Maybe it wasn't the youth hockey board that hurt the bantam program last year but rather the kids that would have been bantams that decided to go to h.s. instead. I don't know the numbers or anything, but they probably could have put to pretty competative teams on the ice if all the players stayed back. It's not the boards fault that the parents and players who didn't get their way left for high school.
I'm not involved with St.Cloud hockey in any way; but how are they supposed to feed 3 high school teams with only 1 A-bantam team? If the main goal over there is to win at the bantam level then I guess it doesn't matter. But if the goal is to develop kids so they can have success at the next level then I think the board was correct. Most parents judge a youth boards' decisions on how they affect their child, they have a hard time looking at what's best for everyone involved.
I think that the youth board needs help from the h.s. coaches in order to keep 2nd year bantams at the youth level unless they will be on one of the top 2 lines on the varsity. But since there are 3 h.s. coaches drawing from the association, I don't see this happening.
Maybe what really needs to be done is split the youth association along the school boundries and create 2 seperate programs. Then maybe there would be more drive by each board/varsity coach to recruit more players and do what is best to develop those players.
I know there isn't a direct link between the youth and high school, but in most outstate programs and probably a majority of the metro programs there is a working relationship between the two.
St.Cloud Youth Hockey
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
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StateOfHockey
They announced they were making 2 Bantam A teams last year way before tryouts. Many of the players started saying "screw this" Why would I play on one of two A teams filled with 7-8 decent players, and then the rest all B or C level players. Then at tryouts, they gave everybody in the lockeroom to vote on the 2 teams whether they should be a NORTH/SOUTH SPLIT (Tech/Apollo) And the vote was to have the North/South split and not random pick. But even after the players voted on that, the president went ahead and made her own decision.
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
St. Cloud Hockey
I have to laugh at the posts from the people who whine about the leadership in St. Cloud Youth hockey or anywhere else. I've lived in a number of associations and the whining is all from the same malcontents -- self proclaimed "hockey people" who think they know it all. Gee, uh, why don't you earn a living in the sport? Surely, your knowledge and ability would qualify you............not. Go call a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulance. No one listens anymore.
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
Hey StateofHockey:
Before you go spouting off about the quality of the Bantam A team in St. Cloud this year, check out the record -- beat #2 ranked Roseau in the TRF tourney, 5-1, tied Osseo, 3-3, beat Minnetonka, 5-2 and lost to #1 ranked Edina 3-2 in the championship. So........"a few decent players who have potential, " uh. Still early in the season to make any predictions, but sounds to me that you are a kid or have a kid who left early to H.S. (almost never a good move) and now are trying to disparage the rest of the kids.........booohooo. Again, go cry somewhere else.
Before you go spouting off about the quality of the Bantam A team in St. Cloud this year, check out the record -- beat #2 ranked Roseau in the TRF tourney, 5-1, tied Osseo, 3-3, beat Minnetonka, 5-2 and lost to #1 ranked Edina 3-2 in the championship. So........"a few decent players who have potential, " uh. Still early in the season to make any predictions, but sounds to me that you are a kid or have a kid who left early to H.S. (almost never a good move) and now are trying to disparage the rest of the kids.........booohooo. Again, go cry somewhere else.
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justletemplay
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:14 pm
Those that think the st cloud hockey board is a joke should spend some time with them and see everything they do right. No, I'm not from st cloud, but know many of them over the years. Last year was a mistake with 2 bantam a teams, but it was only because so many players left. HS coaches should never take a player from an A program. Cut em if they show up at tryouts. If you only have a b1 bantam team, then I think its ok to take a select few. So what if you are on one of two teams and dont make it to state. Is it only about winning? No. It's about improving skills to make the best contribution to your HS team once you've been a bantam for two years (my oppinion). If you think its run as a dictatorship, most boards have to somewhat resemble that to get the right things done with too many people only there for their own kids and not the whole association.
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topshelf16
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:57 pm
I have spent time with the "board" of st cloud hockey if you want to call it that. In reality it is 3 people making all the decisions and alienating everyone else. that whole assosiation would be much better off with a new president and coach in charge who are more concernied with the overall welfare of all the kids rather than creating extra squirt travel teams in case someones kid did not earn a spot
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
Quit Whining
TopShelf16 apparently can't stop the whi.............ning. If you don't like the makeup of the St. Cloud Board, why don't you get off your backside and get on the board. Get your supporters together, get them to a meeting and get on the board. Then you can stop taking up space and actually contribute, but that would take time and effort.
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greybeard58
- Posts: 2560
- Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:40 pm
Those extra squirt travel teams, yes 2 A Squirt teams and the rest are at the house level. How many other associations dare to do that, let alone have 2 A level squirt teams.
To many times teams are placed where they can win and not compete, would it hurt a team to be under .500 at an A level rather the the state champ at the B level?? Last year 32 teams made the A Peewee regions state wide and 2 of those teams were from St Cloud. St Cloud is not the large association everybody thinks they are, and maybe it is time for the large associations to step up and start puting players at the level they belong at and not at the level the parents believe they should be at. The smaller associations in the norhtern part of the state do very well competing at a high level with small numbers so why shouldn't say Wayzata field at Least 2 A teams at The Bantam, Peewee levels. I just used Wayzata as an example but all large association should be striving to do this, what are they afraid of?
This means not only fielding a second A team but also creating more C level teams rather than B2. If an association can field multiple teams at a level before a second B1 team can be fielded an A team should be in place and if an A team is already in place and they feel they could field 2 B1 why not another A team. The same for the B2 after 1 B2 team maybe the rest should be at the C level.
To many times teams are placed where they can win and not compete, would it hurt a team to be under .500 at an A level rather the the state champ at the B level?? Last year 32 teams made the A Peewee regions state wide and 2 of those teams were from St Cloud. St Cloud is not the large association everybody thinks they are, and maybe it is time for the large associations to step up and start puting players at the level they belong at and not at the level the parents believe they should be at. The smaller associations in the norhtern part of the state do very well competing at a high level with small numbers so why shouldn't say Wayzata field at Least 2 A teams at The Bantam, Peewee levels. I just used Wayzata as an example but all large association should be striving to do this, what are they afraid of?
This means not only fielding a second A team but also creating more C level teams rather than B2. If an association can field multiple teams at a level before a second B1 team can be fielded an A team should be in place and if an A team is already in place and they feel they could field 2 B1 why not another A team. The same for the B2 after 1 B2 team maybe the rest should be at the C level.
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topshelf16
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:57 pm
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
Cry Cry Again
TopShelf 16:
As Ronald Reagan once said, "There you go again......" I'm sure the St. Cloud Youth Hockey board could use your expert help with fundraising and lining up sponsors. With your negative attitude........no doubt sponsors would line up. A couple sponsors decided not to pony up money again because they didn't like the fact that SCYHA went to two A teams at every level last year. They wanted what was best for their kid and not all kids. So they pulled money. Others had the decision made in corporate out of town -- had nothing to do with the association but only allocation of dollars. You might want to check facts before you go blowing your considerable horn. But it doesn't sound like you ever let facts get in the way of your opinion.
As Ronald Reagan once said, "There you go again......" I'm sure the St. Cloud Youth Hockey board could use your expert help with fundraising and lining up sponsors. With your negative attitude........no doubt sponsors would line up. A couple sponsors decided not to pony up money again because they didn't like the fact that SCYHA went to two A teams at every level last year. They wanted what was best for their kid and not all kids. So they pulled money. Others had the decision made in corporate out of town -- had nothing to do with the association but only allocation of dollars. You might want to check facts before you go blowing your considerable horn. But it doesn't sound like you ever let facts get in the way of your opinion.
Transition06:
The SCYHA is disoriented. This years Bnatam A team got off to a good satart, but now theyve somewhat fallen off and are a decent team. Nothing against this years team, but last years team wouldve been great if we had 1 A team. Trust me, the kids that went on to high school last season, would have stayed and played Bantam A's if we wouldve had 1 team. The reason why they went on to High School is because of the fact that we had 2 A teams, and even if they wouldve stayed and played with the 2 A teams they wouldnt have done much better and it was a complete waste of time for everybody involved. And, jumping to high school one year early, is "almost always a bad decision", no its not when you have 2 A teams and you know that they arent going to go anywhere so you go to high school and gain more experience and get used to the next level.
The SCYHA is disoriented. This years Bnatam A team got off to a good satart, but now theyve somewhat fallen off and are a decent team. Nothing against this years team, but last years team wouldve been great if we had 1 A team. Trust me, the kids that went on to high school last season, would have stayed and played Bantam A's if we wouldve had 1 team. The reason why they went on to High School is because of the fact that we had 2 A teams, and even if they wouldve stayed and played with the 2 A teams they wouldnt have done much better and it was a complete waste of time for everybody involved. And, jumping to high school one year early, is "almost always a bad decision", no its not when you have 2 A teams and you know that they arent going to go anywhere so you go to high school and gain more experience and get used to the next level.
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slow feet no hands guy
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:13 pm
Next Level?
There in lies a problem with parent/player thinking that drives me crazy! Always worrying about the "next level", "next year", etc. THis is a youth hockey forum and we are talking about community based youth hockey. Whether you have 1,2 or 3 A teams should make no difference, play the game and enjoy the opportunity you have to play hockey. If everyone took a step back and thought about how fast each season goes by, soon all you players will be seniors and then where is your "next level or next year". You'll be done, and I hope you had a good time playing youth hockey!
Yes there are parents that get involved in Youth Hockey Boards in St. Cloud and everywhere else that only have the best interest of their kid in mind. It takes a strong Hockey Association to do the right thing whether it be multiple A teams or not. But remember, this is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy the ride!
Yes there are parents that get involved in Youth Hockey Boards in St. Cloud and everywhere else that only have the best interest of their kid in mind. It takes a strong Hockey Association to do the right thing whether it be multiple A teams or not. But remember, this is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy the ride!
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skillbuilder
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:52 pm
This has been a lively blog and some of the participants may want to visit the blog on the bottom of this page Developing Skill Sets that has ideas for multiple team levels that could help parents and players enjoy the current year instead of falling into the wait til next year trap. Check it out and please comment on it's merit.
The association I am involved in is not far from St. Cloud with a third of the population. Our association generally does not draw from the Bantam A program to feed the high school and our high school team is competitive every year. We've had plenty of Bantams along the way that could have moved up. We have an excellent Bantam A program this year, as a result. I have no doubt that we could kick the JV pretty bad. I say let kids in the youth programs play it out. They'll get their chance to play in high school. In the meantime, they are able to play with their classmates and build some confidence.
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
Leaving for high school
STC18:
I know the kids you are referring to that left last year to go high school-- every one of them. There is one total standout. There are one or two other VERY good players and the rest were in the good category. This is a team game, and the presence of three or four high quality players is not enough unless they play with the rest of the team, which one or two don't do. I think you are over-rating the pool that left -- in fact I know it.
SCYHA parents need to step out of their fishbowl and watch some of the other teams in the state and how they play as a team and stop obsessing about winning with one team. As for this year's team, they have all the talent they need, but they don't always play together. If they figure that out, they can play with anyone.
I know the kids you are referring to that left last year to go high school-- every one of them. There is one total standout. There are one or two other VERY good players and the rest were in the good category. This is a team game, and the presence of three or four high quality players is not enough unless they play with the rest of the team, which one or two don't do. I think you are over-rating the pool that left -- in fact I know it.
SCYHA parents need to step out of their fishbowl and watch some of the other teams in the state and how they play as a team and stop obsessing about winning with one team. As for this year's team, they have all the talent they need, but they don't always play together. If they figure that out, they can play with anyone.
If you think the board isnt a joke than you have somethign wrong with your head!!justletemplay wrote:Those that think the st cloud hockey board is a joke should spend some time with them and see everything they do right. No, I'm not from st cloud, but know many of them over the years. Last year was a mistake with 2 bantam a teams, but it was only because so many players left. HS coaches should never take a player from an A program. Cut em if they show up at tryouts. If you only have a b1 bantam team, then I think its ok to take a select few. So what if you are on one of two teams and dont make it to state. Is it only about winning? No. It's about improving skills to make the best contribution to your HS team once you've been a bantam for two years (my oppinion). If you think its run as a dictatorship, most boards have to somewhat resemble that to get the right things done with too many people only there for their own kids and not the whole association.
thats exactly why i went up to high school. when i found out that they were having to A teams i said screw it and played high school.STC18 wrote:Transition06:
The SCYHA is disoriented. This years Bnatam A team got off to a good satart, but now theyve somewhat fallen off and are a decent team. Nothing against this years team, but last years team wouldve been great if we had 1 A team. Trust me, the kids that went on to high school last season, would have stayed and played Bantam A's if we wouldve had 1 team. The reason why they went on to High School is because of the fact that we had 2 A teams, and even if they wouldve stayed and played with the 2 A teams they wouldnt have done much better and it was a complete waste of time for everybody involved. And, jumping to high school one year early, is "almost always a bad decision", no its not when you have 2 A teams and you know that they arent going to go anywhere so you go to high school and gain more experience and get used to the next level.
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justletemplay
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:14 pm
crisco36
If as you mentioned that you moved up because of having two A teams, then I'll assume you're about 16 years old. Now I'm not trying to insult your inteligence, but what do you at this age really know about running a hockey association? Are you influenced by listening to adults complain, when they may or may not know what's going on. If that's the case are they involved with the association, if not maybe they should be. They can fix all the problems that everyone's complaining about.
I never said St Cloud was doing everything right, but I know it's not as bad as everyone thinks.
As for you, I hope you just go out each day and work hard, this game will end for you sooner than you think. Good Luck.
If as you mentioned that you moved up because of having two A teams, then I'll assume you're about 16 years old. Now I'm not trying to insult your inteligence, but what do you at this age really know about running a hockey association? Are you influenced by listening to adults complain, when they may or may not know what's going on. If that's the case are they involved with the association, if not maybe they should be. They can fix all the problems that everyone's complaining about.
I never said St Cloud was doing everything right, but I know it's not as bad as everyone thinks.
As for you, I hope you just go out each day and work hard, this game will end for you sooner than you think. Good Luck.
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Goldy Gopher
- Posts: 2475
- Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:41 pm
- Location: Miami, FL
Everyone who is saying that the goal of Bantam A's is to develop players for high school: as long as there is room on the high-school team wouldn't playing for an extra year at the high school level get you more prepared for the high school level? Or maybe that's just my 16 year old intellegence speaking.
The association is in desparate need of sponsors, and is void of leadership. It was blessed with two years of incredible talent 90-91s , and now it does not know how to react with a depleted talent pool. They would be better served in district 5, with one A team at all levels, and focus on developing skaters who can contribute at the high school level. The days of competing at a high level are over.
How about them Crusaders?
How about them Crusaders?
Re: St. Cloud
ruprecht wrote:City Population: 60,269 (2001 estimate)
Population Growth Rate: 23% from 1990-2001
East St. Cloud Population: 6,759 (2003 est.)*
OK Smart Guys:
Bloomingtion: pop. 85,172
Brooklyn Park: pop. 67,388
Burnsville: pop. 60,220
Coon Rapids: pop. 61,607
Eagan: pop. 63,557
Eden Prairie: pop. 54,901
Maple Grove: pop. 50,365
Minnetonka: pop. 51,301
Plymouth: pop. 65,894
How many Bantam A teams does Eagan have? Or Coon Rapids? Or Plymouth? How are all those Brooklyn Park Bantam teams doing?
By the way St. Cloud guys, I love the MAC, with the open concourses, etc. I attended a tourney there last spring, and it's great especially for going back and forth between the two rinks.
Coon Rapids: pop. 61,607
they had wat 37 kids try out for bantams
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transition06
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:32 am
I hope the kids writing on this subject who went to high school and passed up a Bantam year played varsity. Playing on a "high school" team an extra year DOES NOT prepare you for high school. That's why the Brotens, Butsy Erickson and MOST players who ever amount to anything played out their full Bantam eligibility. CHECK IT OUT.
You are being misled by people who probably never played or coached or became students of the game. Do yourself a favor and get all points in life about a subject or issue before you go off half cocked.
It's easy to sit and second guess decisions that are made -- that's why most of you who criticize a board aren't on one. Again, I say -- step up and volunteer, put yourself on the line.
Also to Goldy: How about the Crusaders? How about Denfield and Marshall? Let's see if the Crusaders can get by either one of them before we get too excited -- I bet they can't.
You are being misled by people who probably never played or coached or became students of the game. Do yourself a favor and get all points in life about a subject or issue before you go off half cocked.
It's easy to sit and second guess decisions that are made -- that's why most of you who criticize a board aren't on one. Again, I say -- step up and volunteer, put yourself on the line.
Also to Goldy: How about the Crusaders? How about Denfield and Marshall? Let's see if the Crusaders can get by either one of them before we get too excited -- I bet they can't.
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topshelf16
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:57 pm
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George Blanda
- Posts: 1442
- Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:17 pm
- Location: St. Schmo