2000 Blades Tryouts

[Cooper48]

The 2000 Blades have announced their tryout times. It starts Augsut 3. The info is on their website. www.minnesotablades.com

[GR3343]

The 2000 Blades have announced their tryout times. It starts Augsut 3. The info is on their website. www.minnesotablades.com

They seriously have select teams for 7 & 8 year olds. Wow, that's almost pathetic. No wait, it is pathetic.

[O-townClown]

[
They seriously have select teams for 7 & 8 year olds. Wow, that's almost pathetic. No wait, it is pathetic.

Yes. The Blades 1999 birthyear team destroyed everyone they faced according to that website.

I played in some all-star stuff around Pee Wees. Today's kids just have a lot of the same opportunities earlier. I see all the coaches names here and believe me, they all know the pre- and post-puberty rankings of kids changes significantly.

I don't think it is that big of deal as long as people don't take this too seriously. Some do, and THAT'S where I see a problem.

[Bruins]

GR3343, whats even more pathetic is you're on the site. Surprised that they would have a tryout? You must be new to AAA hockey. A new team starts at the bottom and one graduates at the top. Its been going on for many years here in Minnesotaand across the country.

[GR3343]

GR3343, whats even more pathetic is you're on the site. Surprised that they would have a tryout? You must be new to AAA hockey. A new team starts at the bottom and one graduates at the top. Its been going on for many years here in Minnesotaand across the country.

Why pathetic that I read posts on this site? Isn't what the forum is all about? And no, not new to the AAA scene as I have an older boy that has played on several. Didn't really realize the need to have AAA teams at 7 years old. Isn't that the age that many are learning the basics? Simple things like learning how to skate, some basic rules of the game? Most of my experience with AAA started at the Pee Wee level. So forgive my naivete. Seems pretty early to start having "Super" teams at 7 or 8 years old, and in my opinion, starts a path of burnout syndrome.

Don't bash someone on this board because you don't agree with them, it's just bad form. Just stating an opinion which, once again, is the purpose of the forum.

[tomASS]

think of the long term financial benefit - earlier burnout means less money spent later when the kid is older and when the equipment and travel is a bit more expensive.

[WildFan]

there are plenty of kids that love hockey at an early age and sure you do have to watch the burnout factor. But many do not burnout. My son is playing baseball and played summer hockey this summer and is signed up for football. All at his request. I would of been fine with less.

Many kids that are on the ice quite a bit at an early age will stand out for their age group, how can they not? It's doesn't mean they have more talent, it just means they have more hours in and it shows. They are like spoonges at this age and learn quickly but for any parent that thinks they will continue to improve at thsi rate you're fooling yourselves. These kids learning curve starts to level out while the others catch up once they get older and eventually many of the other kids catch up around pee wee time. Any parent that thinks by putting their kid in AAA hockey at 7 or 8 means they will always be a step ahead of the other kids are fooling themselves.

I think we all know kids when we were young that were further along but once Bantams or HS came they weren't the best ones anymore. You either have talent or you don't and that eventually comes out. As long as your kid has fun don't worry about the rest.

I just hope parents aren't putting their kids into these leagues for themselves and are doing it for their kids. Some don't even allow you to play baseball or football or if they do and you miss any hockey it's frownded apon. Let kids be kids and enjoy the summer.

I was hesitant putting my kid on a summer hockey team but he's had a blast and still have played baseball and starts football this last August. Next year we'll see but it will be his choice.

[Bruins]

GR3343, I apologize, I just read my earlier post and it was not written the way it should have been. There was no bash intended.

[rock head]

I think the 2000 Machine team is picked? What kind of players are coming to the 2000 Blades try-out.... Will the Blades get some good kids that will pass up the 2000 Machine team to play!! I hope so because the MN Blades teams at the 99, 97, and 96 level are real good. The 98 team will do fine with a few small changes. GO BLADES !!!!!

[Doglover]

That's the tough part every year. The two clubs fight over the best kids. Most families that have a history with the Blades (older players), will stick with the Blades. Many of the new, younger families seem to like the 100+ hours of ice model in the summer that Bernie provides with the Machine. They are two distinctly different models. Just choose which one is best for your family. If you want your son to play other sports in the spring/summer/fall, you may want to seriously consider the Blades. If all they want to do is play hockey, then the Machine should fill the need.

Good luck to the 2000 year kids.

[pokerplaya]

The Machine team is mostly picked with a few spots available. I have been to the Blades pre skate thing. which is where they have who they think are the top 2000s so far. The best kids at the Blades skate around/scrimmage have committed to the machine. Everything could and will most likely change years down the road but i think the machine will have the better squad next year.

[rock head]

How much will the 2000 Blades and the Machine teams cost next year. Has the Blades picked any players for the 2000 team. What will the Blades try-out look like next weekend. how many kids!!

[skilldevelopementguy]

Truth be told, I have had the oppurtunity to watch the Monopoly Hockey guys coach at a local arena. What they do for the kids is incredible, from a developement view. it is definately different from what I've seen in practices at a young age I know they have alot of 2000 kids interested, it will be interesting to see what they can do in games. They are about as oppisite a Bernie as possible, which will also have me rooting for them. the kids seem to have a blast.

[stupidiswhatstupiddoes]

Truth be told, I have had the oppurtunity to watch the Monopoly Hockey guys coach at a local arena. What they do for the kids is incredible, from a developement view. it is definately different from what I've seen in practices at a young age I know they have alot of 2000 kids interested, it will be interesting to see what they can do in games. They are about as oppisite a Bernie as possible, which will also have me rooting for them. the kids seem to have a blast.

Well, that isn't too obvious as to what program you are associated with - rooting for 8 year olds when you don't have a kid on the team? - I don't think so. It is ok to say you are involved in the Monopoly program - no need to disguise it.

[skilldevelopementguy]

My nephew will most likely be on the 2000 Monopoly Open team, as he isn't ready to skate with the other kids they have there.

Edit: Not AA Team -> Open Team

[nhl'er]

How much will the 2000 Blades and the Machine teams cost next year. Has the Blades picked any players for the 2000 team. What will the Blades try-out look like next weekend. how many kids!!

As a ballpark figure the Machine is around $2k plus add another $500 or so for clinics/other misc ice time that parents get guilted into. The Blades is around 1K. You get more ice time though with the Machine, but Bernie looks to make every dollar he can off of the parents.

[DuckDuckQuackQuack]

How much will the 2000 Blades and the Machine teams cost next year. Has the Blades picked any players for the 2000 team. What will the Blades try-out look like next weekend. how many kids!!

As a ballpark figure the Machine is around $2k plus add another $500 or so for clinics/other misc ice time that parents get guilted into. The Blades is around 1K. You get more ice time though with the Machine, but Bernie looks to make every dollar he can off of the parents.

Imagine that. A business guy making money. The kids get more ice time with the Machine? I guess that explains the additional cost skating with the machine team.
It appears the Blades players don't do extra camps, clinics or receive additional ice time? Come on!

Keep in mind that you didn't mention travel expenses associated with both teams.

[nhl'er]

How much will the 2000 Blades and the Machine teams cost next year. Has the Blades picked any players for the 2000 team. What will the Blades try-out look like next weekend. how many kids!!

As a ballpark figure the Machine is around $2k plus add another $500 or so for clinics/other misc ice time that parents get guilted into. The Blades is around 1K. You get more ice time though with the Machine, but Bernie looks to make every dollar he can off of the parents.

Imagine that. A business guy making money. The kids get more ice time with the Machine? I guess that explains the additional cost skating with the machine team.
It appears the Blades players don't do extra camps, clinics or receive additional ice time? Come on!

Keep in mind that you didn't mention travel expenses associated with both teams.

I don't argue that Bernie is in business to make money, but it is how he uses these clinics and other special optional skates against Machine/Deuce parents in a method that forces parents to feel that they have do them or risk their child from being black listed the following year. This has been widely discussed amongst parents at MM the past two summers and is a sore spot for many.