What should the player do???

[muckandgrind]

FYI - Budish, Lee, Everson, Gaarder, Baker (the Edina Fab 5) each played 2 years of Bantams then played varsity HS hockey for 3 years.

I don't think it hindered their progress or hurt their chances of playing varsity, D1 and some of them getting drafted....

FYI-Anders Lee played 8th and ninth grade for St Thomas Varsity, no bantams, both paths led to great high school careers for these guys. It can be done either way.

Unless your kid is at the level of a Anders Lee or a Jordan Schroeder, or at the very least will be able to see regular action on the top 2 lines of varsity, I think they are better off playing on their A Bantam team. More games and more ice time leads to better development and that will pay off when they play for the HS team NEXT season. No need to rush them.

[F14]

Opinions wanted Goalie situation - Long story

What if the high school head varsity coach calls parents and boy and asks the boy (he was moved up last year to Bantam B2 and had 45 games x 50 shots a game as a Pee Wee last year) to go to an open tryout for the high school team for varsity before tryouts are over and the HS team doesn't have a lot of goalies (3 for 2 teams - he would make 4).

Coach tells family it is a complete open varsity tryout and he is not thrilled with his returning goalies.

Boy has been practicing and played a few games at Bantam A (splitting time). Team formed 5 weeks ago.

Also, what if the Bantam A team has NO goalie coach but the HS has a full-time goalie coach who wants to work with the boy intensely daily in practice. Boy has another year left of Bantam eligibility next year as a 10th grader as well.

HS coaches want him and still are telling him he might see varsity as a 9th grader after 4 days of tryouts. He will for sure play lots on JV and probably some varsity. They want him to go to upcoming varsity scrimmages and compete.

Also, Bantam A Coach & Youth Board found out and insists kid apologize to come back to team and parents have to go in front of board to reinstate because HS's association encourages kids to go out for HS, but Bantam program has just the opposite rule and Does not allow tryouts for HS after teams are formed. (2 different rules). HS coach thought Bantam Association had same rules and made a understandible mistake.

The two coaches have talked directly. Bantam coach says team voted they want him back on team (he was kicked off immediately). Says some parents (more than a few) are not happy about it. Boys picture has been taken off website for Bantam team even. He missed team photos because team had to have a second meeting.

Boy goes to HS in a different city than Youth program and none of friends are on Bantam A team. He is new to HS as a 9th grader and has been meeting and making friends. He went to HS camp the last two summers at the new high school.

Kid is 5'8 140 as a goalie (same size as other older goalies). Age 14

Any advice/opinions appreciated.

[muckandgrind]

Opinions wanted Goalie situation - Long story

What if the high school head varsity coach calls parents and boy and asks the boy (he was moved up last year to Bantam B2 and had 45 games x 50 shots a game as a Pee Wee last year) to go to an open tryout for the high school team for varsity before tryouts are over and the HS team doesn't have a lot of goalies (3 for 2 teams - he would make 4).

Coach tells family it is a complete open varsity tryout and he is not thrilled with his returning goalies.

Boy has been practicing and played a few games at Bantam A (splitting time). Team formed 5 weeks ago.

Also, what if the Bantam A team has NO goalie coach but the HS has a full-time goalie coach who wants to work with the boy intensely daily in practice. Boy has another year left of Bantam eligibility next year as a 10th grader as well.

HS coaches want him and still are telling him he might see varsity as a 9th grader after 4 days of tryouts. He will for sure play lots on JV and probably some varsity. They want him to go to upcoming varsity scrimmages and compete.

Also, Bantam A Coach & Youth Board found out and insists kid apologize to come back to team and parents have to go in front of board to reinstate because HS's association encourages kids to go out for HS, but Bantam program has just the opposite rule and Does not allow tryouts for HS after teams are formed. (2 different rules). HS coach thought Bantam Association had same rules and made a understandible mistake.

The two coaches have talked directly. Bantam coach says team voted they want him back on team (he was kicked off immediately). Says some parents (more than a few) are not happy about it. Boys picture has been taken off website for Bantam team even. He missed team photos because team had to have a second meeting.

Boy goes to HS in a different city than Youth program and none of friends are on Bantam A team. He is new to HS as a 9th grader and has been meeting and making friends. He went to HS camp the last two summers at the new high school.

Kid is 5'8 140 as a goalie (same size as other older goalies). Age 14

Any advice/opinions appreciated.

Did he make the HS team or not? If he did, then in this case I think he should go, ESPECIALLY with the crappy attitude displayed by the A Bantam coach and youth association. Most associations that I know of let at least their 9th graders tryout for their HS teams. Making the kid apologize?!?!?!

A bonus is the fact that the HS team has a goalie coach.