Edina PeeWee A Shenanigans (?)

[elliott70]

I sorta like what EDINA is doing, taking there team out of state to play in what will be a field filled with good teams.

I'll go out on a limb and say that Edina PW A this year goes about
40-2 and outscores its opponents by at least 140 goals and goes deep into
if not wins the state title.

Of those 42 games, they will play no more than 8 or 10 that the other team is even on the ice with them, so if they choose to go out of state to play games, then good for them as long as they aren't breaking any MNHOCK rules.

This would be a USA Hockey rule - get a travel permit from the USA Hockey associate registrar in MN (or designee). Essentially says that the team is properly registered. I am sure the folks in Edina are well aware of what is required.

I concur with others, they need 2 A teams, I know they had 2 B1's last year that went a combined like 100-4 or something crazy like that (not looking up the specifics)

[sorno82]

This group of second year peewees is rather deep. This group should have two "A"s, not following year. I heard there would only be a handfull of 1st years who even have a chance of making the top 3 teams.

Going two balanced "A" teams would be best for developing this group. It would definitely give the "A" team extra competition.

I know that there are fears that the top kids would have to play with number 29 or 30, which will stunt their growth. This thinking is BS since 1) there is not a big difference between 15 and 30 and 2) all the great ones have played with much inferior linemates. I am sure Sid the Kid played with some proud Beer Leaguer in Nova Scotia who was his linemate as a Pee Wee.

Catering to the few at the expense of the many.

[O-townClown]

Funny, I don't believe either Edina Pee Wee B1 team last year won the state tournament?? Also if I'm correct didn't Edina have two A Squirt teams last year and the lesser of the two teams pretty much lost every game??

It's amazing on the affect of a VERY LARGE EGO will do in judging hockey talent.

Edina Green went 16-0-0 in league play; Edina White was 11-3-2.
Green won District 6 playoffs and White looks like it was 3rd.
Elk River beat Edina Green in the state final. The prior year the two Edina teams met in the final.

I'm not sure what a large ego has to do with anything. Edina has big enrollment numbers. Tremendous youth hockey depth is the result.

One reason the Squirts didn't do well last year is that it was an A2 team. The other is that they didn't have the depth in that grade like there is in the now-Pee Wees. Think about it...if you go to any community and don't let them have their best players it makes it hard to do well in Squirt A.

Since when is the sole measure of a successful season whether or not a team wins the state title? I think you would benefit from perspective.

[ThePuckStopsHere]

Funny, I don't believe either Edina Pee Wee B1 team last year won the state tournament?? Also if I'm correct didn't Edina have two A Squirt teams last year and the lesser of the two teams pretty much lost every game??

It's amazing on the affect of a VERY LARGE EGO will do in judging hockey talent.

Edina Green went 16-0-0 in league play; Edina White was 11-3-2.
Green won District 6 playoffs and White looks like it was 3rd.
Elk River beat Edina Green in the state final. The prior year the two Edina teams met in the final.

I'm not sure what a large ego has to do with anything. Edina has big enrollment numbers. Tremendous youth hockey depth is the result.

One reason the Squirts didn't do well last year is that it was an A2 team. The other is that they didn't have the depth in that grade like there is in the now-Pee Wees. Think about it...if you go to any community and don't let them have their best players it makes it hard to do well in Squirt A.

Since when is the sole measure of a successful season whether or not a team wins the state title? I think you would benefit from perspective.

Let me guess you, I mean your ego is from Edina

[jancze5]

PUCK, not sure where your going with this...I'm simply saying that last year at the Pee Wee B1 level, the Edina teams did extremely well and the association/kids would have been better served having 2 A teams at the Pee Wee level, it may be true for this year as well.

Do you have a pee wee aged player?

[ThePuckStopsHere]

PUCK, not sure where your going with this...I'm simply saying that last year at the Pee Wee B1 level, the Edina teams did extremely well and the association/kids would have been better served having 2 A teams at the Pee Wee level, it may be true for this year as well.

Do you have a pee wee aged player?

You are probably right, it's tough for me to pass up a sharp jab at The Haves!!

I know Edina is pretty loaded at the 96,97 & 98 age and two A teams at Pee Wee's would probably be good for the entire district.

[O-townClown]

PUCK, not sure where your going with this...I'm simply saying that last year at the Pee Wee B1 level, the Edina teams did extremely well and the association/kids would have been better served having 2 A teams at the Pee Wee level, it may be true for this year as well.

If there ever is a year to have two A teams, this is it.

We had two teams when I played. We didn't do as well, obviously, but I can assure you we didn't develop any more players as a result. The ones that went on to play in college were either second year players that would still have made the A team or first year players that still were B players, even with two A teams.

One player made my A team as a first year and went on to the NHL. He would not have made a combined A team, which he didn't two years later. (There was only one A.)

His realization of the NHL dream had nothing to do with development at this critical (sarcasm) moment at age 11 or age 13.

I am so tired of the word development, mainly because I'm not sure how to define it.

[slapshot445]

[quote="EdinaRumors"][quote="buttend"]I heard the team already had its first practice last Thursday at Breamar. To keep under the radar its advertised as a Fall Pee Wee Pre -Tryout Skate but we all know thats just a front.[/quote]


Any idea who ran the skate? What adults were on the ice? Which kids were on the ice?[/quote]


that is absolutely not true, the Edina coach invited returning Peewee A, B1, and some squirt A players to the pre-tryout skate. I can guarantee not all of those kids will make the peewee A team. this whole thing is nothing more than a stupid rumor probably started by a dad who knows his dad wont make the team and is pissed at the association.

[frederick61]

I would point out that most associations in the cities will have selected their peewee A team by the first week in October. This is done to take advantage of ice before the high schools get rolling. It is also done early so that the B and C teams can be selected.

Edina grades their players (usually around a 140 peewees will be trying out) the last week in September and groups them. To make the A team, a kid has to make the top group.

If you add it all up, there is about four weeks left before the majority of the peewee A teams in the cities are selected. While most good coaches know the best players in their association by the time tryouts start, most associations use independent evaluators that select the bulk of each team, leaving the coach only a few decisions.

My experience is that most problems during tryouts are actually caused by parents placing limits on their kids during tryouts (don't show up for a tryout session and get passed over, but want to get back in and bump other kids after the latest posting). I hope the flu doesn't hit this year-that could really mess up the selection process.

[nobama]

EDNAS Late birthyear 96's will show those Colorado 97 Pee wees...

Why all this travel ? They should just call themselves the 96 FireHornets..

[EdinaRumors]

Going two balanced "A" teams would be best for developing this group. It would definitely give the "A" team extra competition.

That would lead to a lot of coulda/woulda/shoulda when the teams fall short in the State Tournament. Need to ice your top team as your A team, but these tryouts should be open.

I'm just a little surpised (and so is my poodle) that the PeeWee A coach would select a handful of kids for pre-skates and leave others out. Why not have pre-skates open to the entire association OR wait till registration/grading is done and then have open pre-skates for ALL of the top graded kids.

Why are only some players given this extra ice with the PeeWee A coach? It doesn't seem right, no matter how you paint it.

[spin-o-rama]

If you know someone who would be a strong candidate to make the A team and hasn't been invited, you should alert the coach. He would want to know.

Let's not gripe about volunteer coaches spending more time on the ice.

[EdinaRumors]

If you know someone who would be a strong candidate to make the A team and hasn't been invited, you should alert the coach. He would want to know.

My understanding is, that's what the grading process is for, which is scheduled for September 29-October 1.

Let's not gripe about volunteer coaches spending more time on the ice.

That's not the gripe. He can spend as much time on the ice as he likes. The gripe is that there is an established process in place for the grading of peewee players and the tryouts for the peewee team. These invitation-only pre-tryout skates undermine that process. They are run to the benefit of some players while alienating others. They are fundamental questions of integrity and ethics - or lack thereof?

even my poodle understands this ...

[EdinaRumors]

[quote="sorno82"]This group of second year peewees is rather deep. This group should have two "A"s, not following year. I heard there would only be a handfull of 1st years who even have a chance of making the top 3 teams.
[/quote]

This is a very astute observation, considering two of the dads rumored to have been on the ice at the peewee pre-tryout skate have first year kids trying out for the team.

Both of these dads bring additional clout to the process, as both are also coaching Edina's bantam A program.

Rather than letting an established, independant and unbiased selection process run it's course, these dads would have tainted the process by injecting themselves into, if indeed they were on the ice with the players.

If these two players are now selected for the team ahead of equally qualified/talented or more qualified/talented second year players, it will have at the very least an [b]Appearance of impropriety [/b]... if not more ...

If this is true, then

1.) They should have known better.
2.) This should be brought to the attention of EHA.
3.) Something should be done to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Now if you'll excuse me, it looks like a youth football game has sprung up on the other side of Lake Hariot. I will just slip on my birkenstocks and go a have a boo ... possibly pick up a rasberry frapaccino on the way ...

[muckandgrind]

If you know someone who would be a strong candidate to make the A team and hasn't been invited, you should alert the coach. He would want to know.

My understanding is, that's what the grading process is for, which is scheduled for September 29-October 1.

Let's not gripe about volunteer coaches spending more time on the ice.

That's not the gripe. He can spend as much time on the ice as he likes. The gripe is that there is an established process in place for the grading of peewee players and the tryouts for the peewee team. These invitation-only pre-tryout skates undermine that process. They are run to the benefit of some players while alienating others. They are fundamental questions of integrity and ethics - or lack thereof ...

even my poodle understands this ...

If the parents and coach are doing this outside of Edina hockey, than there is nothing you can do. Basically, it sounds as if a group of parents pooled their money together to purchase some ice and the coach is the one running it. If this was a "sanctioned" Edina Youth Hockey Association skate, then I think you would have a legit complaint.

[EdinaRumors]

If the parents and coach are doing this outside of Edina hockey, than there is nothing you can do. Basically, it sounds as if a group of parents pooled their money together to purchase some ice and the coach is the one running it. If this was a "sanctioned" Edina Youth Hockey Association skate, then I think you would have a legit complaint.

I agree muck. If a group of parents want to get together and pool their money and take the kids for a skate, then that's there business. get them ready for try-outs. Shinny. Whatever. Do what you want.

However, for the non-parent EHA PeeWee A coach to be on the ice and working with these kids at the request of these parents , (or worse, at his own behest) to prepare them for his tryout is unconscionable. It gives the impression that he FAVORS this group of kids and is willing to put in the extra time with them to give them an ADVANTAGE at the independant and unbiased tryout process.

These kids may already have advantages not enjoyed by the majority, with fathers who are EHA board members, EHA coaches and coach other AAA programs. To have the ADDITIONAL advantage of a pre-tryout skate, sanctioned by (or at least blessed) by the EHA appointed PeeWee A coach - who will have final say on all bubble kids - gives the players fortunate enough to attend these skates a HUGE advantage over others who did not recieve this benefit.

The PRESENCE of the PEE WEE A Coach makes it a legit complaint.

The PRESENCE of other EHA officials on the ice, who also have kids trying out for the team, potentialy undermines the integrity of the official EHA selection process.

[proof read and approved by poodle - woof]

Damn, Caribou makes a good frap

[muckandgrind]

If the parents and coach are doing this outside of Edina hockey, than there is nothing you can do. Basically, it sounds as if a group of parents pooled their money together to purchase some ice and the coach is the one running it. If this was a "sanctioned" Edina Youth Hockey Association skate, then I think you would have a legit complaint.

I agree muck. If a group of parents want to get together and pool their money and take the kids for a skate, then that's there business. get them ready for try-outs. Shinny. Whatever. Do what you want.

However, for the non-parent EHA PeeWee A coach to be on the ice and working with these kids at the request of these parents , (or worse, at his own behest) to prepare them for his tryout is unconscionable. It gives the impression that he FAVORS this group of kids and is willing to put in the extra time with them to give them an ADVANTAGE at the independant and unbiased tryout process.

These kids may already have advantages not enjoyed by the majority, with fathers who are EHA board members, EHA coaches and coach other AAA programs. To have the ADDITIONAL advantage of a pre-tryout skate, sanctioned y (or at least blessed) by the EHA appointed PeeWee A coach - who will have final say on all bubble kids - gives the players fortunate enough to attend these skates a HUGE advantage over others who did not recieve this benefit.

The PRESENCE of the PEE WEE A Coach makes it a legit complaint.

The PRESENCE of other EHA officials on the ice, who also have kids trying out for the team, further undermines the integrity of the official EHA selection process.

[proof read and approved by poodle - woof]

Damn, Caribou makes a good frap

Have you brought this up with the Edina Board or sent an email to the coach? If you feel this strongly about it, then I suggest you should.

[spin-o-rama]

This group of second year peewees is rather deep. This group should have two "A"s, not following year. I heard there would only be a handfull of 1st years who even have a chance of making the top 3 teams.

This is a very astute observation, considering two of the dads rumored to have been on the ice at the peewee pre-tryout skate have first year kids trying out for the team.

Both of these dads bring additional clout to the process, as both are also coaching Edina's bantam A program.

Rather than letting an established, independant and unbiased selection process run it's course, these dads would have tainted the process by injecting themselves into, if indeed they were on the ice with the players.

If these two players are now selected for the team ahead of equally qualified/talented or more qualified/talented second year players, it will have at the very least an Appearance of impropriety ... if not more ...

If this is true, then

1.) They should have known better.
2.) This should be brought to the attention of EHA.
3.) Something should be done to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Now if you'll excuse me, it looks like a youth football game has sprung up on the other side of Lake Hariot. I will just slip on my birkenstocks and go a have a boo ... possibly pick up a rasberry frapaccino on the way ...

If you think that 2 very dominant squirt A players from last year shouldn't be in the mix then you are very ignorant.
BTW, Edina didn't give a free pass to either of those 2 back in 2007.
This isn't the only A coach on the ice at Braemar in September. It is happening at many levels. Don't go all Maple Grove over this. It's very unbecoming.

[observer]

Definitely some parents steering this one. I like the idea, and it's probably not to early in the season, if done right. The Colorado Thunderbirds, sponsor of the tournament, has sent a PeeWee team to the Edina Holiday Tournament in the past and I presume this is a little payback. All good so far.

I always wondered about the MASH Leagues too with players wearing Association jerseys in the offseason. How did they get the jerseys? How was the group selected? Does it mean anything for the kids participating as opposed to the ones not other than some off season development. I really don't think Association colors should appear between March 15th and October 15th (or 1st). The teams haven't tried out or been selected fairly.

PeeWees is a big change, bantams another. Edina has more little smurfs playing hockey than any Association I've ever seen. Several are very skilled. Some small players will continue to shine but there will also be new players appearing, when the hitting starts, that will replace some of their golden Squirts. Top A teams, at peewee and bantam, have zero to 3-4 first years total. I guarantee there are first year parents trying to get some traction in hopes it improves their son's chance of making the team. It potentially is an unfair advantage. Not criminal but, inappropriate and discriminatory. Poorly supervised by Edina Youth Hockey leadership. The patients running the asylum although it sounds like some of the patients are on the asylum board. Sticky.

[EdinaRumors]

PeeWees is a big change, bantams another. Edina has more little smurfs playing hockey than any Association I've ever seen. Several are very skilled. Some small players will continue to shine but there will also be new players appearing, when the hitting starts, that will replace some of their golden Squirts. Top A teams, at peewee and bantam, have zero to 3-4 first years total.

Very, VERY solid observations.

If you think that 2 very dominant squirt A players from last year shouldn't be in the mix then you are very ignorant.

EXACTLY the sense of ENTITLEMENT that the EHA independant and unbiased grading and selection process is meant to handle. A process which has now been usurped by this group of assuming parents.

I guarantee there are first year parents trying to get some traction in hopes it improves their son's chance of making the team. It potentially is an unfair advantage.

Well, here in does lie the real rub. It looks like you've hit the nail square on the head.

Not criminal but, inappropriate and discriminatory. Poorly supervised by Edina Youth Hockey leadership. The patients running the asylum although it sounds like some of the patients are on the asylum board. Sticky.

Which is WHY we have rules, constitutions and procedures in place. EHA needs to get it's house in order and enact appropriate sanctions against these coaches, parents and board members who have dismissed them in place of their own "private" try-outs. Perhaps, the players who's parents were on the ice should be restricted from Pee Wee A hockey for one season. After all, nothing wrong with Edina B1 ...

If you know someone who would be a strong candidate to make the A team and hasn't been invited, you should alert the coach. He would want to know.

Funny thing ... I went to the Edina Hockey Association website and took the coaches name and number ...

http://www.edinahockeyassociation.com/p ... 5-peewee-a

However, John Doe at 555-555-5555 has thus far been unresponsive. Apparently you have to be "in the know" to even know who the coach is, let alone get him on the ice with your kid a month before the tryouts.

Have you brought this up with the Edina Board or sent an email to the coach? If you feel this strongly about it, then I suggest you should.

If nothing else, perhaps this thread will accomplish that.

For others that might feel as strongly, here are some legitimate EHA contacts who might entertain any feelings you have on the subject ...

Edina PeeWee Liasons

- Lead Liason: Dan Rectenwald952-925-4326 drectenwald@hga.com
- Asst: Cyndy Wallin 952-941-0455 wallin@sprintmail.com
- Asst: Jeff Westall 952-927-6314 westall10@aol.com

Damn poodle just dumped on the persian ...

[EdinaRumors]

Have you brought this up with the Edina Board or sent an email to the coach?

hmmmmm, in addition to being left out of the exclusive unofficial "try-out" let's further disadvantage my grandson by having him blackballed by the coach / association.

Sorry, the B team is bad enough for a perenial A player - not wanting to have him banished to the C ranks quite yet.

Let's just hope someone in an appropriate position does the responsible thing, takes this ball and runs with it.

I don't think a fair and transparent process is asking too much. In fact, it's already outlined in detail on the EHA website. All we need now is parents, coaches and board members who respect and follow the process ...

... I wonder if Caribou makes a frap with Courvasier ...

[InTheKnow]

EdinaRumors you need to get your facts right. I know a couple of the 2nd year parents and they told me that the coaches put on this clinic, not the parents. They have done this the last 5 or 6 years and no one has complained about it. There are 35 players invited, so I think they cover all of the possible A players for the coming year. Also, there is no trip to Colorado. Lastly, in Edina the coaches pick their teams so the "unbiased" selection process is not compromised. I'm sure if a player stands out in tryouts, he will be noticed.

[EdinaRumors]

EdinaRumors you need to get your facts right.

That's exactly what I am trying to accomplish. I know of more than a few players NOT invited who are more than capable of playing in the top half of the A team.

Indeed, how can you "cover all of the possible A players" players when player registration doesn't close until 2 weeks after the skate.

If it's true that this is an annual event, hosted by an EHA official, then why is it not listed on the Edina website and open to all potential A/B players?

Also, why are there parents of first year players trying out for the team on the ice?

Maybe YOU need to get your facts right.

PS: I'll bet my poodle is tougher than your poodle!

[InTheKnow]

Which one of my facts were wrong? If you take all the returning pee wee A and B1 players, afew of the top B2 players and a few of the top squirt A players, don't you think that covers all the A candidates. I don't think this is an EHA sponsored clinic.

[EdinaRumors]

Except Edina won't grant your waiver.

They like good B1 teams, good B2 teams, Lots of kids filling up their C teams helping to defray their costs...

Actually, this situation underlines the NEED in Minnesota for the new Participation Rule and Minnesota Hockey should be applauded for getting it right and giving Minnesotans a CHOICE when it comes to association hockey.

All we need now is for associations to be UPFRONT about their actual selection processes.