Weekend at Bernies...Must Read

[Mister Hockey]

This is what I heard through the grapevine happened at the new mite program at Minnesota Made.

I guess the parents are not allowed to cheer when their player scores a goal in a scrimmage or game. That the owner belittled two volunteer coaches in front of their teams telling them that they are terrible coaches and actually ran a practice. At that practice he worked many players until they cried.

Many great childhood memories already and I am sure many more will come. This is not the NHL. It is a mite program for goodness sakes. Good news for the parents and players. Only 98 hours left of this. I heard the price was almost $1000 also.

Why would any parent want to put their kid through this? Remember that the players are probably 5-9 years old and smiles should be on their faces. As a matter of fact in a couple of weeks there will probably be no smiles on their parents faces either. If I had a child in the program, I would have said see you after I was told I can not cheer. If any of you have players in the program let us all know if any of this is true. Thanks a lot.

[tomASS]

There is probably some truth and some exaggeration to what you heard.

Why?
1) Easier to pay for something than the time and effort it takes to build or improve something.
2) perceived better product
3) believe the Kool-Aid being drank will lead them to Hockey's Holy Grail........watch out for the killer rabbit!

[TheOctopus]

This is what I heard through the grapevine happened at the new mite program at Minnesota Made.

I guess the parents are not allowed to cheer when their player scores a goal in a scrimmage or game. That the owner belittled two volunteer coaches in front of their teams telling them that they are terrible coaches and actually ran a practice. At that practice he worked many players until they cried.

Many great childhood memories already and I am sure many more will come. This is not the NHL. It is a mite program for goodness sakes. Good news for the parents and players. Only 98 hours left of this. I heard the price was almost $1000 also.

Why would any parent want to put their kid through this? Remember that the players are probably 5-9 years old and smiles should be on their faces. As a matter of fact in a couple of weeks there will probably be no smiles on their parents faces either. If I had a child in the program, I would have said see you after I was told I can not cheer. If any of you have players in the program let us all know if any of this is true. Thanks a lot.

So far the program has been excellent, the coaches are excellent and my kid is enjoying it. Since you are looking for ANYTHING degrade the program and belittle Bernie you would say he's just faking it and lying to appease his over the top parents.

The cost was and still is $895 for the 100 hours. $8.95 per hour of this kind of instructions, you cant beat it.

As for the eruption, I have not heard that nor have I heard that cheering is a not allowed. Since you heard it, I'm sure its true and I some out of the loop parent. Again anything to bash MM, Bernie and the Choice program.

Anything else you "hear" please post.... Its all so humorous. If only figure skaters were subjected to such scrutiny.

[Mister Hockey]

I am happy that your boy is having a good time. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks a lot

[Hockeyguy_27]

This is what I heard through the grapevine happened at the new mite program at Minnesota Made.

I guess the parents are not allowed to cheer when their player scores a goal in a scrimmage or game. That the owner belittled two volunteer coaches in front of their teams telling them that they are terrible coaches and actually ran a practice. At that practice he worked many players until they cried.

Many great childhood memories already and I am sure many more will come. This is not the NHL. It is a mite program for goodness sakes. Good news for the parents and players. Only 98 hours left of this. I heard the price was almost $1000 also.

Why would any parent want to put their kid through this? Remember that the players are probably 5-9 years old and smiles should be on their faces. As a matter of fact in a couple of weeks there will probably be no smiles on their parents faces either. If I had a child in the program, I would have said see you after I was told I can not cheer. If any of you have players in the program let us all know if any of this is true. Thanks a lot.

And just when I was going to get a tattoo of Bernie's face on my back to pay homage to this modern day Scotty Bowman. Well after reading this, I'm going to have to rethink this one.

[bamhockey]

Hockeyguy, I was at the practice where this incident allegedly took place. I know many do not approve of MM, but the incident that you described did not take place. Bernie talked to the coaches for a minute or two while in the bench area. there were no raised voices at all. I cannot tell you what was said because I could not hear any of them. Bernie did not go on the ice--no kids were crying. I already heard the rumor the next day after this incident allegedly occured. I do not know how these things started. What was said to the coaches i will never know. No one at MM has ever said the parents cannot cheer during games or scrimmages. Anyway, take it for what it is and keep on posting!

[sorno82]

This sounds like hyperbole. MM is a business and that would be reckless behaviour. Bernie bashing does get out of hand. He has a role in the hockey community, and those who like it, can go. Those who do not, don't go. There are many ways to improve your skills, so let him do his thing; and others, do your thing.

BTW, any parent who would sit on the side line and let something like this happen (which probably didn't), should have their head examined.

[bamhockey]

Sorno82, thanks for the post. I just want to be clear that what is alleged to have happen did not happen (berated the coaches in front of the kids). First, there were no raised voices by anybody. Second, the two coaches Bernie were talking with are very good coaches who have been around the block more than once coaching (Bernie would not have called them terrible coaches and one was asked to coach a MM team by Bernie). Third, keep in mind that there were 4 other coaches on the ice (besides the two other coaches talking with Bernie) with the kids. Just wanted to make sure that the "incident" did not turn into an urban legend

[TheOctopus]

I am happy that your boy is having a good time. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks a lot

No problem. I'm just sick of what I read on this site about Bernie. How minor incidents can turn into large fish stories is amazing.

[BoogeyMan]

Mister hockey- Wow! What were you thinking when you wrote this post?

I don't know whats more stupid:

1) You writing what you did?
2) Actually believing this happened?

One thing you need to keep in mind. Bernie has never even talked to the choice Mite kids. He had nothing to do with the tryouts. He has nothing to do with practices. (other than creating the practice drills) The kids aren't exposed to Bernie at all.

My son was skating in this practice. Bernie asked to talk to the coaches. It was all of 2 minutes. No yelling! No pointing! No aggreassive behavior. Practice started up. And the coaches ran the kids through the drills.

How do you come up with what you did? Another failed attempt to attack Minnesota made.

I cannot express enough. If you don't believe in Minnesota made. Then go skate at the park, in your association, in your back yard or on the moon. Please do NOT continue to attack or slander Minnesota made.

If your kids are not part of Minnesota made. GO AWAY!

PEACE!

[Charliedog]

I have interacted with Bernie only once in my life and it was a great experience. Bernie selected my youngest son to play in a "B1 Bantam Elite/Select" tournament. My son never has and may never skate "A" hockey, but this experience at Minnesota Made was the proudest moment in his life.

I will be forever grateful to Bernie for believing in my son and for giving him this opportunity. Thank you!

[BoogeyMan]

[quote="tomASS"]There is probably some truth and some exaggeration to what you heard.

Why?
1) Easier to pay for something than the time and effort it takes to build or improve something.
2) perceived better product
3) believe the Kool-Aid being drank will lead them to Hockey's Holy Grail........watch out for the killer rabbit

tASS, Since you're the number one basher of Minnesota made. Please explain why you continue to bash, slander and rip on Minnesota made? What negative experience have you personally had with Minnesota made?
1) or iEasier to pay for something than the time and effort it takes to build or improve something. TASS, Once again. Minnesota made is cheaper than my local association. MM = $8.95 for 1.5 hours of ice time. My local association is $12.31 for one hour of ice. MM kids receive 100 hours of ice time this year. My local association will receive 45 hours.

2) perceived better product tASS, There's no doubt that this Mite program is better. I know you don't have a kid involved in the choice league. Why bash something you don't know anything about. Why did you sign your kids up for Elite soccer program at a young age? What's the difference?

3) believe the Kool-Aid being drank will lead them to Hockey's Holy Grail From what I hear you like to drink. Something about Pauleys. Just like Cheers where the bar patrons yell out "Norm" I hear they yell out. "Ass"...................................
tASS your post are getting old. I think we all know you stance on Minnesota made. Time to move on. Tell yourself you're better than this.

Hey everyone! tASS doesn't believe in Minnesota made. Any questions please email him in private.

[jancze5]

I just have the same question I had waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the first debacle about MM...

When does it end?

If I had a player playing in the MC league at MM and he was 9 years old and just had a fantastic 100 hours of ice and great games and development, why do I want to go back to wherever I came from for Squirts?

Someone said they took 100+ kids and turned over 100+ more...with these numbers, if I were a betting man, I'd turn the Mite league into a Squirt league, and on and on and on. Why not?

From a business perspective, the upside of retaining kids will be very promising...more kids, more levels, more sold ice, more of the 25K per month expenses covered. Makes business sense to me.

(look, no bashing, just a question!!!)

I'm neither for nor against the MM...Me

[sorno82]

I think that is what is coming and people at Minnesota Hockey don't like it. They are afraid of the year round AAA model that is prevalent all over the US and Canada.

It does offer people from weaker associations a choice to have some standout kids play with other standout kids. However, this will further weaken those associations which is not good for the overall health of the Minnesota Hockey organization.

I think the big associations will not be significantly impacted since that will be the best hockey available to those kids for the winter months. There will be bubble kids whose parents felt they were cheated out of an "A" slot who will switch over though.

However, MM might do just fine renting ice to the associations in the winter time and may not need to create a squirt league.


Minnesota Hockey needs to address this openly and without malice. They need to find a way to integrate these programs rather than exclude them. It could get interesting.

[tomASS]

sorno82 and jancze5 - great posts! and good questions. It is posters like you that try to view the whole truth rather than small portions of the truth that keep things in perspective. Your posts are very believable unlike others.

[Neutron 14]

I think that is what is coming and people at Minnesota Hockey don't like it. They are afraid of the year round AAA model that is prevalent all over the US and Canada.

It does offer people from weaker associations a choice to have some standout kids play with other standout kids. However, this will further weaken those associations which is not good for the overall health of the Minnesota Hockey organization.

I think the big associations will not be significantly impacted since that will be the best hockey available to those kids for the winter months. There will be bubble kids whose parents felt they were cheated out of an "A" slot who will switch over though.

However, MM might do just fine renting ice to the associations in the winter time and may not need to create a squirt league.


Minnesota Hockey needs to address this openly and without malice. They need to find a way to integrate these programs rather than exclude them. It could get interesting.

Objectivity has no place in this thread...

But I wager the odds of integration to be in the billions to one.

[sorno82]

But I wager the odds of integration to be in the billions to one.

So you say there is a chance?

I agree, but Minnesota hockey needs to deal with this without trying to protect their turf. If they take a hard stance, it may blow up in their face.

[Neutron 14]

I said it last year and I'll say it again, community based hockey is dying. High schools are losing thier best players to perceived better opportunities, and AAA is/will do the same to the youth ranks. The top programs will not be immune. After all, its about ME not WE.

[tomASS]

I said it last year and I'll say it again, community based hockey is dying. High schools are losing thier best players to perceived better opportunities, and AAA is/will do the same to the youth ranks. The top programs will not be immune. After all, its about ME not WE.

SPOT ON -

thus to my first point, fewer people are willing to put the time and effort into community hockey to make it better. It is no longer about the good of the whole. It is easier just to pay for the services for ME than be worried about the WE

[Neutron 14]

But I wager the odds of integration to be in the billions to one.

So you say there is a chance?

I agree, but Minnesota hockey needs to deal with this without trying to protect their turf. If they take a hard stance, it may blow up in their face.

Minnesota Hockey is about providing opportunity to all, using a network of hard working volunteers like Elliott. Hardly a goal of AAA, who mostly caters to elitest parents who think their little johnny is the next coming of Syd.

It won't be about protecting turf, You just can't merge an apple and an orange.

[Dazed&Confused]

Minnesota Made Hockey and winter AAA is the wave of Minnesota future. Its all changing at first it was slow but soon there will be a mass exodus of athletes opting to leave the community based programs.

[Neutron 14]

Minnesota Made Hockey and winter AAA is the wave of Minnesota future. Its all changing at first it was slow but soon there will be a mass exodus of athletes opting to leave the community based programs.

And we'll be just like out east. Won't we be proud. Minnesota Made Hockey is hypocrisy in the name itself!

[finance_gal]

I said it last year and I'll say it again, community based hockey is dying. High schools are losing thier best players to perceived better opportunities, and AAA is/will do the same to the youth ranks. The top programs will not be immune. After all, its about ME not WE.

Community Hockey is killing itself by shutting out potential players such as Stillwater area has.

I see the privately run programs taking the top players and putting togeather unbelievable teams. Minnesota Hockey will be left with the average to below average players and parents that don't have the commitment or finances to go private.

Minnesota Hockey has done it to themselves by trying to keep players in programs that don't meet a particular families needs and unless they change quickly they will suffer the consequences. Minnesota Made is proving that it can be done and it's only a matter of time before there will be other privately run hockey clubs that can meet the needs of the players.

[tomASS]

Minnesota Made Hockey and winter AAA is the wave of Minnesota future. Its all changing at first it was slow but soon there will be a mass exodus of athletes opting to leave the community based programs.

And we'll be just like out east. Won't we be proud. Minnesota Made Hockey is hypocrisy in the name itself!

They will just feed and devour upon each other and club hopping will be the norm. It really is the Me mentallity. Drink the Kool- Aid......everything will be just fine

[tomASS]

I said it last year and I'll say it again, community based hockey is dying. High schools are losing thier best players to perceived better opportunities, and AAA is/will do the same to the youth ranks. The top programs will not be immune. After all, its about ME not WE.

Community Hockey is killing itself by shutting out potential players such as Stillwater area has.

I see the privately run programs taking the top players and putting togeather unbelievable teams. Minnesota Hockey will be left with the average to below average players and parents that don't have the commitment or finances to go private.

Minnesota Hockey has done it to themselves by trying to keep players in programs that don't meet a particular families needs and unless they change quickly they will suffer the consequences. Minnesota Made is proving that it can be done and it's only a matter of time before there will be other privately run hockey clubs that can meet the needs of the players.

I do agree that other private programs will crop up thus my previous statement about the program hopping.

But the key question is are they marketing and appealing to the needs of the player or the wants of the parent.