cheating in AAA

[watchdog]

ok those of us involved in summer hockey know theirs alot of cheating going on. we played the wisconsin blizzerd at the 94 level this weekend at the pepsi cup and they had at least 4 93's on the team. ive seen alot of hockey over the years and i know this was not a lagite 94 team. so now what suggestions do people have to put an end to this crap once and for all. its way to easy to doctor birth certificates or bring someone elses to the tourney. i think someone should come up with a photo id system. almost like a drivers license for AAA hockey. we all put alot into this and all im asking for is an even playing field. so if we all come up with some good ideas ill put it all together and find out who i can submit the ideas to and maybe just maybe we can make a positive change for summer hockey.

[jancze5]

If the event was USA HOCKEY sanctioned, the means are already in place and the responsibility lies at the registrar of the tournament.

Where was it held and what makes you think they had 93's? did you beat them??

[mnreferee1]

You are kidding right?

I don't know what is worse, a team that uses inelegible players or a parent that complains that his child is not getting a 'fair' chance to compete. Perhaps we should change from calendar years for creating team levels and switch to the day and year you were born on. Somehow I think you would complain that the kid born at 12:01 has an unfair advantage over the kid born at 23:59.

Summer hockey is inundated with overrated(read, AAA) and overpriced(read, AAA) leagues. If you want a 'level' playing field save your money and send your kid to some camp. I am sure that is out of the question because there isn't any personal satisfaction in watching your child participate in drills.

And no I am not a disgruntled parent whose kid got 'cut'(read, didn't have the proper connections) from a AAA team. My son is out of high school and off to college.

[watchdog]

i guess you have to trust your instincts in this matter. in my experience if it walks like a duck quakes like a duck and looks like a duck thats what it is. im well aware that you come across kids that are unusually big for their age but theirs other bigger signs to look for coordination and strength are two big ones. now their are a few out their that are rare but you dont find 4 or 5 to put on a team. for example watching bantam hockey this coming winter 9 out of ten i can pick out the 92's i can garuntee you i wouldnt miss 5 of them. even if their small you can still use the other signs to pick them out. now i put in a request for this team to be checked funny part is i found out that the coach of the pemina valley team did also. to answer the rest of the question no we lost to this team and three others as well whom i am not claiming they cheated so its not that.. its just obvious to anyone that has watched alot of hockey they were cheating. the tourney was held in fargo...

[watchdog]

to mn, take a chill pill your the one crying on here! im dicussing a lagitamate situation that is common place and how it could be fixed. my kid competed just fine and he'll compete this winter just fine against 93's and 92's thats not the point in case you dindnt catch that. why do people have to put older kids on a team? the other thing who are you to tell me where to spend my money and what my kid should be doing in the summer. camps are in my opinion a huge waste of money. its good for basic ice time and its really fun for the kids thats it!!!!!!!!!! i can help my kid in the driveway do anything he might do once or twice in a one week camp and retain nothing. so if thats where you wasted your money good for you.

[hattrickhockey6]

watchdog im about to pull out my hair. i agree that there are a lot of things that can be done in the garage, but if you find a good camp that will push your child he will get better there than on a AAA team. And i do agree with you about cheating. I have played on a cheating team.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

Watchdong,

Your funny

[Pucknutz69]

Get a grip. What are you going to say when your kid is in HS playing as a freshman against seniors? Are you going to complain then? Step up and play a year older anyways or is it just about getting that trophy? I tell you what send me your address and I will start the "Trophy of the month club" you and your son can be charter members. You will get a new trophy every month with a different tournament or accomplishment on it saying that YOU are the best.

Sit back enjoy the fact your kid gets to play and before you know it they will be in HS and want nothing to do with you.

[Orange and Black]

Youth soccer every player has a photo ID and it gets checked by the ref about 5 mins before game time every time. Now of course this isn't a fool proof method but it's something.

[WASABEMIDJIFAN]

I dont know why everyone is making watchdog the bad guy here for bringing up a legit question. Which is why do teams have to cheat by using older players in an age specific tournament just win.

Give the guy a break he was just asking the question on how it could be stopped and if theres a way to stop it, it should be stopped. He shouldnt just shut up and let it slide like most of you on here suggest.

[ilblade06]

to mn, take a chill pill your the one crying on here! im dicussing a lagitamate situation that is common place and how it could be fixed. my kid competed just fine and he'll compete this winter just fine against 93's and 92's thats not the point in case you dindnt catch that. why do people have to put older kids on a team? the other thing who are you to tell me where to spend my money and what my kid should be doing in the summer. camps are in my opinion a huge waste of money. its good for basic ice time and its really fun for the kids thats it!!!!!!!!!! i can help my kid in the driveway do anything he might do once or twice in a one week camp and retain nothing. so if thats where you wasted your money good for you.

your not a parent; i agree that you do have a claim, but it is summer hockey. Summer hockey just keeps you in shape for winter hockey.

[Wisconsin Coach]

Northern Wisconsin Blizzards organization is a class organization and I doubt you saw them cheat. You probably did see some of the best 94's in Wisconsin. If your "Watchdog" instincts told you that they were cheating you
should have talked to their coach and the tourney reps. I do believe that "cheaters" should be exposed, so speak up and request tournament directors to do a double check. Don't go pointing fingers after the fact! (by the way who won the 94 Pepsi Cup?)

[RLStars]

Get a grip. What are you going to say when your kid is in HS playing as a freshman against seniors? Are you going to complain then? Step up and play a year older anyways or is it just about getting that trophy? I tell you what send me your address and I will start the "Trophy of the month club" you and your son can be charter members. You will get a new trophy every month with a different tournament or accomplishment on it saying that YOU are the best.

Sit back enjoy the fact your kid gets to play and before you know it they will be in HS and want nothing to do with you.

Never have truer words been written. This is a guy who has lived it.

Put me on the list of trophy contributors for the club.

Watchdog, you spelled "legitimate" at least three different ways. You're no parent.

[watchdog]

i am a parent so what if i dont spell to well im not holding a gun to your head and making you read my post.. i see their has been alot of negative comments that should be addressed. first of all the comment about my kid will have to play seniors in high school when hes a sophmore what does that have to do with this thread? heck my kid will be playing against 92s all winter in bantams the point is these tourneys are age spacific hello!!!!!! its not a 92,93,94 team its a 94 team birth year only period. 2nd thing the wisconsin team was turned in to be checked by three diffrent coaches if you read my earlier post.. what is the tourney director to check the fake birth certificates???? they might be a class orginization but i know their guilty here and im gona prove it sooner or later just for the principal of the matter and if im wrong i will personally come on here and apoligize. (i now thats not gona be the case) i know its just a game and i dont care about the stupid trophy. i give every trophy we have won as a team away to other kids on the team (not mine). it is just a game so why do people have to cheat thats the point of this thread and what could be done to stop it. and one last thing for rl stars on your little quote on perfectly said from a guy whos lived it. pretty bold comment for someone that has no idea who they may or may not be talking to. i have been involved in hockey for 36 years is that enough experience for ya? for about 28 of those years most of my time has been dedicated to HOCKEY!!!!!!!!!!!! oh and wisconsin did win the tourney someone asked that too. one last thing to think about on what a stupid comment pucknutz made.. so pucknutz when your kid is playing a game or a tournament do you want the team to win???? im confident your answer is yes. so heres my real quetion is it so you can get alittle metal or trophy to bring home with little johnny? how stupid are you?

[Pucknutz69]

So are you playing Summer AAA hockey do develop more or for fun? If for either reason who you play shouldn't matter. You sound more concerned about the end result rather then what it took to get there. Your kid wants to get better play some older kids. He wants a trophy go play soccer they check photo id cards and give out trophies for 8th place.

[watchdog]

yeah just dont get it so i wont waste anymore of my time. thank you...

[Pucknutz69]

yeah just dont get it so i wont waste anymore of my time. thank you...

yes, you do seem very confused....as are the rest of us after reading and trying to digest that last post you made. For a guy who has been in it for 36 years or as the statement you made reads "i have been involved in hockey for 36 years is that enough experience for ya? for about 28 of those years most of my time has been dedicated to HOCKEY!!!!!!!!!!!! " you are very confused.

I understand what you are trying to get at. As I give you a hard time about trophies during summer AAA tournaments I realize that the guys that have to cheat to win a AAA tourney are even more pathetic. It is about development and fun.

[Wisconsin Coach]

Watchdog, I am sure the tourney directors did more then a birth certificate check. but to help you out here is the person to contact to verify that roster, Dan Johnson dan@NorthernWisconsinHockey.com

He can get you in touch with the Blizzards 94 Coach Gary Suter. Yes, that would be the same Gary Suter that played for the Blackhawks and the Sharks.

Make sure you let everyone on this board know what your results are after you investigate this.

[hesabaddmann]

to me you are all fairly lame for discussing this....just an opinion....

[Hockeyguy_27]

This is all we need. The next thing you know USA hockey will charge us an additional $200 to register so they can give DNA and urinalysis tests to determine players ages? Hockey for kids is supposed to be fun...this is a little too serious dudes.

[2pipesnin]

I think the funniest quote form Watchdog was:

"camps are in my opinion a huge waste of money. its good for basic ice time and its really fun for the kids thats it!!!!!!!!!!"

Kids “really having fun” playing a sport at a young age! Now there's a novel concept! Sounds like money well spent to me.

Good luck Watchdog, you may want to re-evaluate your involvement with your kid(s) and sports.
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[lowlyIQ]

AAA? There is no and I repeat no real AAA teams left in Minnesota so what is everyone crying about? All of you yuppee types with more money than brains think because your kid has a triple "A" jersey on he might make someone think he is good. HA! Ha! Ha!

[Stealth]

Let see, watchdog child is playing on an “AAA” team because it should be a better challenge for him or her than a camp?
Perfect play against some 93’s and beat them or give them a good run for there money.
If true this should be to your child's development advantage? DA?

What I've seen is Usually there would be 95 and maybe a 96 on team because parents think their child is better and want the challenge, then what you complain about diluted completion?

I’ll say WS Blizzard is clean. Be sure to post your follow up being you called them out!
By the way, you where?
MID-WEST SELECTS
MINNESOTA NORTHERN WINGS
MINNESOTA JUNIOR ISLANDERS
Because two of these teams need a clean slate too now.
Keep in mind going forward like it was said before. You can have a 92 that is in 10th grade and a 92 in 9th grade in high school next year.
Life’s not fair.

[Hockeyguy_27]

AAA? There is no and I repeat no real AAA teams left in Minnesota so what is everyone crying about? All of you yuppee types with more money than brains think because your kid has a triple "A" jersey on he might make someone think he is good. HA! Ha! Ha!

I don't think I'd go so far as to say there are no true AAA teams in the State. Several of the Blades Teams and a few of Bernie's teams can compete Internationally at the AAA level. The MN Showcase AAA teams and a few others I've seen however are a joke.

[justletemplay]

As a parent with kids too old to play youth hockey anymore I'll say this, AAA is only a feel good for parents. Yes some teams are very good and many kids do become better because of the coaching and competition. I help out with the Mn Knights teams, we are strictly a low level AAA team, more likely a AA team. All our kids are age eligible. We dont play the better teams because we take mostly B players and try to develop them to be better for their winter teams, isnt this what its all about? I've seen teams cheat so they could win a trophy. My opinion trophys are for women and children. (I'll get slammed here for saying that but its my belief).
I commend the coaches who run things right, no respect for the others. But what the heck, its still only a game, sit back and just enjoy.

By the way, we make ZERO profit from these kids. All money paid goes for ice, jerseys.....