delete

[RLStars]

Lets not rip on those that chose to play AAA or so called AAA hockey in their youth years and its not always over zealous parents driving it. Most times its the kids that want to play and see if they can achieve their goals and dreams.

Although my son is not an NHL prospect or D1 caliber player, he played AAA for several years and enjoyed it very much. He met a lot of good people along the way and a few not so good. He made friendships that he would not have otherwise made. He learned how to deal with and play with kids he didn't grow up with. We spent a lot of quality time traveling in the car and talking about everything under the sun. I wouldn't give up that time just to keep a few extra dollars in my pocket.

New hockey stick = $150.00
Quality hockey skates = $500.00
Time spend with your kids = Priceless

[TellItHowItIs]

[jBlaze3000]

The bottom line is that as long as the hockey player loves playing the game and maintains good grades in school then no one has the right to criticize their level of involvement. It's only natural as parents to think about the "what ifs" and dream of possibly seeing one of your kids wearing a D1 or NHL sweater. I think most parents understand the odds, though, and just want to see their kids be the best they can be at something they love doing. There are valuable life lessons that can be learned by setting goals and then acheiving them through hard work and determination, whether that goal is making the Pee Wee A team, the Machine, Minnesota Gophers, or otherwise. I understand that there are parents who take it too far and become obsessed with their kids hockey careers (to the point of having a detremental effect on their kids) but too often I think parents who love the game and have kids that love the game get thrown under the bus on this site simply for being more involved than the next guy.

[Sk8 Str8]

The bottom line is that as long as the hockey player loves playing the game and maintains good grades in school then no one has the right to criticize their level of involvement. It's only natural as parents to think about the "what ifs" and dream of possibly seeing one of your kids wearing a D1 or NHL sweater. I think most parents understand the odds, though, and just want to see their kids be the best they can be at something they love doing. There are valuable life lessons that can be learned by setting goals and then acheiving them through hard work and determination, whether that goal is making the Pee Wee A team, the Machine, Minnesota Gophers, or otherwise. I understand that there are parents who take it too far and become obsessed with their kids hockey careers (to the point of having a detremental effect on their kids) but too often I think parents who love the game and have kids that love the game get thrown under the bus on this site simply for being more involved than the next guy.

Well put. We all want our kids to succeed in what they do. But it is hard to determine the parents on this bored who get it and those who are over the top (is "TEAM TO BEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" for real or tongue in cheek...we may never know).

The loudest voices appear to come from the 9 and 10 year old parents --the best 1999 and 2000 players are not destined for greateness, maybe aren't even destined for the A Bantam team. Look at the poster child for AAA greatness, the 96 Machine, handpicked to follow in the Minnesota 88's footsteps. They have been together for over 5 years and have gone from being undefeated in a summer, to never losing to a 96 team, to never losing to a 96 American team to...not even getting to the finals of thier own tournament.

The game changes as kids get older, relax, enjoy the ride and have realistic expectations for your kids.

[watchdog]

how about this we teach our kids to strive to be their best at all they do. As a parent all you can do is afford them the chance. it seems we do alot of things over the top and for one reason or another. when people see that they have to criticize. i go golfing with my kids (alot) we go fishing alot and we play alot of games through out the summer yet nobodey ever says anything bad about that. however on this board and at the arena you hear plenty of opinions about parent involvment with their kids. bottom line is its my kid and NOBODY will tell me how to raise them. i like to jab people about mm not because their doing the program its because you all seem to have an attitude that your better than everyone else. anyway im getting off topic and my rant is over.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[vikes40for60]

My dad told me this as I was pondering my son's 10 yr old Squirt goalie tryouts this year. He looked at me sternly and said "Son, no matter what team he makes this year just remember this, he is 9 years away from free hockey for the rest of his life."

[DMom]

My dad told me this as I was pondering my son's 10 yr old Squirt goalie tryouts this year. He looked at me sternly and said "Son, no matter what team he makes this year just remember this, he is 9 years away from free hockey for the rest of his life."

Ah, now there's a piece of wisdom to hand out the next time the goalie parents are complaining about the high price of pads and camps

good one, wise dad. I think my kids have had some of the best coaches the beer leagues have ever heard of

and, hopefully, they'll still be playing the game because we haven't ruined it for them yet. (we, as in Mr. D and I).

[hockeymama323]

Negative reinforcement does not help your child succeed, let alone make it to the NHL!!!!!!

You may not be emarrassed when you use inappropriate language but your son probably is.

Your also forgetting about the ``politics`` of hockey. Later in his hockey career, whether he is skilled for the higher levels or not, some coaches will not choose players to be on their team if the parents are an embarrassment as spectators.

You have to remember also that children make mistakes and they learn from them. If you constantly tell them what they did that was wrong and get mad or upset with them, their dream of being an NHL player becomes your dream not theirs. There is no harm in letting them know what they did during the game that made you proud.

Let the coaches coach the team. When you have a parent that contradicts the coaches it becomes very difficult for the player to play. They begin to feel that no matter what they do it will not be good enough because either the coaches will be upset for not listening to them or the parents for not listening.

Hockey is a team sport and every player can help out the other players develop and become more skilled.

My son is going to make it to the NHL! He will make it because he has the passion, drive, determination, dedication, skills, sportsmanship, leadership, and is a TEAM player. He does not have parents that coach him off the ice. He values what his coaches tell him he has to do to improve. Instead of being negative when he has a bad game (every player in the NHL has a bad game once in a while), we re-iterate what he did that was right and ask him what he could`ve done better. Children know when they play a bad game and don`t need to be reminded of it. They need to move forward and better it for the next game. Most of all, his game play comes from his heart. If their heart is not in the game they will not succeed as a player.

Finally, I have one last thing to say to you...........You do not want your son to grow up and not have the heart or passion to play anymore because he may disappoint you or you embarrass him by yelling negatively in the stands. Some arenas will kick parents out of the arena and ban them from entering if they yell using inappropriate language. Think of how you or your son will feel when/if you are unable to wach his games.

Be a POSITIVE supporter and role model so his heart and passion will stay in the game.

My kid is going to the NHL. I know he's only 7 but one day probably a little sooner than most of his peers he will leave a top division 1 program to make his entrance into the NHL.

I know this to be a true fact. How could it be otherwise? I put him in skates at age 2 and have attended to every minute of ice time he has ever had since. I have devoted almost every waking hour to his development. I have made sure that after every practice, game, scrimage, or open skating session that he is thoroughly debriefed about what he did wrong and what he can do better. After all he WANTS to play in the NHL, he told me so.

I support him at his games by shouting directions to him while he is on the ice. I remind him to "Skate", and to "Get off the ice if your not going to skate hard", I also let him know when to "Shoot the Puck" which incidentally is almost every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. When he is on the power play I yell at him to "Ice it" whenever he touches the puck and even though I am saying it wrong everyone knows what I mean.

I also support him by correcting the on ice officials and letting them know that unless every call goes my teams way, or if they miss any infraction against my team or even worse my future NHLer I will let them have it with both barrels. And no I am not embarrassed when I use inappropriate language to get my point across.

I make sure that he is in the best association and the best triple A program, (not like you wannabees who have your kid in a program that has three A's in front of the name but really should only have 2 A's). Heck I even moved my entire family to another suburb when my association wouldn't give me a waiver.

Hockey is my... I mean his life! He is going to play in the NHL.

[hockeymama323]

I couldn`t have said that better myself!!!!!!!

Lets not rip on those that chose to play AAA or so called AAA hockey in their youth years and its not always over zealous parents driving it. Most times its the kids that want to play and see if they can achieve their goals and dreams.

Although my son is not an NHL prospect or D1 caliber player, he played AAA for several years and enjoyed it very much. He met a lot of good people along the way and a few not so good. He made friendships that he would not have otherwise made. He learned how to deal with and play with kids he didn't grow up with. We spent a lot of quality time traveling in the car and talking about everything under the sun. I wouldn't give up that time just to keep a few extra dollars in my pocket.

New hockey stick = $150.00
Quality hockey skates = $500.00
Time spend with your kids = Priceless

[HockeyDad41]

del

[hockeymama323]

Parents need to remember ``it`s about the kids.............not themselves``

Negative reinforcement does not help your child succeed, let alone make it to the NHL!!!!!!

You may not be emarrassed when you use inappropriate language but your son probably is.

Your also forgetting about the ``politics`` of hockey. Later in his hockey career, whether he is skilled for the higher levels or not, some coaches will not choose players to be on their team if the parents are an embarrassment as spectators.

You have to remember also that children make mistakes and they learn from them. If you constantly tell them what they did that was wrong and get mad or upset with them, their dream of being an NHL player becomes your dream not theirs. There is no harm in letting them know what they did during the game that made you proud.

Let the coaches coach the team. When you have a parent that contradicts the coaches it becomes very difficult for the player to play. They begin to feel that no matter what they do it will not be good enough because either the coaches will be upset for not listening to them or the parents for not listening.

Hockey is a team sport and every player can help out the other players develop and become more skilled.

My son is going to make it to the NHL! He will make it because he has the passion, drive, determination, dedication, skills, sportsmanship, leadership, and is a TEAM player. He does not have parents that coach him off the ice. He values what his coaches tell him he has to do to improve. Instead of being negative when he has a bad game (every player in the NHL has a bad game once in a while), we re-iterate what he did that was right and ask him what he could`ve done better. Children know when they play a bad game and don`t need to be reminded of it. They need to move forward and better it for the next game. Most of all, his game play comes from his heart. If their heart is not in the game they will not succeed as a player.

Finally, I have one last thing to say to you...........You do not want your son to grow up and not have the heart or passion to play anymore because he may disappoint you or you embarrass him by yelling negatively in the stands. Some arenas will kick parents out of the arena and ban them from entering if they yell using inappropriate language. Think of how you or your son will feel when/if you are unable to wach his games.

Be a POSITIVE supporter and role model so his heart and passion will stay in the game.

My kid is going to the NHL. I know he's only 7 but one day probably a little sooner than most of his peers he will leave a top division 1 program to make his entrance into the NHL.

I know this to be a true fact. How could it be otherwise? I put him in skates at age 2 and have attended to every minute of ice time he has ever had since. I have devoted almost every waking hour to his development. I have made sure that after every practice, game, scrimage, or open skating session that he is thoroughly debriefed about what he did wrong and what he can do better. After all he WANTS to play in the NHL, he told me so.

I support him at his games by shouting directions to him while he is on the ice. I remind him to "Skate", and to "Get off the ice if your not going to skate hard", I also let him know when to "Shoot the Puck" which incidentally is almost every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. When he is on the power play I yell at him to "Ice it" whenever he touches the puck and even though I am saying it wrong everyone knows what I mean.

I also support him by correcting the on ice officials and letting them know that unless every call goes my teams way, or if they miss any infraction against my team or even worse my future NHLer I will let them have it with both barrels. And no I am not embarrassed when I use inappropriate language to get my point across.

I make sure that he is in the best association and the best triple A program, (not like you wannabees who have your kid in a program that has three A's in front of the name but really should only have 2 A's). Heck I even moved my entire family to another suburb when my association wouldn't give me a waiver.

Hockey is my... I mean his life! He is going to play in the NHL.

You do realize that this was a satirical post don't you? But thanks anyway for the advice, I can tell you aren't one of the overzealous parents that ruin this sport for anyone who has to listen to them in the stands or read their posts.

[InigoMontoya]

I can tell you aren't one of the overzealous parents that ruin this sport for anyone who has to listen to them in the stands or read their posts.

If you two are done with the mutual adoration society, how does reading a post ruin the sport?

[hockeymama323]

I can tell you aren't one of the overzealous parents that ruin this sport for anyone who has to listen to them in the stands or read their posts.

If you two are done with the mutual adoration society, how does reading a post ruin the sport?

I don`t believe reading a post ruins the sport. Everyone has their opinions. I was only stating what I believe to be true. I have watched extrememly good hockey players get nothing but negativity from parents and then they lose interest in the game that they once loved.

Today`s future of hockey lies with the kids aged 7-15. Let`s help them maintain their passion for hockey and not destroy it

[HockeyDad41]

del

[silentbutdeadly3139]

Negative reinforcement does not help your child succeed, let alone make it to the NHL!!!!!!

You may not be emarrassed when you use inappropriate language but your son probably is.

Your also forgetting about the ``politics`` of hockey. Later in his hockey career, whether he is skilled for the higher levels or not, some coaches will not choose players to be on their team if the parents are an embarrassment as spectators.

You have to remember also that children make mistakes and they learn from them. If you constantly tell them what they did that was wrong and get mad or upset with them, their dream of being an NHL player becomes your dream not theirs. There is no harm in letting them know what they did during the game that made you proud.

Let the coaches coach the team. When you have a parent that contradicts the coaches it becomes very difficult for the player to play. They begin to feel that no matter what they do it will not be good enough because either the coaches will be upset for not listening to them or the parents for not listening.

Hockey is a team sport and every player can help out the other players develop and become more skilled.

My son is going to make it to the NHL! He will make it because he has the passion, drive, determination, dedication, skills, sportsmanship, leadership, and is a TEAM player. He does not have parents that coach him off the ice. He values what his coaches tell him he has to do to improve. Instead of being negative when he has a bad game (every player in the NHL has a bad game once in a while), we re-iterate what he did that was right and ask him what he could`ve done better. Children know when they play a bad game and don`t need to be reminded of it. They need to move forward and better it for the next game. Most of all, his game play comes from his heart. If their heart is not in the game they will not succeed as a player.

Finally, I have one last thing to say to you...........You do not want your son to grow up and not have the heart or passion to play anymore because he may disappoint you or you embarrass him by yelling negatively in the stands. Some arenas will kick parents out of the arena and ban them from entering if they yell using inappropriate language. Think of how you or your son will feel when/if you are unable to wach his games.

Be a POSITIVE supporter and role model so his heart and passion will stay in the game.

My kid is going to the NHL. I know he's only 7 but one day probably a little sooner than most of his peers he will leave a top division 1 program to make his entrance into the NHL.

I know this to be a true fact. How could it be otherwise? I put him in skates at age 2 and have attended to every minute of ice time he has ever had since. I have devoted almost every waking hour to his development. I have made sure that after every practice, game, scrimage, or open skating session that he is thoroughly debriefed about what he did wrong and what he can do better. After all he WANTS to play in the NHL, he told me so.

I support him at his games by shouting directions to him while he is on the ice. I remind him to "Skate", and to "Get off the ice if your not going to skate hard", I also let him know when to "Shoot the Puck" which incidentally is almost every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. When he is on the power play I yell at him to "Ice it" whenever he touches the puck and even though I am saying it wrong everyone knows what I mean.

I also support him by correcting the on ice officials and letting them know that unless every call goes my teams way, or if they miss any infraction against my team or even worse my future NHLer I will let them have it with both barrels. And no I am not embarrassed when I use inappropriate language to get my point across.

I make sure that he is in the best association and the best triple A program, (not like you wannabees who have your kid in a program that has three A's in front of the name but really should only have 2 A's). Heck I even moved my entire family to another suburb when my association wouldn't give me a waiver.

Hockey is my... I mean his life! He is going to play in the NHL.

Thats rich advice after seeing your other posts ....

Maybe the 97 Bulldogs will be competitive at the next tourney.
Let the coach and the Min/Wis League know that you are concerned.
But beware, will you be happy when they bring in a few ringers and those 3 to 5 "competitive" players end up with less ice time?

Make the best out of this, keep it positive to the best of your ability and start looking at a possible team that may fit you better next season.

Good luck. TYL

Those 3-5 players would have someone to play with at their level or at least someone to challenge them to skate and play at or above their level. If they are not playing at the appropriate level then they need to be benched. If this is where the child wants to be then working hard is the objective.

I am trying to stay positive but it is a little frustrating. Take a look at the stats for the team. They have scored a total of 7 goals and one player has scored 3 and assisted 2. I feel that this player is not getting the challenge or competitiveness that he deserves in order to show his true ability and skills as a hockey player