Interesting read on players leaving

[bemused]

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article ... r_id=32770

Why no mention of the WHL? It's all about playing juniors to get ready for college. On this topic, and after last year's Pauly/Portland blow-up, it was relevant. Especially since story quoted the coach more than once.

Another thing not mentioned, but relevant....there are more than a few "summer birthday" kids who are already 18 when senior season started, and who could have graduated previous June. Some have even been drafted, and that NHL team is going to have a big say on where the kid plays.

Huh? you do know you can't play WHL and then American/ NCAA college?

[puckbreath]

If you think a 17-18 year old kid thinks their parents know more than they do about what's best for them, then it's probably been a looooong time since you were that age.

Lots of uninformed comments about how the process works, when it's the parents driving the train.

It doesn't take place *only* when the kid is 17-18.

These are kids (in my examples) that have been told/reinforced, since they were old enough to skate, you're the best.

You're going to be playing in the NHL.

Any bumps along the way are the result of bad coaches, bad programs holding you back/shafting you, etc.

It's never our fault, it's theirs, who/whatever is "theirs".

You are entitled to the "best", because you are the best.

etc, etc, etc.

Ad nauseam for twelve or so years, and the kid believes it too and/or thinks his parent(s) knows what they're talking about. In *this* matter.

It's not really rocket science; tell a hs age kid to clean his room, they're going to tell you to take a hike.

Tell them the above.....over and over and over, for years......they're going to agree with it more often than not.

Unless you know every kid/family that has ever left early, this is nothing but spinning yarn. Other than the kid from Elk River, I haven't heard any speculation to where a kid who left early felt they were getting "screwed" over by bad coaching or bad programs holding them back. Most kids who leave early come from some of the best programs in the state. Is it not possible that the kid thinks he can get better by going to Juniors?

I never said I knew every kid/family.

I have witnessed my example, more than once, so it's not spinning a yarn, like it or not.

But once hs hockey became a business, the writing was on the wall anyway, and it's not going to change.

One thing for sure though; I'm *still* waiting for the first, "If only player x hadn't stunted his development by staying his senior year, and gone away to (whereever) instead.
He'd been something else" story.

[almostashappy]

Huh? you do know you can't play WHL and then American/ NCAA college?

Yes, I know. That was my point. One narrative in the story are kids leaving high school a year early because they need a year of juniors before they play college hockey, and they don't want to be a 20-year old freshman. But there are kids who are leaving Minnesota hockey before senior year to play in the WHL. One got kicked off of his high school team by a quoted coach because he visited a WHL team mid-season. Since you can't go from WHL to NCAA hockey, must be a different reason why those kids are going that route.

Back to my previous point....some more basic reporting would have helped this story. Forty-one left this year, which is a record. But how many were seniors, and of the seniors who left, how many could have graduated high school the previous June, had they started kindergarten as 5-year olds, rather than 6 (i.e. the "red-shirt kindergarteners")?

This question seems relevant for a few reasons. Because youth hockey goes by age rather than grade, those kids age out of bantams by their freshman year of high school. By the start of senior year they would have been in their high school program for 3 years...the same time commitment to their high school program as the kids who play bantams in 9th, then varsity/jv sophomore through senior year.

Secondly, this idea of being "loyal" to the friends/teammates that you've grown up playing with doesn't necessarily apply to the older senior. They've always played with kids a grade ahead of them, and their year-class teammates would have graduated the previous June.

Third point for the older senior is junior team eligibility. I need some help here, but doesn't the USHL restrict the number of 19-year olds can be on their roster? If a kid wants to play USHL rather than Tier 2 NAHL hockey, and if they are already 18 at start of senior year, that might be a problem.

[O-townClown]

It has got to be pretty easy to leave if you aren't going to play on a Top 15 HS team.

For those that have as 10th & 11th graders, it isn't a big surprise they'd leave for their 12th grade year.

[The Exiled One]

Third point for the older senior is junior team eligibility. I need some help here, but doesn't the USHL restrict the number of 19-year olds can be on their roster? If a kid wants to play USHL rather than Tier 2 NAHL hockey, and if they are already 18 at start of senior year, that might be a problem.

They restrict the number of 20 year-olds. The "old" seniors are 1995 born. There will be no USHL restrictions on 1995 born players next season, but 1994 born players will be limited. Therefore, every senior has the opportunity to play at least a full season in the USHL or two full seasons in the NAHL post-graduation, which should be plenty of enough time to prove if they're worthy of a D1 roster spot.

[MrBoDangles]

I'm a fan of MSHSL hockey, but I'm a college fan first. I don't like to see players leave HS needlessly, but it's easy for me to understand the reasoning for many of them.

First, the D1 committed kids are typically told that they'll need a year of juniors before college. I can understand why many of them want to start college as true freshmen. There are exceptions, of course, for extraordinary talents and emergency call-ups: Bjugstad, Holl, Rau, Leddy, Hanowski, Besse, Faust, Budish, and several others I know I'm missing. But even Mr. Hockey winners like Kloos, Gorowsky, Dey, and Serich were asked to play a year of juniors. So, it's fairly safe to say that a stop in juniors has become a bit of a prerequisite.

Second, there are some kids who just aren't playing solid enough schedules to ever get noticed, with or without mind boggling statistics. They often end up learning the WRONG game. They end up as "finishers" only and flop when they get to higher levels. I can understand why a Heid, or Von Ruden, or Fredberg might want to seek greener pastures.

However, there are at least 20 players who left this season where I don't understand their motivation at first glance. There may be valid reasons derived from thorough, logical analysis, but I don't know what they are. It's these kids that the MSHSL is trying to lure back through emotional pleas. I don't know that it'll work, but I wish them the best of luck.

Kinda a strange comment coming from you since you know of Hanowski and Benik so well.

They were tore apart on here as being overrated because of soft schedules..

Festler?

SCSU has made a killing on knowing how well these types would transition into the D-1 game.

[The Exiled One]

Kinda a strange comment coming from you since you know of Hanowski and Benik so well.

They were tore apart on here as being overrated because of soft schedules..

Festler?

SCSU has made a killing on knowing how well these types would transition into the D-1 game.

Actually, I think St. Francis and Little Falls probably should have received more credit. The Flyers, in particular, always put up a strong showing at State despite not winning a championship. Hanowski and Festler had many opportunities to show their stuff against top competition and tended to do well. St. Francis still played a full AA schedule, despite the fact that it was a mediocre one.

The main thing I was trying to express is that I can understand their motivation to leave. However, it certainly wasn't meant as an endorsement.

[hawkhockey]

I think people put a lot on the family and friends bit of wanting to stay. Probably not many but at least a few have less than ideal home lives or maybe they don't have a group of friends that they've grown up playing with. This could motivate a kid to leave early especially if he plays for a lower-tier school. I can tell you that if I had the skill and opportunity to play juniors in high school I probably would have based on the program I played in and my life at home. Leaving friends would suck but playing better hockey would have been more important to me.

It aint all about hockey........its leaving your family and FRIENDS during your last year (or more) in highschool. I think most would agree that your Senior Year is the BEST year in school......... Plenty of examples of kids being successful after playing Juniors......... Will give only one example of a skater who stayed all 4 years....... Justin Kloos....... Finished school at home, played Juniors and is having a huge impact wtih the Gophers. Have spoken with skaters who have given up their highschool years for Juniors....... Great choice as far as hockey competition......... not so great when you see them among their friends and they see what they are missing on a daily basis.......... JMO

I agree that giving up your Senior year with your friends is a huge and tough decision, but neither you or I know what's best for every kid. I don't think anyone is giving these kids enough credit. Cmon, these are 17 and 18 year old kids, not 3rd graders. I'm sure these kids think that part of it through. They know what it means to have their friends around them and how much they enjoy or don't enjoy High School. Some probably stay for this reason and some probably don't care, so they leave.

I think people are forgetting that they still attend High School when they leave early to go play in the USHL. They make more friends. Whose to say they don't have a better High School experience at the new school? Nobody knows that. There is no one size fits all for every kid. How can anyone be so arrogant as to lump every situation into one and think they know what's best for every kid?

For the vast majority of these kids that have to have at least one year of Juniors before college, I would think starting college on time would be a big factor. I would assume that if they finish High School and then go, one or two years with no school at all would affect academic performance once they do get to college. Are we forgetting that the purpose of going to college is to get a Degree and ultimately a career that you will have the rest of your life? (For the 99.9% that don't make the NHL).

[HShockeywatcher]

For any player who has to play one year of juniors, wouldn't that year be more productive if they aren't in school and can instead focus their energy on hockey?

Also, I'm curious if anyone thinks the MSHSL would ever get support from a higher league? In the NBA, for example, players cannot be drafted out of high school anymore. Sure, some go overseas, but most go to college.
Would it be possible to get the USHL to not allow high school students?
Would it be possible to get the NCAA to support students staying?

I look at virtually every other high school sport that is good in other places and, with a couple exceptions, high school athletics is where it's at. It would be nice, for so many reasons, if everyone was able to work together to get more kids to stay.

I agree that giving up your Senior year with your friends is a huge and tough decision, but neither you or I know what's best for every kid. I don't think anyone is giving these kids enough credit. Cmon, these are 17 and 18 year old kids, not 3rd graders. I'm sure these kids think that part of it through. They know what it means to have their friends around them and how much they enjoy or don't enjoy High School. Some probably stay for this reason and some probably don't care, so they leave.

I think people are forgetting that they still attend High School when they leave early to go play in the USHL. They make more friends. Whose to say they don't have a better High School experience at the new school? Nobody knows that. There is no one size fits all for every kid. How can anyone be so arrogant as to lump every situation into one and think they know what's best for every kid?

For the vast majority of these kids that have to have at least one year of Juniors before college, I would think starting college on time would be a big factor. I would assume that if they finish High School and then go, one or two years with no school at all would affect academic performance once they do get to college. Are we forgetting that the purpose of going to college is to get a Degree and ultimately a career that you will have the rest of your life? (For the 99.9% that don't make the NHL).

Seriously? Is this really an adult claiming 17 and 18 years olds are mature?
Not much more needed to say, but if you think seniors in high school have life experiences to look on knowing what it best for their future I'm curious what world you live in.
I'm not naive enough to think kids do, or even should, listen to their parents for every decision they make, but I think it's pretty naive to say they are mature enough to make big decisions.(We know the part of the brain that makes long term decisions isn't fully developed until around age 25)

Reading your second paragraph makes me laugh with all the transfer discussions people have. I agree 100% with that paragraph, but if you were to insert it into a discussion about transfers you'd probably get the exact opposite response

Does taking community college classes affect D1 eligibility? Kids could take classes in class or online while on their junior team for one or two years and significantly decrease their workload once they get to college.

Anyway, good post, good points.

[Cdale]

Go over to KFAN and podcast Dan Barreiro from 2-4-14 and Lou talks about this topic. Pretty good. The 29 minute mark is the topic at hand.


http://www.kfan.com/media/podcast-dan-b ... -24287388/

[JSR]

Don't bother with their comments section.

I made a comment, of how so often, these actions are more parent driven than player driven.

Guess they didn't like it.

If you think a 17-18 year old kid thinks their parents know more than they do about what's best for them, then it's probably been a looooong time since you were that age.

Lots of uninformed comments about how the process works, when it's the parents driving the train.

It doesn't take place *only* when the kid is 17-18.

These are kids (in my examples) that have been told/reinforced, since they were old enough to skate, you're the best.

You're going to be playing in the NHL.

Any bumps along the way are the result of bad coaches, bad programs holding you back/shafting you, etc.

It's never our fault, it's theirs, who/whatever is "theirs".

You are entitled to the "best", because you are the best.

etc, etc, etc.

Ad nauseam for twelve or so years, and the kid believes it too and/or thinks his parent(s) knows what they're talking about. In *this* matter.

It's not really rocket science; tell a hs age kid to clean his room, they're going to tell you to take a hike.

Tell them the above.....over and over and over, for years......they're going to agree with it more often than not.

I'm curious how everyone seems to "know" what parents are telling their kids and what they are thinking? I've been around ALOT of hockey parents and have met some "crazy" ones and some laid back ones and everything in between. Not ONCE, not ever have a ever met one that said "You're going to be playing in the NHL', pretty much every parent, even the craziest ones, tell me they know that playing in the NHL is a near impossibility and while they don't tell their kids they can't play in the NHL they supposedly never tell them that they are "going to" play in the NHL. I am sure it exists and there are obviously "Patrick Kane parents" out there but I am not buying the idea that they are out there in spades. You come on this forum and people act like every single kid who ever left high school to play junior hockey is automatically parented by some lunatic forcing his or her kid out of the house to chase some NHL dream that they just know is going to happen and their overzealousness is so dominant it's all that matters. Sorry I'm not buying it, not even for the average nutty hockey parent. My son is not in the position to have this choice in front of him so I am not sure how I would feel if he was. IF I were ever in that situation part of me thinks I would want him to stay home, finish high school and take his opportunities as they come when he's graduated, part of me also thinks that starting college as an actual freshman has huge upside and might lead to him finishing college and getting his degree at an age where he won't feel as much pressure to leave early and will open more professional doors for him and will allow him to handle whatever life hands him. I also think at that age his voice has to count for something and while I would want him to have ALL the information, and I would want him to get our persepctive, I would also want to encourage him and allow him to pursue what makes him happy. None of us wants to live life with regrets, I know I don't want my children to have them, I'm not sure there is a "right" answer but I also don't think these parents are the "monsters" some people would like you to believe that they are

[JSR]

For any player who has to play one year of juniors, wouldn't that year be more productive if they aren't in school and can instead focus their energy on hockey?

Also, I'm curious if anyone thinks the MSHSL would ever get support from a higher league? In the NBA, for example, players cannot be drafted out of high school anymore. Sure, some go overseas, but most go to college.
Would it be possible to get the USHL to not allow high school students?
Would it be possible to get the NCAA to support students staying?

I look at virtually every other high school sport that is good in other places and, with a couple exceptions, high school athletics is where it's at. It would be nice, for so many reasons, if everyone was able to work together to get more kids to stay.

I agree that giving up your Senior year with your friends is a huge and tough decision, but neither you or I know what's best for every kid. I don't think anyone is giving these kids enough credit. Cmon, these are 17 and 18 year old kids, not 3rd graders. I'm sure these kids think that part of it through. They know what it means to have their friends around them and how much they enjoy or don't enjoy High School. Some probably stay for this reason and some probably don't care, so they leave.

I think people are forgetting that they still attend High School when they leave early to go play in the USHL. They make more friends. Whose to say they don't have a better High School experience at the new school? Nobody knows that. There is no one size fits all for every kid. How can anyone be so arrogant as to lump every situation into one and think they know what's best for every kid?

For the vast majority of these kids that have to have at least one year of Juniors before college, I would think starting college on time would be a big factor. I would assume that if they finish High School and then go, one or two years with no school at all would affect academic performance once they do get to college. Are we forgetting that the purpose of going to college is to get a Degree and ultimately a career that you will have the rest of your life? (For the 99.9% that don't make the NHL).

Seriously? Is this really an adult claiming 17 and 18 years olds are mature?
Not much more needed to say, but if you think seniors in high school have life experiences to look on knowing what it best for their future I'm curious what world you live in.
I'm not naive enough to think kids do, or even should, listen to their parents for every decision they make, but I think it's pretty naive to say they are mature enough to make big decisions.(We know the part of the brain that makes long term decisions isn't fully developed until around age 25)

Reading your second paragraph makes me laugh with all the transfer discussions people have. I agree 100% with that paragraph, but if you were to insert it into a discussion about transfers you'd probably get the exact opposite response

Does taking community college classes affect D1 eligibility? Kids could take classes in class or online while on their junior team for one or two years and significantly decrease their workload once they get to college.

Anyway, good post, good points.

Actually the USHL has a school/work requirment. So you have to either have some sort of job OR be going to school (probably JUCO) when you play in the USHL. So you can't "jus" play hockey even after you graduate high school.

[HShockeywatcher]

I'm curious how everyone seems to "know" what parents are telling their kids and what they are thinking? I've been around ALOT of hockey parents and have met some "crazy" ones and some laid back ones and everything in between. Not ONCE, not ever have a ever met one that said "You're going to be playing in the NHL', pretty much every parent, even the craziest ones, tell me they know that playing in the NHL is a near impossibility and wile they don't tell their kids they can't play in the NHL they supposedly never tell them that they are "going to" play in the NHL. I am sure it exists and there are obviously "Patrick Kane parents" out there but I am not buying the idea that theya re out there in spades. You come on this forum and people act like every single kid who ever left high school to play junior hockey is automatically parented by soem lunatic forcing his or her kid out of the house to chase some NHL dream that they just know is going to happen and their overzealousness is so dominant it's all that matters. Sorry I'm not buying it, not even for the average nutty hockey parent. My son is not in the position to have this choice in front him so I am not sure how I would feel if he was. IF I were ever in that situation part of me thinks I would want him to stay home, finish high school and take his opportunities as they come when he's graduated, part of me also thinks that starting college as an actual freshman has huge upside and might lead to him finishing college and getting his degree at an age where he won't feel as much pressure to leave early and will open more professional doors for him and will allow him to handle whatever life hands him. I also think at that age his voice has to count for something and while I would want him to have ALL the information and I would want him to get our persepctive I would also want him to encourage him and allow him to pursue what makes him happy. None of us wants to live life with regrets, I know I don't want my children to have them, I'm not sure there is a "right" answer but I also don't think these parents are the "monsters" some people would like you to believe that they are

In a discussion solely about education, I'm still wondering about community college (or online through a "mainstream college). In the non-sports world, students everywhere are attending community colleges to get credits and save money. Additionally, of students who start college as a "true freshman" many graduate in 5+ years.
I would think to combat both of those playing hockey and taking some classes either online or at a local community college would help. This would create the opportunity to need to take less credits once actually in college.

[imlisteningtothefnsong]

Great post JSR!! Though I have been told that,"my opinion carries no weight around here", I thought I would applaud your post. Sometimes change comes in the form of opportunity, and not evil parents!!

[JSR]

Third point for the older senior is junior team eligibility. I need some help here, but doesn't the USHL restrict the number of 19-year olds can be on their roster? If a kid wants to play USHL rather than Tier 2 NAHL hockey, and if they are already 18 at start of senior year, that might be a problem.

They restrict the number of 20 year-olds. The "old" seniors are 1995 born. There will be no USHL restrictions on 1995 born players next season, but 1994 born players will be limited. Therefore, every senior has the opportunity to play at least a full season in the USHL or two full seasons in the NAHL post-graduation, which should be plenty of enough time to prove if they're worthy of a D1 roster spot.

Technically true, but if you know the landscape then you also know that if you only have 1 year of eligibility that USHL team likely isn't taking you even if you have the talent. If you have two years but right away you are likely bound for the NAHL you probably will also not see any USHL time and you probably will have to play a full two years at the NAHL level which means your back to starting school two years after graduation. The ones who stay in high school all the way through to graduation and play juniors after graduation are only likely to see the USHL IF they are good enough to play in the USHL right away OR they have three years of eligibility left. The ones who aren't ready right away and only have two years left are the ones who have to grind, yes they can still make it to D1 college hockey and even be really good at that level but it's a tougher more grinding road

[JSR]

I'm curious how everyone seems to "know" what parents are telling their kids and what they are thinking? I've been around ALOT of hockey parents and have met some "crazy" ones and some laid back ones and everything in between. Not ONCE, not ever have a ever met one that said "You're going to be playing in the NHL', pretty much every parent, even the craziest ones, tell me they know that playing in the NHL is a near impossibility and wile they don't tell their kids they can't play in the NHL they supposedly never tell them that they are "going to" play in the NHL. I am sure it exists and there are obviously "Patrick Kane parents" out there but I am not buying the idea that theya re out there in spades. You come on this forum and people act like every single kid who ever left high school to play junior hockey is automatically parented by soem lunatic forcing his or her kid out of the house to chase some NHL dream that they just know is going to happen and their overzealousness is so dominant it's all that matters. Sorry I'm not buying it, not even for the average nutty hockey parent. My son is not in the position to have this choice in front him so I am not sure how I would feel if he was. IF I were ever in that situation part of me thinks I would want him to stay home, finish high school and take his opportunities as they come when he's graduated, part of me also thinks that starting college as an actual freshman has huge upside and might lead to him finishing college and getting his degree at an age where he won't feel as much pressure to leave early and will open more professional doors for him and will allow him to handle whatever life hands him. I also think at that age his voice has to count for something and while I would want him to have ALL the information and I would want him to get our persepctive I would also want him to encourage him and allow him to pursue what makes him happy. None of us wants to live life with regrets, I know I don't want my children to have them, I'm not sure there is a "right" answer but I also don't think these parents are the "monsters" some people would like you to believe that they are

In a discussion solely about education, I'm still wondering about community college (or online through a "mainstream college). In the non-sports world, students everywhere are attending community colleges to get credits and save money. Additionally, of students who start college as a "true freshman" many graduate in 5+ years.
I would think to combat both of those playing hockey and taking some classes either online or at a local community college would help. This would create the opportunity to need to take less credits once actually in college.

Most kids playing junior hockey who plan to go to college do take classes. A few choose to just have a job but most take classes and most junior teams are hooked up with an area community college or juco or whatever where these students take their classes and those credits "can" transfer to their intended university and they do not use up any eligibility

[puckbreath]

I think people put a lot on the family and friends bit of wanting to stay. Probably not many but at least a few have less than ideal home lives or maybe they don't have a group of friends that they've grown up playing with. This could motivate a kid to leave early especially if he plays for a lower-tier school. I can tell you that if I had the skill and opportunity to play juniors in high school I probably would have based on the program I played in and my life at home. Leaving friends would suck but playing better hockey would have been more important to me.

It aint all about hockey........its leaving your family and FRIENDS during your last year (or more) in highschool. I think most would agree that your Senior Year is the BEST year in school......... Plenty of examples of kids being successful after playing Juniors......... Will give only one example of a skater who stayed all 4 years....... Justin Kloos....... Finished school at home, played Juniors and is having a huge impact wtih the Gophers. Have spoken with skaters who have given up their highschool years for Juniors....... Great choice as far as hockey competition......... not so great when you see them among their friends and they see what they are missing on a daily basis.......... JMO

I agree that giving up your Senior year with your friends is a huge and tough decision, but neither you or I know what's best for every kid. I don't think anyone is giving these kids enough credit. Cmon, these are 17 and 18 year old kids, not 3rd graders. I'm sure these kids think that part of it through. They know what it means to have their friends around them and how much they enjoy or don't enjoy High School. Some probably stay for this reason and some probably don't care, so they leave.

I think people are forgetting that they still attend High School when they leave early to go play in the USHL. They make more friends. Whose to say they don't have a better High School experience at the new school? Nobody knows that. There is no one size fits all for every kid. How can anyone be so arrogant as to lump every situation into one and think they know what's best for every kid?

For the vast majority of these kids that have to have at least one year of Juniors before college, I would think starting college on time would be a big factor. I would assume that if they finish High School and then go, one or two years with no school at all would affect academic performance once they do get to college. Are we forgetting that the purpose of going to college is to get a Degree and ultimately a career that you will have the rest of your life? (For the 99.9% that don't make the NHL).

True enough.

Of course, sometimes, it's still bad hockey, just with older kids.

[puckbreath]

If you think a 17-18 year old kid thinks their parents know more than they do about what's best for them, then it's probably been a looooong time since you were that age.

Lots of uninformed comments about how the process works, when it's the parents driving the train.

It doesn't take place *only* when the kid is 17-18.

These are kids (in my examples) that have been told/reinforced, since they were old enough to skate, you're the best.

You're going to be playing in the NHL.

Any bumps along the way are the result of bad coaches, bad programs holding you back/shafting you, etc.

It's never our fault, it's theirs, who/whatever is "theirs".

You are entitled to the "best", because you are the best.

etc, etc, etc.

Ad nauseam for twelve or so years, and the kid believes it too and/or thinks his parent(s) knows what they're talking about. In *this* matter.

It's not really rocket science; tell a hs age kid to clean his room, they're going to tell you to take a hike.

Tell them the above.....over and over and over, for years......they're going to agree with it more often than not.

I'm curious how everyone seems to "know" what parents are telling their kids and what they are thinking? I've been around ALOT of hockey parents and have met some "crazy" ones and some laid back ones and everything in between. Not ONCE, not ever have a ever met one that said "You're going to be playing in the NHL', pretty much every parent, even the craziest ones, tell me they know that playing in the NHL is a near impossibility and while they don't tell their kids they can't play in the NHL they supposedly never tell them that they are "going to" play in the NHL. I am sure it exists and there are obviously "Patrick Kane parents" out there but I am not buying the idea that they are out there in spades. You come on this forum and people act like every single kid who ever left high school to play junior hockey is automatically parented by some lunatic forcing his or her kid out of the house to chase some NHL dream that they just know is going to happen and their overzealousness is so dominant it's all that matters. Sorry I'm not buying it, not even for the average nutty hockey parent. My son is not in the position to have this choice in front of him so I am not sure how I would feel if he was. IF I were ever in that situation part of me thinks I would want him to stay home, finish high school and take his opportunities as they come when he's graduated, part of me also thinks that starting college as an actual freshman has huge upside and might lead to him finishing college and getting his degree at an age where he won't feel as much pressure to leave early and will open more professional doors for him and will allow him to handle whatever life hands him. I also think at that age his voice has to count for something and while I would want him to have ALL the information, and I would want him to get our persepctive, I would also want to encourage him and allow him to pursue what makes him happy. None of us wants to live life with regrets, I know I don't want my children to have them, I'm not sure there is a "right" answer but I also don't think these parents are the "monsters" some people would like you to believe that they are

I would have thought the "You're going to play in the NHL" comment was obviously tongue in cheek, instead of literal.

My apologies you didn't see it that way.

As to the rest of your comments, once again, I have never said every single parent is per my examples.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Great podcast on this article. The tournament is not watered down. It is and will remain for a long time a great event. http://minnesotahockeymag.com/2014/02/0 ... ow-252014/

[pitbull]

It would be interesting to poll the high end players that stay after the season to see if it was worth it. IMO if they win Mr. Hockey and/or go to the State tournament the answer would be yes. If not ???

[puckbreath]

Great podcast on this article. The tournament is not watered down. It is and will remain for a long time a great event. http://minnesotahockeymag.com/2014/02/0 ... ow-252014/

Outstanding, thanks.