If you can't join 'em, beat 'em - Made tournament

[Can't Never Tried]

All this for the Super Duper Squirt/Mite experience.

To each his own and I respect that. My kids are beyond that age point. If they were of that age and asked................I would say NO in a polite way.

I can't recall what ages, but I don't think there are any Mites. Squirts, Peewee, and possibly even some Bantam.

1995 through 1999? I'll have to double check. (*edit* Yup, it is 1995 through 1999)

This year the USA Hockey ages are:

99-00 Mite
97-98 Squirt
95-96 Pee Wee
93-94 Bantam

A 1995 kid in the summer is done with Pee Wee and headed to Bantam.

I have a first year mite and a squirt.

Breakout - what is the truth about your kids age?

He took growth hormones he's a bantam now. "A" of course!

[0904]

Thinkb4engaging First my youngest is a 99 and to young for the Brick this year. If it is truly an "all star team" why is it the Blades. Why not give the team another name. Why not inclued Bernie as part of the coaching staff?

The Machine and the Blades as organization are huge rivals. Both team approach winning differently. The Blades is more of an All Star program and their rosters change often. This very true as the players get older. Take a look at the tournament programs for the 96 and 95 Blades from last summer and you will see a long list of players that wore the Blades jersey last year.

The Machine teams will have a few players turn over in the first couple of seasons. Bernie tells this to the parents at the very first parents meeting, but after the couple of season they will stick with the players that they have and there will be no more turn over. The 96 and 95 Machine teams have all the players that were rostered for last summer again for next next summer. No turn over. The 97 team only turned over two players. The Machine is more of a developement program. We can see this true by the amount of practice ice time. The Baldes skate about 40 hours of practice, the Machine about a 130 hours.

The the idea of trying to keep the same roster and the amount of ice was the reason we chose the Machine over other programs. It was a good fit for us.

Bernie is very clear about his approach to the development of his teams. He is very up front about not wanting the players on his teams to be playing for any teams that would be Machine competitors. We as a family understand and agree with that. Why would any coach want train players for a rivals team? When you consider the amount of time he puts into these teams it is very understandible, so I guesss I do not see the "character flaw".

I don't think that ethier program is right or wrong. They are just different. I think the competion is good and I think it makes both programs better, but i do not think you can fault Bernie for not wanting to train players for the Blades.

[thinkb4engaging]

0904:

Wow......you are taking 9 year old hockey very seriously. Fundamentals and skill development are great. Relax on the whole "sales" pitch on the Machine.
We are talking about an opportunity for young hockey players to play hockey in the Edmonton Mall against the best teams at that age. Enjoy the opportunity if you have it. My advise is not to take yourself and the
Machine program so seriously. Trust me-you will have regrets if you do not add more balance in your child's life (or least your child will when he gets older).

[0904]

OK, Oh wise one. I tried to give you a couple of thought on what brought us to chose the Machine program, but your response is to attack. The end all for you is to go to the Edmonton mall to "play the best teams at that age" and I'm the one that needs to "relax about 9 year old hockey"?

If I understand you right, I'm the one that is too serious if I don't take my kid to the edmonton mall for a hockey tournament?

Also I will have "regrets" if I don't trust you about balance in my son's life?
How would you know about my son, are you tapped into the Force or somthing. Good Luck Luke Skywalker.

[thinkb4engaging]

0904:


The end all to me is assisting our children mature into good citizens and become well rounded individuals. Hopefully along the way they can develop their passion (hockey?) while getting the best education possible. There are certain people out there which are closed to opportunities and experiences. The best place for you is probably La Machine. Since you will be deciding for your child, I hope it is the best place for him too. He certainly does not know any better as a 99 birth year and will not know any better for some time. Good luck to your son.

[Can't Never Tried]

He certainly does not know any better as a 99 birth year and will not know any better for some time. Good luck to your son.

Well said! TB4E
Others and I have said this before as well.
I do wonder why people argue as if all of the posters that have been thru it that share their thoughts are just nuts, are they themselves just to young to realize it's just not healthy to push these kids to that level of competition at that age.
What do they think? we're trying to hold their children back so they won't be succesful?
Yes, it is your child do as you wish, but that's what he is, a child, not a machine.

[elliott70]

Thinkb4engaging First my youngest is a 99 and to young for the Brick this year. If it is truly an "all star team" why is it the Blades. Why not give the team another name. Why not inclued Bernie as part of the coaching staff?

The Machine and the Blades as organization are huge rivals. Both team approach winning differently. The Blades is more of an All Star program and their rosters change often. This very true as the players get older. Take a look at the tournament programs for the 96 and 95 Blades from last summer and you will see a long list of players that wore the Blades jersey last year.

The Machine teams will have a few players turn over in the first couple of seasons. Bernie tells this to the parents at the very first parents meeting, but after the couple of season they will stick with the players that they have and there will be no more turn over. The 96 and 95 Machine teams have all the players that were rostered for last summer again for next next summer. No turn over. The 97 team only turned over two players. The Machine is more of a developement program. We can see this true by the amount of practice ice time. The Baldes skate about 40 hours of practice, the Machine about a 130 hours.

The the idea of trying to keep the same roster and the amount of ice was the reason we chose the Machine over other programs. It was a good fit for us.

Bernie is very clear about his approach to the development of his teams. He is very up front about not wanting the players on his teams to be playing for any teams that would be Machine competitors. We as a family understand and agree with that. Why would any coach want train players for a rivals team? When you consider the amount of time he puts into these teams it is very understandible, so I guesss I do not see the "character flaw".

I don't think that ethier program is right or wrong. They are just different. I think the competion is good and I think it makes both programs better, but i do not think you can fault Bernie for not wanting to train players for the Blades.

You do not see this as against everything you stand for?
You and your child to some extent, want to chose what fits best for you. So you chose. Then you are told you cannot make other choices, because perhaps Bernie wants to train them so his team wins???????

I have no problem with options, but the logic seems to fit parents when they want it to fit their choice.

There is an old saying about cake.

[elliott70]

You are in this 'business' to develop players

OR

You are in this business to make money.

I fault no one for making money. But we all need to remember the bottom line in a for profit business is to make money.

Granted, in some associations there are individuals that want to 'make money'; that is benefit their own kid. But there are 'tons' of people working for hte benefit of everyone.

As the old poster hanging at a place I used to work said, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

[GoldenBear]

0904, Thanks for your thoughts on choosing Machine vs Blades. Also for, in my opinion accurately assessing the difference in coaching/club philosophies between the two teams. Both organizations have many benefits and people will bash both if their kids aren't on those teams. I understand why people talk about "burn out", forcing kids, etc. because some/all of the people on this forum have witnessed this during their experiences with youth hockey. It's not a pretty sight, we've all seen it and its not something any parents want to see with their own kids in any endeavor. However, some kids don't get burned out, some kids love playing a lot of hockey. That is where only you and other parents can hope to make the right call. I too wish that the Brick could be open to more kids because it is right up there with the state tournament as to a once in a life time experience. Yes, some of you will laugh at that comment, but I get goose bumps writing about the state tournament...and watching the excitement of kids, crowd and hockey enthusiasts over 10 year olds was quite a site as well. I've talked to some (now adults) that have played in the Brick and State hockey tournament and they say the Brick was the best...hmmm. Throw a side Machine vs Blades, if your son is asked to play in the Brick for one week over the 4th (one week of his hockey career) I would consider the memory that your child will have. Ironic that Bernie moved his tourney to the same weekend as the Brick.

[Hockeyguy_27]

So MM has the Machine and now the Duece as well? I wonder how long before they field a team called the Ocho?

[BoogeyMan]

Minnesota made has four teams.

1) Machine
2) Deuce
3) Grinders (no 99 team)
4) Snipers