Fall development league tryouts?

[wild77]

Why can't they all be invited for tryouts? whats it going to mean, an extra 50 girls trying out so an extra hour or two of ice time? There is an assumption out there that because someone is recomended by a coach that they are more worthy of a tryout. I don’t believe it. The world is not checking in with everyone to see what skills they’ve picked up over the summer, what idea they’ve concocted, what dreams they carry in their hearts. Hockey, both girls and boys is killing itself by excluding people and by the time they realize what's happening it will be too late and we'll be stuck with a small number of all star teams and a group of kids who used to play hockey.

Even with the small number of kids trying out, some parents felt they were donating their money with little or no chance their daughter would get chosen. Now add more girls to the tryouts and what will you have? More parents calling the tryout process a moneymaker. Even more important is the idea that they want to pit these "high end" girls against one another in an attempt to see who can handle the play and who can't. Letting in another 40 or 50 girls of various talent levels may change the level of play and make that process a bit harder.

[Melvin44]

Whty can't everyone tryout??

Too many kids.

It's called Girls HIGH SCHOOL ELITE LEAGUE!

This is for girls trying to further the short hockey careers . College scouts attend and hopefully will see something in our Minnesota girls to give them an opportunity to play college hockey.

College coaches can't even talk much alone contact a 8,9 grader. Let's give the 10,11,12 graders their look.

Younger girls will have their opportunity later when it matters. Please don't give me if a 8th grader can beat out a jr or sr they should get to play. I find it hard to believe that a U14 player would be a top 50 player. Sorry.

Again if you think you have a special Freshman, Sophmnore player. Contact the league at let them know who she is. I'm sure they would consider her for the tryout.

It's called girls HIGH SCHOOL ELITE LEAGUE!

[dochockey]

Whty can't everyone tryout??

Too many kids.

It's called Girls HIGH SCHOOL ELITE LEAGUE!

This is for girls trying to further the short hockey careers . College scouts attend and hopefully will see something in our Minnesota girls to give them an opportunity to play college hockey.

College coaches can't even talk much alone contact a 8,9 grader. Let's give the 10,11,12 graders their look.

Younger girls will have their opportunity later when it matters. Please don't give me if a 8th grader can beat out a jr or sr they should get to play. I find it hard to believe that a U14 player would be a top 50 player. Sorry.

Again if you think you have a special Freshman, Sophmnore player. Contact the league at let them know who she is. I'm sure they would consider her for the tryout.

It's called girls HIGH SCHOOL ELITE LEAGUE!

Open tryouts didn't seem to hurt the US women's Olympic team in the past. Why would it hurt a High school elite league?

[SuperStar]

Doc - Really now ...Do you really have to keep going with this...?

I think you should just give them a call if your daughter is deserving in stead of making comments on the forum.

JUST CALL THE LEAGUE

[royals dad]

Why would it hurt a High school elite league?

There are 4 or 5 very reasonable people who have given you sincere and direct responses to this question. We are lucky we have this league it gives our MN players a leg up. The process doesn’t seem broken but if there seems to be a need for an exception follow the advice already given.

If you are unable to read and digest a thoughtful response from a reasonable person then by all means jump over to the youth hockey forum go to any thread about Minnesota Made and post away like a mad man. You will be a popular addition to those threads.

[joehockey]

There is always a case to be made for a younger player and each class gets better but it is rare for the young players in HS or college to crack a top 50. Last year's exception was Hannah Brandt - I think she led the league in scoring, was picked for All Star Team and was great. Taylor Kuehl (sp?) and Milca McMillan probably could have played also and were just picked for the U18 team I think.

The Elite I and Elite II are both great opportunities with 3200 or so HS girls playing hockey it is tough to get all of them in and every year there will be some good players not involved.

[dochockey]

Doc - Really now ...Do you really have to keep going with this...?

I think you should just give them a call if your daughter is deserving in stead of making comments on the forum.

JUST CALL THE LEAGUE

It's not even about my daughter, My daughter isn't interested and she's really not an elite level player. If you opened it up to everyone how many more girls would actually try out? Maybe a handful? most girls know about where they stand as far as hockey goes and wouldn't waste their time. I just think the orginizers have some fear of letting a girls skills speak for themselves. Someone spoke of Hannah Brandt, if she didn't have a coaches recomendation would she have gotten in? They said she led the league in scoring. Open it up, give everyone who wants a chance to try the opportunity. A closed system gives the impression of being politically motivated and I feel thats one of the big issues that is hurting hockey right now. I work with sports related injuries everyday and the number one complaint I hear from kids when I see Hockey players is that it's all political. No one is doing anything to change that perception.

[SuperStar]

I hear what your saying - no league is going satisfy everyone. You keep asking why...? Here is the answer - "Thats the way it is"

But you need to start your own team or league then if you fell so strongly about it.

Let it go man.....It really isn't a big deal.

[hockeywild7]

Seems your beating a dead horse on here doc. If you really want answers why don't you just call the people who run the league? I am sure they have a solid reason for doing it the way they do. Your obviously not getting the one you want on here. I agree with Melvin, I like the preference given to upper classman.

[Melvin44]

Doc - Really now ...Do you really have to keep going with this...?

I think you should just give them a call if your daughter is deserving in stead of making comments on the forum.

JUST CALL THE LEAGUE

It's not even about my daughter, My daughter isn't interested and she's really not an elite level player. If you opened it up to everyone how many more girls would actually try out? Maybe a handful? most girls know about where they stand as far as hockey goes and wouldn't waste their time. I just think the orginizers have some fear of letting a girls skills speak for themselves. Someone spoke of Hannah Brandt, if she didn't have a coaches recomendation would she have gotten in? They said she led the league in scoring. Open it up, give everyone who wants a chance to try the opportunity. A closed system gives the impression of being politically motivated and I feel thats one of the big issues that is hurting hockey right now. I work with sports related injuries everyday and the number one complaint I hear from kids when I see Hockey players is that it's all political. No one is doing anything to change that perception.

No Hannah wouldn't have been given a tryout without a coaches recomendation.

That's the way it should be!

[joehockey]

Doc - Really now ...Do you really have to keep going with this...?

I think you should just give them a call if your daughter is deserving in stead of making comments on the forum.

JUST CALL THE LEAGUE

It's not even about my daughter, My daughter isn't interested and she's really not an elite level player. If you opened it up to everyone how many more girls would actually try out? Maybe a handful? most girls know about where they stand as far as hockey goes and wouldn't waste their time. I just think the orginizers have some fear of letting a girls skills speak for themselves. Someone spoke of Hannah Brandt, if she didn't have a coaches recomendation would she have gotten in? They said she led the league in scoring. Open it up, give everyone who wants a chance to try the opportunity. A closed system gives the impression of being politically motivated and I feel thats one of the big issues that is hurting hockey right now. I work with sports related injuries everyday and the number one complaint I hear from kids when I see Hockey players is that it's all political. No one is doing anything to change that perception.

OK so if a girl plays HS hockey or U19 she could be nominated to try out for Phase last spring U17 360, U16 360 and more at U15. That group formed the pool for Elite I it appears Elite II might be a little bigger. If your daughter is not playing varsity HS hockey they won't be in either league.....but there are other options enjoy.

[hockeymaven]

Although Hannah is a good player she did not lead the league in scoring last year.

I believe Sally Komarek from Blake was the league leader in points during both the regular season and the All Star weekend (excluding SSM which the league did not track).

[joehockey]

Although Hannah is a good player she did not lead the league in scoring last year.

I believe Sally Komarek from Blake was the league leader in points during both the regular season and the All Star weekend (excluding SSM which the league did not track).

Sorry you are correct is string to stats posted:

http://www.ushsho.com/forums/posting.ph ... e&p=457976

[Homer]

I meant to post this before I left for the woods.

Just to be clear I was referring to the Elite 2 league, which I thought was geared toward the younger girls. I am all for giving the older girls their shot. No harm intended.

[Melvin44]

We're all friends here stating our opinions and enjoying girls hockey.

[thshockey]

i'm just curious because i saw someone bring up politics. And it seems a lot of people agree that politics do play a huge role in hockey (and possibly other sports). I want to hear what you guys think of this:

Should any sport (not just girls hockey) be run by politics? or have such a huge impact of politics? is it fair to other players when only a select few get noticed?

I'm not trying to start anything, i'm just curious.

[Melvin44]

Well, I don't think it's a select few. I strongly feel these players being chosen are girls who have put in their dues. Most practice all year round and at some point have attended a summer program, league or NDP and made an impression.

I think the majority of the girls are given an opportunity to play in most leagues.

I remmember when my daughter was U12 age and I never was told of what needed to be done or of CODP, OS, SELECTS etc. I would only hear of these programs after seeing a jersey. I made it a point after to always tell players about these programs but some parents feel they want to give their daughters every advantage. Not politics.

Also some girls make teams if they have similar talent over others because they or their parents aren't complainers. Let's face it if girls have the same talent but one parent is easier to deal with. Who would you take.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's a LOT better than it was 5 years ago. If your a coach please let ALL your players know about summer camps/programs and parents we all think our girls are special players don't ruin it for your daughters by being a problem. Ask people involved with the programs before complaining to other parents. It gets around.

Maybe it's not the program. Maybe it's not the player. Maybe it's?

[Bensonmum]

To be clear, most of the people I've met through kids' hockey are great.
But when my daughter is on a put-together team for a tournament or a select-type team and the manager asks if I know anybody else who would like to play, I only recommend kids who have sane parents. And my girl has been asked to play on teams like that by people who apparently consider me to be sane.
But then again, I've seen AAA teams where there are NOTHING BUT insane parents. I guess they tend to gravitate toward each other.

[hockeya1a]

To be clear, most of the people I've met through kids' hockey are great.
But when my daughter is on a put-together team for a tournament or a select-type team and the manager asks if I know anybody else who would like to play, I only recommend kids who have sane parents. And my girl has been asked to play on teams like that by people who apparently consider me to be sane.
But then again, I've seen AAA teams where there are NOTHING BUT insane parents. I guess they tend to gravitate toward each other.

Oh But parents are always sane when things go there way!!!
And insane when they don't!
It is real easy to pick the people we are comfortable with.

[Silent But Deadly]

To be clear, most of the people I've met through kids' hockey are great.
But when my daughter is on a put-together team for a tournament or a select-type team and the manager asks if I know anybody else who would like to play, I only recommend kids who have sane parents. And my girl has been asked to play on teams like that by people who apparently consider me to be sane. But then again, I've seen AAA teams where there are NOTHING BUT insane parents. I guess they tend to gravitate toward each other.

I think you're reaching.....your daughter simply may be that good!

[hockey1510]

IMO the problem with some of these leagues (or more pointedly - parents) is that it seems like every time there is an age requirement, it seems as though someone feels that there should be an exception. Whenever there is an exception there will be those who say "my daughter is as good as the one who they made an exception for" and the debate goes on. Why can't the league just be for Soph - Seniors; case closed. Everyone will know that there are Freshman and sometimes the rare 8th grader that's as good as some of the ones who make it through tryouts but that's just the way it is. When they are Sophmores, they can try out. I've never heard anyone say "my daughter is as good as some of the girls that went to the USA Select 17 camp so she should be able to tryout for Select 17 even though she's 16. They're called rules - the sooner everyone learns to follow them the happier we all can be.

[hockeya1a]

IMO the problem with some of these leagues (or more pointedly - parents) is that it seems like every time there is an age requirement, it seems as though someone feels that there should be an exception. Whenever there is an exception there will be those who say "my daughter is as good as the one who they made an exception for" and the debate goes on. Why can't the league just be for Soph - Seniors; case closed. Everyone will know that there are Freshman and sometimes the rare 8th grader that's as good as some of the ones who make it through tryouts but that's just the way it is. When they are Sophmores, they can try out. I've never heard anyone say "my daughter is as good as some of the girls that went to the USA Select 17 camp so she should be able to tryout for Select 17 even though she's 16. They're called rules - the sooner everyone learns to follow them the happier we all can be.

Amen,

but some of the leagues have not helped the situation with postings like this is for 10th -12th graders others may be selected on a case by case basis.