to improve and have fun playing a fabulous game. Bottom line, a parent needs to do what is best for thier children. If the kid definitely wants to do it all and he is sincere then give them the support.
Please, do not push or force your child to play. If he/she doesn't want to play there is really nothing you, as a parent, can do about it. They need to want to play and have fun when they're playing. If you are relating to your child through their experiences in hockey please see a therapist, you need help.
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
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mnhockey36299
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 6:49 am
Backhand, why do you care.
Do you complain about the kids going to the Prospect Tournament in Toronto as 92's. 40 kids got to go to Ann Arbor, play hockey, meet some new friends, and have some fun. You don't like Bernie, fine, but there is nothing wrong with some kids playing hockey, and having some fun.
Did you send your kid to Woog's camp,Top Dog or Shattuck? Why would you do that, can't they skate at your home rink. You do it, because your son wanted to, and they had a good time.
Do you complain about the kids going to the Prospect Tournament in Toronto as 92's. 40 kids got to go to Ann Arbor, play hockey, meet some new friends, and have some fun. You don't like Bernie, fine, but there is nothing wrong with some kids playing hockey, and having some fun.
Did you send your kid to Woog's camp,Top Dog or Shattuck? Why would you do that, can't they skate at your home rink. You do it, because your son wanted to, and they had a good time.