My son has been offered a Spot on the Machine and the Blades

[New guy]

My son was born in 1999 and has recently be offered a spot on both 99 Machine and the 99 Blades. I have spoken to a couple of people and I have heard both pros and cons for both clubs. The Blades have more history, but the Machine seems to have more success from the 96 level on down.

This is our oldest son and we are new to AAA hockey. Our goal is: to help our son get the best training and become the best player he can be. He is very willing to work hard and has always had a strong drive to achieve. I could use some sound information.

[Neutron 14]

I could use some sound information.

You'll get a lot more sound here than information!

Good luck!

[0904]

We have heard about the Machine and went to watch both 96 and the 97 teams play in the Easton Cup this past weekend at the Super Rink. They were very fun to watch. Both teams pass the puck better than any team I have ever seen at any level. It was amazing. The 96 team was playing at the 95 level and won the tournament.
They seemed disciplined. Both the 96 and the 97 were coached by the same guy. If your son was asked to play with them he must be a good player. Congratulations

[rock head]

The 99 Machine team will have better coaching then the 99 Blades team!! The word on the street is the 99 Machine team may turn out be as good as the 96 Machine team, one of the best AAA teams in the U.S. The Blades teams change each year from Great to Ok because of the coaching. The Machine teams on the other hand seem to be built from the same skill sets year after year. Go for the 99 MACHINE!!

[Can't Never Tried]

Ask Boogeyman
Seeing as how your new to the bored...he knows all about them.

[Hockeyguy_27]

I know little about the Machine other that what I've read but the Blades are a first class organization with a history of developing top level players. If it were my kid, I'd lean towards the Blades.

[puttinthefoilon]

"word on the street" what in the world are we doing? 1/4 of those kids as I write this today could still be SEVEN years old.

That has to be the the worst street in the twin cities. How can they be comparing anything?

Different strokes for different folks sir. Let your son tell you what he wants, then make a respondsible decision as a parent. Have you read the contract? Does your son play any other sports? Should he?

Either way if you pass on both, your son has plenty of years to "catch up" ( thats sarcasm) he won't need to catch up. 99' kids have 1.5 years left of mites....mites... were talkin' practice man practice......practice. AI

[tomASS]

Ask Boogeyman
Seeing as how your new to the bored...he knows all about them.

Yep he is the truncated expert on choices and peace

[jancze5]

My understanding is the Machine is a year round venture that basically takes your kid and makes him a hockey player only. In my experience, the Blades are a spring/summer only program that tries to put together an oppurtunity for top end players to go play some of the best teams in the country in Chicago/Detroit/Toronto tournaments.

So the real answer to me is...

1-get the facts yourself from both organization about the commitment. Do the Machine really sign your kid to a contract that says at 7 years old you will forgo little league/lacrosse/soccer/bingo/ballet and everything else? You need that answer from them not from the board

2-what extent will your player gain development..when do they practice?

3-who do they play and what are you looking for? Does going to Toronto in May to showcase against the best players in North America interest you or does going to Winnipeg and playing teams from Nebraska interest you.

I can tell you that he Machine teams I've seen play this summer are extremely agile skaters, move the puck, play with a rigorous attitude..I can also tell you that the Blades at the older age levels have all the history and talent..

Good luck with your decision...either way you won't go wrong if you just support your little guy and tell him everyday you support and love his effort.

[breakout]

He is very willing to work hard and has always had a strong drive to achieve.

The kid is seven or eight and he has been evaluated as having a strong drive to succeed? That would place him at roughly 2nd grade? I am sure he has a good track record with all of those years behind him.

As for the Blades vs. Machine, ask questions about both organizations at that age level. What are the coaching ideals? What are the kids like? What are the parents like? Keep in mind, you and your kid will be hanging out with these people. If you have a choice, be with people that you like.

Frankly, I don't think you could go wrong with either group.

Good luck to you and your son!

[wyztaJGA4vertildeath!!!]

Do neither until he is at least 12/13 years of age. 8 years old is too young.

[PlusMinus]

It sounds like you may have made the decision to try AAA hockey and the choice is either the Blades or Machine. That's fine, both are nice organizations. However, just make sure you and your family understand the committment - both in time and money these teams require. If you are coming from a typical Mite association program you might be quite surprised. My 11 year-old played AAA last year but elected not to play this year in order to reduce conflicts with other sports. He enjoyed it and the coaching was adequate but he wanted more time.

Keep in mind that your kid is 8 years old and has no idea what hockey development program is best for him, so it's up to you. Why don't you jot down the pros and cons of AAA hockey, then if it's still a go, jot down the pros and cons of the Machine/Blade. Make a decision for the year and see how it shakes out. Everyone wants their kid to reach their potential, unfortunately no one has found the secret formula, yet. Good luck!!

[waylon]

My son has played for both,it all depends on who's going to coach each team,I hear Ben Hankinson will coach the '99 Blades,Ben is a great guy he has coached my son,he will do well with the '99's.And I've heard Bernie may have his hands on the '99 machine,Bernie gets spread out thin,but when he is involved the coaching is Excellent.I have heard the '99 machine will be loaded.But don't use that to make your deciscion,ask alot of ?'s.The Blades will be a better fit for Baseball,if you play for the machine it will be tough,Bernie will expect a 100% committment,you can play baseball but don't miss hockey practice for baseball,I will be glad to answer any questions you may have,I believe I may be the only parent that has experienced both sides.The Blades will practice about 100 hrs from march-sept. cost about $1,000.The machine will go about 130hrs cost $1,700.The Blade coaches don't get paid and they will have sons on the team,Bernie gets paid but he earns it,and with no son on the team you can be sure there will be no politics involved,he don't care who you are or how much you make,he does not mingle with any parents,it's all business !

[Neutron 14]

My son has played for both,it all depends on who's going to coach each team,I hear Ben Hankinson will coach the '99 Blades,Ben is a great guy he has coached my son,he will do well with the '99's.And I've heard Bernie may have his hands on the '99 machine,Bernie gets spread out thin,but when he is involved the coaching is Excellent.I have heard the '99 machine will be loaded.But don't use that to make your deciscion,ask alot of ?'s.The Blades will be a better fit for Baseball,if you play for the machine it will be tough,Bernie will expect a 100% committment,you can play baseball but don't miss hockey practice for baseball,I will be glad to answer any questions you may have,I believe I may be the only parent that has experienced both sides.The Blades will practice about 100 hrs from march-sept. cost about $1,000.The machine will go about 130hrs cost $1,700.The Blade coaches don't get paid and they will have sons on the team,Bernie gets paid but he earns it,and with no son on the team you can be sure there will be no politics involved,he don't care who you are or how much you make,he does not mingle with any parents,it's all business !

Great info Waylon. Perspective without attempting to influence. Maybe there's hope for this side of the board yet...

[0904]

When my son and I watched the 96 and 97 Machine play at the Easton Cup I was very impressed with passing and the line changes. How much do they practice?

[GoldenBear]

The coach for the Blades is very good Gerry Anderson...I've coached with him....the coaches for the Machine..Ron Walker and Keith Jungles are very good too...I've coached with both of them. Your son will receive good coaching on either team. Its all about the confort level your son has with the schedule....playing other sports will be a challenge if he playes for the machine but it can be done with good communication with the coaches The blades will be more flexible here though. Good luck...tough decision, but you really can't go wrong as long as you and your son realize its summer hockey for 8 year olds and that it should always be fun and not a chore to go to the rink instead of the baseball field or other fun places in the summer.

[blueblood]

My advice:

1. Take out a 2nd mortgage. You will need it for those 2 checkbook happy hockey clubs.

2. Start interviewing player agents now. It's never too early to get a leg up on all of the other pyscho hockey families out there.

3. Invest in a video camera so you can send off film to all the D1 recruiters and head coaches. Better yet, start your own production company if you have any money left over from paying all of the hockey bills.

4. Move to Faribault and send you kid to Shattuck. Its only $30K or so per year. But think of all the exposure he will get!

5. Good luck and keep us posted on jr's march to the NHL.

[rock head]

The coach for the Blades is very good Gerry Anderson...I've coached with him....the coaches for the Machine..Ron Walker and Keith Jungles are very good too...I've coached with both of them. Your son will receive good coaching on either team. Its all about the confort level your son has with the schedule....playing other sports will be a challenge if he playes for the machine but it can be done with good communication with the coaches The blades will be more flexible here though. Good luck...tough decision, but you really can't go wrong as long as you and your son realize its summer hockey for 8 year olds and that it should always be fun and not a chore to go to the rink instead of the baseball field or other fun places in the summer.

Will the 99 Blades play the coaches kids like the 98 Blades?? Bellows, Skarda and Andersons kids pay all the time and the 3rd line players get little ice tine for the money. Coaches kids should pay more $$ if they are playing most of the time. This group of coaches are a real mess,Who is the head coach any ways !!! These guys only care about there own kids!!!

[GoldenBear]

Blue Blood...you've made it obvious that your kid(s) are third seat flute players...or decided to go out for chess team as an 9 year old because they were still having problems with the T glide. The poster was asking a very good question, don't belittle his situation.

[GoldenBear]

Rock head, I just know that Gerry Anderson is a good coach and is in it for the development of all kids he coaches. As to coaches kids playing more, it happens all the time deserving and not warranted in every sport, this is why you hear the arguments for non parent coaches. Its hard to get a non parent coach to devote 100 plus hours because he loves hockey. I tip my hat to all non parent coaches because they are truley what makes hockey the best sport around.

[Hockey!LoveIt!]

The coach for the Blades is very good Gerry Anderson...I've coached with him....the coaches for the Machine..Ron Walker and Keith Jungles are very good too...I've coached with both of them. Your son will receive good coaching on either team. Its all about the confort level your son has with the schedule....playing other sports will be a challenge if he playes for the machine but it can be done with good communication with the coaches The blades will be more flexible here though. Good luck...tough decision, but you really can't go wrong as long as you and your son realize its summer hockey for 8 year olds and that it should always be fun and not a chore to go to the rink instead of the baseball field or other fun places in the summer.

Will the 99 Blades play the coaches kids like the 98 Blades?? Bellows, Skarda and Andersons kids pay all the time and the 3rd line players get little ice tine for the money. Coaches kids should pay more $$ if they are playing most of the time. This group of coaches are a real mess,Who is the head coach any ways !!! These guys only care about there own kids!!!

The 96 Machine does the same thing with Whalen, Nanne and Walker and they do not have parent coaches. These two summer teams stress skills development...games are a chance to put what they've learned into play. The 96 Machine 3rd line does not see much time...a little more for the 2nd line. They are out there to give Whalen, Nanne and Walker a rest. These kids are just happy to be learning some great skills and are thrilled to be on their respective teams. It is not about the games...it is about the skills development. Isn't that what all these threads talk about for kids this age?? If you play for teams at this AAA level, you must go into it knowing that games are played to be won. The real benefit will come from the 100 to 130 hours of practice.

[demongoed]

An 11 year old who's just grateful to be practicing with the team? HA! Hockey!loveit! are you the coach for the 96 Blades trying to justify your coaching style? Who are you kidding? I believe I remember a survey that was done a few years ago asking kids which they'd prefer--to be on a championship team and never play, or to be on a losing team and play a lot. Guess what they said? I think you'd be hard pressed to find a kid who doesn't live for the games. Shame on the coaches that tell little Johnnie, AT AGE 11 that he's only good enough to relieve the really good players. I think it would be pretty hard to take that you're a wash up before you even hit Peewees.

[blueblood]

GB:

There are no flute players in my family. He asked for an opinion and I supplied an answer.

Newguy needs to see the big picture and I was trying to enlighten him about AAA Hockey and be humorous at the dame time.

[tomASS]

These two summer teams stress skills development...games are a chance to put what they've learned into play. The 96 Machine 3rd line does not see much time...a little more for the 2nd line. They are out there to give Whalen, Nanne and Walker a rest. These kids are just happy to be learning some great skills and are thrilled to be on their respective teams. It is not about the games...it is about the skills development. Isn't that what all these threads talk about for kids this age?? If you play for teams at this AAA level, you must go into it knowing that games are played to be won. The real benefit will come from the 100 to 130 hours of practice.

so all the skill development they gain goes to waste since they don't see much action and are only there to provide a rest for the better players.

ahhh I see said the blind man who picked up the hammer and saw. NOT!

demongoed has it right - kids want to play games- games are the good stuff.

blueblood - these are probably the parent's firstborn, we will have to let them learn their own lessons and spend their money anyway they see fit.....so I have been told. They seem awful sensitive about it- like an exposed nerve has been struck

They can come see us in about 8 years and tell us if we were so wrong.

[breakout]

The coach for the Blades is very good Gerry Anderson...I've coached with him....the coaches for the Machine..Ron Walker and Keith Jungles are very good too...I've coached with both of them. Your son will receive good coaching on either team. Its all about the confort level your son has with the schedule....playing other sports will be a challenge if he playes for the machine but it can be done with good communication with the coaches The blades will be more flexible here though. Good luck...tough decision, but you really can't go wrong as long as you and your son realize its summer hockey for 8 year olds and that it should always be fun and not a chore to go to the rink instead of the baseball field or other fun places in the summer.

Will the 99 Blades play the coaches kids like the 98 Blades?? Bellows, Skarda and Andersons kids pay all the time and the 3rd line players get little ice tine for the money. Coaches kids should pay more $$ if they are playing most of the time. This group of coaches are a real mess,Who is the head coach any ways !!! These guys only care about there own kids!!!

The 96 Machine 3rd line does not see much time...a little more for the 2nd line. They are out there to give Whalen, Nanne and Walker a rest. These kids are just happy to be learning some great skills and are thrilled to be on their respective teams. quote]