Bantam A vs. High School?

[packerboy]

goldy, I dont know what the deal is exactly in Rochester as far as whether they are one association or 2 or what but the general rule is: one A team per asociation.<br><br>All of the large metro associations have one Bantam A team.<br><br>As far as playing with the guys you will be teamates with....I think that is overated. The make up of a high school team changes every year with new kids coming in and Seniors leaving. <br><br>This discussion, as many others do these days, always is focused on the individual. Whats best for my little Johnny.<br><br>I think we should expand the focus to ask "Whats best for hockey?"<br><br>Strong Bantam programs are important to development.<br><br> Taking the best 9th graders out of our Bantam programs may satisfy a coaches need for that next big JV win but it doesnt do squat for the Bantam program. <br><br>Where do these guys think their high school players come from....Mars?<br><br>I think its good for hockey to keep Bantam eligible players in Bantams and it isnt going to hurt the player one bit. <br><br><br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[goldy313]

Rochester is one association with two VFW teams, "Red" and "White" though they feed 4 high schools. I thought some others were the same, at that level, maybe there is no White Bear "Black" and "White" or Edina "Green" and "White" even though they only feed 1 high school. I see so many different youth teams at so many different levels I lose track of how other programs do it at each level. So they have multiple B teams and only one A team then I guess. <br><br>Devil's advocate here for a minute, say little Johnny is going to go play at Holy Angels as a sophomore, what good does it do for a coach in say Eagan to keep him on the bantam A team there? Wouldn't it be better in the long run for Eagan hockey to dump Johnny and keep a kid who is going to stay at Eagan High School? Granted it sucks for Johnny, but wouldn't it be best long term for Eagan hockey?<br><br>All in all packerboy I agree with you. Especially in that we don't seem to be focusing on what's best for hockey, rather on the individual. I'm part of a movement that's trying to change how our association runs and input like this helps. We continually have top level kids (probably more D1 than any other assoc.) but teamwise Rochester high schools just can't seem to put it together, and I highly doubt it's the coaches. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

goldy, Absolutely not. In your hypothetical, Eagan would be foolish to want to lose a top player(s). Keep the players as long as you can. It helps everybody. <br><br>It will make the kids going to Eagan better.<br><br>It will help the AHA program because their kids are in a quality program. Its win/win if people approach it right. Its good for hockey. <br><br>It is so simple but people srtuggle getting past their prejuduces.<br><br>Just like I srtuggle with my typing. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckerboy</A> at: 6/16/05 12:15 pm<br></i>

[pucklover7]

Here's what I think. If a player is moving up to play a regular shift on the varsity team, not powerplay or penalty kill, but a regular shift, than make the move. If you know your season is going to be spent entirely on the JV team than it is no question you should stay back.<br><br> I have previously coached at the JV level and at the Bantam A level, at a top program in the state. I have no reservations telling people that Bantam A hockey is a better brand of hockey, and here's why.<br><br>First hockey is a team sport, JV hockey on the other hand is about promoting your individual skills so you can get noticed by the coaching staff, and get a shot at some varsity time. In JV hockey you lose all the things that make playing hockey great. You don't get that team bonding, which is what makes a sport like hockey so great. In hockey you have to be willing to sacrifice yourself for the good of the team, and that is the only true way to gain success. With JV hockey you may have to sacrifice the good of the team for yourself to be successful. I have seen it with my own eyes.<br><br>Second reason, playing a second year of bantams helps the individual begin to develope leadership skills. Skills that are not only valuable in hockey, but even more so in real life. Not that leadership skills can't be developed at the high school level eventually, but I can assure you there are not to many seniors out there that want to hear it from a freshman.<br><br>Third, the confidence gained by being a "GO TO GUY" There is a lot of value in being the guy at the end of the game with yours, or the other teams goalie pulled, that the coach looks to you to be on the ice. <br><br>Next, the maturity issue. There is never a time when I want my 14 or 15 year old son hanging around 17 and18 year olds. They have different things on their minds.<br><br>Finally, the fact that Bantam hockey is more about enjoying your childhood, and being with your friends. Its about going on weekend tournaments, staying in hotels, throwing each other in the pool etc. High School hockey has a sense of always looking over ones shoulder, because you can be replaced at any moment.<br><br>With all that being said, there are certainly situations where all of what I just said blows out the window, and the individual should move up, but I think that exception has become the rule, and I blame, the parents, the coaches, and anyone else who puts D-1 or bust expectations on these kids. Let them play, Let them have fun, and the same kids who are willing to work hard on the rink, in the classroom, and in life are the ones that will continue to play, whether or not they move up early or not. <p></p><i></i>

[topshelf11]

i completely agree, good points <p></p><i></i>

[HockeyKid1728]

What do you guys think about playing a 3rd year of Bantams of playing HS <p></p><i></i>

[mnswarm10]

Go for HS unless u really physically can not handle that and in that case u should try hitting the weights for next season because u can't hang around bantams to long. I guess it really depends on the player and what he feels. anyway that's just what i think. <p></p><i></i>

[mnswarm10]

i just want to add that i think u have some really good points pucklover and u sound like a really great coach so thanks for sharing that. <p></p><i></i>

[topshelf11]

The only way I would play a third year of bantams would be if the player has a lot of friends on the team, if the player needs more time to develop and grow, if the player thinks he would get more quality ice time, and if he hasn't already played at the Bantam A level. (It wouldn't make sense to me to play three years of Bantam A, but it might be a good idea to go C-B-A.) <p></p><i></i>

[Crosby is my hero]

Here is my situation: <br><br>I am sure by now you all know about the coaching situation at Mounds View High School. Most of us know that the MV team won't be so good this year, especially in their conference, and their youth hockey isn't much better. <br><br>I'm am asking your opinion, if you were an "impact player" as a first year A bantam and will obviously be one as a second year A bantam, would you play bantams for a MV youth hockey Bantam team that would be average, even if you were physically, mentally, and mature enough to play JV and would be a first liner, or would you play JV for an average HS team(the highschool offers less games than bantams, more practices, and better off ice training)?<br><br>Sorry if this is hard to understand, I'm not the goodest writer in the world (joke). But please try to comment. It will be greatly appreciated by me.<br><br> Thanks <p></p><i></i>

[Grand Forks]

My son played his third year of Defense as a Bantam A last season. He was a sophomore. He had a choice to stay in the youth program or play for the high school where he may or may not have made the varsity.<br><br>He choose to play bantams to work on the offensive side of his game. He has always been solid on the D side of things but hesitant on the offense.<br><br>All in all we will never really know if it was the right decision but he was the captain and leader of the team. He gained a lot of good experience with that and did a good job. His confidence has skyrocketed in carrying the puck up the ice. His offensive output was almost 5 times higher than any season he ever played before going from 3 to 14 goals in the season. <br><br>As I mentioned, he wanted to work on his offence but he also wanted to play against a high quality of competion and since he played in District 6, he felt that he would get the best of both worlds by staying a bantam. Look at who you would be playing against throughout the season.<br><br>Due to injuries on the varsity team, he probably would have also received decent playing time there but he is happy with his decision and he had fun playing bantams. <br><br>My two cents. <p></p><i></i>

[MNPuckster27]

If I understand your situation right, this would be my advice (but it is ultimately up to you to make your decision).<br><br>Stay in bantams. Especially if you plan on playing at MV high school in the future. There will be plenty of time in grades 10-12 for you to shine on the varsity level. Stay in bantams and focus on working hard on the things you need to improve on in 75 games as opposed to 25 on JV. Also, if you are truly a big impact player among your bantam age peers, work on becoming the leader among that group of kids, because they will be the ones you play with in coming years. <br><br>If you are thinking about personally improving your skills, either playing JV and practicing every day or playing a longer season as a bantam, the effect will ultimatley be about the same depending on how hard you work at it. And if the varsity team at Mounds View isnt going to be great this season (which is what i've heard) then it isnt like you are missing out on being a part of a great season and a possible state tournament run. <br><br>Thats just my opinion, but there are also many pluses to making the opposite decision and playing on the JV/Varsity. Good luck to you whichever you decide. <p></p><i></i>

[Crosby is my hero]

I've read through both your responses and I greatly appreciate your advice. I will really take it to heart. You both make very good points, I should work on my weaker areas and take advatage of the game time.Also I <!--EZCODE UNDERLINE START--><span style="text-decoration:underline">will</span><!--EZCODE UNDERLINE END--> try to work on my leadership skills. <br><br> Thanks again, <br> Crosby <p></p><i></i>

[OFFSIDES GUY]

Wow that is quite a choice you have there Crosby. Stay in Bantams at Mv with an association that was so inept last year that 14 kids bolted to Wisconsin to play Bantams or play at MV HS that is in the middle of chaos due to some parents stabbing the coach in the back and the admin folding for fear of upsetting them. That's a tough hand to be dealt. Rumor has it the youth hockey board changed and apologized for past transgressions and at least a good portion of those good players will be back. Opinion- play bantams and let the dust settle at hs. Good luck whatever you choose. <p></p><i></i>

[nolookpassguy]

Another thing to consider is the coaching situation. Which team provides the better coaching which will allow you to develop more. Playing more games, say at the bantam level, won't necessarily ensure development if you are not provided the proper guidence. Just another thing to consider. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

Play Bantams. You will be fine. Dont waste a lot of energy trying to figure out whats best for you. <br><br>An A/VFW Bantam experience will not hurt you one bit. Many, many, great players have taken that path. Avoid JV. Dont play there unless you have no choice. Play with the top team. <br><br>There are a lot of players who have come out of "bad" programs and done just fine. <br><br>You will start in less than 6 weeks with clinics and tryouts. You will play until March. Enjoy the rest of the summer and quit worrying about it. <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[Chico]

Crosby, are you a freshmen? If I understand correctly you played for the Moundsview A Bantam team last season also? If you did play for that team, you should know the coach and how he operates at the bantam level already. I would stay and play out that last year and forget about stressing out on this decision.<br><br>You can stay and work on many things if you are truly dedicated. This will build confidence and help prepare you for the high school level. I do not think that Moundsview plays in a VFW league, but does have a challenging D2 league schedule. Also you can take part of your last year for the out of town tournament action and fun with your friends.<br><br>You could maybe consider taking part in the high school tryouts to see what the new coach is all about, and go back to your bantam team when they are over. I am not sure what the numbers are like at the high school, but be careful of moving up early just due to the numbers game. You need to look at where your best chance to develop will be based upon your goals, the high school will be there next season waiting for you.<br><br>Best of luck<br> <p></p><i></i>

[brownie]

Did you play with the A bantam team last season or did you play on that AAA team from Wisconsin? From what I've heard is that the A bantam coaching staff really cares about developing the players on and off ice. What does your bantam coach from last season think? How was he for developing players. Good luck with your decision. <p></p><i></i>

[Crosby is my hero]

I didn't play for MV bantams last year, I played on the "AAA" team. That's not really what it was. It was a player devlopement team that was sanctioned in Wisconsin. It was also known as the "Black Sheep". You may have heard of that. It was a team that focused more on practicing on ice, on dryland, and in the weight room. It was something that helped me to the point where I am twice the hockey player now. I do not regret it one bit, and i would do it again if I could. <br><br>I did make my choice, I'm going to play Bantams for MV. It just seemed like a better choice, and my coach from last year thought the same.<br> <p></p><i></i>

[OFFSIDES GUY]

You'll be fine. Enjoy the season and get the most out of it you can. Yes I heard about your Black Sheep team- it came up at the School Board meeting when us hs coaches spoke on Nick's behalf. More than one coach nodded his head on what a great training model it was. Take advantage of it. <p></p><i></i>

[brownie]

I think you'll see you made a good decision. I also think you'll be suprised at the off ice training you'll be doing with that A bantam team. Have fun <p></p><i></i>

[Dusey]

Hey Crosby, good choice. Hang with your buddies for another year. It'll be great.<br><br>I watched you in a scrimmage recently and you made a great pass to that old guy for a tap-in goal. But you do have to consider who was between the pipes. Nick-Nack Paddy Wack.<br><br>I think at this stage of your career you're way ahead of your ol' man at any stage in his career. Pop's might have been slow, but he couldn't shoot. Ha! <br><br>By the way, are you going share a brush with your buddy who owns the brick. <p></p><i></i>

[Crosby is my hero]

Haha, ya, I guess i'm pretty lucky that Patrick Roy wasn't in net, I don't think that crazy old guy would have been able to put it in on him! But anyways, thanks for the complements. See ya soon. <p></p><i></i>

[HockeyDogs]

If your good enough to play up with the HS players at the Age of a Bantam then so be it. Play HS: Your Practice time doubles and like i said if your good enough to play on a regular shift then go for it. The better players you play against the better you will become. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>