YHH: Edina AA heads to Michigan

[Slipped in the crease]

Observer:
It's no mystery why T1 teams have kids at the front end of a birth year at the younger ages as they are usually stronger, larger and more mature.

Many studies have been conducted in this regard. However, it does seem to average out a little as they get older.

I have seen the percentage of pro players born in the first quarter are greater in number.......simply numbers, it should mean nothing to a kid or a parent for that matter. I would never tell a kid , it's not gonna happen because stats show, you were born in October, you have a lower percentage chance of success.

It's a matter of perspective and most parents perspectives are skewed by their kid and where they fit in as a whole. Whether winter is an advantage or summer hockey has an advantage is debatable.

[rocketscience]

[quote="observer"][quote]Why do hockey folks make such a big deal about it. I hear the same thing, "oh he's a young02" or he's a old 98. An old 98?? come on !!! [/quote]

Cuz parents like to make excuses.

This is when I like to share these links. Chicago Mission 2000 team has only 4 players with birthdays after July 1.

http://www.chicagomission.com/teams/00.htm

The 1999 team has one player born after July 1.

http://www.chicagomission.com/teams/99.htm

Both of these Tier 1 AAA teams are currently ranked #1 in the country.

I will say the Minnesota system of winter/summer is best because during the winter season the after July 1s have an advantage and during the summer season the before July 1s have the advantage. For sure the best youth development model.[/quote]

When you say "cuz parents like to make excuses" sounds like your saying that age does not matter. Then you go on the make a case for age mattering in Chicago and explain why age makes a difference in the Minnesota seasons. What is your position?

We've all seen the 180lb 5'9" clunky PW that can't skate, or the one that has average skill but effectively uses their body to make an impact, and the 90lb dynamo that blows by everyone. But by and large its more skill rather than size that makes the big difference. Strength eventually levels out.

I do think that one extra year of experience in winter and summer hockey at PW or Bantam does make a difference in a player's ability especially if they have good training. This is where you can see an ability gap between the age of the players. This is why a top 99 team always beats a top 00 team. All things equal in training and level (A, AA, AAA), its not so much size as it is the number of years of hockey that make a difference for the average player at these younger ages.

So I'd say age does make a difference because in most cases the age means one more year of training, games and development.

[JSR]

I assume EP stands for Eden Prairie, their previous 3 games against EP were 5-0, 12-1, 8-3.........

Simple fact that you have to make the statement that you're "assuming EP means Eden Prairie" - reveals that you probably know a lot less than you think you do about MN hockey - just sayin'

Or it reveals that you are just assuming something about me and you know what they say about when we "assume"...........

[observer]

I was just sharing my opinion that we have the best set-up with the two seasons. With a year around birth year arrangement the second half of the year birthdays are at a definite disadvantage. In Minnesota they can be among the strongest players during our winter season.

I heard that the Rau Eden Prairie group that won the PeeWee A state title, Bantam A state title and twice were HS Champs had 10-12 players with birthdays after July 1. That never would happen with a single birth year set-up.

Minnesota has it best.

[MrBoDangles]

I was just sharing my opinion that we have the best set-up with the two seasons. With a year around birth year arrangement the second half of the year birthdays are at a definite disadvantage. In Minnesota they can be among the strongest players during our winter season.

I heard that the Rau Eden Prairie group that won the PeeWee A state title, Bantam A state title and twice were HS Champs had 10-12 players with birthdays after July 1. That never would happen with a single birth year set-up.

Minnesota has it best.

Move to an association that has good coaching and don't be on an A team that gets pounded by AA teams(among many other things) etc..... And then I can totally agree with you.

We're at half of our potential right now.

Your last two posts do have merit.

[YouthHockeyHub]

I have added a brief recap of the Compuware game,more photos to this post, plus an editorial response to a lot of issues raised in this forum on my take on this trip.

http://youthhockeyhub.com/edina-invades-the-motor-city/

Enjoy,

TS

[O-townClown]

Tony, very well done.

[SKMN]

Thanks for the link and article. Well done. I agree with the coaches, the best thing about all of this was hockey players from differents parts of the US, sitting down, having pizza, and talking hockey. That's what it's all about.

[YouthHockeyHub]

Tony, very well done.

Thanks OTC, this was great experience for us at YHH.

[SKMN]

Since MN Made seems to be a bit of a sore issue with some, does anyone know how many of these kids were trained or played at MN Made? (I really don't know).

Edina #1 Bantam AA team
Edina #3 Bantam A team
Edina #3 Bantam B1 team
Edina #1 Pee Wee AA team
Edina #1 Pee Wee A team
Edina #1 Pee Wee B1 team

For a town of 50K, that is quite amazing! Great program for sure. I also read that two pee wee AA's moved into the Edina association in the last two years? Is that accurate? Thanks

[SKMN]

Having coached for three AAA organizations, I have never seen the younger team beat the older team (it does happen on occasion). There are mixed aged teams, but you can only play up, not down. Most of the smaller organizations play against the younger teams, because of travel issues. If you look at a premier program, like the LA Junior Kings (who beat Honey baked), they do play their own younger team 2000 vs. 2001. They beat them by 5 and 8 goals. Even when checking isn't involved, the older players win the battles in the corners, have harder shots, and obviously have been playing longer. Many AA teams beat the AAA teams, and it is up to the organization to decide what level they want to play at. Below the top 40 AAA teams, the top AA teams are better to about the top 10, then drop off a bit.

And yes, there is only one reason, that MN hockey keeps their current age grouping, and that is HS hockey. And no other State could field a HS hockey team to compete against the MN ones. MA could have, ten years ago, but no longer, since AAA hockey and prep hockey took over.

Shattuck's prep team is probably the best example of how MN HS would compete at the U18AAA level. They obviously did well this year. The MNHS teams would have to drop their players born before 94 though, and I'm not sure how many that would be. Shattuck's prep team is very young this year, but that doesn't take away what St Thomas and Benilde did this year. That is a premier program.

So, in the end, there is plenty of good hockey all around the US. If you ever get a chance, go to Pee Wee Quebec. Watching Honey Baked play the Red Army team from Russia was a treat. And there are 5-17K fans in the Stadium every day for 10 days! These kids are good!!!!

[YouthHockeyHub]

Karl,

Please lock this thread..it's purpose was to discuss Edina and their trip to Detroit (primary) and Community Based hockey versus AAA hockey (secondary). Somehow it lead to articles about Jamie McBain.

No disrespect to Bernie Haters, but why drag his kid through the mud...seems a bit harsh if you ask me??