MN Blades Mite Program

[buttend]

Introducing the MN Blades Jr. Blades Winter Mite Development Program!

This winter, you will not have to choose between getting high-level development training and playing mites with your friend and neighbors in association hockey. You can do both!

Beginning in October, 2010, the Minnesota Blades are pleased to offer a winter development program for mites born from 2002-2003. Designed by MN Blades and Scott Steffen, this program will supplement your association winter mite program. You get to play mites at home, but you come together twice each week for more advanced training. The Jr. Blades Development Program meets on Wednesday nights in St. Louis Park and Sunday afternoons at Mariucci Arena, from October through February.

The program will include 90 minutes clinics with Coach Steffen on Sundays (24 total hours of skills training) and small area games (18 - 1 hour games) with 2002 Blades coaches and others on Wednesdays. Scott Steffen (steffentraining.com) has coached and trained hundreds of professional and Division 1 hockey players. Recently, twelve players from Scott’s 1995 Blades team were selected for USA Hockey’s National Camp in Rochester.

Our goal is to provide a top-shelf development program that enables young players to develop without taking them from their home associations and friends in their tender mite seasons. Spot are limited!

Note for Goalies: Goalies at this age need to develop skating skills as well as goalie skills, thus, goalies in the program will skate on Sunday nights at the development clinics, and will be in goal in the small area games on Wednesdays.

Registration:

* Registration will close when spots are filled.
* Only 2002 and 2003 Mites are eligible for program.
* Total cost of development program is $500 for skaters and $250 for goalies. Full fee due at the time of registration.


http://www.minnesotablades.com/

[High Off The Glass]

Introducing the MN Blades Jr. Blades Winter Mite Development Program!

This winter, you will not have to choose between getting high-level development training and playing mites with your friend and neighbors in association hockey. You can do both!

Beginning in October, 2010, the Minnesota Blades are pleased to offer a winter development program for mites born from 2002-2003. Designed by MN Blades and Scott Steffen, this program will supplement your association winter mite program. You get to play mites at home, but you come together twice each week for more advanced training. The Jr. Blades Development Program meets on Wednesday nights in St. Louis Park and Sunday afternoons at Mariucci Arena, from October through February.

The program will include 90 minutes clinics with Coach Steffen on Sundays (24 total hours of skills training) and small area games (18 - 1 hour games) with 2002 Blades coaches and others on Wednesdays. Scott Steffen (steffentraining.com) has coached and trained hundreds of professional and Division 1 hockey players. Recently, twelve players from Scott’s 1995 Blades team were selected for USA Hockey’s National Camp in Rochester.

Our goal is to provide a top-shelf development program that enables young players to develop without taking them from their home associations and friends in their tender mite seasons. Spot are limited!

Note for Goalies: Goalies at this age need to develop skating skills as well as goalie skills, thus, goalies in the program will skate on Sunday nights at the development clinics, and will be in goal in the small area games on Wednesdays.

Registration:

* Registration will close when spots are filled.
* Only 2002 and 2003 Mites are eligible for program.
* Total cost of development program is $500 for skaters and $250 for goalies. Full fee due at the time of registration.


http://www.minnesotablades.com/

Finally! This will put an end to Wolfpack AAA Hockey...

[HockeyDad41]

I don't think a little thing like this will stop THE WOLFPACK.

However I think it's pretty cool that they are doing this. Maybe some of the kids will make the 02 or 03 blades team.

[terrymoore17]

We are really excited about this winter development program. We expect to provide quality, advanced training, to quality advanced 02 and 03 kids. We are doing it in response to requests from families for something that helps them get better while still playing in their own mite associations.

We are down to the last dozen spots. Go to www.minnesotablades.com if you are interested.

[StayAtHomeD]

Seriously? Mites?

I advise you young parents to skip this program and use the time to work on your child's reading and math skills. Spanish, German or French language classes would be a great benefit as well.

Or maybe they could just go to the pond with their friends and have fun. That is what hockey is supposed to be.

[HockeyDad41]

Seriously? Mites?

I advise you young parents to skip this program and use the time to work on your child's reading and math skills. Spanish, German or French language classes would be a great benefit as well.

Or maybe they could just go to the pond with their friends and have fun. That is what hockey is supposed to be.

How's working on that that going to help their hockey game?

[Night Train]

I think the point is that real success as a person probably doesn't include hockey. Think about the most successful people you know, in business, and it probably doesn't have anything to do with hockey. The end game is being a successful person in business with a happy family.

Most kids quit with the percentage even higher among the ones that are pushed.

[HockeyDad41]

This is a hockey forum. You have to expect a certain amount of us don't want to hear advice like skip hockey and take your kid to german lessons instead.

Besides not one 7 year old I have ever talked to cared about being a champion of business.

[JSR]

I think the point is that real success as a person probably doesn't include hockey. Think about the most successful people you know, in business, and it probably doesn't have anything to do with hockey. The end game is being a successful person in business with a happy family.

Most kids quit with the percentage even higher among the ones that are pushed.

Actually I credit my sports and my sports coaches (hockey included) as being at the top of the list for my success in business as an adult. Participating in those sports taught me as much as any class did and honestly if it weren't for my love of those sports I probably would not have done as well as I did in school, which lead to college which lead to a great careerr in business thus far. So for me, being a successful person very much inlcuded hockey even if I never palyed it beyond high school.

[StayAtHomeD]

I think the point is that real success as a person probably doesn't include hockey. Think about the most successful people you know, in business, and it probably doesn't have anything to do with hockey. The end game is being a successful person in business with a happy family.

Most kids quit with the percentage even higher among the ones that are pushed.

Actually I credit my sports and my sports coaches (hockey included) as being at the top of the list for my success in business as an adult. Participating in those sports taught me as much as any class did and honestly if it weren't for my love of those sports I probably would not have done as well as I did in school, which lead to college which lead to a great careerr in business thus far. So for me, being a successful person very much inlcuded hockey even if I never palyed it beyond high school.

Your parents also deserve credit for making sure you led a balanced life between sports, school. probably chores at home and maybe even church?

These freaking guys, like the guy who started this thread, just trying to get you young hockey families to subsidize that blades program and giving you false hope that this will actually help your child be a "blade" someday. Like families need to spend another $500.00 DURING THE SEASON after they already paid $1000+ for hockey fees plus equipment....

They're MITES FOR GODS SAKE! They probably go to bed with a stuffed animal. They don't need this Blades garbage YET.

See how they do in squirts and put them in skating schools during the summer-Twin City East Metro runs a program that is the best I've seen.

2 weeks, around $200.00 and you'll see the improvement in their skating stride their entire playing career. The rest is COMPETITION and that is something they are born for or not.

I had one son who was fierce on the ice but not a great skilled player but he was very successful in Varsity just because of the fire he was born with. My younger son? A GREAT skater, GREAT slapshot, GREAT eye for onetime passes and he can score from the blueline or anywhere he can get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.

[HockeyDad41]

I think the point is that real success as a person probably doesn't include hockey. Think about the most successful people you know, in business, and it probably doesn't have anything to do with hockey. The end game is being a successful person in business with a happy family.

Most kids quit with the percentage even higher among the ones that are pushed.

Actually I credit my sports and my sports coaches (hockey included) as being at the top of the list for my success in business as an adult. Participating in those sports taught me as much as any class did and honestly if it weren't for my love of those sports I probably would not have done as well as I did in school, which lead to college which lead to a great careerr in business thus far. So for me, being a successful person very much inlcuded hockey even if I never palyed it beyond high school.

Your parents also deserve credit for making sure you led a balanced life between sports, school. probably chores at home and maybe even church?

These freaking guys, like the guy who started this thread, just trying to get you young hockey families to subsidize that blades program and giving you false hope that this will actually help your child be a "blade" someday. Like families need to spend another $500.00 DURING THE SEASON after they already paid $1000+ for hockey fees plus equipment....

They're MITES FOR GODS SAKE! They probably go to bed with a stuffed animal. They don't need this Blades garbage YET.

See how they do in squirts and put them in skating schools during the summer-Twin City East Metro runs a program that is the best I've seen.

2 weeks, around $200.00 and you'll see the improvement in their skating stride their entire playing career. The rest is COMPETITION and that is something they are born for or not.

I had one son who was fierce on the ice but not a great skilled player but he was very successful in Varsity just because of the fire he was born with. My younger son? A GREAT skater, GREAT slapshot, GREAT eye for onetime passes and he can score from the blueline or anywhere he can get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.

I see the "hockey doesn't really matter until squirts" mentality isn't confined to my association.

What's wrong with a 6 year old getting professional, year round, expensive, highly specialized hockey training, that will turn him into a fierce competitor if he wants to? Do we not live in a FREE country? This Hockey Communism has got to stop!

Check your local rinks - this is the time of year when they have lots of open hockey - you really don't have to spend a ton to skate in the summer unless you want to.

[O-townClown]

These freaking guys, like the guy who started this thread, just trying to get you young hockey families to subsidize that blades program and giving you false hope that this will actually help your child be a "blade" someday. Like families need to spend another $500.00 DURING THE SEASON after they already paid $1000+ for hockey fees plus equipment....

They're MITES FOR GODS SAKE! They probably go to bed with a stuffed animal. They don't need this Blades garbage YET.

See how they do in squirts and put them in skating schools during the summer-Twin City East Metro runs a program that is the best I've seen.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.

I find it odd that you are so critical of others. To you there is one path and you know it. If anything is certain, it is that there are many roads and none is the golden one.

My dad used to take me to the tennis court and we'd smack the ball around. I liked tennis and it was fun. He entered me in a tournament and I faced the #3 ranked 12-year-old in Minnesota and got smoked. It was embarrassing. There went the compete mindset you are so fond of.

In hindsight, my father should have taken me to the Northwest Racquet Club and had me work with a tennis pro for a year to build skills and develop confidence.

How is a youth hockey program to get Mites more ice time a certain evil?

At the highest level, soccer clubs pay a handful of guys insane amounts of money. Guess what? These top European clubs also have youth programs. What they do with six-year-olds is different than what Wesley Snajder does. Similarly, the Blades "Mite plus" program will probably just be a great addendum to what kids experience in association hockey. An additional benefit is that they'll be familiar with the pool of interested players and parents.

Do developmental academies in the Dominican Republic give 'false hope'? Do they exist to subsidize the budgets of major league clubs? No, they just facilitate participation for youngsters. How is this any different?

If this is a money-maker for the Blades they aren't doing a very good job of it. Looks awfully inexpensive to me. To make it even better, the high practice-to-game ratio and use of crossice is in line with the USA Hockey ADM. Bravo Blades.

[trippedovertheblueline]

get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.[/quote]

So if you "hit" someone otherwise referred to as check, your a mean kid?

[StayAtHomeD]

Actually I credit my sports and my sports coaches (hockey included) as being at the top of the list for my success in business as an adult. Participating in those sports taught me as much as any class did and honestly if it weren't for my love of those sports I probably would not have done as well as I did in school, which lead to college which lead to a great careerr in business thus far. So for me, being a successful person very much inlcuded hockey even if I never palyed it beyond high school.

Your parents also deserve credit for making sure you led a balanced life between sports, school. probably chores at home and maybe even church?

These freaking guys, like the guy who started this thread, just trying to get you young hockey families to subsidize that blades program and giving you false hope that this will actually help your child be a "blade" someday. Like families need to spend another $500.00 DURING THE SEASON after they already paid $1000+ for hockey fees plus equipment....

They're MITES FOR GODS SAKE! They probably go to bed with a stuffed animal. They don't need this Blades garbage YET.

See how they do in squirts and put them in skating schools during the summer-Twin City East Metro runs a program that is the best I've seen.

2 weeks, around $200.00 and you'll see the improvement in their skating stride their entire playing career. The rest is COMPETITION and that is something they are born for or not.

I had one son who was fierce on the ice but not a great skilled player but he was very successful in Varsity just because of the fire he was born with. My younger son? A GREAT skater, GREAT slapshot, GREAT eye for onetime passes and he can score from the blueline or anywhere he can get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.

I see the "hockey doesn't really matter until squirts" mentality isn't confined to my association.

What's wrong with a 6 year old getting professional, year round, expensive, highly specialized hockey training, that will turn him into a fierce competitor if he wants to? Do we not live in a FREE country? This Hockey Communism has got to stop!

Check your local rinks - this is the time of year when they have lots of open hockey - you really don't have to spend a ton to skate in the summer unless you want to.

I take exception to this, maybe unfairly. Hell, PROBABLY unfairly because this is a program carried on DURING the season? Doesn't it seem just a little unreasonable? I mean these are tiny little kids. I think these Mite programs were set up by experienced hockey coaches and parents with knowledge of what is best for a little 6 or 7 year old and how much hockey they can take a week.

So Family A is going to sign up for this, then Family B of course is not going to want Family A's kid to advance farther than their child, even though they really can't afford it....

Are you following me here?

In the long run, this program is a complete waste. Think about it.

[hockey_is_a_choice]

All of this anti-mite program chatter is suspicious, indeed. Could it be the people who are criticizing the Blades' offer of extra ice time for mites are jealously attempting to prevent Johnny from improving because if that happens Johnny might be better than their kids? Look, the Blades are merely advertising a program. If you like it, buy it. If you don't, skip it.

You may criticize and offer unsolicited advice, but the parents who are driven to sign their kids up for extra ice and who are willing and able to pay considerable amounts of money for better coaching will shrug off the criticism and ignore the unsolicited advice. In other words, while you are entitled to express your opinion, you don't have a vote when it comes to how other people want to raise their kids or spend their money.


As for parents pushing their kids, that's great as long as it's done in moderation. Every child needs to be pushed along the way to adulthood. Some adults look back on their childhoods and wish their parents had pushed them harder to succeed.

By the way, when my sons played mites, the cost was a few hundred dollars, not a $1,000 per season. I would have willingly paid more money if it meant my sons skated more than 2 hours per week. That's why programs such as the Blades Mites and the MM Choice Mite League attract numbers. This program will fill its remaining openings.

[StayAtHomeD]

get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.

So if you "hit" someone otherwise referred to as check, your a mean kid?[/quote]

I wasn't an English major obviously. I just meant the hard edge that IMO a great hockey player needs to really compete, my youngest just doesn't have. The oldest was a complete pr*ck on the ice, I think he was pretty much hated by most kids (including some of this own teammates) because he couldn't take losing. Nicest kid you could ever meet, but you would hate to play hockey with him. He got banned from the club team at college for checking too hard in a league that there's supposed to be no checking. LOL, the youngest will probably make the college club hockey hall of fame

[iwearmysunglassesatnight]

[quote="StayAtHomeD"][quote="trippedovertheblueline"]get some open ice. He plays Junior Gold though because he doesn't compete. He backs off, he doesn't hit people when he has a chance. He's just a nice kid and that is not his game. He'll probably be a fantastic coach someday. I've told him, Varsity hockey is not for everyone, doesn't mean he's not a great player.

Take my advice, great hockey players are born with a heart for the game. Sending them to this program probably isn't going to make a bit of difference in the big picture.[/quote]

So if you "hit" someone otherwise referred to as check, your a mean kid?[/quote]

I wasn't an English major obviously. I just meant the hard edge that IMO a great hockey player needs to really compete, my youngest just doesn't have. The oldest was a complete pr*ck on the ice, I think he was pretty much hated by most kids (including some of this own teammates) because he couldn't take losing. Nicest kid you could ever meet, but you would hate to play hockey with him. He got banned from the club team at college for checking too hard in a league that there's supposed to be no checking. LOL, the youngest will probably make the college club hockey hall of fame [/quote]

Alrighty then.

[StayAtHomeD]

All of this anti-mite program chatter is suspicious, indeed. Could it be the people who are criticizing the Blades' offer of extra ice time for mites are jealously attempting to prevent Johnny from improving because if that happens Johnny might be better than their kids? Look, the Blades are merely advertising a program. If you like it, buy it. If you don't, skip it.

You may criticize and offer unsolicited advice, but the parents who are driven to sign their kids up for extra ice and who are willing and able to pay considerable amounts of money for better coaching will shrug off the criticism and ignore the unsolicited advice. In other words, while you are entitled to express your opinion, you don't have a vote when it comes to how other people want to raise their kids or spend their money.


As for parents pushing their kids, that's great as long as it's done in moderation. Every child needs to be pushed along the way to adulthood. Some adults look back on their childhoods and wish their parents had pushed them harder to succeed.

By the way, when my sons played mites, the cost was a few hundred dollars, not a $1,000 per season. I would have willingly paid more money if it meant my sons skated more than 2 hours per week. That's why programs such as the Blades Mites and the MM Choice Mite League attract numbers. This program will fill its remaining openings.

Good post.

Regarding money, I think I'm pretty close to accurate. My youngest is 16 now and I remember paying around $700 for Mite hockey in the 98/99 so it has to be up there by now I would think.

Yes, my advice is unsolicited and probably unwanted by most but I feel this is a public forum and I'm trying to be as respectful as I can, even though you can probably read my disdain for these checkbook programs pretty clearly.

Offseason and AAA programs at least keep the kids busy, fit and help develop skills but I'm sorry I am not buying into a program that is going to offer a 6 year old more coaching that he is already receiving from this regular coach.

So is the Blades coach the primary then? Who is he supposed to listen to?

There is a reason kids that age sit in the same classroom with one teacher all day in school.

Think about it.

[O-townClown]

Stay at Home, your experience seems very limited and your advice is obviously shaped by only your experiences.

Go ask any college player who loves hockey how often they were on the ice and I'm guessing they'll say as much as possible. Wayne Gretzky didn't skate twice a week as a Mite. Neal Broten didn't skate twice a week as a Mite. Larry Olimb didn't skate twice a week as a Mite. You get the point.

The program is inexpensive. Kids will have fun. It certainly looks like the anti-Made where they tout "Squirt-style" games in a "Choice" (as in make the choice to play here and not in your association) league.

Coaching? How much coaching can kids get at a weekly clinic with crossice games? I doubt these kids will get any 'coaching' at all. They'll probably get some instruction.

How do you propose a kid improve? By not playing hockey? Seems like you are anti just-about-anything.

I had a real eye-opener the other day. I'm strongly opposed by skating clinic for young kids. It just doesn't look fun. My son begged me to do one because his friends were doing it - I was at the rink for my game - and I let him. 25 bucks for an hour. He loved it. No pucks for one hour. For the first time ever he wasn't lazy in practice.

If kids don't want to play hockey or don't want to do a certain program it would be a real shame for parents to ignore that.

Would you somehow feel differently if a kid skipped his association and just did this? That eliminates your concerns about confused kids because of multiple coaching philosophies.

The more I think about this the more I agree with it. The more you argue the case that this is bad the more I fail to see it.

[HockeyDad41]

I take exception to this, maybe unfairly. Hell, PROBABLY unfairly because this is a program carried on DURING the season? Doesn't it seem just a little unreasonable? I mean these are tiny little kids. I think these Mite programs were set up by experienced hockey coaches and parents with knowledge of what is best for a little 6 or 7 year old and how much hockey they can take a week.

So Family A is going to sign up for this, then Family B of course is not going to want Family A's kid to advance farther than their child, even though they really can't afford it....

Are you following me here?

In the long run, this program is a complete waste. Think about it.

This seems to be a common opinion from the crowd that thinks kids shouldn't play hockey as mites.

What exactly is the long run? I've watched/coached 4 years of mite hockey and those kids that skate in these programs consistantly out perform the kids that hang up the skates in March and don't lace them up again until October.

Even if a kid decides to play basketball/soccer/football/debate club when he is 13 and hangs up the skates for good, was it a waste to spend the time and money for good quality hockey? Maybe if mom and dad's dream is D1 or the NHL they would say yes, but anyone who truly understands the long run would say no.

Think about that.

[Cut Above]

What's wrong with skating a little extra as a Mite?

Remember the Super Athlete:
http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/0 ... r-athlete/

Wonder how many District 6 kids have signed up for this with their new rule and if there's an impact?

I'd be real interested if some Edina folks that serve the Blades in many positive capacities have some insight into this being they're in District 6?

"New Rules - Leagues
District 6 recognizes that participation on a District 6 youth hockey team is a time intensive and competitive activity and, in the spirit of advancing the overall best interests of both its youth participants and the District 6 teams, has determined as follows:

A player registered with a District 6 member association may not register or play hockey with any other organization, association or team during the winter hockey season, including playoffs. If a player is found to be registered or playing with another team, the District Director will determine, in their sole discretion, what sanction shall be assessed which may include, without limitation, suspension for the remainder of the District 6 winter hockey season, including playoffs."

Several District 6 Boards are reiteriting this rule directive with their club rules as well. To me it's about self protection of the association community model.

Are other Districts Rule adopting this rule too?

[HockeyDad41]

What's wrong with skating a little extra as a Mite?

Remember the Super Athlete:
http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/0 ... r-athlete/

Wonder how many District 6 kids have signed up for this with their new rule and if there's an impact?

I'd be real interested if some Edina folks that serve the Blades in many positive capacities have some insight into this being they're in District 6?

"New Rules - Leagues
District 6 recognizes that participation on a District 6 youth hockey team is a time intensive and competitive activity and, in the spirit of advancing the overall best interests of both its youth participants and the District 6 teams, has determined as follows:

A player registered with a District 6 member association may not register or play hockey with any other organization, association or team during the winter hockey season, including playoffs. If a player is found to be registered or playing with another team, the District Director will determine, in their sole discretion, what sanction shall be assessed which may include, without limitation, suspension for the remainder of the District 6 winter hockey season, including playoffs."

Several District 6 Boards are reiteriting this rule directive with their club rules as well. To me it's about self protection of the association community model.

Are other Districts Rule adopting this rule too?

Can D6 actually get away with this?

[InigoMontoya]

I don't think this applies to this situation. The blades in-season program doesn't seem to be anything like a team, more like a camp. I just don't see the Devil in this offering. If an association is offering the equivalent of T-ball on ice for 4 years of mites, I don't think parents are being too pushy by getting them a couple hours of ice that may be a little more focused on skating or puck skills. I'd be surprised if the Icemen, Legacy, Reebok Nats, Monopoly, etc. don't offer something similar in the next year or two. There are bunches of 8 year olds that are plenty happy making snow angels and standing in line for four minutes waiting his turn to skate forty feet, then back in line; on the other hand, there are bunches of 6 year olds that want to skate harder, longer, faster. It's hard for all but the largest associations to offer the something for everybody approach; they teach to the middle (and that's fine) as schools do; but if your first grader is reading at a 3rd grade level, do you continue to hand them picture books at home, or do you hit the library for something that will challenge them a little - or at least not bore them to death.

[mnhcp]

I think they're going to try and get away with it according to at least 1 D6 Association.

[observer]

They want you to apply that energy, and enthusiasm, to your community based hockey association. And, you should. Help to improve all the kids as your son will need some linemates or a defensive partner. Life is about serving others. Don't be selfish. What can you do to help all the kids in your community?