Edina Squirt A - What's Up?

[summerisforbaseball]

cathywilliams....I assume u have ties to one of the coaches/teams.. I respect you sticking up for them. However, I want to point out I said nothing negative about anyone. Moreover, I stated my opinion, which I'm entitled to, that the Edina squirt A program is not what it used to be. That's not an indictment of anyone. It's simply my opinion and I asked why that is? Some of the responses were critical and others weren't.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

13 squirt teams this year?

Are there 5th and 6th graders in Edina that don't play hockey?

They're developing much more than the years with the coach that wore the undefeated hat.

Visor ... undefeated visor.

OMG I'm having flashbacks. And laughing way too hard for 8am.

[fanofthegame11]

I stand behind my criticism. The practices are not focused on skill development. I did not pinpoint a team so my criticism is not personal. I have talked to my coach as have other dads. Nothing changed and the board isn't involved once teams are picked so they can't help. It is a watered down product.

[DrGaf]

cathywilliams....I assume u have ties to one of the coaches/teams.. I respect you sticking up for them. However, I want to point out I said nothing negative about anyone. Moreover, I stated my opinion, which I'm entitled to, that the Edina squirt A program is not what it used to be. That's not an indictment of anyone. It's simply my opinion and I asked why that is? Some of the responses were critical and others weren't.

I think the program is the same ... I tend to believe that everyone else is catching up.

You should be happy that the rest of the squirt teams, while they come no where near matching your numbers, they are able to match your top line talent.

Regardless of what you are entitled too because of your zip code, no one else feels sorry for you.

Edina has been a beacon of what kind of program the majority of associations would love to be. From the outside I see HUGE numbers, quality coaches, a dedicated volunteer base, and a very successful booster program.

Don't feel like you're losing ground because some "hicks" from OMG beat you. They're pretty damn good skaters.

[50cent]

I stand behind my criticism. The practices are not focused on skill development. I did not pinpoint a team so my criticism is not personal. I have talked to my coach as have other dads. Nothing changed and the board isn't involved once teams are picked so they can't help. It is a watered down product.

"other DADS".... Sounds like an Edina thing. You should have left this off the forum and kept it in the "inner circle" of Edina.

Next year be a coach if your not happy!!!

[Double22]

I stand behind my criticism. The practices are not focused on skill development. I did not pinpoint a team so my criticism is not personal. I have talked to my coach as have other dads. Nothing changed and the board isn't involved once teams are picked so they can't help. It is a watered down product.

As someone who has both coached his own kids and put in several seasons as a "non-parental" volunteer coach, I feel compelled to chime in here. I don't have a horse in this particular race and no skin in the game.

It is unfortunate that you seem unhappy with your son's hockey experience this season. I would be curious to know what your boy's opinion on his season is, and even more curious if his dad is aware of how he actually feels about it. I believe that in many cases kids don't realize they are not having a good time until an "adult" points it out to them.

"I have a player on one of the teams. The practices are frankly mite practices with little skill development. My kid has not improved like I thought he would. Neither team has won a big game. OMG, WBL, Chaska/Chan and others are simply better. EHA doesn't care about winning at the squirt level. If they did, they wouldn't have expanded to two teams nor would they have decided to not bring the former coach who didn't lose a game in two years while DEVELOPING the players. Bitter? Nah. But it could be so much better if the board hired more qualified people"

This sounds like an unfortunate situation for the entire Edina Squirt Hockey Program. I'm quite certain the Edina Hockey Program has built its reputation by working harder, smarter, and putting their available resources to very effective use. What a bummer that anyone with your coaching skillset and knowledge base would stand idly by on the sidelines, deriving the players, coaches, and entire association of your vast amount of hockey knowledge. I would be interested in seeing how some of your "dynamic" practice plans that emphasize skill development look on paper, much less how they actually play out during ice time.

"Blueandwhite guy, the 4 "wins" were against weak teams so the 4-2 record thing is over stated. Too much money for a weekend to attend knowing we would not win against top teams. Shouldn't be the case in Edina."

So if your team had won, the cost would have been justified? Perhaps as a board member you could be more diligent in cherry-picking tournaments that only draw inferior competition from teams with small numbers of players. It's never a guarantee of a tournament win, but it will sway the odds more in your favor. Wait a second- I may have gotten ahead of myself by assuming someone with all your knowledge, ability, & willingness to devote your time & energy to actually be on the board to try to make a difference.

Youth sports parents can either choose to be supportive and help out when they can, or they can choose to be divisive and offer up criticism from the bleachers. That's a great way to undermine your son's coaches and to get the entire team- players, coaches, & parents- pulling in all different directions. If you have something constructive to add, then by all means I would encourage you to do so. But if you choose to sit in the bleachers being critical of everything at every turn, I would encourage you to keep your negativity to yourself. If you have something to add, bring it. Get involved. Volunteer your time & energy. If you choose the route of negativity, save it. Again, I have no stake in this game other than wanting kids and the youth sports organizations designed to serve their needs succeed. I will turn to Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, from the movie "A Few Good Men" to sum up my feelings on this entire topic:

"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."

[South Metro Hockey]

I stand behind my criticism. The practices are not focused on skill development. I did not pinpoint a team so my criticism is not personal. I have talked to my coach as have other dads. Nothing changed and the board isn't involved once teams are picked so they can't help. It is a watered down product.

As a coach, let me ask you this. How do you define skill development? Where is the coach not doing their job specifically? Are the kids not growing as skaters and stickhandlers, are they out of position, or just not winning enough. It's hard for someone to understand what you really mean unless you are willing to specifically define it. My experience is that if you ask every parent separately what "skill development" means, you would get a different answer from each of them. My son's team had two dads grousing about skill development last weekend up in Fargo. One of them was besides himself that our kids were not in position properly but were better skaters, the other was complaining that we need more skating and less team concept stuff. They were talking completely past each other, but walked away thinking they agreed 100% we aren't developing correctly. Unless you say what is missing, all of these posts are nothing but axe grinding.

[upnorthfan]

Wow, not wanting to attend tournaments unless you know you can win, at the squirt level????

[SCBlueLiner]

Wow, not wanting to attend tournaments unless you know you can win, at the squirt level????

Sadly, I know too many parents who are like that and a few associations where that menatility is pervasive. Fortunately, the coaches I know see the benefit of playing games (even those games you know are going to be an uphill battle) for the experience and developmental opportunities they offer rather than the certainty of a large margin of victory.

[NatKingColeIV]

.the issue with the complaint is how it was written in my humble opinion. It sounded personal. I don't think the person needs to be ripped for stating his opinion. I chimed in I did not like the practices. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. Good luck to all in final weeks of season.

[South Metro Hockey]

.the issue with the complaint is how it was written in my humble opinion. It sounded personal. I don't think the person needs to be ripped for stating his opinion. I chimed in I did not like the practices. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. Good luck to all in final weeks of season.

What don't you like about the practices?

[Passionforfuninsports]

The initial question was valid and asked out of curiosity. The current Squirt A parents that have chimmed in should be ashamed of themselves. I'm a current parent of a Bantam, PeeWee and Mite players in Edina. I do not have an "A" player in the family. Our skill levels are B and C levels.

People who rip on the current coaches and ask for more qualified coaches- get involved and/or talk to the coaches. And before you do, do your research! The current coaches are beyond qualified to coach these kiddos. Remember, we are not grooming future NHL'ers. Get perspective.

And if you want to go back to the undefeated coach, good luck. We know several parents/kids that were coached by him. Not attacking him personally, however your son would not be challenged because he only played half the bench. When players left others out, no lessons were taught to include them. When EHA wanted to add another team, he threatened to take his whole team and leave. If you want your 10 and 11 year olds to "develop" a win at no cost attitude or an entitled attitude, then let's go back to one team. The EHA did the right thing by expanding the program to two teams. There is enough skill to warrant the two teams. Development is not only about winning and tough practices. Sports are for character development and teamwork and life skill development as well.

Please know that not all Edina hockey people are crazies (as I call them). I came from the east side and went to Hill Murray. There is hockey madness everywhere. Please make this about the kids and not yourselves- adults. I'm quite sure your Squirt A player isn't complaining. And if you want undefeated seasons with no challenges and lessons, you are setting up your children for future failures.

Thanks!!

[barry_mcconnell]

Too funny. Aren't both teams still in the top 5 in state? Yep, program is going to hell alright.

[Redzonestance]

Both sides are too sensitive. The guy who is frustrated needs a chill pill and a full time job. The ones who are outraged at the criticism need to not be so sensitive. Edina's squirt program isn't what it used to be but that is logical because there are 2 teams. Edina is still top 10.

[MNM JMH]

Both sides are too sensitive. The guy who is frustrated needs a chill pill and a full time job. The ones who are outraged at the criticism need to not be so sensitive. Edina's squirt program isn't what it used to be but that is logical because there are 2 teams. Edina is still top 10.

And thanks for that post,,, not.

I wanted to hear more crying from both sides.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

The initial question was valid and asked out of curiosity. The current Squirt A parents that have chimmed in should be ashamed of themselves. I'm a current parent of a Bantam, PeeWee and Mite players in Edina. I do not have an "A" player in the family. Our skill levels are B and C levels.

People who rip on the current coaches and ask for more qualified coaches- get involved and/or talk to the coaches. And before you do, do your research! The current coaches are beyond qualified to coach these kiddos. Remember, we are not grooming future NHL'ers. Get perspective.

And if you want to go back to the undefeated coach, good luck. We know several parents/kids that were coached by him. Not attacking him personally, however your son would not be challenged because he only played half the bench. When players left others out, no lessons were taught to include them. When EHA wanted to add another team, he threatened to take his whole team and leave. If you want your 10 and 11 year olds to "develop" a win at no cost attitude or an entitled attitude, then let's go back to one team. The EHA did the right thing by expanding the program to two teams. There is enough skill to warrant the two teams. Development is not only about winning and tough practices. Sports are for character development and teamwork and life skill development as well.

Please know that not all Edina hockey people are crazies (as I call them). I came from the east side and went to Hill Murray. There is hockey madness everywhere. Please make this about the kids and not yourselves- adults. I'm quite sure your Squirt A player isn't complaining. And if you want undefeated seasons with no challenges and lessons, you are setting up your children for future failures.

Thanks!!

No these parents ARE developing future NHL players!! Come on! They were picked up for the elite track at mini-mites... At least in mommy or daddy's own mind!
Those who can't DO criticize how others TEACH.

[MNM JMH]

The initial question was valid and asked out of curiosity. The current Squirt A parents that have chimmed in should be ashamed of themselves. I'm a current parent of a Bantam, PeeWee and Mite players in Edina. I do not have an "A" player in the family. Our skill levels are B and C levels.

People who rip on the current coaches and ask for more qualified coaches- get involved and/or talk to the coaches. And before you do, do your research! The current coaches are beyond qualified to coach these kiddos. Remember, we are not grooming future NHL'ers. Get perspective.

And if you want to go back to the undefeated coach, good luck. We know several parents/kids that were coached by him. Not attacking him personally, however your son would not be challenged because he only played half the bench. When players left others out, no lessons were taught to include them. When EHA wanted to add another team, he threatened to take his whole team and leave. If you want your 10 and 11 year olds to "develop" a win at no cost attitude or an entitled attitude, then let's go back to one team. The EHA did the right thing by expanding the program to two teams. There is enough skill to warrant the two teams. Development is not only about winning and tough practices. Sports are for character development and teamwork and life skill development as well.

Please know that not all Edina hockey people are crazies (as I call them). I came from the east side and went to Hill Murray. There is hockey madness everywhere. Please make this about the kids and not yourselves- adults. I'm quite sure your Squirt A player isn't complaining. And if you want undefeated seasons with no challenges and lessons, you are setting up your children for future failures.

Thanks!!

No these parents ARE developing future NHL players!! Come on! They were picked up for the elite track at mini-mites... At least in mommy or daddy's own mind!
Those who can't DO criticize how others TEACH.

There you go. Now let's hear from the other side.

[workedhardhavefun]

[quote="summerisforbaseball"]cathywilliams....I assume u have ties to one of the coaches/teams.. I respect you sticking up for them. However, I want to point out I said nothing negative about anyone. Moreover, I stated my opinion, which I'm entitled to, that the Edina squirt A program is not what it used to be. That's not an indictment of anyone. It's simply my opinion and I asked why that is? Some of the responses were critical and others weren't.[/quote]


I was posting in regards to the Edina alum who were posting about the lack of development for their player and the poor credentials of their coaches.
Your initial post was legitimate. My husband is one of the coaches. I know how much he thinks about each player, I know how much time he volunteers, i know how knowledgable he is! the coaches these kids have in edina are fabulous! We have a great team, great parents. Cheering for these kids in the stands is the highlight of our winter. Until someone gets sour grapes and ruins it. But....you can't make everyone happy!
Btw...double 22, great post!

[57special]

The Edina Squirt program as a whole is extremely healthy with 13 teams, up from 9 just a few years ago. They have made a conscious effort to have more teams at the A and B levels ( 2 and 6, as opposed to 1 and 4 in recent years)' resulting in slightly lesser results than in previous years. Time will tell whether the new approach is the right one. I do think it will result in some better goalies coming out Edina.

The old coach had a very talented core ( now on the PWAA team), but was a somewhat controversial guy. He was well known for shortening his bench. The new guys are good hockey people also, but have a diluted talent pool due to the two teams, and have made a commitment to playing all the players equally. I have zero doubt that if they went back to having one A team they would be one of, if not the, best teams in the State.

[InigoMontoya]

Edina hockey people are crazies (as I call them).

Please rest assured, you are not the only one.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

See also.... 99.9% of this board.

[SCBlueLiner]

The Edina Squirt program as a whole is extremely healthy with 13 teams, up from 9 just a few years ago. They have made a conscious effort to have more teams at the A and B levels ( 2 and 6, as opposed to 1 and 4 in recent years)' resulting in slightly lesser results than in previous years. Time will tell whether the new approach is the right one. I do think it will result in some better goalies coming out Edina.

The old coach had a very talented core ( now on the PWAA team), but was a somewhat controversial guy. He was well known for shortening his bench. The new guys are good hockey people also, but have a diluted talent pool due to the two teams, and have made a commitment to playing all the players equally. I have zero doubt that if they went back to having one A team they would be one of, if not the, best teams in the State.

This thread has gone crazy now.

1st, most associations would kill to have those kinds of numbers at squirts. Edina folks should imagine the very real scenario some associations face, are we going to have enough kids to fill 3 teams? 2 teams? What level are they going to play? Can they compete? You guys are rolling out THIRTEEN freaking teams. Hell, you could probably field 3 or 4 A teams and still win better than 50% of your games. The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 (Red, White, & Blue) model from USAH would put you at 4 A, 4 B, and 5 C.

"Time will tell whether the new approach is the right one." Umm, undoubtedly, yes, this is the right approach. Winning every game at squirts does not equal development. Challenging as many kids as possible to play a high level of hockey and developing their skills does. Actually every association in the state should be begging Edina to go back to 1 A team. Go ahead and dominate squirts, because with this structure come Bantams this group of kids is going to be talented and DEEP in the bench.

[HockeyTalk18]

with only one HS varsity team it will be hard to tell if this will work, mainly due to you won't see a lot of them play Varsity, so maybe you'll see a great JV program or more Jr. Gold A teams among the top?. I've always wondered how they keep so many of their 4th and 5th liners when they most likely would be among the top players in some of the surrounding communities. It's interesting that movement from top players jumping schools, why do some of the lower players not jump so they can at least play HS Varsity?.

[Snap Happy]

Is it possible that team in particular just isn't that talented?

[old goalie85]

Maybe it's because Edina has a great school system. School being more important than hockey to the parents.