Age change in Minnesota Hockey?

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

The data was presented & discussed at length with the MN Hockey Comittitee. Based on the information, they decided to recommend the change to the District Directors & the Board this weekend. I don't have all the specific numbers/percentages, but the information made a strong case for the change and the positive effects it will have.

A fantastic process. Let's finish with the correct result and correspond the MN dates to the demographics of the players. Move the date to June 1 and allow these kids to play with their peers through grade 9 like the other kids.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

if it is so important for kids to play with people in their class, send them to class with people their age

That's part of the basis for making the change.

Exactly.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

The data was presented & discussed at length with the MN Hockey Comittitee. Based on the information, they decided to recommend the change to the District Directors & the Board this weekend. I don't have all the specific numbers/percentages, but the information made a strong case for the change and the positive effects it will have.

and that's the bottom line ...

[InigoMontoya]

Would this change be effective 2010-2011?

[Pioneerprideguy]

Would this change be effective 2010-2011?

If approved tomorrow, the change should effective next year.

[timcorbin21]

in our town plenty of kids born in may have delayed going to school. when does it stop.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

in our town plenty of kids born in may have delayed going to school. when does it stop.

Based on the current information, it stops at June 1.

[hockey relic]

in our town plenty of kids born in may have delayed going to school. when does it stop.

Based on the current information, it stops at June 1.

Do you have a link or reference to the current information you are quoting?

I am in education (teach middle school) and do not see the trend you are indicationg. For kids that are currently bantams and Peewees, most of the June kids are not held back in school- three months is 1/4 of the calender year! Most June birthdays are able to go to school in September.

I do agree that late July birthdays and August birthdays (boys only) are more often held back.

Another concern is parents holding back their June kids in 8th grade so their kids have a better chance at HS hockey (we see it with July and Aug kids already) Parents could also decide to delay school entry for June kids with hockey in mind (this is MN!)

Also, would June kids not held back be able to reapeat another year of bantams (thus playing down?) It may help a few but makes things complicated (even negative) for others.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

Do you have a link or reference to the current information you are quoting?

It was presented to the committee. Pretty clear and compelling stuff.

Most June birthdays are able to go to school in September.

All are able. Some aren't ready ... for a variety of reasons ... least of which is hockey

I do agree that late July birthdays and August birthdays (boys only) are more often held back.

More in August. June and July are statistically the same.

Another concern is parents holding back their June kids in 8th grade so their kids have a better chance at HS hockey (we see it with July and Aug kids already) Parents could also decide to delay school entry for June kids with hockey in mind (this is MN!)

That's 'conspiracy theory' thinking. There is a variety of reasons to start kids at an appropriate time, least of which is hockey.

Also, would June kids not held back be able to reapeat another year of bantams (thus playing down?)

No. It changes nothing that isn't already in place. Just instead of July 1 (accomodating 2/3 of summer birthdays), it's June 1 (including all summer birthdays).

It may help a few but makes things complicated (even negative) for others.

It's not at all complicated. It's exactly what we have now but with a more meaningful cutoff. Helps many. Hurts NO ONE.

[stickdownheadup]

Do you have a link or reference to the current information you are quoting?

It was presented to the committee. Pretty clear and compelling stuff.

Most June birthdays are able to go to school in September.

All are able. Some aren't ready ... for a variety of reasons ... least of which is hockey

I do agree that late July birthdays and August birthdays (boys only) are more often held back.

More in August. June and July are statistically the same.

Another concern is parents holding back their June kids in 8th grade so their kids have a better chance at HS hockey (we see it with July and Aug kids already) Parents could also decide to delay school entry for June kids with hockey in mind (this is MN!)

That's 'conspiracy theory' thinking. There is a variety of reasons to start kids at an appropriate time, least of which is hockey.

Also, would June kids not held back be able to reapeat another year of bantams (thus playing down?)

No. It changes nothing that isn't already in place. Just instead of July 1 (accomodating 2/3 of summer birthdays), it's June 1 (including all summer birthdays).

It may help a few but makes things complicated (even negative) for others.

It's not at all complicated. It's exactly what we have now but with a more meaningful cutoff. Helps many. Hurts NO ONE.

Any word on how the board voted??

[council member retired]

tabled until future meeting: district directors to bring to the local level of their associations, report back.

[Pioneerprideguy]

Not surprising. Keep pushing the issue back & hope it goes away. Feel bad for the 8th grade kids that don't make a high school team next year & lose association eligibility. Change is slow and this has been at their doorstep for 3 yrs now, hopefully people will continue to push the issue and allow more kids the opportunity to play with classmates.

[jancze5]

I'll say it again..

get rid of JV hockey

promote the level of U16 at the association with A and B levels

if you don't make Varsity, you play U16 still...everyone wins and everyone has a place to play hockey.

High School takes JV savings and puts into Varsity program

[greybeard58]

J5
Many years ago when the 16U came into place fro the MHL it was also a thought that maybe the High schools and Mn Hockey would get together and use this classification and get the best of both. There would have been a few adjustments made on both sides to make it work and it is my guess that as before everybody is waiting for the H.S. to see the light and try to see the best of both.

[MinnGirlsHockey]

tabled until future meeting: district directors to bring to the local level of their associations, report back.

Any word on the status of the potential age change (from July 1st to June 1st) being considered at the MN Hockey Spring Board Meeting?

I think the last I heard, IF it does get changed it wouldn't be effective until the 2011-12 season?

[elliott70]

tabled until future meeting: district directors to bring to the local level of their associations, report back.

Any word on the status of the potential age change (from July 1st to June 1st) being considered at the MN Hockey Spring Board Meeting?

I think the last I heard, IF it does get changed it wouldn't be effective until the 2011-12 season?

The process is still in committee.
They are gathering data. All parents of a child(ren) born in June should be getting a short survey from Minnesota Hockey shortly (next two weeks).

Info should go back to board and a vote in June or September with effective date change being 2011-29012 season.

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

Thanks for the update Elliot. Sounds promising and good to see that the much needed change is on the horizon.

[Pioneerprideguy]

Elliott,

Any word what the survey will look like? Also, any initial feelings on how the numbers will look & if the committee finds the need to recommend the change to the Board, will they support it?

[ALSANITI]

The states around Minnesota are very interested in this as well as we play against mostly Minnesota and North Dakota Teams. I would assume if Minn. changes, SD and ND will follow suit.

[Haute hockeymom]

According to the Minnesota Department of Education;

- Almost all kids enter Kindergarten at age 5.
- Fewer kids, not more, are entering Kindergarten at age 6.
18% in 2004 and 10% in 2009.

http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/gr ... 017120.pdf

http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Learni ... index.html

[ALSANITI]

According to the Minnesota Department of Education;

- Almost all kids enter Kindergarten at age 5.
- Fewer kids, not more, are entering Kindergarten at age 6.
18% in 2004 and 10% in 2009.

Point being?

[timcorbin21]

our community has delayed kindergarten for 25% of the student population. virtually all kids born june through august and most born in may.

[Haute hockeymom]

The point is that the so-called trend toward older kindergartners is a myth.

Nearly all 9th graders will have a year of Bantam eligibility because the vast majority start Kindergarten at age 5.

Survey the Parents of the kids with June birthdays - are you kidding.
What would the May Birthdays say about moving it to 5/1

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

The point is, that kids with summer birthdays (as opposed to kids who's birthdays fall within the school year) ought to be treated the same. June birtdays should be treated same as July & August - whatever the decision is -September 1 or June 1.

The Minnesota School study couldn't have said it better
(http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/gr ... 017120.pdf), making their first and highest priority recommendation ...

1. Continue to support parents in their role as children's first teachers.

If a parent decides theor summer birth child is better served held back, then we ought to support them as well.

Another interesting part of the study shows that girls are 3 times more prepared for kindergarden at age 5 than boys are ... another compelling reason to hold summer birthday boys back till 6.

Good information.

Change the date to June 1 with a parental option to "play up" for those who are ready - (with any birthday).

[WhosPuckIsItAnyways?]

Survey the Parents of the kids with June birthdays

Excellent idea, and one supported by the Minnesota Board of Education - As a child's first teachers, parents know what's best for their children. While there may be great benefits to playing with older children (although I am not convinced), I am sure many parents need the option to allow their kids to stay with their peer group. Moving the date to June 1 will at least allow the June summer birthdays the same options as their summer peers. Good place to start. Helps many. Hurts no one.