Hi All - I'm new to this (all of it), although last year my four year old started his first hockey season. The association moved him up to Mini-mites instead of Rookie mites as they thought it would be more "his level" of play. So he was playing with kids that were all older than he was, as many as 3 years older. He was probably in the top 30% as far as skating ability. He competed very well, especially considering the age difference.
I only bring this up to give you an idea of where he is at as far as ability. He's a good skater for a young guy...he can cross-over on both sides, hockey stops on both sides, skates backwards pretty well, front to back transitions and vice versa are very good on his strong side, but a work in progress on his weak side. He's five now...skating once or twice a week with dad working on improving his skating or just goofing around.
As I started learning about the cult called youth hockey, my question to all of you parent's that "have been there", is should I be considering AAA hockey, stick with the association (which seems to be strong) or both or ???
Right now I'm going with the Association and skating clinics one night a week in the off-season but the draw of AAA always makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing for him...or maybe it's just too early to be considering such things?
Wondering what your take is for AAA hockey vs what appears to be a strong association?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
AAA vs Association
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O-townClown
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You are wise to ask. My experience is that at such a young age kids will go along with whatever you make available to them. In a few years he can verbalize his feelings better and you'll get a sense of whether more hockey is his idea or someone else's.
As long as he's involved in other activities, I don't see a problem with playing more hockey in the offseason at a young age. That will get him off to a good start.
As long as he's involved in other activities, I don't see a problem with playing more hockey in the offseason at a young age. That will get him off to a good start.
Be kind. Rewind.
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HockeyNut2
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Thanks for the response! Absolutely...his soccer season just ended and he starts baseball next week...when baseball ends he'll be back in soccer for a fall league. I do believe that all sports are good for kids and develop them physically and mentally in ways we probably don't even understand...especially younger kids...just my opinion.O-townClown wrote:You are wise to ask. My experience is that at such a young age kids will go along with whatever you make available to them. In a few years he can verbalize his feelings better and you'll get a sense of whether more hockey is his idea or someone else's.
As long as he's involved in other activities, I don't see a problem with playing more hockey in the offseason at a young age. That will get him off to a good start.
Re: AAA vs Association
If he likes sports in general I would consider Minnesota made for Winter hockey. My son skated there for three years. We had 12 kids from our association go to the made. Ice time, ice time, ice time. The kids at Minnesota made are better skaters in whole versus what association hockey can offer.HockeyNut2 wrote:Hi All - I'm new to this (all of it), although last year my four year old started his first hockey season. The association moved him up to Mini-mites instead of Rookie mites as they thought it would be more "his level" of play. So he was playing with kids that were all older than he was, as many as 3 years older. He was probably in the top 30% as far as skating ability. He competed very well, especially considering the age difference.
I only bring this up to give you an idea of where he is at as far as ability. He's a good skater for a young guy...he can cross-over on both sides, hockey stops on both sides, skates backwards pretty well, front to back transitions and vice versa are very good on his strong side, but a work in progress on his weak side. He's five now...skating once or twice a week with dad working on improving his skating or just goofing around.
As I started learning about the cult called youth hockey, my question to all of you parent's that "have been there", is should I be considering AAA hockey, stick with the association (which seems to be strong) or both or ???
Right now I'm going with the Association and skating clinics one night a week in the off-season but the draw of AAA always makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing for him...or maybe it's just too early to be considering such things?
Wondering what your take is for AAA hockey vs what appears to be a strong association?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Take a look at what your association charges per hour for ice time and compare to Minnesota made. Hour by hour Minnesota made was cheaper when we were there. I think our Mites received 30 hours in our association, and 85 hours at the made. Some kids do both association and Minnesota made. Outdoor ice is an option depending on weather.
As for AAA hockey. If you have the time and funds it is very fun depending on the team. Not sure where you live? Velocity offers some good summer camps and Minnesota made does the same. If you live in the southwest suburbs there are options every where.
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O-townClown
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skipperj wrote:Irish, are they still excepting kids for this winter season at the made?
Yeah Skip, college are overrated.Well, I have to disagree with you o-town. I think they should try out for whatever team they can make and get the most amount of money they can. They can pay for their own college later. I'm sure NHL teams need some good imports.
Be kind. Rewind.
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O-townClown
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Skip, it was on a different thread. But my point is that in my household I will not support a decision for a 15 or 16-year-old to close the door on NCAA hockey in favor of a potentially accelerated path through Canadian Junior Hockey.
From your recent Minnesota made post, it is obvious we place a different value on education. That's fine.
One thing I don't understand is how many people don't understand the Major Junior education agreement. The team will tell families they pay for college. They don't. That offer is negated if you finish your hockey with them and sign a pro contract. Since the whole idea is to pursue professional hockey, it doesn't make sense to go up there at age 17 or whatever and then settle into schooling with no hockey.
The NCAA path works very well. The USHL path works very well. It's a fallacy to say that Major Junior is superior for everyone or anyone.
For those that chose it, I wish them well. Not a route I'll steer my son if he ends up being a good player.
From your recent Minnesota made post, it is obvious we place a different value on education. That's fine.
One thing I don't understand is how many people don't understand the Major Junior education agreement. The team will tell families they pay for college. They don't. That offer is negated if you finish your hockey with them and sign a pro contract. Since the whole idea is to pursue professional hockey, it doesn't make sense to go up there at age 17 or whatever and then settle into schooling with no hockey.
The NCAA path works very well. The USHL path works very well. It's a fallacy to say that Major Junior is superior for everyone or anyone.
For those that chose it, I wish them well. Not a route I'll steer my son if he ends up being a good player.
Be kind. Rewind.
o-town, First of all I love college hockey, especially my gophers (which is made up of almost all Minnesotans and very few import players 
), Second - I was just messing with you from our Team Minnesota thread. Third - Made hockey is for youths up to I believe peewee. Doesn't have anything to do with College.
I hope my kid goes to college. Already saving for that. Not holding my breath on a hockey scholarship like some around here.
), Second - I was just messing with you from our Team Minnesota thread. Third - Made hockey is for youths up to I believe peewee. Doesn't have anything to do with College.I hope my kid goes to college. Already saving for that. Not holding my breath on a hockey scholarship like some around here.
Skip,skipperj wrote:o-town, First of all I love college hockey, especially my gophers (which is made up of almost all Minnesotans and very few import players
I hope my kid goes to college. Already saving for that. Not holding my breath on a hockey scholarship like some around here.
You are correct the Made is for kids up to PW age. Although I highly suggest getting your kids in earlier than later. Lots more ice time and lots better skaters versus association hockey. Not even close.
Minnesota = Home grown players = Pride on ice. You kind of feel bad for North Dakota that has to recruit Minnesota kids or Import players from Canada just to compete. What's next? Sending a team to Canada to play in a tournament and call themselves Team Minnesota while using out of state players?
Not acceptable? 