Early move up Bantam(s)

[6ampractice]

Our associaition recently passed a change in the birthdate for the hockey year. What used to be July 1st, is now Sept. 1. My question is this, there will be some kids who played only one year of Peewees moving on to Bantams, and there will be some players who play a second year of Peewees and move to Bantams the following year, how many years of Bantam eligibility does a player have? Will these kids who play Bantams this season, be able to play three years at the Bantam level if they choose, and will the players who play a second year of Peewees be able to play two full years of Bantams after that? My skater has this choice, wondering if there is any input. Thanks in advance.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

? ? ? ?

[breakout]

Our associaition recently passed a change in the birthdate for the hockey year. What used to be July 1st, is now Sept. 1. My question is this, there will be some kids who played only one year of Peewees moving on to Bantams, and there will be some players who play a second year of Peewees and move to Bantams the following year, how many years of Bantam eligibility does a player have? Will these kids who play Bantams this season, be able to play three years at the Bantam level if they choose, and will the players who play a second year of Peewees be able to play two full years of Bantams after that? My skater has this choice, wondering if there is any input. Thanks in advance.

I believe you can only play two years of Bantams. I am not sure why your association would change birth dates. I believe the birth dates are driven by Minnesota Hockey. If Minnesota Hockey changed birthdates, all associations would follow. Maybe someone can correct me if I am mistaken.

Not sure about your choice situation. Moving to Bantams from Pee Wee is a big step. Puberty and skill will determine what level your kid plays at.

Good Luck

[nickel slots]

Minnesota Hockey's age cutoff is July 1. If this association decided to change it to September 1, it was more than likely because they were okay with the kids playing hockey with their classmates. The age cutoff for school is September 1. Remember, the kids born in the months of July and August (which are the kids affected by this rule) are younger and my guess is that they'll benefit in the long run.

Our association allows kids with birthdays in July/August to petition up with their classmates. There are situations where kids born in July/August were held back (more than likely their parents didn't think they were ready to start kindergarten yet) and in our association they wouldn't fit into this "Peer Group Petition."

[Neutron 14]

I believe you can only play two years of Bantams.

As long as you meet the July 1 age classification, you can play more than 2.

[LetsPlayHockey22]

I think the only way you can play 3 years of bantams is if you petition up as a 2nd year peewee and play bantams, and then play the 2 years of bantams that you would have played in the first place.

[6ampractice]

Yes, I believe the rule only applies to those who are grade level, born before Sept. 1st. Situatuition is; Player has played one year of Peewees, is going into the 8th grade. Does he play another year of Peewees, or move to Bantams? If he plays Peewees again, the argument will be that the player will only get one year of Bantams, but could that player play a second year of Bantams, even if that means he plays that year of Bantams as a 10th grader? Thanks

[Neutron 14]

Yes, I believe the rule only applies to those who are grade level, born before Sept. 1st. Situatuition is; Player has played one year of Peewees, is going into the 8th grade. Does he play another year of Peewees, or move to Bantams? If he plays Peewees again, the argument will be that the player will only get one year of Bantams, but could that player play a second year of Bantams, even if that means he plays that year of Bantams as a 10th grader? Thanks

If you were born on or after July 1, 1992 you are eligable to play bantams this coming season no matter what grade you are in, or how many previous years of bantams you've played.

[6ampractice]

Thank you Nuetron, I have heard conflicting reports.

[OnFrozenPond]

I beleive some associations have self-imposed rules regarding the number of years at a given level. In effect, it prevents a player that develops early from moving up as a squirt, then as then as the rest of the field catches up, playing a 3rd year at either Peewees or Bantams.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Neutron 14]

I beleive some associations have self-imposed rules regarding the number of years at a given level. In effect, it prevents a player that develops early from moving up as a squirt, then as then as the rest of the field catches up, playing a 3rd year at either Peewees or Bantams.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

You are correct OFP, but these rules are constantly changing as the board members kids pass through the system!

[avhockey]

6ampractice : private message sent

[tomASS]

You are correct OFP, but these rules are constantly changing as the board members kids pass through the system!

SOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE! That's a fact Jack......errr I mean Neutron

[6ampractice]

Is there a rule of thumb for 10th grade Bantam eligible players, do most play JV, if possible, or do they stay with the Bantam program. Varsity would be a no-brainer( i think), but what about the JV kids?? A ways down the road for my player, but I am curious. Thanks

[Neutron 14]

Is there a rule of thumb for 10th grade Bantam eligible players, do most play JV, if possible, or do they stay with the Bantam program. Varsity would be a no-brainer( i think), but what about the JV kids?? A ways down the road for my player, but I am curious. Thanks

This has been discussed many times on the high school board, and the concensus to be that the kid needs not just to make the varsity team, but be an active participent (top 3 lines). Most people would pick bantams over JV, due to longer season/more games.

Common sense should tell you that there will be exceptions depending on coach availability, strength of association, yada yada.

[shoot to thrill]

I would disagree a little with the idea that 10th graders usually should stay at Bantams especially if they are a better Bantam. Most H.S. coaches want you in their system by that grade even if you are on the JV team. If you play Bantams and you move to HS at 11th grade you are behind the learning curve of all of your fellow classmates.

I would agree that most HS coaches prefer that 9th graders stay in Bantams but if a 10th grader is likely to make a HS team (JV or V), I think most coaches prefer that they move up as a 10th grader even if they are eligible for Bantams.

[hockeyfantasy]

Neutron 14 wrote:

You are correct OFP, but these rules are constantly changing as the board members kids pass through the system!

tomASS WROTE:

SOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE! That's a fact Jack......errr I mean Neutron



That is the best response I've heard in a long,long time and is ABSOLUTELY SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must be an organization from the twin cities!! [/b]

[PanthersIn2011]

My skater has this choice, wondering if there is any input. Thanks in advance.

A lot of folks here are rehashing the bantams vs. JV argument ... but your question is really about PW vs. Bantam ... (... yes ... I understand how the two questions are ultimately related).

Rather than tell you to do one or the other, I would instead suggest that you discuss this at length with your son and ultimately leave the decision up to him. Every kid is different. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer here, nor do I believe there is an obviously wrong answer. Help him make the decision by discussing some of the critical questions (how important is it to play with his schoolmates? who are the coaches going to be? what if it's a choice between PW-A and Bantam-B? a choice between being a leader in PWs vs. a role player in bantams? what are his longer term hockey goals? etc.). His answers to these questions may surprise you.

If you don't think he's mature enough to make the decision on his own or if you he really can't come to some clear decision, he should probably stay back in PWs.

P.S. I found myself in your situation one year ago. I followed the advice I'm giving you. I'll admit that it wasn't easy for me at first, especially when he chose the opposite way that I was leaning. But looking back, he did know what he wanted and had a great year. I also think he has a greater sense of ownership of his hockey career. Next year we get to have the 2nd year of bantams vs. JV discussion and I'm looking forward to it

[Neutron 14]

My skater has this choice, wondering if there is any input. Thanks in advance.

A lot of folks here are rehashing the bantams vs. JV argument ... but your question is really about PW vs. Bantam ... (... yes ... I understand how the two questions are ultimately related).

Rather than tell you to do one or the other, I would instead suggest that you discuss this at length with your son and ultimately leave the decision up to him. Every kid is different. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer here, nor do I believe there is an obviously wrong answer. Help him make the decision by discussing some of the critical questions (how important is it to play with his schoolmates? who are the coaches going to be? what if it's a choice between PW-A and Bantam-B? a choice between being a leader in PWs vs. a role player in bantams? what are his longer term hockey goals? etc.). His answers to these questions may surprise you.

If you don't think he's mature enough to make the decision on his own or if you he really can't come to some clear decision, he should probably stay back in PWs.

P.S. I found myself in your situation one year ago. I followed the advice I'm giving you. I'll admit that it wasn't easy for me at first, especially when he chose the opposite way that I was leaning. But looking back, he did know what he wanted and had a great year. I also think he has a greater sense of ownership of his hockey career. Next year we get to have the 2nd year of bantams vs. JV discussion and I'm looking forward to it

Bravo Panthers. Great post.

In stronger associations, I would stay down. Otherwise I would move up. And I wouldn't ask the high school coach "whats best for him?".

[hockeyfantasy]

In my opinion, parents are reliving their childhood in their kids. I don't see an "I" in "team". People who tell their kid it's up to them is a bunch of BS. The question should be "What would be best for the TEAM" Parents have tunnel vision and they always will. I'm not saying that is bad because all parents should stick up for their kid but,,,,, to ask a 13-14 year old what he or she wants to do is a joke!!!! The parents already know the answer!!! Let's try to get back to the old days where a team is a team and the coach "coaches" the TEAM. Now a days, it's all about Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me etc. I think every kid should verbally committ to the Boston Bruins at an early age and be done with it!!! Most parents understand the system but some of them should have a mental checkup before they are parents!!

[WoodStickSniper]

our assoiation was short on kids for the bantam team so i played my first year or bantams when i should have been a PeeWee i went from peewee A to bantam B and i wasnt that big of a switch i felt like i could easily keep pace and the hitting was that big of a deal. so your the father so you have the final say but if you kid wants to play up let him it will help him out when he is a senior.

[over8ted]

The underlying problem is the mis-alignment between our school systems date, Sept 1 and the date used by MN Hockey, July 1. From a hockey perspective, this means that every other year players with late summer birthdays have these decisions to make.
There is no doubt that we have the finest HS hockey in the country, and MN hockey is arguably the most successful affiliate of USA hockey. Wouldn't it be nice if these two successful organizations could come up with one common date to get rid of this issue?
Good move on the association that changed its date. After the first year of settling in with the Sept 1 cut off, each player (even the late summer birthdates) will be able to spend 2 years developing at each youth level and 3 in the HS program. Nice, long term, developement related thinking.

[nickel slots]

The only major issue with changing the age cutoff to September is that it gets Minnesota Hockey's age designation nearly a year off from USA Hockey's. USA's cutoff date is January 1.

[elliott70]

If it is my kid, or someone asking me...
or if it is grieved to me...
excluding all other facts; I say play bantams in 8th & 9th grade.

Of course, a player can grieve something if a local association follows rules contrary to MN Hockey (forces a player out of their defined age classification).

[over8ted]

Good point but we are 6 months off now, would 2 more months be that big a change? Aside from the occasional Fargo tournament is the USA hockey date relevent in MN?

I think its pretty realistic to say that HS hockey is still the engine that pulls the train in MN.