Mite roster opinions

[MrBoDangles]

Our association is fielding a D mite team ( first time alone ) with a whopping 17 player roster. 9 are D mite caliber, 3 would be C mite standouts, 3 would be average C mite players, and 2 would be low C mite to B
+ type players. We are a small association wich explains the wide range in talent.

Here's the kicker= The one and only C mite team is going to have 13 players.

Does it make any sense to go with such a large roster when the talent level falls off?

Our mite director told the coaches that these were the kids they had to go with without their input.

What can be done? How do other associations do Evaluations? opinions on an ideal roster size? How do you stop board parents from placing their kids and friends kids where they want?

[kopernicus]

maybe you could look at it this way:

i am assuming your mite teams get a buzzer every two minutes for the line changes.

seventeen skaters for your 'D' team means one goalie and three full lines and one extra skater (essentially four buzzers to rotate fully through the bench)

thirteen skaters for your 'C' team means one goalie and two full lines and two extra skaters (three buzzers to rotate through)

i have never seen a mite team where the entire team shows up for the same game. if one skater misses a 'D' level game, then you are down to three buzzers to get through the entire bench- just like on the 'C' team.

this probably isnt the point you are trying to make, but it is another way of looking at it.

aside; i have rarely seen an example where an evaluated player placed on a team that was slightly better caliber skills wise than where they are currently skating at completely fail. More often than not, these 'behind the curve' players improve dramtically through the season and can be a source of pride for the program.

[CRMiteHockey]

We had the same size team last year for our C mites. 15 skaters and 2 goalies. It worked out fine.

[ajj2and3]

I think the challenge was making the distiction among the C-level players. In a small association, concern over next year's D team may come into play- so if much of the D's go to squirts- you have a mediocre D team next year and the cycle continues. Suprising the coaches did not get to pick the last 4-5 players on a roster that size or had no-input.
It helps if the coach is also on the board. Seem like 14-15 should be max size.

[play4fun]

Our association is fielding a D mite team ( first time alone ) with a whopping 17 player roster. 9 are D mite caliber, 3 would be C mite standouts, 3 would be average C mite players, and 2 would be low C mite to B
+ type players. We are a small association wich explains the wide range in talent.

Here's the kicker= The one and only C mite team is going to have 13 players.

Does it make any sense to go with such a large roster when the talent level falls off?

Our mite director told the coaches that these were the kids they had to go with without their input.

What can be done? How do other associations do Evaluations? opinions on an ideal roster size? How do you stop board parents from placing their kids and friends kids where they want?

Bo, you'll just have to make sure your kid has much fun as he can, whether that's on the D or C roster. Since the rosters are set, it is what it is. Go with it.

If you need to vent, or want to rail at those who made the roster decisions, I'll provide some bad news to fuel the fire.

Be warned though. If you do choose to be vocal, know two things. One, it likely won't change anything for this year other than to raise your frustrations, and set a negative tone in your household around hockey for the year. Not what junior needs. Second, if you have the noble intention of making sure that better systems are in place for future teams, this is already a case of overzealous mite parents repeating past poor decisions of previous overzealous mite parents. It will continue to repeat itself.

So, on with the bad news.

If your son is on the D squad. It's not a D caliber team.

In district 10, it's hard to go up against Centennial, Blaine, Elk River, etc. by pulling up lower level skaters to fill out a team. And, whatever you've been led to believe, there are not 9 D level skaters on that team. Based on your previous posts, you're talking about the combined CINB "D" mite squad, and the Cambridge C squad.

If your son is on the C squad, that team will not be as competitive as it should have been, as kids were pulled up to fill out the "D" squad.

The decision to go D hurt both teams.

But, you've got to appease the mite parents who believe their kids should be skating at a D level, right? No, it was a matter of expediency for the boards and poor leadership from the mite directors and board presidents who could and should set the tone for the direction of the program.

With all that said -- Bo, now take a deep breath, know that you're misgivings are justified, put them behind you, and put on a smile so that your kid can have as much fun as possible with things as they are.

Things may go better than expected. If not, get more involved in the process prior to rosters being set next year. For now, take the high road.

[Wasilla]

Our association is fielding a D mite team ( first time alone ) with a whopping 17 player roster. 9 are D mite caliber, 3 would be C mite standouts, 3 would be average C mite players, and 2 would be low C mite to B
+ type players. We are a small association wich explains the wide range in talent.

Here's the kicker= The one and only C mite team is going to have 13 players.

Does it make any sense to go with such a large roster when the talent level falls off?

Our mite director told the coaches that these were the kids they had to go with without their input.

What can be done? How do other associations do Evaluations? opinions on an ideal roster size? How do you stop board parents from placing their kids and friends kids where they want?

I have not heard of mite teams being labeled "C" and "D" can you expand on the terminology? Is there also an "A" and a "B"?

[brickhouse19]

A = first years
B = 2-3 years
C = 3-4 years
D = Best 4th years

Always execeptions but that is the general idea in my association.