The number 15 Peewee "A" Kid?

[skillbuilder]

Hi Gang,
If some of you coaches and others with evaluative skill could comment. As a coach and "off season evaluator", here is my observation as to who the number 15 kid on an A peewee team should be.
When you get down to the number 15 kid, even in big associations it's my contention that you need a second year forward (your D should be better than the last kid on your team), a player who is willing to go into the corners, moves the puck exceptionally well, average PW size or larger, is positionally sound at both ends, and who has a great balance and a good stride so that the athletic demands of PW A are within reach at some point by way of a good skating foundation to work from and the right coaching guidance.
I don't believe a sixty pound first year player that doesn't pass that well and has only a 15 player deep toe drag move has much usefullness to team when those hands will produce no individual plays through an entire winter season. Your comments are requested.
Skillbuilder

[Neutron 14]

I thought #15 was always a boardmembers kid. I'm wrong?

[skillbuilder]

Neutron,
Your forgetting that the board members kid is always evaluated as the number 13 skater so it looks like he made the team on his own, (wasn't a coaches pick), just in case anybody asks.
SB

[Can't Never Tried]

Hi Gang,
As a coach and "off season evaluator", here is my observation as to who the number 15 kid on an A peewee team should be.
a player who is willing to go into the corners, moves the puck exceptionally well, average PW size or larger, is positionally sound at both ends, and who has a great balance and a good stride so that the athletic demands of PW A are within reach at some point by way of a good skating foundation to work from and the right coaching guidance.

Skillbuilder

If he does all that he shouldn't be # 15........should he?

But I do agree your D should not be a last pick.

[skillbuilder]

That's a good point CNT but when you get mesmerized by individual skill you forget what it takes to form teams.
I see so many squads with 15 toe dragger clones that will never be a team. Good evaluators understand you need roll players, some size and or toughness, way more unselfish players, and a foundation of skating strength at the bottom or your roster that can physically execute what the coach teaches them throughout the season. Without this, failure is stalking you and it comes in the form of losing to an opponent 2-1 in February that you beat 6-2 in November because their evaluators selected all the needed components to actually construct a "team" and your evaluators did not.

[Cornermukker]

That is a nice problem to have. I do not believe that there are that many associations that their 15th player is that solid. There are in the large metro associations, but that is it. Certainly not the norm out in the outstate.

If that is the type of kid that is on the bubble, then I think you are correct is taking him.

[he_shoots-he_scores]

I thought evaluators where supposed to score kids. Shouldn't you be taking the top 15 scores. I mean they are only Peewees so wouldn't the coach be switching players into different positons throughout the year. I can't believe you would be thinking that kid is playing this postion for me all season. I would hope you would say he has more overall skill and would be able to play any position. I realize some are more natural (obvious choices) at one position and you don't want to move him from that spot but I think #15 is not a natural at any spot and you would want a player who can be competative at both spots.

[skillbuilder]

I would agree with that in B squirts or B2 peewees where more development like that can help kids be more well rounded players. However, peewee A coaches like to compete and don't normally rotate kids positionally from what I've seen. Maybe they should but it's not common. Also, there are reasons why a number 15 kid is there and some of it could be related to being a little less versatile or having other weaknesses. My point is that I believe a kid at the bottom of a peewee A team better be willing & able to move the puck play his position and do the dirty work in the corners because individual skills that far down a roster will be shut down completely. Ask yourself, what do you need from a # 15? If you need him to beat peewee A defensemen one on one a couple of times a game so you can win I think your in a heap of trouble...

[really?]

I think the below is mostly correct. You score the players and (hopefully) your coach has a little bit of discretion at the bubble. The #15 kid will (and should) vary depending upon what is available within the bubble and what the team's "needs" are. You can't just fit it all in a neat little formula.

[quote="he_shoots-he_scores"]I thought evaluators where supposed to score kids. Shouldn't you be taking the top 15 scores. I mean they are only Peewees so wouldn't the coach be switching players into different positons throughout the year. I can't believe you would be thinking that kid is playing this postion for me all season. I would hope you would say he has more overall skill and would be able to play any position. I realize some are more natural (obvious choices) at one position and you don't want to move him from that spot but I think #15 is not a natural at any spot and you would want a player who can be competative at both spots.[/quote]

[wheels]

I'm going to take the grittiest, most competitive, best athlete I can find and turn him into a forward...if he's not already. This player is one who hates to get beat and will battle for a whole game.

A D can't be #15.

[skillbuilder]

Can't really argue with that Wheels.... What about size. Is 4'7" 59 pounds ok if he's gritty, or do you do the second most gritty kid at 5 ft. 95 lbs?

[Charliedog]

If you chose wisely......by the end of the season that #15 will no longer be #15.

[Can't Never Tried]

If you chose wisely......by the end of the season that #15 will no longer be #15.

Which would mean someone from 1-14 will be!! all things being equal wouldn't everyone move up?

[Cornermukker]

While size matters some, I do not think that at the PWA level it is the cure all. If you are after the grittiest kid and he is smaller, take him. I have seen many a smaller player excel at the youth level PWA/BA.

[skillbuilder]

Looks like a 58 lb first year kid was the choice. This ones not gritty though. Hope he doesn't get hurt.

[2pipesnin]

I have evaluated PW and Ban. for a few years and as evaluators we will only provide the association/coach with the first 11 or 13 players that are unanimous between all the evaluators. The coach(s) is always allowed the last few picks. Those last few picks are all bubble players, and if the coach picks them then he understands that he will have to live with them all season. If we pick them and he wanted someone else, then it could be a long season for that player.

I do agree 100% with your statement that if all skill levels are equal then that the bubble player should be a second year player (we stress this to the coach). That second year player earned it and they deserve the chance.

My 2 cents.